A crew of South Africa’s top young female surfing talent is spending this week in East London sharpening their prowess at a high performance surf training camp.
The girls – four juniors and four seniors of the Billabong South Africa team ranging between the ages of 10 and 22 – spent yesterday morning riding Queensberry Bay’s left break under the intense scrutiny of current world masters’ champ Greg Emslie and South African junior team coach Tasha Mentasti.
Emslie, who was South African champ four times, said international women’s surfing had progressed to a very high standard.
“We are trying to get them to get to the mindset that they do not see themselves as just girl surfers, because women’s surfing is getting to the same level as men’s surfing.
“Girls like to surf straight up so I want to get them rotating their hips by using their arms more to get the big manoeuvres,” said Emslie, who grew up surfing the Queensberry break.
Mentasti said the camp was focused on improving the girls’ competition techniques.
“We are doing technical training, video analysis, cardio training as well as presentation on competitive strategies – what the judges look for, heat strategy and how to handle the media.”
A nutritionist will also be advising the young athletes, who travelled to East London from all over South Africa.
Of the eight girls staying in Queensberry Bay this week are the Smith sisters – Emma, 20, Gina, 19, and Zoë, 14 – who grew up in East London surfing local breaks before relocating to Jeffreys Bay.
“This is an incredible experience because not only are we getting coaching input but we are also getting help with our competition strategy,” said current Under-20 SA women’s champion Emma.
Tanika Hoffman, 22, of Cape Town said it was useful to get expert local knowledge of East London’s surf breaks.
“Greg is one of South Africa’s top competitive surfers so it great to get tips about contest s and help with reading waves.”
The team will be at Hemingways Mall’s Billabong store on Friday between 5pm and 7pm to sign autographs and give away free merchandise.
Top young female surfers to ride EL waves
The girls – four juniors and four seniors of the Billabong South Africa team ranging between the ages of 10 and 22 – spent yesterday morning riding Queensberry Bay’s left break under the intense scrutiny of current world masters’ champ Greg Emslie and South African junior team coach Tasha Mentasti.
Emslie, who was South African champ four times, said international women’s surfing had progressed to a very high standard.
“We are trying to get them to get to the mindset that they do not see themselves as just girl surfers, because women’s surfing is getting to the same level as men’s surfing.
“Girls like to surf straight up so I want to get them rotating their hips by using their arms more to get the big manoeuvres,” said Emslie, who grew up surfing the Queensberry break.
Mentasti said the camp was focused on improving the girls’ competition techniques.
“We are doing technical training, video analysis, cardio training as well as presentation on competitive strategies – what the judges look for, heat strategy and how to handle the media.”
A nutritionist will also be advising the young athletes, who travelled to East London from all over South Africa.
Of the eight girls staying in Queensberry Bay this week are the Smith sisters – Emma, 20, Gina, 19, and Zoë, 14 – who grew up in East London surfing local breaks before relocating to Jeffreys Bay.
“This is an incredible experience because not only are we getting coaching input but we are also getting help with our competition strategy,” said current Under-20 SA women’s champion Emma.
Tanika Hoffman, 22, of Cape Town said it was useful to get expert local knowledge of East London’s surf breaks.
“Greg is one of South Africa’s top competitive surfers so it great to get tips about contest s and help with reading waves.”
The team will be at Hemingways Mall’s Billabong store on Friday between 5pm and 7pm to sign autographs and give away free merchandise.
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