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Local paddler returns home to make history on the world stage
From Parys to the World stage: Once a Vaal paddler, always a Vaal paddler
Former NWU Vaal paddler, Schalk Iewan van Zyl may now call Thailand home, but his roots in the Vaal paddling community remain stronger than ever. Van Zyl, who grew up training and racing on the Vaal River, has been coaching in Thailand as part of his work with Surfski School Thailand and the paddling organisation Oceans Limitless. This month, he returned to South Africa for one of the biggest moments in his coaching journey—guiding Thailand’s first-ever athlete at the ICF Ocean Racing World Championship in Durban.
Van Zyl accompanied 18-year-old Thai paddler Kittithon Klaikhum, a young talent who made history as the first Thai competitor to line up at the Ocean Racing World Championships in October in Durban. Despite being new to international racing, and the wilder rougher seas in Durban, Klaikhum put in a remarkable performance, finishing 35th in his age category and placing as the second Asian paddler overall—a result that signals a promising future not only for him but for the growth of paddling in Thailand.
“It’s more than just a race result,” Van Zyl said. “It’s about opening doors. Kittithon showed young Thai athletes what’s possible.”
Van Zyl’s own journey began on the waters of the Vaal. As a student at NWU Vaal, he first picked up a paddle and fell in love with the sport. What began as a hobby quickly turned into both passion and profession. Over the years, he has raced across Asia, earning podium finishes in major ocean racing events and qualifying as a registered international surfski coach.
Today, from Thailand’s tropical coastline, he trains paddlers ranging from curious beginners to competitive athletes preparing for world-stage events.
But no matter how far he travels, the Vaal remains home.
Every year, Van Zyl returns to the NWU Vaal Canoe Club, reconnecting with old clubmates and putting in training laps on the river where it all started. He shares stories, laughs, and lessons from years of racing around the world—and always finds a way to give back to the local paddling community.
“The Vaal and the people here gave me my start,” he said. “Everything I’ve achieved comes out of this river and this club. I’ll always come back.”
With Thailand’s paddling scene growing and South Africa continuing to produce strong competitors, Van Zyl now finds himself bridging two communities—carrying the spirit of the Vaal to international shores and bringing new athletes into the global paddling world.
And as Thailand celebrates its first world championship finisher, Parys can proudly say the coach behind the milestone learned his craft right here on the Vaal.
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