Alfonso “Alf” Peters can be seen on most good, bad, big or small wave days at Muizies, strutting down his longboard with a wicked grin. Alf got introduced to surfing through a free high school surf program back in his teens. He signed up just to try it, not even thinking he’d dig it – and thirteen years later, Alf is winning major local comps and living his surf dream.
Meet (and watch out for) Alfonso Peters – our latest Surf Ninja…
Name: Alfonso “Alf” Peters
Age: 27
Local Spot: Muizenberg
Best thing about surfing? Feeling free, being able to leave all my problems on the beach and just focus on the waves. It’s like a therapy session for free.
Worst thing about surfing? Probably the wet wetsuits on a cold winter’s morning.
To make a living I..? Want to continue to share the stoke of surfing with other people who might never have given it a try before.
Three tracks that help you shred?
All The Way Up – Fat Joe & Remy Ma, It’s On You – Ganzfield Effect Remix and Turn Down For What- DJ Snake ft Lil Jon
Alf Peters © Andy Wirtz
Best surfer in the world right now? Gabriel Madina.
Dawnie or arvo sesh? I’d say arvie, because I live two minutes away from the beach, so I can surf until after dark and still run home afterwards.
Which spot do you have to surf before you die? Madiba’s left on Robben Island.
When you are not surfing, you can be found where? Either coaching surfing or watching surfing online. I live for surfing, if I’m not surfing I’m thinking about my last or even next session.
Greatest fear? That’s a big one… going back to where I came from.
Alf Peters © Emma Rudling
What level would you say you’re at now and where do you hope to get to?
What keeps you motivated?
The next expected swell hitting the “berg”! But honestly the fact that I have so much fun out there and that the next surf will be better than the last. My sponsors definitely help make things easier with hot coffees and showers from Vida E Café and Surf Emporium after a cold surf and Norden surfboards for supplying me with top quality boards.
Alf Peters. Image © Seth de Boer
Best surfing memory? The first wave I caught in the final of the Tigers Milk Classic when I realised I could actually win my biggest contest yet!
What does the future of South African surfing hold?
It is definitely getting bigger and more exposure internationally with the likes of Jordy Maree, Beyrick de Vries and Mikey February doing so well on the international scene.
*Lead Image © LogjamCollective / Paterson. Uncredited images supplied.
