Teal surfs to U17 crown
uMhlanga surfer seals first ever national title.
FOR uMhlanga’s Teal Grace-Hogg, winning the U17 SA Junior Champs title was the fulfilment of a dream. Not only was it her first SA title, but the Crawford College North Coast pupil has now also earned her SA colours for the sport.
Incredibly with only seconds remaining in the final heat, the 15-year-old delivered a come from behind victory with a great ride in the dying seconds to overtake Robyn van der Merwe by just 0.35 of a point.
“I couldn’t believe it. I had not made a final in three years so when they announced my name over the PA system, I was ecstatic. My goal for the year was to earn my SA colours and I’m just incredibly proud of the achievement. It’s all down to my coach and my family,” she said.
Teal’s crowning achievement comes on the back of a number of incredible personal performances after winning the U16 girls’ KZN Central Champs last year and the Reunion Island international surf challenge in 2012.
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