“I grew up as the “binneland boy” from Paarl, in the Western Cape, the closest beach a mere 75km mission away. This obstacle didn’t stop me from pursuing professional bodyboarding. By the age of 15, I made sure not to go a weekend without a salt-water injection. My passion for the art or riding waves sprouted from the day I found the Against The Grain film in my dad’s cupboard and secretly watched it. But it wasn’t always this easy.
My first ever competition heat put me up against Tristan Roberts (now current World Champion) in the Boys’ Division. I was only 13 years old and I came stone last. This didn’t discourage me.
Two years later I was lucky enough to be included in the Western Province Bodyboarding Team. This was also the year I got crowned the Boys Champion at SA Champs.My relationship with Rossi started in 2016 after a surf tour to Durban, the home of bodyboarding craftmanship in South Africa. Soon afterwards I claimed a 2nd SA Bodyboarding Title, this time in the Juniors Division.
Now 4 years later I still compete professionally and keep my relationship with Rossi Board Co and it’s precision-made custom shapes in the highest regard.”
Achievements
- 2 x SA Bodyboarding Champion (Boys 2014, Juniors 2016)
- 4th in Pro SA Champs, Wave of the Comp SA Champs (2019)
- Tand Invitational youngest rider (2018)
- King of the Beach (2017)
