Highway para surfers to make a splash in USA

HIGHWAY residents, Oliver Sinclair and Douglas Hendrikz, are part of the team of 13 surfers who will represent South Africa at the Pismo Beach ISA World Para Surfing Championships.

The competitive event will be held in California, USA from December 7 to 11.

ALSO READ: Para surfers set to make a splash in USA

The surfers are members of Made for More, a non-profit organisation (NPO) and public benefit organisation that aims to include, empower and equip people with disabilities through sport. The team is expected to improve on last year’s 6th position placement and aim to bring home numerous medals.

“We are incredibly proud of the SA team members for their dedication, hard work and commitment that has helped them get this far,” said the team’s manager, Erika Hendrikz.

“This is the biggest and most competitive event in the world. Each and every team member will be proudly flying the SA flag as they brave the waves in California.”

Oliver Sinclair, fondly known as Oli, will compete in the Men’s Prone 2 (assisted) division. He is currently the SA champ and KZN champ. The Hillcrest resident was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in January 2004 after he lost the use of his legs and his speech.

“I have double-vision, optic neuritis in my right eye, ataxia, muscle weakness and no use of right arm and leg,” he said.

When a chance trip to the beach ended up with a stranger asking if he wanted to surf, Sinclair was game for a challenge. “They pushed my wheelchair into the sea, rolled me onto a board and the rest is history,” he smiled.

Sinclair loves the freedom that comes with surfing.

“My motto for life is you laugh, you cry, you live, you die and, in-between, if you are lucky enough, you experience life.

Douglas Hendrikz will compete in the men’s waveski division. He is also the current SA champ and KZN champ.

Hendrikz, whose motto for life is ‘perseverance pays dividends’, was involved in a motorcycle accident in 1999 and lost both legs.

The Forest Hills resident said a friend, Sandy Smyth Coffey spoke to him at the Jbay Open a few years ago while he was on holiday.

“When we returned to Durban, Seth (my son) and I decided to go try surfing, so I bought a kneeboard and some wax, went out between the piers and, after about 30 minutes of nearly drowning, I decided to get rescued by a lifeguard,” he said.

After that, Hendrikz decided to rather go out safely and, through Wez Smith, attended a session with Made for More.

“I tried prone surfing but battled and it didn’t feel right. It was then that Wez helped me find Viking Waveski, who sponsored me with a custom made waveski for my disability. From there, it’s just opened up a whole new world of surfing and I couldn’t live without it,” he said.

Lend a helping hand
The team hopes to raise the funds needed make the trip overseas.

“With no support or funding from government, each team member has the daunting task of raising R40 000 each to cover transport, accommodation, food and competition fees.

“This is a total of R750 000 to cover the entire South African team. As an organisation, we want to help facilitate and support our athletes and this process,” said the founding director of Made for More, Julia Van Zyl.

To help sponsor an athlete, visit Made for More’s Given Gain crown funding campaign or contact the NPO for more options. Alternatively, visit www.madeformore.org.za or contact Made for More on 083 235 1083 or email meghan@madeformore.org.za.

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