Competitors bring the heat at SA para-surfing champs

THE country’s best para-surfers flocked to Durban’s New Pier for the Tyre Life Solutions SA Para-Surfing Championships on the weekend of 28-30 May.

The national competition was hosted by Made for More, a local NPO that equips and empowers people with disabilities through sport. A total of 46 contestants took part this year, almost double the number of surfers that competed in the last SA Champs which was held in 2019. The event, which is not only a national competition, also serves to select surfers to represent SA at the ISA World Para-Surfing Championships in the USA later in the year.

The competition was fierce and there was a lot at stake for the competitors in the various divisions. ‘Bluff’s very own superwoman’, Tracy McKay got the ride of the day on Sunday, 30 May, earning her nine points to win her division, beating friend and SA para-surfing team member, Daniel Nel. Tracy will represent South Africa at the ISA World Para-Surfing Championships later this year.

“I am so excited to have made the SA Team once again and to be representing South Africa proudly. I clearly surf better under pressure as I bombed out in my first two heats on Saturday. I knew it was all or nothing for my last heat on Sunday. Riding that wave was perfect in every way and took me from backline right to the shore where I was greeted with screams and shouts from the shoreline,” she said, thanking all her Bluff supporters.

Founder of Made for More and event organiser, Julia Van Zyl said, “This event would not have been possible without our sponsors, our monthly donors and of course the water-assistants and volunteers who give of their time and skills so selflessly to help our contestants get waves and keep them safe in and out of the water. We feel so privileged and honoured to be a part of para-surfing and the growth of sport for people with disabilities in South Africa.”