Born and raised on the south coast of KZN, this underground wave assassin learned the art of wave-slaying on the powerful waves of Scottburgh. When he is not out hunting down empty tubes near his home in uMgababa, he can be found looking after water users as a pro lifeguard along Durban’s Golden Mile.
Meet this week’s Surf Ninja, Quinton Shabalala…
NAME: Mduduzi Quinton Shabalala.
AGE: 31
LOCAL SPOT: Scottburgh
BEST THING ABOUT SURFING?
Getting the wave of your life.
WORST THING ABOUT SURFING?
Not making the take-off on a six to eight-foot wave.
TO MAKE A LIVING I…
Work as a pro lifeguard at Bay of Plenty on the Durban beachfront.
THREE TRACKS THAT HELP YOU SHRED?
Flo Rider – Good Feeling
Linkin Park – Crawling
Mike Snow – Animal
BEST SURFER IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW?
Jordy Smith – local boy.
DAWNIE OR ARVO SESH?
Dawnie, especially in winter.
WHEN YOU ARE NOT SURFING, YOU CAN BE FOUND WHERE?
At home with my daughter and cousin.
GREATEST FEAR?
I fear the ocean, even though I use it every day of my life.
BEST SURFING MEMORY?
The one winter morning I surfed with Nick and Casey Grant at a local secret spot. It was just barrels, wave after wave. Slade, Brendon Fijac, Jay Jay and the other young boys were sitting on the beach watching us getting the best waves of our lives because it was too big for them (laughs).
