A talented township surfer is counting the days until she starts school after South Africa’s highest ranked professional sponsored her education.Victoria Bay local Bianca Buitendag, who finished the year ranked fourth in the world, was so inspired by pint-sized Jeffrey’s Bay surfer Zia Hendricks she decided to pay for the girl’s education.
“I am so happy that Bianca is helping me to go to a better school,” the nine-year-old explained. “When I am big I want to be a professional surfer just like her and travel the world.”
The gutsy Grade 4 surfer, who lives in crime- and drug-ridden Pelrus in Jeffrey’s Bay, was introduced to surfing by her 13-year-old brother Dillon – who is a top junior surfer in the Billabong team – and local Rebel surfboard shaper Thys Strydom.
Although Zia’s surfing talent has struck a chord with Buitendag, the travelling professional was so inspired by the work Strydom is doing with local township surfers she decided to also help five of her young surfing friends too by also paying for their education at the local Victory Christian School, a private facility in Jeffrey’s Bay.
Buitendag could not be reached for comment yesterday but Strydom said education was critical. “Without it you have got nothing,” he said.
According to Strydom, Buitendag is so confident that with the right guidance Zia can make it all the way to the top that she said she would take her surfing anywhere in he world when she turns 12, and does well at school.
“Zia is already an A student; Bianca identified education as the key to success because it helps grow confidence.”
Small in stature but big in heart, Zia is not scared of clambering across the rocks at Point and diving into big surf to paddle out.
“Even when the waves are big and powerful I am not scared because I know my boeta and his friends are there looking after me.
“Surfing is much more fun than sitting at home playing with dollies.”
Although her father, Patrick, spends long stretches out at sea fishing and her mother, Adjira, working shifts in a local restaurant, they both support their children’s dreams of one day travelling the world as professional surfers. Thankfully they also have strong support from Strydom and his friends Petronela Posthumus and her husband, Frankie – who often take car loads of Pelrus groms on surfing trips with their 10-year-old son, C-Jay.
Posthumus, who is like a second mother to Strydom’s township team, said big brother Dillon is very protective over Zia and is doing everything he can to help her get to the top.
“She is a tough little girl and is very assertive; she also has a good attitude which can take her a long way. It is great to see how Zia and the other kids get so excited over small things like baking cookies.”
Posthumus said Zia was fortunate to have a group of people supporting her and that this had helped her win last year’s premier grommet games.
“With the right guidance she can go all the way to the top.” — davidm@dispatch.co.za
School lift-off for groms
Victoria Bay local Bianca Buitendag, who finished the year ranked fourth in the world, was so inspired by pint-sized Jeffrey’s Bay surfer Zia Hendricks she decided to pay for the girl’s education.
“I am so happy that Bianca is helping me to go to a better school,” the nine-year-old explained. “When I am big I want to be a professional surfer just like her and travel the world.”
The gutsy Grade 4 surfer, who lives in crime- and drug-ridden Pelrus in Jeffrey’s Bay, was introduced to surfing by her 13-year-old brother Dillon – who is a top junior surfer in the Billabong team – and local Rebel surfboard shaper Thys Strydom.
Although Zia’s surfing talent has struck a chord with Buitendag, the travelling professional was so inspired by the work Strydom is doing with local township surfers she decided to also help five of her young surfing friends too by also paying for their education at the local Victory Christian School, a private facility in Jeffrey’s Bay.
Buitendag could not be reached for comment yesterday but Strydom said education was critical. “Without it you have got nothing,” he said.
According to Strydom, Buitendag is so confident that with the right guidance Zia can make it all the way to the top that she said she would take her surfing anywhere in he world when she turns 12, and does well at school.
“Zia is already an A student; Bianca identified education as the key to success because it helps grow confidence.”
Small in stature but big in heart, Zia is not scared of clambering across the rocks at Point and diving into big surf to paddle out.
“Even when the waves are big and powerful I am not scared because I know my boeta and his friends are there looking after me.
“Surfing is much more fun than sitting at home playing with dollies.”
Although her father, Patrick, spends long stretches out at sea fishing and her mother, Adjira, working shifts in a local restaurant, they both support their children’s dreams of one day travelling the world as professional surfers. Thankfully they also have strong support from Strydom and his friends Petronela Posthumus and her husband, Frankie – who often take car loads of Pelrus groms on surfing trips with their 10-year-old son, C-Jay.
Posthumus, who is like a second mother to Strydom’s township team, said big brother Dillon is very protective over Zia and is doing everything he can to help her get to the top.
“She is a tough little girl and is very assertive; she also has a good attitude which can take her a long way. It is great to see how Zia and the other kids get so excited over small things like baking cookies.”
Posthumus said Zia was fortunate to have a group of people supporting her and that this had helped her win last year’s premier grommet games.
“With the right guidance she can go all the way to the top.” — davidm@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos