SA surfers ready to rip in Peru
FACING conditions with which they will be familiar, national team coach Etienne Venter is confident South Africa have a good chance of defending their title at the World Surfing Games in Peru later this month.
The 50th version of the International Surfing Association (ISA) competition will take place at Punta Roca from October 24 to November 1, with South Africa the top seeds after being crowned world champions in Panama last year.
The national squad has a strong Eastern Cape flavour, with Cape St Francis surfer Faye Zoetmulder again in the lineup. Jeffreys Bay's Venter will coach the team, with administrative support from manager Johnny Bakker, of Port Elizabeth.
While acknowledging the competition will be tough and admitting concerns over jet lag, Venter said there was no reason why the team could not do well again.
"We know, with 29 countries in the event, some of the top guys in the world will be there," Venter said, "but there are certain breaks that suit South Africans. One of them is a right-hand point-break [waves break from left to right] and these are the conditions which exist in Peru, so it suits us to a T.
"If you have right-hand point- breaks South Africans are a threat because those are the conditions we are used to."
Venter also emphasised a strong team spirit which existed in the squad as a reason to be confident.
"What worked well for us last year is that we were a very strong team unit, living together and getting on well together," he said.
"Although surfing is an individual sport, at this event, the team must work together. It's a long event so it's important you get along well. We all know each other so that helps a lot.
"We know the Peruvians will be a threat because they will know the local conditions and will take it very seriously. "All the top teams will be there, so it will be tough, but we have a very strong team and we have a real chance," he said.
With support from the Department of Sport and Recreation, and Lotto, the surfers who were members of last year's winning team have been rewarded by again being named for this trip.
Unfortunately, last year's gold medal winner and team captain, Shaun Joubert, of Mossel Bay, is not available due to academic commitments and his place has been taken by 2012 and 2013 South African champion Casey Grant, of Scottburgh. Grant was a member of the SA team which competed in the 2010 World Surfing Games in Peru.
The six members of this year's team are Grant, David van Zyl (Glenashley), Michael February (Kommetjie), David Brand (Kommetjie), Tanika Hoffman (Hout Bay) and Zoetmulder.
While the team is set to leave on October 21, Zoetmulder will be able to avoid the jet lag concerns as she will be taking part in a competition in Brazil prior to travelling to Peru. The Games will determine the ISA world team champions as well as the men's and women's individual championship titles. The top eight teams will also contest the Aloha Cup. - Neale Emslie
