The opening day of the 2023 Tyrelife Solutions SA Para Surf Championship and Para Surf League Open powered by Ocean Freedom saw 62 athletes competing across 9 Para Surf divisions and three inclusive open divisions today at Surfers Corner, Muizenberg.
Athletes kicked off the event in decent 2-3 foot waves that held for most of the day with a steady offshore wind. The first day finished with an expression session featuring some of the top Para Surfers from around the world including South African Team member and ISA Silver Medalist JP Veaudry.
“What an extraordinary collaborative effort from athletes, volunteers, supporters, family, chaperones, coaches, water safety, officials, sponsors and event partners to make the opening day of the SA Para Surf Champs and Para Surf League Open such a huge success” said Roxy Davis, Event Lead Organizer.
Isaac February, President of Surfing South Africa, added “what an inspiring day of surfing at the Tyrelife Solutions SA Para Surf Champs & Para Surf League Africa Champs held at Muizenberg Beach. Perfect waves allowed for all surfers to showcase their skill and share the stoke.”
Bongani Xulu, the event Head Judge, commented “what a great first day from all the athletes, we had scores ranging from good to high. The waves have been good and it certainly has been great to see international surfers adjusting perfectly to our local surf conditions. We are looking forward to seeing more good surfing tomorrow with the finals taking place.”
“There are a lot of moving parts that go into running a surf contest, when it all comes together, the reward is seeing stoked athletes being given the best opportunities to showcase their talent! Day 1 was amazing with perfect 2-3 foot waves at Muizenberg. The athletes put on a great show and the day ended off in style with the perfect Expression Session that was enjoyed by all spectators. It was truly inspiring to see the athletes ‘let loose’ for 20 minutes and have loads of fun” Reza De Nicker, Contest Director.
“What an epic day of surf to kick off the Para Surf League Global Tour at the South Africa Para Surf Champs and Para Surf League Open. We couldn’t have partnered with a better team than the South African Surfing Federation, the Roxy Davis Foundation and all of their amazing teams and partners who have committed so much to this event. We can’t wait to see the contest and continental champions crowned tomorrow and to see the future of Para Surf as it explodes here in South Africa, across the Continent and globe” said Founder and President of the Para Surf League Dana Cummings.
Finals day starts at 8am tomorrow, with an Awards and Closing Ceremony following the days surfing action. Please join us in supporting the finals day at Muizenberg Beach.
Surfing South Africa is the recognised National governing body for the sport of surfing and its disciplines in South Africa. Para Surfing, along with longboarding, bodyboarding, kneeboarding and SUP Surfing are all disciplines within the organisation. All International and National events are sanctioned by SSA. Surfing South Africa is proud to be a member of the Olympic family, the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), the African Surfing Confederation (ASC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA).
Photo Credit: Greg Chapman @chappypix
For all event image galleries click here https://oceanfreedom.com/discover/
Thank you to the event partners for making this event possible
- Tyrelife Solutions @tyrelifesolutions
- Ocean Freedom @oceanfreedomco
- Para Surf League @parasurfleague
- Lifestyle Surf Shop @lifestylesurfshop
- Wetsuit Warehouse @wetsuitwarehouseza
- Surf Emporium @surfemporium
- Pick n Pay @picknpay
- Hudsons Burgers @hudsonsburgers
- Boardriders South Africa @boardriders.southafrica
- Vida E Caffe @vidaecaffe_official
- Sea Harvest @sea_harvest_sa
- Coca Cola Peninsula Beverages @cocacolapenbev
- Taurus Medical @taurusmedic
- Roxy Davis Foundation @roxydavisfoundation
- Made for More @madeformoresa
- Surfing South Africa @surfingsouthafrica
- AmpSurf @ampsurf_us
- International Surfing Association @isa
