The South African Junior Surfing Team recently returned home from El Salvador after representing the country at this year’s Surf City El Salvador ISA World Junior Surfing Championship.
The popular annual event was held at La Bocana and El Sunzal in September.
After nine days of international competition against 420 of the world’s leading junior surfers from 56 national teams, South Africa finished an impressive 13th overall in the team rankings with 3 600 points. Australia claimed the Team Gold Medal ahead of the United States, Brazil and Peru.
The South African team, including Scottburgh’s Leah Lepront, represented their country with pride, honour, courage and tremendous team spirit.
They supported one another through the highs and lows of international competition, embraced the privilege of wearing the Protea colours and conducted themselves as outstanding ambassadors for South African surfing.
South Africa produced excellent performances across the four divisions, led by Emily Jenkinson, who finished equal 13th in the U18 Girls, and Ben Esterhuyse, who also secured an equal 13th place in the U16 Boys.
In the U18 Girls, Taylor Emslie finished equal 25th and Camilla Heuer equal 37th. In the U18 Boys, Josh Malherbe finished equal 37th, while Rory Dace and Matthew Canning finished equal 55th.
In the U16 divisions, Emma Schermbrucker and Maya Malherbe finished equal 37th in the Girls, with Leah Lepront equal 49th. Alongside Esterhuyse’s 13th place in the Boys, Carl Wiersma and Melokuhle Zotshana both finished equal 49th.
Every athlete contributed valuable points towards South Africa’s 13th-place team finish, placing the country firmly among a highly competitive international field.
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