#CasualDay – Para surfer aims to be 2023 surfing champ

WEARING her smile with pride, former all-round sportswoman and captain of the South African Para Surfing Team, Tracy McKay, is preparing to compete in the 2023 ISA World Para Surfing Champs.

McKay shares her story of resilience, determination and perseverance in commemoration of the Casual Day annual fundraising campaign held by the National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD).

Already launched, the campaign runs until September 1, which is Casual Day. The theme of Casual Day 2023 is #ShareASmile with Persons with Disabilities.

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The theme aims to promote kindness, goodwill, and positivity in support of persons with disabilities in South Africa.

As a youngster, McKay excelled at every sport which her school on The Bluff had to offer, including swimming, hockey, athletics and softball.

While in primary school, she was a nipper for the Dolphins Lifesaving Club at Brighton Beach, where her love for the ocean became more intense.

But after moving to the United Kingdom, the avid sportswoman was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2003, and at 33-years-old, she began her journey fighting cancer.

While in remission, a year and a half after treatment was administered to fight the cancer, she developed a slight walking impairment.

“I was told after many tests that it was a degenerating condition that would eventually have me wheelchair-bound. When reality set in I realised I would need to return to South Africa as my life was going to change drastically. I returned to SA in 2007. At the time of the diagnosis, I thought that was the end for me.

“How do you move forward with that hanging over your head? I have always been a positive, happy-go-lucky kind of person but now that was to change, or so I thought. It took time and a lot of soul-searching, but I then realised for things to change I had to be the change. I knew I needed to get up, dust myself off and start living life to the full as a disabled person and I did it,” said McKay.

The ocean lover began swimming again and completed her first Midmar Mile as a disabled swimmer in 2010. She had since completed 12 Midmar Mile swims, winning the bronze, silver and even a gold medal.

“I then started competitive pool swimming, and as months went by I grew stronger and began setting new goals and challenges for myself.

“In 2018, I started surfing. I will never forget my first time on the surfboard. It was amazing being in the ocean riding waves, which was something I would never have dreamt I would do. In 2019 I competed in my first surfing competition and I won my division, which was the start of my love for para surfing,” she added.

McKay represented SA in the ISA 2020 World Para Surfing Champs in San Diego, winning second place in the Prone 1 division and the ISA 2022 World Para Surfing Champs held in Pismo Beach, scooping third place in the Prone 1 division.

“My goal is to keep representing our country and work towards a gold medal, which with hard work is achievable. I am proud to have been selected for the South African Para Surfing 2023 team and remain the captain for the second year.

“This year, we will be travelling to Huntington Beach in November for the 2023 ISA World Para Surfing Champs and hopefully the Para Surf League thereafter.

“I advise people with disabilities to follow their dreams and never give up. You must be prepared to work hard, though. I have achieved some goals I would never have done as an able-bodied person. I hope to inspire all youngsters and show them with love, dedication and hard work anything is possible. I thank my amazing support team here in South Africa and in the UK, which is my beautiful daughter Kayla, and her family,” McKay said.

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NCPD’s national director, Therina Wentzel, said, a smile can trigger a positive chain reaction of wonderfully, uncontrollable proportions.

“Casual Day has raised over R404m since 1995, thanks to the wonderful support of members of the public who purchase their stickers from participating retail stores, participating companies, our 600+ beneficiary NPOs and schools that renew their participation every year. The proceeds go to persons with disabilities at schools, homes and workshops represented by the participating beneficiary organisations,” Wentzel added.

In support of Casual Day, individuals and organisations are encouraged to purchase Casual Day stickers (R20 each) and specially branded merchandise before September 1, and to wear them with pride on the day. Visit www.casualday.co.za to find out where purchases can be made, or to order personalised stickers.

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