22 August 2023
Star DHS surfer Ntokozo ‘Surprise’ Maphumulo has been included in the South African team to contest the 2023 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship (WJSC), which take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from 4 November to 3 December.
Second time at the WJSC
It’s not the first time he has been awarded his national colours. Last year, he represented South Africa in the under-16 section of the 2022 WJSC at Surf City in El Salvador, where Luke Thompson led the way for the South African team, claiming a bronze medal in the boys’ under-18 event.
The WJSC brings together the best junior surfers on the planet in an event that has proven to be a wonderful springboard to bigger and better things; at the Tokyo Olympics, held in 2021, 33 out of the 40 surfers in action had previously contested the WJSC.
This year’s event, the 19th edition of the WJSC, takes place in Brazil for a third time, with Rio making its second appearance as the host city, the first being in 1994.
Surfing hero and WJSC winner
One of Surprise’s surfing heroes, Jordy Smith, who attended Glenwood, won the WJSC in 2003. Smith was subsequently crowned the World Surfing League world junior champion in 2006. The following year, he won the World Qualifying Series.
Smith has since gone on to a very successful World Surfing League career, which has included six Tour wins. He also won the X-Games in 2013. In 2024, he’ll represent South Africa at the Paris Olympic Games.
South African line-up
Joining Surprise in the under-18 team are David Emslie (East London) and Luc Lepront (Scottburgh), while Simon Winter (Kommetjie) is the non-travelling reserve.
The under-16 boys’ line-up includes Levi Epenetos (Melkbosstrand), Rory Dace (Cape St Francis) and Kai Hall (Durban), with Josh Malherbe (Coffee Bay) the non-travelling reserve.
Meanwhile, Lily Heny (Port Alfred), Gemma Hanafey (East London) and Zia Hendricks (East London) have been named in the girls’ u18 line-up, with Chloe Ribbink (Durban North) the non-travelling reserve.
The under-16s include Louise Lepront (Scottburgh), Anastasia Venter (Melkbostand) and Indiphile Osinachi (Durban). Emily Jenkinson (Llandudno) is the non-traveling reserve.
The full group, including non-travelling reserves, will gather at Cape Saint Francis for a National Junior Team Camp from 23-25 September.
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