ROSEHILL resident, Adri Randall, has made it her personal mission to better the reputation of surfers and surfing in KwaZulu-Natal. To do this she started her own and local free surfing magazine, Surf Ratz.
“My son is 13 and he is an amazing surfer. We do a lot of surf comps and have for a long time. I noticed that there is nothing out there that gives the kids the credit they deserve. I thought that a kids’ surf magazine would be a great platform for the kids to shine from and also to get surfing as a sport out there and show people that it is a family affair and everyone can join in and have fun at the beach,” she said when asked why she chose to create a surf magazine.
“Durban’s beachfront is so beautiful and summer in Durban is all year round really. I have also seen many kids get into trouble at the beach because they don’t know the ocean, so this mag is also very educational, focusing on ocean safety and environmental issues and what kids can do to be safe in the sea and help keep our oceans clean,” she added.
The magazine, aimed at children from five to 15 years old, normally features an article with one of SA’s pro surfers, what advice they have for young surfers and why it is important to stay fit and healthy: “In volume one we had Travis Logie and in volume two we had Jordy Smith. I then have four interviews with four of our junior surfers from in and around the Durban area. There is also a new kids on the block page with four more kids.”
Dubbed a beach mum, not a beach bum, Adri said the mag is available at most surf shops in Gateway and shops and lifesaving clubs along the Golden Mile. The mag also goes to selected schools.
“If I have an interview with a junior surfer from Durban Preparatory High School in the mag, it goes to DPHS. The schools have been really supportive and excited about this mag and love that it is educational for the kids,” she said.
In creating the mag, Adri hoped to change people’s misconceptions about surfers and surfing: “A lot of people are still stuck in the 80’s where they think surfers are nothing but bums. Surfing is an awesome, beautiful sport. It keeps you fit and healthy and everyone can join in on a fun day at the beach.”
And just to tease surfers out there, Adri said there’s a ‘big, big interview coming woth a wave rider. I mean BIG BIG surprise.’
