Ballito surfer Marcello Zedde grabs gold in Kommetjie
With a good enough record, he could qualify for selection for the South African team for the junior world championships in El Salvador.
Marcello Zedde is primed to be the next big thing in local surfing, currently riding high on a wave of momentum after claiming another national win.
The ten-year-old Ballito shredder kept a cool head at the first of five events in the Rip Curl Grom Search series, winning the U12 boys category on Sunday.
It is his second national event win after taking first in last year’s Grom Search event in Scottburgh.
Held at Long Beach in Kommetjie near Cape Town, the competition drew some of the best under-18 surfers from across the country, including previous national age group champions.
“I started off a little slow in the quarters, but was able to make it through in second place. It was already better than getting knocked out in the first round last year!” said Zedde.
In the semi-final, he again took a comfortable second place with a 9.50, after saving his best two waves for last.
By the time the final rolled around, Zedde had grown into the competition and become familiar with the break, a combination of circumstances which spelt trouble for the rest of the field.
“I started off going left in the final and got one nice wave out of it, before a right came through for my last wave. I did two turns and earned a good score which took me over the line,” he said.
His final total of 12.84 was too strong for second placed Valdemar Gwenin (9.17) and bronze medalist Harry Walton (7.07).
The Grom Search series continues in Victoria Bay next month before touching down for its only stop in KwaZulu-Natal, at Scottburgh in April.
“I have only been surfing for three years. I used to play tennis but now surfing takes up most of my time,” Zedde said.
He hopes to carry on his strong start over the 12 or 13 national events he will compete in throughout the year.
With a good enough record, he could qualify for selection for the South African team at the junior world championships in El Salvador.
Marcello lives in Zimbali and is a pupil at Ashton International College, taking surf lessons at the Ballito Surf School at his home break at Willard Beach.
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