Pupils from Merrifield college and preparatory school are heading to Jeffrey’s Bay in October to compete in the 2022 SA Surfing Championships, representing the Border junior sides.
Daniel Emslie, captain of the u/18 boys side, says the team has been hard at work, training three times a week with surfing drills and physical workouts on the beach to maintain their fitness and build mental endurance for an intense period of surfing at the championships.
Emslie believes the Border u/18 side this year stands a good chance of emerging as victors given the talent, experience and commitment the team has shown throughout the season.
Emslie was part of the side in 2019 who were crowned victors and he is motivated to leave Jeffreys Bay with that moniker once again.
Inspired by his uncle, current coach and Border and internationally renowned surfing legend Greg Emslie, Daniel intends to achieve similar success in the sporting code.
“Through national qualifying events starting at the end of this year and beginning of next year, I aspire to finish in the top six men in Africa for the WSL Africa rankings, and qualify for the Challenger Series,” he said.
“I will compete in eight international events with surfers from across the globe.
“On this tour I hope to finish in a ranking of being in the top 12 men and therefore qualify for the world tour and become a professional surfer.”
Teammate Kyan Lugg qualified for the championships after finishing in second place at the Border trials earlier this year.
An avid surfer and long-time water sport enthusiast, he is concerned he may have a bad heat and be unable to catch the waves he needs.
To prepare for the championships, Lugg said he was training four times a week and hopes to win the SA u/16 championships later this year.
The youngest student representing Border is Malachi Womarans, who is part of the u/14 team.
Wolmarans started surfing at the age of 7 and says: “I continued because it was fun and you forget everything when you’re in the water.”
Wolmarans hopes to avoid being knocked out early at the championships and intends to make it to the Challenger series later this year.
