Para surfer prepares to head to world championships

SPORTY go-getter, Tracy Lee McKay, is ecstatic to have been selected to head to the World Para Surfing Championships at Prismo Beach in California with the South African Para Surfing team.

The 52-year-old Bluff resident, who superseded her expectations when she competed in para-surfing for the first time in May 2019 which led her to be selected to compete at the world championships for the 2020 SA Para Team, is thrilled to make waves as she competes against the world’s best surfers for the third time, this year.

Tracy was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2003, and although treatment was successful, she was diagnosed with a walking impairment which worsens over time.

“I walk with crutches and have braces on both my legs for stability, but when I’m at a sporting event, I use my wheelchair. It was a huge adjustment for me to live with a disability, but I chose to make it a positive one. I know this sounds odd, but I love my disabled life and no, if I could go back, I would not want to change anything. I have accepted my disability and embraced it. What I have achieved is beyond my expectations,” said Tracy.

Leading an active lifestyle, with talent in swimming, lifesaving, hockey, athletics and softball, Tracy was happy to be able to continue swimming and surfing, and was introduced to para surfing by her friend, who was a para athlete.
“I am still able to swim, and enjoy open water swimming. Every year, I swim the Midmar Mile and I try and compete in as many Dolphin Miles as I can. I have just recently taken up handcycling and I am loving it. Surfing, however, is my number one priority. When my friend introduced me to para surfing, I naturally was up for a challenge. I fell in love with the sport the first time I tried,” Tracy said.
She competes in the visually impaired prone– without assistance category, and is expected to be able to paddle into the surf and catch a wave without any assistance.

“While on the board I can manoeuvre the board but at no time am I allowed to sit or kneel on my board. If I come off and lose my board the water assistants can fetch it and bring it to me, but I must get on the board without anyone touching me. Big waves are a challenge but I love a challenge. A real challenge is that para surfing is not a sport you can do on your own. I surf for Made for More, which is a non profit organisation run by Julia van Zyl. Every month, Julia organises a surfing session and it entails a lot of organisations as we always need people who can assist us in the water and on land. We also require assistance with the equipment, such as beach wheelchairs, beach mats for the wheelchairs and surfboards for us surfers,” Tracy added.
In 2020, Tracy represented SA at the ISA World Para Surfing Championships and scooped second place, winning herself a silver medal and earning her a number two spot in the world ranking for para surfing.

She went on to compete in the KZN Champs and SA Champs in 2021, winning her division in both and she was selected once again for the 2021 SA Para Surfing Team. She was also voted as captain of the SA Team, but unfortunately due to South Africa being red listed in November 2021, the team was unable to travel to the championships.
“Competing in championships for para surfing is self-funded, leading me to embark on a fundraising drive on social media with BackaBuddy.

ALSO READ: Get stoked! Support SA para-surfers

I am blessed to have received a CAFGrant, which is a grant from Challenged Athletes Foundation in the USA. This year, for the first time, South Africa will send a team of nine male and five female para surfers and six support team members to the world championships in California from December 4 to 11. We hope to raise enough to get us to the championships,” said Tracy.

To donate to Tracy’s trip, go to https://www.backabuddy.co.za/tracy-mckay

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