A dream has come true for Wesley Coetzee (28), who recently won the 2023 South African Pro Bodyboarding Champion title. “Getting my name on the trophy, alongside some of the best in South Africa’s history of the sport, is incredible for me. It is the pinnacle of SA bodyboarding,” he said.
Ever since he started competing in the younger divisions, Wesley has always wanted to take this particular title home, more than anything.
The current Tand Invitational champ described the conditions at Hermanus as contestable.
“It’s never easy hosting an event that has been confirmed months in advance. You never know what you are in for, condition wise. The level of riding was really intense and there was no room for error. Every heat was tough. The competition was great.”
Over the last two years, Wesley has competed in numerous events with the following some superb results: Cape St Francis 2022 – 1st, SA Champs 2022 – 3rd, Walker Bay Pro 2022 – Round 3, Tand Invitational 2022 – Quarter Finals, SABA Pro Champ 2022, Tand Invitational 2023 – 1st and SA Champs 2023 – 1st.
Wesley said that some of these events and trophies mean the world to him, as he has always been a ‘contest frother’, plus enjoying the road trips.
Where to from here?
“The age old question, I’ve been asked this pretty much every time someone congratulates me. The only place from here would be the IBC World Bodyboarding Tour. If I can find the right sponsors for next year I will give it a go,” he said.
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