Jackie stands-up for SA
She will be among three other Durbanites in the team to travel to Fiji.
JACKIE Lecourt De Billot occupies a unique position in South African sporting history. She has represented her country in three, very unique, sporting codes. The local resident has represented South Africa in freestyle kayaking, white water rafting and now, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP).
She is among three Durbanites who will represent South Africa at the ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championship (WSUPPC) in Fiji. De Billot will be taking part in the long distance race.
“I grew up in the Drakensburg so I was always around the river, paddling and it was a huge help when I got into the sport of SUP. Initially it was a casual thing but the more I was exposed to it, the more I wanted to be part of it. I only got into competitive racing two years ago and since then I’ve never looked back,” the current SUP SA women’s champ said.
“I have a very competitive nature and love competition. So to be representing my country in Fiji is a huge honour. My goal is to make the top five, I know it’s going to be tough and the competition will be fierce, but I’m determined to do well. I’ve represented SA in two other sporting codes and now I feel it’s my turn to make my mark in SUP.”
De Billot believes the South African team, which is made up of nine paddlers, across various disciplines, will be extremely competitive.
“I think we have an extremely talented team, we have guys like Dylan Frick, who has competed internationally and knows what it takes. That’s just one name, we have an incredibly talented team and we will be putting South Africa on the map at the competition,” she said.
