2025 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship — International Surfing Association

South Africa

DIVISION: Under 18 Girls

Louise Lepront

Age / 17
Born / Scottburgh
favorite_surf_break / El Salvador surf city
board / Smth Shapes
Sponsors / Smth Shape, Ripcurl, Ultra, Ocean Freedon, Kima surf, Eden rock Forest estate.
biggest_achievement / 2024 u16 Isa bronze medel, SA OPEN, U16, U14 Champion
Hobbies / Crotcheting, baking, reading and mountain biking with lil sis

I come from a fantastic Right hand Point break, and in winter we are spoilt with world class waves. I followed my brother Luc onto a surf board from the age of 8, also as a goofy foot and have never looked back. We travel all over South Africa to compete in our SSA Comps, and enjoy getting so much experience on our countries varies breaks. With SA East Coast majority of our waves are right hand point breaks, and I enjoy blowing up on my back hand.

South Africa

DIVISION: Under 18 Boys

Kai Hall

Age / 18
Born / Durban
favorite_surf_break / New Pier
board / SMTH Shapes Maytrix
Sponsors / Volcom, Oakley, SMTH Shapes, Hurricane, Scarfini, Surf Mud, Bukit Praia DeRosa, KP Aviation
biggest_achievement / Ballito Pro 1st U18 and U16
Hobbies / Jiujitsu

I discovered my passion for surfing from the age of 2 when my dad popped me up on his board at snake park (his local break). We have been travelling to get iternational surf experience and living in places like JBay and Bali. Travel to big wave destinations like Hawaii and Tahiti is what I think, live and breathe every day of my life. Taking my surfing to the next competitive level is my goal.

South Africa

DIVISION: Under 18 Girls

Max Kauffman

Age / 16
Born / Westbrook
favorite_surf_break / ponta mucumbe
board / sykes surfboards
Sponsors / Sykes surfboards , Rip Curl, Mi Acai
biggest_achievement / won KZN champs.
Hobbies / surfing, wake boarding, crocheting

Hi! I'm Max, I'm a surfer from KZN, SA. I love the ocean and spending time surfing or just being in the sea. I am so grateful I get to enjoy it dailyas we live right on one of my favourite surf breaks . I love travelling to new places and returning to old favourites with friends and family.i have amazing friends at home that i surf with that continuosly push me to do my best

South Africa

DIVISION: Unde

Emily Jenkinson

Age / 16
Born / Kommetjie
favorite_surf_break / Long Beach
board / 5’7 Rival by Negative Surfboards
Sponsors / Reef South Africa, Lifestyle Surf shop, Negative surfboards, Sticky Johnson wax, Ocean Freedom sunscreen , Ballo Eyewear
biggest_achievement / 3 x SA National Champion (U12/U14/U16). 2nd at the 2025 Rip Curl Gromsearch International Final in France
Hobbies / Soccer, wakeboarding and foiling

My name is Emily and I live in Kommetjie in Cape Town. I started surfing when I was 11 years old during Covid when there was no school sport. Surfing for me is hunting down barrels and going for big turns and airs. I'm incredibly grateful to have found surfing and enjoy all the wonderful places it takes me and my family around our country and now to Peru. I'm happiest when I'm in the water, if not surfing then wakeboarding or foiling behind our boat.

South Africa

DIVISION: Under 18 Boys

Matthew Canning

Age / 17
Born / Durban
favorite_surf_break / New Pier
board / SMTH Shapes V12 5'8
Sponsors / O'Neill, SMTH Shapes, Island Style, EV.Africa, Flojos, Swox suncream, FCS
biggest_achievement / Making the South African Team to compete in the ISA 2024 World Junior Champs
Hobbies / Swimming and Waterpolo

My Dad was a professional surfer and on the WCT from 1996 to 2001. He met my Mom at an event in Spain called the Pantin Classic. I have family in Spain and been learning Spanish and it is great to practice here in El Salvador.

South Africa

DIVISION: Under 18 Boys

Siyanda Hewitt

Age / 18
Born / Durban
favorite_surf_break / New Pier, Durban
board / 6'2 Happy Everyday Ci Surfboards
Sponsors / O'Neill, Reef, Dryrobe, FCS, CI Surfboards, Soulty Sea dogs
biggest_achievement / Making the South African National Team.
Hobbies / Skating

Siyanda Hewitt is an 18 year old surfer whose home break is New Pier, Durban. He is an ambassador for Surfers Not Street Children and his father Tom Hewitt founded and runs that organisation. He is coached by Durban’s Chad du Toit.

South Africa

DIVISION: Under 16 Boys

Melokuhle Zotshana

Age / 16
Born / Durban
favorite_surf_break / New Pier Durban
board / New Pier Surfboards
Sponsors / O'Neill, New Pier Surfboards, Smile Wave
biggest_achievement / KZN Champ 2024, Making the South African National Team.
Hobbies / Skating, Soccer

Melokuhle Zotshana is a 16 year old from Durban’s New Pier. He has come up the ranks of the organisation Surfers Not Street Children and was KZN Region Champ (u14) 2024. He is coached by Durban’s Chad du Toit.

South Africa

DIVISION: Under 16 Girls

Coco Clark

Age / 13
Born / Ballito
favorite_surf_break / New Pier Durban
board / Mayhem Sub Driver 2.0
Sponsors / None
biggest_achievement / Winning Rip Curl u14 Girls Grom Search Series in South Africa
Hobbies / Surfing, baking, tennis and skateboarding

Likes riding Mayhem boards.

Likes Molly Picklum and Erin Brookes.

Started surfing from age 9.

South Africa

DIVISION: Under 16 Boys

Kai Stubbs

Age / 16
Born / Scarborough
favorite_surf_break / J bay
board / Stubbs Carbontec 6" pintail
Sponsors / Stubbs surfboards, Ripcurl ,Ocean freedom ,komsurf ,ocean and earth,
biggest_achievement / Competing at Ripcurl Gromsearch international finals
Hobbies / Fishing , little bit of golf

My surfboards are shaped by my Dad David Stubbs.(stubbs surfboard)

South Africa

DIVISION: Under 16 Girls

Leah Lepront

Age / 15
Born / Scottburgh
favorite_surf_break / Jeffreys bay
board / Smith shapes flatjack
Sponsors / O'neill, Smith shapes, flojos, ocean freedom, ultra
biggest_achievement / 2x south African champion
Hobbies / Horseriding, sketching, mountainbiking

I am the youngest of three siblings from a small town called Scottburgh with a really fun right hand point break.

I enjoy traveling around South Africa, surfing different different breaks with my family to compete in all the SA events.

South Africa

DIVISION: Under 18 Girls

Taylor Emslie

Age / 16
Born / East London
favorite_surf_break / Nahoon Reef
board / Spider Murphy Ge01
Sponsors / Reef Wetsuits, Spider Murphy Surfboards, Island Style and Scarfini fins
biggest_achievement / Winning Grom Search event at Seal Point 2024
Hobbies / I love the ocean and play many sports including waterpolo, hockey and lifesaving. I spend alot of time play piano

I come from a sporting and surfing family, my Dad was a professional surfer and and Olympic Silver Medal coach. My mom was a provincial sportswomen and surfs with us from time to time. My Brother repressed South Africa at World Juniors in Brazil in 2023. My nephew Dan is also a pro surfer. I am a qualified lifeguard and a provincial waterpolo and Hockey player. I love the ocean, be it surfing, swimming, snorkeling or picking up shells. I am passionate about protecting our oceans.

South Africa

DIVISION: Under 16 Boys

Ben Esterhuyse

Age / 15
Born / Cape Town
favorite_surf_break / Elands Bay Point
board / Sharpeye HT2
Sponsors / Rip Curl, RYD, Sharpeye surfboards and Ocean Freedom sunscreen
biggest_achievement / Ranked 2nd WSL juniors Africa region 2025 and 4 times National champ in my divisions
Hobbies / Playing soccer

My name is Ben Esterhuyse I am 15 years old and I live in Cape Town South Africa. I go to Camps Bay High School and I'm in grade 9. I learnt to surf in Elands Bay, in cold conditions. I have been competing since the age of 8 and through the years from U12 to U14, obtained 4 national titles.