Nicole crowned SA U20 champ
La Lucia surfer wins her fourth competition of the year, and in the process wins her first SA Champs title.
THE last four months have been a whirlwind of success for La Lucia’s Nicole Pallet. The 20-year-old has won three senior titles and added a fourth last week, winning the SA U20 champs at the national championships at Alkantstrand in Richards Bay. She was one of eleven new South African Champions to be crowned, and celebrated Women’s Day in the best way, posting a 9.94 ride in her final heat to secure the title and the accolade of Surfer of the Contest.
“It was my first title at the SA champs and I was so stoked. I’ve had such bad luck at the nationals in the past. I’ve just never got a break as a junior, finding the right wave, and I was once ruled out because I had mumps, so I was thrilled to be crowned the champ. It just didn’t feel real, even when my brother hoisted me up on his back and we did a victory lap on the beach.
“Going into the contest I didn’t have a goal because of my bad luck in the past, so I went in focusing on having fun,” she explained.
It’s a remarkable turnaround for the for the local resident, who wanted to quit the sport competitively last year.
“I just had a horrible year last year, I think I won one event and I was ready to throw in the towel. My dad was the one who encouraged me not to give up and, thanks to him, I was able to have this amazing few months of surfing,” she said.
The Varsity College Durban North student posted an impressive eight in her first wave of the final and followed that up with a five.
“Gina Smith, who ended as the runner-up, was closing in on me after the second wave and I knew I just needed a great wave. And then I got this bomb wave, which was fantastic, and it made my lead unassailable.
“I remember running out of the water, and saying I was going ‘claim it’ as I was hoisted on my brother’s shoulders. It was just awesome,” she said.
In a fitting end to a wonderful 50th anniversary celebration of the Citroen SA Championships, which also saw Team eThekwini winning the President’s Cup (U20 and open divisions) and the once-off Celebration Shield (most points across all divisions).
