SA surfing sensation and East London-based JP Veaudry once again ruled the waves at the Tyrelife SA Para Surfing Championships in Muizenberg when he successfully defended his International Surfing Association title on Sunday.
The event, which combined the SA championships with the Para Surf League (PSL) Open, kicked off on Friday and attracted more than 62 athletes over nine divisions, with some coming from abroad to mark the first time the events have been held simultaneously.
Pushing for inclusion at the 2028 Para Olympics in Las Vegas, the international champs attracted surfers from the US, Wales and Spain to compete with their SA counterparts in an event to remember.
“It was a perfect event which allowed surfers to showcase their skills,” Surfing SA president Isaac February said.
The weather turned sharply on the final day with strong onshore winds and strong choppy currents pushing to the west.
However, this did little to deter the surfers as the weather later cleared giving way to a beautiful day for the champions to be crowned.
Veaudry described the event as an honour and privilege.
“I am thrilled to have defended my title amid the great atmosphere which was enjoyed by all the athletes, organisers and spectators.
“Doubling up with the Para Surf League [PSL] meant we had surfers from all over the globe visiting our beautiful country,” he said.
For his successful title defence, Veaudry walked away with the R9,500 first prize and selection to the SA team.
The participants earned points towards their global standings and eligibility to compete in the US towards the end of 2023.
French surf judge Laurent Marouf gave the SA organisers the thumbs up for being excellent hosts of a “mind-blowing” event.
“I have competed all around the world for the past eight years as a para-surfer and now travelling as a surf judge,” he said.
“The 2023 SA Para Surf Champs contest can only be described as completely mind-blowing and it has certainly strengthened me in this vision of being a citizen of the world through several significant markers.
“First, an entire community focused on surfing and para-surfing with whom I connected with deeply.
“Second, an incredible example of organisational skill at all levels and strong links between the stakeholders, namely the SA Surfing Federation, foundations, sponsors and clubs all driven by committed individuals such as Roxy Davis, Reza De Nicker and Dana Cummings, only to mention a few of the many incredible people behind this community.
“Finally, to the ultra-motivated, ultra-positive and [very] young competitors happy to do what they were doing and able to give hope to the future of our sport.”
The organisers said the final results were yet to be calculated and released.
The PSL leg will move to other countries with the US the next stop on November 4, while others will be held in Costa Rica, Spain, Wales and France, to mention a few.
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