Extreme wave win for Wesley

When Wesley Coetzee of Ramsgate rode his first wave at the age of 12, he knew immediately that bodyboarding would shape his life in a major way.

Now 28, his passion for the sport has seen him travel the country, with his most recent success being crowned champion at the Tand Invitational 2023 in the Western Cape.
He won a cool R20 000 for his efforts.

“This is an annual bodyboarding event which showcases high performance, extreme bodyboarding action on one of South Africa’s heaviest reef breaks,” he said.

His hard work and dedication has certainly paid off. Wesley said that he has put much time and energy into both physical training and technical strategy. “Seeing it all come together and paying off is incredible,” he said.

He aims to remain competitive, so it’s time to reset, refocus and head back to the gym. “Every competitive bodyboarder would love a crack at the World Tour but financial constraints limit many. I try to compete in as many events in South Africa as possible. Hopefully, I will get the chance to travel internationally again one day,” he said.

In talking about the Tand Invitational, he said described how conditions were ‘all time as good as it gets for a competition’.

Being a World Tour speciality event at a word-class reef break, the window period ran from July 1 to 31.
He explained how organisers and locals watch the conditions and call the event a few days in advance when the conditions line up for the break. “This guarantees pumping waves and the contest of all contests. Every competitor’s dream is to surf an event in absolutely flawless conditions.”

Wesley, who said he played a wide variety of sports at school, took up bodyboarding at age 12. “I am very competitive and found my passion for bodyboarding after my first wave. It’s since shaped my life around travel and contests. I have made lifelong friendships with people all around the country,” he said.

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