TEAM ROSTER AND BIOS
Who's representing your country?
Select any country name to view their team roster and learn more about our competing athletes.
South Africa
DIVISION:
Caleb Swanepoel
  • Age / 27
  • Born / Prince
  • Resides in / Prince
  • Favorite surf break / Lon Beach Cape Town
  • Board / 7ft Superbug Safari Surfboards
  • Biggest Achievement / South African Surfing Champion
  • Hobbies / Acting, Speaking, Outdoor Activities,
Hi, my name is Caleb Swanepoel, and I am from Cape Town, South Africa. I am a shark attack survivor; I lost my right leg above the knee in 2015 whilst bodysurfing with my brothers. Getting involved in para sport after my attack has changed my life. I since have become a 3 X South African Para Surfing Champion, a National Para Swimming Champion as well as a professional speaker.
South Africa
DIVISION:
Noluthando Makalima
  • Age / 35
  • Born / Cape Town South Africa
  • Resides in / Cape Town South Africa
  • Board / Short board
  • Sponsors / CAN grants
  • Biggest Achievement / To be come second in worlds champion
  • Hobbies / Reading surfing magazine it helps me to know how to read waves
Am noluthando aka Nolu from south Africa Cape Town calm person who has the passion in surfing  
South Africa
DIVISION:
Michele Macfarlane
  • Age / 54
  • Born / Cape Town
  • Resides in / Cape Town
  • Favorite surf break / Muizenberg
  • Board / ling board
  • Sponsors / individuals
  • Biggest Achievement / South African Para Surf Nationals Gold
  • Hobbies / Gardening, Reading, Painting
I set myself regular challenges to raise awaireness for the visually impaired, and to promote the incredible organizations @madeformore @roxydavisfoundation and @retinasouthafrica. I do this through writing and speaking.  I have also been filmed for the last couple of years by award winning @documinute, who will hopefully be attending the World Championships to cover the competition. I will take on most challenges that capture my interest, or are sugessted to me. Among others, I have competed in Judo Nationals (silver), done a  national fitness competition (bronze), sung at Artscape Theatre in Cape Town, and completed a weeklong hike  through rural Venda.  My current passion is surfing, which I plan on continuing till I'm very old. I hope that my sharing of this journey provides inspiration and breaks down stigma of the disabled. My belief is that kindness our most valuable super power.
South Africa
DIVISION:
Martin Ferreira
  • Age / 55
  • Born / Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa
  • Resides in / Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa
  • Favorite surf break / Jeffreys Bay, South Africa
  • Board / Macski waveski
  • Sponsors / Macski, Reef
  • Biggest Achievement / 2nd SA waveskier
  • Hobbies / distance "running" with a race chair, adaptive swimming, motorcycling & snow sit-ski
What is your disability:

I am a Paraplegic for 22 years with a spinal cord injury at the T12 vertebrae, which is located just above the navel.

Reason:

I had a motorcycle accident at Sabie in Mpumalanga, South Africa in 2000.

How start surfing:

I saw a clip of Felipe Kitzu Lima on YouTube doing waveski surfing. I did waveski for 5 years in my student years and seeing him inspired me to do it again. But i live 7 hours drive from the coast, so I did not even know where to start. Through Face Book I made contact with other adaptive surfers (Daniel Nel & Doug Hendriks) and the Kwa Zulu Natal NPO "Made for More", who was kind enough to allow me to attend the 2021 SA Champs event in Durban. I bought an old wave ski and drove down to KZN. I got on it, with no practice, for the Sat heat and it was a bit of a disaster but luckily the water safety team took care of me. I then borrowed a demo from Macski for the Sunday heat. It was way more stable, and I was able to catch my first wave since 1993, nearly 28 years later. I was then hooked and had a custom board made so I can focus on improving my skill level.

Love about surfing:

As soon as my body makes contact with the sea, I feel energised and uplifted. Paddling out through the break, you can feel the energy of the ocean. I can’t think of another sport where one is so directly in contact and involved with nature. The elation of taking off on an unbroken wave, being lifted and rushed forward by nature's energy creates an euphoria all surfers experience. To round it off the afterglow, after a good surf, makes sure the smile lasts the rest of the day. My daughter Mille', who was only 5 months old at the time of the accident, and had done ATV's, bungy jumping and skydiving with me, remarked that she has never seen me so happy.

Who inspires you and why:

All surfers inspire me, just watching them on a wave makes me want to ride as well, it’s a special tribe to belong to and then even more so all the Para Surfers. Naturally the para wave skiers but imho the visually impaired surfers are truly amazing. It edges me on to live the life we have and hopefully inspire others to join in the most fantastic sport on the planet.

When not surfing:

I work in Gauteng in the construction industry and exercise in a race wheelchair and swim to keep fit. I also do adaptive motorcycle track days and snow skiing.

NPO’s

Made for More based in Kwa Zulu Natal South Africa who made surfing a reality for me and many more.

Motto:

There is always a way.
South Africa
DIVISION:
Similo Dlamini
  • Age / 39
  • Born / Durban
  • Resides in / Durban
  • Favorite surf break / Addington Beach
  • Board / RYD
  • Biggest Achievement / South African Parasurfing Champion Woman Kneel division 2022
  • Hobbies / Gym, reading
I'm a differently abled surfer and passioinate about inclusitivity in sports and society for differently abled people. South African Parasurfing Champion 2022 Women, kneel division and I was nominated for the KZN Sports Awards 2022 in the catergory of Sportswoman of the year with a disability.
South Africa
DIVISION:
Raemondo Lessing
  • Age / 15
  • Born / Cape Town
  • Resides in / Cape Town
  • Favorite surf break / Muizenberg
  • Board / 8ft sup
  • Biggest Achievement / 2nd at South African Championships 2022
  • Hobbies / Surfing, Table tennis
That i am very kind hearted person full of jokes, love to laugh, im helpfull as well as respectful to people. Im a music producer as well as an SA Hip hop artist. Competed at the South African Table tennis championships and managed 3rd place in South Africa.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
South Africa
DIVISION:
Sabelo Sphesihle
  • Age / 23
  • Born / Eshowe
  • Resides in / Eshowe
  • Favorite surf break / Durban at Addington Beach
  • Board / Short board
  • Sponsors / Eshowe Spar
  • Biggest Achievement / Sportman Of The Year With Disability
  • Hobbies / Surfing, jogging, soccer
My aim with surfing is to push myself to my greatest potentials so I can motivate and inspire people who see what I do and also be a positive influence on the society, that why I am passionate about mental health counseling and I do counseling sessions, I have started an initiative to help matric students to apply for universities, I do motivational speaking, I encourage and promote passion for sports, I got a dream to empower different communities especially in rural areas and also deal with social issues with i wanna shape people's mindset and mentality to a positive direction.
South Africa
DIVISION:
Tracy Mckay
  • Age / 52
  • Born / Durban
  • Resides in / Durban
  • Favorite surf break / Ansteys Beach
  • Board / Slash
  • Sponsors / Safari Surfboards
  • Biggest Achievement / Silver Medal at AMPSURF ISA World Para Surfing Championship
  • Hobbies / Open water swimming, Para rowing, scrapbooking, reading and surfing.
I grew up on the Bluff, my favourite hangout was the beach especially in school holidays. I became disabled in 2005 after going through aggressive radiation treatment for cervical cancer, which damaged the nerves in the base of my spine. At the time I was living in the UK and I literally thought my life was ruined until i realized it is down to me to make the changes. In 2010 I started swimming, I then needed another challenge and started para rowing in 2014. However, that still was not enough until I started surfing in 2018. Wow I fell in love with it from the start. I just love the ocean and to be on a board riding a wave, it is just amazing. This is my 2nd year competing, last year I came 2nd in the Prone 1 division. I am super excited about this event. I love the USA. I love how everyone is so friendly like they have known you for years. I have an amazing support team back home in South Africa and I even have a support team in the UK, my beautiful daughter Kayla, and her family.
South Africa
DIVISION:
David Williams
  • Age / 35
  • Born / Durban
  • Resides in / Durban
  • Favorite surf break / North Beach
  • Board / ELS
  • Sponsors / ELS, Switch Energy Drink, Harmonic Mycology
  • Biggest Achievement / Winner SA Nationals
  • Hobbies / Gaming, Gyming, Surfing, Swimming
To tell you a little background on me, I am 34 years old from Durban, South Africa. I was born without legs just below the knee caps.  My stumps are extremely short, around 5cm long below the knee. When I was born doctors informed my parents that due to the length of my stumps I would never be able to walk with the use of prosthetics.  Through massive amounts of perseverance from my parents, from a young age I learnt and begun to walk, never looking back till this day. Through my life, although taking part in able bodied sports and representing his schools in Cricket, Hockey and swimming, I never knew anything about disabled sports until I was introduced to Tyrone Pillay while doing a leg fitting in 2015 with Jeremy Kriek, who pointed me in the right direction on how to get started. I started my sporting career in 2015…and thus my dream of representing South Africa started. Growing up in the pool as my mother was a swimming teacher, I started off in swimming, where I spent every morning, afternoon and weekend in the pool. Competing in hundreds of Galas, Nationals and Rio Trials. I then took on a second sport at the same time, Adaptive Rowing, where I again took place in several provincial events, but just not making the cut. Beginning of 2020 I was introduced to adaptive Surfing through Made For More. After my first session in the ocean, which I feared 80 percent of my life, I fell in love with the sport. Since starting Surfing has won KZN Champs and SA Nationals.  Taken under the wing of Elton Lee Ireland Els Surfboards as my shaper and friend, now just being announced that officially my dream has come true…and I will be heading to America to represent South Africa in ISA World Champs.
South Africa
DIVISION:
Oliver Sinclair
  • Age / 47
  • Born / Durban
  • Resides in / Durban
  • Favorite surf break / Durban - New Pier
  • Board / Custome made Safari Surfboard
  • Biggest Achievement / SA Champion Prone 2 Assist - 2021
  • Hobbies / Wildlife photography
Born in Zimbabwe 1975 Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) 2004 I was the Head Ranger at Africa's No1 Private Game Reserve when I was diagnosed with MS. I was on Africa's greatest stage when my lights went out. I lost my speech, I developed double-vision, I lost use of everything from my waist down and I became heat intolerant and so in 2005 I moved to a big city for the 1st time in my life. I was miserable until I was introduced to surfing in 2018. From the moment I lay on the board for the 1st time I was hooked.
South Africa
DIVISION:
Douglas Hendrikz
  • Age / 43
  • Born / Durban
  • Resides in / Durban
  • Favorite surf break / North Beach, Durban
  • Board / Viking Waveski
  • Sponsors / Viking Waveski, Rush High Performance Gear, J-Bay Fin Design
  • Biggest Achievement / SA Adaptive Waveski Champion
  • Hobbies / Surfing, 4x4'ing and spending time with my wife and our Maligator
This will be my 3rd time being selected for the world championships and finally I'm able to attend.

I started surfing back in 2019 and tried Prone unassist but didn't feel comfortable so I made the shift to waveski (sit) division. 

My first board was sponsored to me by Viking Waveski, from South Africa and that kickstarted my passion back into surfing. 

I've also just been selected as a brand ambassador for Rush High Performance Gear, also from South Africa.

Surfing is my happy place and when I'm not able to surf, then I handcycle to stay fit and get outdoors as often as I can.
South Africa
DIVISION:
Jean – Paul Veaudry
  • Age / 46
  • Born / East London
  • Resides in / East London
  • Favorite surf break / Eastern Beach
  • Board / Channel Islands
  • Sponsors / Quiksilver, Channel Islands Surfboards, Miko / Puro Coffee, Hurricane Surf, Maisch Fins, Von Zipper, Ossur, Surf Sock, Supertubes Foundation & Challenged Athletes Foundation
  • Biggest Achievement / 3rd Place at 2020 ISA World Para Championships
  • Hobbies / Surfing, Photography & Family time
I'm 46 years old I try and always start my day with a surf (Straight after my Miko coffee!) I am a professional photographer and have been for 24 years now. When not working or surfing, I spend as much time as possible with my beautiful wife, Gabriela & 2 x daughters, Emelia (6) & Isabela (3).
South Africa
DIVISION:
Alulutho Tshoba
  • Age / 15
  • Born / Durban
  • Resides in / Durban
  • Favorite surf break / Addington beach
  • Board / Body board
  • Sponsors / CAF
  • Biggest Achievement / South African para surfing champion
  • Hobbies / Surfing and basketball wheelchair
Alulutho Tshoba (affectionately known as Miss Lulu), is a 15-year-old young lady from  Durban. She has been a part of Made for More’s adaptive surfing programme since 2017.  This year, she has been selected to represent South Africa’s Para Surfing Team and will be  competing at World Champs in Pismo Beach, California, in December 2022. She is the  youngest woman in the team and also the first Zulu woman to ever feature in the team. Her trip to World Champs will be her first ever on an aeroplane and abroad.  Despite her young age, Lulu has progressed in leaps and bounds in the sport. She has Spastic Diplegia and walks with the aid of crutches. However, this has never held her back from going after her dreams. Lulu is kind, bubbly in nature and has the biggest smile. She is always eager to get in the surf and has shown such determination in her training in the build-up to World Champs. We have no doubt that she will fly the SA flag high and will continue to flourish in para surfing. 
South Africa
DIVISION:
Asande Sibisi
  • Age / 17
  • Born / Nquthu
  • Resides in / Nquthu
  • Favorite surf break / Nquthu
  • Board / 7.8 soft top slim
  • Sponsors / N/A
  • Biggest Achievement / First place in the SA Championships VI2 unassist division
  • Hobbies / Soccer, Surfing and cycling
I am a person who grew up with very little to go by so I had to work to get where I am today. I am passionate person with a lot of hope and dreams for myself and other people around me which I've grown quite fond of. I'm not good at many things but I feel surfing is my true calling, so as long as I have something to go by I'll never stop pushing for success even though some people try to put me down, because of that I started to make negativity my motivation. I'm extremely shy so I'm not much of a stage person and even if I gain recognition, I don't find as important anymore because making myself proud is good enough for me. 
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