“It was great to finally witness the sport in a competitive context,” said competitor, Dries Millard, one of the founders of the adaptive surfing movement in South Africa. “When I first got the hang of surfing differently, it was a door that burst wide open for me. Sharing that with others in a similar situation just spread like wildfire and now there are much bigger things on the horizon for Adaptive Surfing.”
Adaptive Surfing in South Africa (ASSA) saw its first ever South African champs go down on the weekend. The adaptive surfers experience various forms of disability: paralyses, Cerebral Palsy, blindness and amputees were some of the many physical challenges that were overcome to share the stoke of simply catching waves (and invariably trying to ride them better). Starting off with an Adaptive Surfing Seminar at Reddam Constantia on Saturday, where topics such as Classification, Contest Strategy, Body Awareness, Judging and ISA rules were covered. It was also a forum to share stories and to meet other adaptive surfers. One of the missions of the ASSA was to chose the South African team that will be looking to bring back medals from the second Stance ISA World Adaptive Champs to be held at La Jolla, San Diego at the end of the year.
Stoked surfers at the waters edge. © Sandy Coffey
The historic 2016 Triggerfish Animation South African Adaptive Surfing Champs was held on Sunday at Muizenberg beach, Cape Town. It was an achievement on it’s own for the fourteen brave souls who conquered their fears and entered the event. The competitors were fearless and showed that with bravery and determination, surfing can be adapted to any kind of lifestyle – or body. The volunteers helped to ensure that all competitors and clinic participants were kept safe in the water throughout the day and helped to create good vibes. The energy on the beach was electric and contagious.
“Surfing has released my spasticity, helped me build my core muscles and strengthen my body and most of all, I get to experience the stoke of Surfing.” said Ashtan Davies.
Fine performances by 2015 SA Team members, Dries Millard of Saldanha Bay, who posted a total score of 78,1 points and Antony Smyth of Hout Bay, who racked up 71,50 points earned them both South African titles but it was not enough for either of them to take the Surfer of the Contest Award. This honor went to 20 year old Caleb Swanepoel, who lost his leg to a shark whilst surfing Buffels Baai last year. Caleb posted two 10 point rides in the event and scored a total of 93,5 points to take the Surfer of the Contest Trophy.
The surf clinic saw many physically challenged men and women surf for the first time. © Grant Scholtz
Millard took gold in the Prone Division with Daniel Nel of Parow of taking silver and Ian Kolevsohn of Cape Town going home with a bronze medal. Antony Smyth, a silver medalist at the 2015 ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championships, won the SA Stand Up 1 Title ahead of JP Veaudry of East London, his teammate in San Diego last year. James Orbin of Richards Bay took third place and the bronze medal.
Leslie Lee of Port Elizabeth, the only Woman in the event, not only came second to Swanepoel in the Stand Up 1 Division but also won the Stoked Surfer of the Contest Award. Anton Raimondo of Cape Town was third and earned a bronze medal, while Tyler Pike of Kirstenhof took fourth sport and was awarded the copper medal.
One of South Africa’s top juniors, Jake Elkington, lending his support. © Sandy Coffey
In the Assist Division the result was close with only 7 points separating first and third place. In the end Albert Rust of Ermelo posted 59,4 and edged Ashtan Davids of Muizenberg into second place. Davids scored 52,6 points a mere ,1 point ahead of Graham Humphries of Claremont who had to settle for bronze.
Blind surfers Erryn Geddie of Glenwood and Danito Mondlane of Durban also competed in the 2016 Triggerfish Animation SA Adaptive Surfing Championships in their own division.Both of these KZN surfers made the trip to the event having worked hard on their surfing with Adapted Surfing South Africa Board Member Wes Smith. Smith, Danito’s dad, Leon Van Zyl as well as Janine Prinsloo and Harry Dreyer were all part of the stoked KZN group that made the trip to this historical event.
After two rounds of competition Geddie posted 59,3 points to take victory and Mondlane scored 38,1 for the silver medal.
The medal winners. © Sandy Coffey
The 2016 South Africa Adaptive Surfing Championships was sponsored by Triggerfish Animation Studios, Surfing South Africa, the Department of Sport and Recreation South Africa,Hawk62, Reef Wetsuits, Surf Emporium and GoPro.
For more information on adaptive surfing in South Africa, click HERE and HERE.
Contest organizer, Tasha Mentasti was one of the shining volunteers. © Grant Scholtz.
Erryn Geddie was one of the brave, blind surfers. © Grant Scholtz
Lesley Lee with her husband. Lesley was the only female in the event. © Grant Scholtz
Ian Kolevsohn gets a ride up the beach. © Grant Scholtz
