Bevan Willis was recently chosen for the SA team for the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship (WJSC) in Azores, Portugal. The 18-year-old has been named captain of the team. PHOTO: Dean Vincent
EMDLOTI resident Bevan Willis was recently named captain of the SA junior surfing team for the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship (WJSC) in Azores, Portugal which takes place later this month. What makes the achievement more remarkable is for the last three years, the Northwood School pupilhas been named in the SA squad as a non-travelling reserve.
“I am so thrilled, it means so much to me. I’ve spent the last three years getting close but not quite making it, so to get my green blazer, represent and captain my country is a feeling that’s indescribable. I’m so proud, especially because last year I set myself a goal of making the team. I’ve been training really hard and I was determined to reach my goal, and now that I’ve achieved it, I’m aiming even higher for Portugal.
“I really want to make the semi-finals or finals and make my name in this sport. I wouldn’t have been able to get where I am today without the support of my parents, my school and my coaches, who have been awesome. I have no doubt the competition is going to be tough but as a team we want to make SA shine,” he said.
Willis is one of two KZN surfers travelling to Azores. Ashton College’s Sophie Bell is also part of the team
It should come as no surprise the 18-year-old has set his sights high, in 2014,he won the U16 boys titleat a Junior International surf competition against France. He beat Marco Nignot of France to claim his first international event win.
“I’ve had some decent results in the lead up to the world champs. The selectors chose the team based on my results. I’ve surfed in Azores before, it’s a bit colder but the conditions are good. Hopefully the team and I can make use of them and put in some strong performances,” he said.
Bevan Willis.
Willis who is also part of the Northwood School team earlier this year helped the Knights win the KZN Schools Surfing Championship for the third Consecutive year.
The ISA world champs will showcase the best young surfers from around the world and will crown individual gold medalists in four divisions-U18 boys, U16 boys, U18 girls, U16 girls, and an overall team champion.
