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Seventeen year old Beyrick De Vries is a surfer on the rise. The Umhlanga natural footer was honoured with the job of captaining the SA Junior Team at the ISA World Juniors in New Zealand this January. Individually, Beyrick fought his way to the finals against a star studded field to grab fourth place in the U18 division. Even more poignant was that he helped steer the rest of the SA team to fourth place, behind Australia, USA, Hawaii and ahead of France – the best result for the Saffas in the past few years.
Zigzag caught up with Beyrick on leading the squad, the World Junior experience, and getting buff....
Zag: You captained the SA team to fourth place at the ISA World Junior Champs. You also finished 4th yourself in the U18 boys division. How was it leading the team?
Beyrick: I think I had to walk the walk. My Dad is my mentor when it comes to leadership skills. He reads a lot up on it and does some motivational speaking himself. So he has been 'coaching' me here. The main thing that he taught me was that you can either lead with a carrot or with a stick. Using a carrot is way more rewarding! By encouraging the younger kids and praising them with recognition and positive words it is way more effective than ‘kaking’ on them. This way I feel that we all got on really well as a team.
Zag: As commander in chief, how did you rate our team performance?
Beyrick: Everyone in the team really gave their best. On the final day, we were lying fifth, behind France. I was positive that we were going to climb above them. I even asked the team before hand to bring their tracksuit bottoms that day because I was determined to get on the podium in our colours. We did and I was super proud of the team – proudly South African!
Zag: Individually, who stood out / went beyond the call in the SA team?
Beyrick: Davey Brand really stood out in the first round of the tag team event. I was super stoked that Sarah made the finals and got her third place. She showed everyone that she has serious big match temperament. Steven Sawyer and Dylan Lightfoot did really well, being their international rookie début’s and all. Overall though, everyone pulled their weight and did their part.
Zag: making the finals is nothing to snort at. You must be chuffed with yourself?
Beyrick: I am really stoked to come away knowing that I can hold my own against that standard of surfing. I actual beat the three finalists earlier in the event and going into the final definitely boosted my confidence. And by winning the last quarterfinal in the main round I know I could have won.
Zag: The sixteen-year-old Brazilian, Gabriel Medina, who won the U18 boys division, seems to pull out near perfect scores on a regular basis. Is he all the judges and surf media are making him out to be?
Beyrick: Medina is a really good competitive surfer. He does super well when the lefts are perfect. I think the reason why he stands out so much is because he puts crazy combos on a wave. The judges are not used to that kind of surfing at his age. I think it will be hit and miss though because conditions are seldom perfect in contests. So it can be any man’s day really.
Zag: While you were in Australasia you must have sized up some of the international talent. How do you rate SA’s individual talent compared to the likes of Australia, USA etc?
Beyrick: I really think that the overseas surfing ‘super powers’ have a numerical advantage. Surfers over there get a lot more opportunities to surf against other good surfers and this will always raise your game as a competitor. When it comes to international tournaments like the ISA, Australia, the USA and Hawaii have a huge talent pool to dig into and make up their teams. If you look at France, they choose their teams from Europe, Reunion and other French speaking countries around the world. So SA did an excellent job of coming fourth. But even though we don’t have as many surfers we have proven that we have the talent and ability to take on the best.
Zag: Looking forward, what are your surfing plans for 2010?
Beyrick: My Dad and QJ don’t want me to burn out too early - the QS can be a mission and can be a drain on you. So I only plan on doing a couple of local and international contests and then some photo and video trips. My main focus this year is to get stronger and fitter, physically, and to be ready to hit the QS in 2012. One thing I realized at worlds is that you have to be SUPER fit! Before I questioned the theory but now believe 100% that surfers must do gym and work on their legs and cardio. My coach QJ and I are very tight so he will be keeping a tight reign and guiding me. Essentially, my short term goal is to excel in all junior events and the long term plan is to qualify for the Dream Tour.
Zag: Anything happen out of the water that stood out for you at the Worlds?
Beyrick: The privilege to have been with Graham ‘Hynsie’ Hynse (SA Team Coach) was great. I think it was his last stint as coach for SA. He is legend and it was very special to me to have been with him on that last international coaching trip. So ja, thanks Hynsie! You are a ROCK and you helped get SA on that podium. Also, thanks to Etienne, Josh and Pax and all the parents who joined together for the success of SA.
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