MOST of us will make a New Year’s resolution, maybe to quit smoking or lose weight, but you won’t find many resolutions that include representing your country at the Junior World Surfing champs in Ecuador.

For uMhlanga’s Teal Grace-Hogg, this much is true. The current U17 SA title holder has been hard at work preparing for next years event. “My goal is purely to win and surf my best all the time. I’m training everyday in order to achieve this goal. I’ve been studying Ecuador and the competitors I will be competing against next year. The conditions look fair and the waves are practical left hander’s, which is my favourite type of wave,” she said.

The Crawford College North Coast pupil has added some impressive wins since her national title winning the KZN U17 crown as well as placing second at the Women’s Day competition held at Bay of plenty.

While Teal said her goal is to make as many finals next year, the teenager admits the hardest part about next year’s competition is securing sponsorships to help her reach Ecuador’s shores.

She’s appealing the local to help her get to junior world surfing champs. Contact Bev Hogg 083 255 2448 to help.