Gold for Ballito surfer, Barry Campbell at SA Masters Championships [Watch]
Barry (64) competed in the 60+ category, winning iLembe's only medal against some of the country's best surfers over the age of 35.
Ballito’s Barry Campbell beat strong competition to bring back gold in the veteran’s category of the South African Masters Surfing Championships (SAMC).
He was a part of the iLembe Surf Riders team that took part in the SAMC in Victoria Bay (between George and Wilderness) this past weekend.
Barry (64) competed in the 60+ category, winning iLembe’s only medal against some of the country’s best surfers over the age of 35.
“It was a wonderful contest. The waves and weather were great and Victoria Bay was a perfect host. Competition was tight among my compatriots, some of whom have been surfing for more than 50 years, but we managed to pull out a win at the death,” he said.
Barry came second in his heat, posting a score of 9.37, but saved the best for last scoring 11.96 to narrowly beat Judge Olivier from the Ethekwini Surf Riders Association in the final.
“I was a little bit nervous but was thrilled to come away with a win for iLembe at the end.”
Photo: SA Surf Hub.
Barry has been surfing competitively since the early 70s, moving to Hawaii in 1978 to surf professionally, later captaining the Springbok side in the USA in 1981.
A career took him away from surfing for a while as he lived in Johannesburg, but since moving back to the North Coast 10 years ago, his love for the sport returned.
The win gives Barry a chance to go back-to-back as he competes in the veterans section of the South African Longboard Championships in Jeffrey’s Bay this weekend (August 24-29). The event has categories from u14 all the way up to the over 70 legends section.
“I am really looking forward to it. We are expecting a nice swell and my son who is 26 is also competing so it should make for a great weekend.”
iLembe had 2 other semi-finalists in the SAMC, eventually coming 6th as a team with Buffalo City winning their 9th title in a row.
“We have made great improvement in the last 2 years of competing and we are hoping to take a big step next year and finish in the medal positions,” said 55+ competitor and team captain, Brian Dougherty.
iLembe continues to be a hub for surfers both young and aged, but as Barry says, “You’re not old until you stop surfing.”
The full list of results from the SAMC can be found at liveheats.com/events/5862.
For breaking news follow The North Coast Courier on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. 
Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.
Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here, or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.
