Warner Beach surfer, Chanelle Botha cleaned up at the weekend’s Wave Wizards event, winning both the U18 girls and open division. Chanelle was on fine form and beat two national team riders, Teal Hogg and Nicole Pallet in the open division.
The event was the first of a three-part series Wave Wizards Umhlanga Surf Club to celebrate 30 years as a club. Surfers and spectators enjoyed a beautiful sunny day with no wind.
The waves were one to two foot with the occasional three to four foot set on the outside, making for very contestable conditions.
Over 80 surfers entered the contest ranging from age five to 55.
“It felt really good to win both categories,” said Chanelle. “I have been training quite hard the past three weeks and it seems to have paid off, and with just 20 days to go before the SA junior champs, it’s a massive confidence boost.”
This was her first open women’s win. “That is what made it an even better win, and I had some stiff competition in the final, so I’m really stoked.”
The Amanzimtoti High School pupil, who earned SA colours this season, was seen studying for her matric finals on the beach, in between many heats of surfing.
“I have just started my trial exams. I’ve got a good balance at the moment between training and studying.
Next year I will study a degree in corporate communications at Varsity College and hopefully be selected to surf the world juniors again and then maybe squeeze in a few pro junior events overseas.”
In the boys U14 category, Toti surfer, Tide Lee Ireland (11) finished third.
