La Lucia youngster shines on local surf scene
Matt Canning has competed at several local competitions, school leagues and is set to represent SA at the ISA World Junior Surfing Champs.
LA Lucia resident Matt Canning has been making a name for himself on the local surfing scene with some stellar performances of late.
He secured a second place in the O’Neill SMTH Shapes Rookie Rippers U18 division, the curtain-raiser to the annual Ballito Pro Festival at the beginning of this month.
The Northwood School learner captained his school’s surfing team for a second year in a row to the KZN Schools Surfing League Champs title.
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The 17-year-old has also been selected to represent SA at the ISA World Junior Surfing Championships in El Salvador in September.
Speaking on his recent performances at the Rookie Rippers event, which showcases the emerging talent of the country’s junior surfers, Matt said he was proud of his achievement.
“It was such a great experience for me. I love competing because I feel you grow so much. Finishing second in such a competitive field with so many good surfers felt good. To get through the rounds and make it to the finals is a super achievement. It was also a proud moment for me because my younger sister Adrianna (Canning) won the girls U12 division,” the goofy footer said.
Speaking about the upcoming world champs, Matt explained his game plan is to make it to the quarter-finals.
He will be among 400 of the world’s best junior surfers from more than 40 nations and celebrates his birthday in the same month as the competition.
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“It is a huge honour for me to represent my country and family. I’ve represented the SA Junior Team twice before and my best placing was Round 3. My goal this year would be to make the quarter-finals. Surfing is an unpredictable sport and while luck does play a part, your preparation also counts and my goal is to do the best I can in South America,” he said.
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