KZN SURFING DEVELOPMENT TEAM 2010 OFF TO SA CHAMPS!

There was great excitement at Dairy Beach yesterday when the group of 15  KZN surfers aged from 7 to 15 got together to receive their certificates and practice their war cry for the upcoming 2010 SA Champs in Port Elizabeth.  KZN won the spirit award for the contest last year and have full intentions of bringing back the trophy again this year!

 The object of the SA Grommet Games is to encourage new surfers who have never represented a province before, and to develop previously disadvantaged kids in the world of surfing.  There will be surfing, paddle battle and flag events at Pipe Beach over the Easter Weekend.  Surfers from other seven provinces will also be taking part.

 Kerry Cullinan (vice chairlady) of KZN Surfing – who will be managing the team this year -  feels very positive about the team that KZN will be taking down to PE this year and said “I have been watching these kids surf and I am really impressed with how they have all improved.  Our team is positive and we have a group of really talented surfers’. QJ has been coaching them and preparing them for the trip ahead.

 There are a few people to thank for  helping the team with their travels.  The Dept of Sport & Recreation help financially to cover costs of the trip. Maui & Sons have been very generous in providing the very smart tracksuits and t-shirts for the team at very late notice.

 Parent Kevan Rice sponsored R1000 worth of clothing for the Umthombo street kids who are participating, and  Mr Price matched this putting in a further R1000.  Cyril Mqadi took the kids shopping this week and they are ‘stoked’ with their new clothes!

 Rat from YES MAN has sponsored a wonderful KZN flag and two telescopic branded banners – thanks so much!

 Thanks also to Baron’s Southfleet motors who are providing the vehicle to take the kids down to PE and especially putting on a tow bar for the KZN Trailer! Thanks to William Sills for organizing the sponsorship of the vehicle.  Also to Shaun who will be driving the kids!

 Parents Mike Kraus, Kevan Rice and Rein Van de Wall – all chipped in and have had FANTASTIC gear made for the support group for the parents and kids this year.  All will be decked out in great caps and T-Shirts in the traditional black and white colours  of KZN.

 Our team this year consists of excellent surfers including:  Oscar Wootton, Stevan Rice and Sphelele Kunene in the u16 boys division.

Sifiso Dlamini and Justin Rodgers in the u14 boys division

Mathew Sills and Ketho Ngcobo in the u12 boys division

Saxton Randall and Ethan Kraus in the u10 boys division

 In the girls we have Janet Nzimela and Micaela Venter representing the u16 girls division, Naledi Kekana and Karabo Nyembe in the u14 girls, Asanda Mpisane in the u12 girls division.

 Last but not least we have TINY Gaby Lailvaux who will be surfing in the u8 girls division.  Fortune will be our representing judge, and Tennyson our traveling coach.

 The team leave on Wednesday 31 March at 4am and will be in PE in time for the opening function that evening.  We wish them a great adventure and much success!