Grommet surfers take to the waves in style

Surfers competed against each other in groups of four and had two 20 minute heats to show their skill to be able to achieve enough points to make the team.

March 18, 2021

Tebuho Zongwana 1 minute read

Travis Turrell of Southport shows off his talent.

The 2021 Ugu Grommet trials took place at St Michaels Beach last week Sunday.

Young surfers competed to make the Ugu Surfriders team that will compete at 2021 Sea Harvest KZN Grommet Games, presented by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture at Dairy Beach in Durban this weekend (20th and 21st).

Daryn Palmer of Uvongo loving life on the waves.

Claudia Attfield, Ugu Surfriders vice-chairman, said there was a wonderful turnout and atmosphere.

“The excitement and stoke was apparent in all surfers. Children and parents alike enjoyed a day with good waves, good weather and great fun,” she said.

Surfers competed against each other in groups of four and had two 20 minute heats to show their skill to be able to achieve enough points to make the team.

Thabang Shinge of Bhobhoyi is one happy surfer.

At the end of the compo, a team was chosen comprising surfers from all parts of the coast, including Scottburgh, Pumula, Umtentweni, Trafalgar, Bhobhoyi and Port Edward.

A number of these young surfers are part of Genesis Wave of Hope, which is not-for-profit surf school associated with Genesis Trust in Port Shepstone, run by Philani Sikobi.

Philani has also been named as the coach for this weekend.

Tristan Korsten of Uvongo takes on some huge surf.

The manager is Catherine Lepront.

TEAM
U10 boys – Adam van der Merwe (Umtentweni).
U12 girls – Leah Lepront (Scottburgh), Haylie le Roux (Scottburgh), Kylie Best (Port Edward), Zoe Maisch (Pumula).
U12 boys – David Moussouris (Scottburgh), Cruz Reynolds (Scottburgh), Thando Sashi (Trafalgar), Travis Turrell (Southport).
U14 girls – Nina Dirkze-van Schalkwyk (Scottburgh), Alexa Overbeek (Scottburgh), Ella Maisch (Pumula), Sonnel Dicken (Port Shepstone), Yolanda Gwala (Bhobhoyi).
U14 boys – Daryn Palmer (Uvongo), Thabang Shibe (Bhobhoyi), Sven Schmidtke (Trafalgar), Okhule Ngcungama (Trafalgar).
U16 girls – Lwandle Mseleku (Port Shepstone), S’thabile Mkhize (Bhobhoyi), Anele Nyawose (Bhobhoyi).
U16 boys – Tristan Korsten (Uvongo), Hannes Hoffman (Port Shepstone), Sanele Zwelonke (Trafalgar).