Bluff para-surfer beats odds with tides

A LIVING testament of thriving against all odds is Bluff para-surfer, Tracy McKay. The inspiring athlete will be representing South Africa at the at the ISA World PARA surfing Championships at La Jolla, California in March, after successfully qualifying at the SA Champs heat finals.

“I am so excited about this whole experience. I am most excited to officially wear the green and gold blazer and representing South Africa. I am also looking forward to surfing in California and competing against the world’s top para-surfers, it’s such a dream,” she said.

Para-surfing is a type of surfing for men and women who surf with a disability, the Classifications are divided into six classes and range from, upper limb disability, lower limb disability, kneeling, prone with assist, visually impaired and prone without assist. Tracey falls within the Prone – without assist category which requires her 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,” she explained.

Asked what she finds the most challenging about para-surfing, Tracey said, “Big waves are a challenge but I love a challenge. The real challenge is that it is not a sport you can do on your own. I surf for Made for More, which is an NPO run by Julia van Zyl. Every month Julia organises a surfing session which requires a lot of manpower as we always need people who can assist us in the water and on land along with all the equipment like
beach wheelchairs, beach mats and surfboards.

Tracy, 49, has always been a sporty person, having done swimming, lifesaving, hockey, athletics and softball throughout her schooling career and continued to play hockey before moving to the United Kingdom after school. She was first introduced to the awe-inspiring sport of para-surfing through a friend. “My friend, Doug who is also a para athlete, whom I met at rowing told me about surfing and said I should give it a try, because I’m always up for a challenge, I did exactly that. I absolutely loved it the first time I went in and was hooked.

“I love the ocean. The freedom in the water is amazing and of course I love the fellow surfers. We are a group of abled and disabled people but at heart we are all the same. We encourage each other when we catch a great wave and then we tease each other if we get knocked off a wave or even surf into one of our helpers.”

While living in the UK, Tracy was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2003. “My treatment was successful but left me 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 but a positive one. It may sound odd but I love my disabled life and if I could go back, I wouldn’t change anything. I have accepted it and embraced it. What I have achieved is beyond my expectations.”

Tracy is also keen swimmer and trains throughout the year. Her main events are the Open Water, Dolphine Mile and the Midmar Mile in which she swims to raise funds for CHOC Cows.

The resilient para-surfer draws her inspiration from her family and friends who support her. The world champs are a self-funded tour, and Tracy is currently raising funds via a BackaBuddy page at https://www.backabuddy.co.za/tracy-mckay as well as a fundraiser event, which will be taking place on 15 December at Bluff Bowling Club. To support or sponsor Tracy contact her on email at tracy.mckay@clover.co.za

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