Nepal earthquake talk to fund surfer’s California dream

Toti surfing champ, Chanelle Botha needs the community’s help to get to California to compete against the world’s best U18 surfers at the ISA world junior champs from 11 to 18 October.

To get to the champs, Chanelle had to raise R47,000, but is still short R8,000 to go and fly the South African flag for the last time as a junior surfer.

In an effort to help her make up this deficit, Robert Bentley will visit Toti to do his sell-out motivational speech about escaping death when the earthquake struck Nepal earlier this year. Robert was part of Sean Wisedale’s team that was at base camp waiting to ascend Mount Everest when they were involved in a fight for their lives after the earthquake caused an avalanche, which destroyed base camp and claimed many lives.

On Thursday, 27 August at 6.30pm for 7pm at Amanzimtoti High School hall, Robert will give his account of the events that unfolded after that disaster struck.

Tickets will be on sale at the door on a first come, first served basis, or book by contacting Renae Botha on 083-432-7064. Entry costs R50 for adults and R20 for scholars.

Parking is available on the school fields via School Road.

In February Chanelle was selected for the SA surf junior team for the fourth consecutive year.

With only two months to go to the world champs, the 18-year-old student of corporate communications at Varsity College, has been hard at work preparing for the stiff competition.

She claimed a third place at a World Surf League pro junior event in Jeffrey’s Bay recently.

Last week at the Citroen SA surfing champs in Richards Bay, she surfed her way to her 10th consecutive national championships final, after what was one of the most exciting finals of the day, with high scoring rides being exchanged between the four contenders. Chanelle finished third and won a bronze medal for her efforts, helping Team Ugu Surfriders (formerly South KZN) to a third place team finish.