Jordan (left) and Ethan show off their new board chops. / Image: © Johnson
An epic day of fun, sun and ideal surf with the Hurley South Africa surf team has convinced Cape Town based supergroms Jordan Maree and Ethan Fletcher to sign with a leading global youth brand that has strong roots in surf, skate, art, music and beach culture.
The boys and their families were invited to participate in a Hurley team building day on Llandudno beach where they were joined by a posse of professional videographers and photographers for a day of surf, land and studio shoots in 36 degree heat and ideal four foot waves.
Ethan Fletcher / Image: © Johnson
The pair reveled in the conditions, happily displaying their impressive surfing skills alongside their new team mates and enjoying a sumptuous barbeque together with their parents and siblings.
Ethan, 10, who hails from the surfing hotbed of Kommetjie and has already scooped a string of titles including U10 SA Grommets Champion and Surfer of the Tournament, U10 Western Province Champion and scoring the Highest Wave and Heat Score at an event in Jeffreys Bay where he earned a Wildcard to surf with Marc ‘Occy’ Occhilupo, was ecstatic about becoming a Hurley team rider
Ethan, backhand attack. / Image: © Johnson
"I feel very happy and excited and I can't wait to wear all the clothes and wetsuits,” Ethan exclaimed. “It's cool to be sponsored by one of the best brands with really good surfers and I’m very fortunate to surf for Hurley.”
Jordan, 11, recently moved from Tokai to Kalk Bay with his family and the burgeoning goofy-footer has already become a standout at the iconic Kalk Bay reef. His stellar contest resume includes the Western Province U12 crown, Surfer of the Contest for South African Championships and he is the reigning Billabong Junior Series U12 Champion.
Jordan Maree, slashing. / Image: © Johnson
“I have been drawing Hurley designs on my surfboard for a month now,” Jordan said, adding “I wanted to be part of the team because they have some of the best products and am so happy to have met everyone and see that they are pleased to have me on their team.”
Having monitored the two friends progress over a number of years, Hurley are delighted have the pair onboard as team riders and foresee their competitive rivalry stimulating their performances and motivating them to greater heights in the future.
Jordan / Image: © Johnson
"We are so stoked to have Ethan and Jordan joining our surf team," Hurley's Team Manager, Liam Wood, remarked. "They are both unbelievably talented surfers and athletes who have already developed great free-surfing and competitive skills along with amazing repertoires of aerial and power manoeuvres.”
“They are also both great role models for the sport of surfing and, with the support of their families, they have chosen to sign with Hurley for the rest of their junior surfing careers so we look forward to the future unfolding for them.”
The Maree's and Fletcher's. / Image: © Johnson
