Bluff ‘groms’ take on the tides
A particularly passionate Slater was introduced to the sport by his mother, Heidi when he was five years.
SURFING is not just a sport but is a way of life for surfer brothers, Slater and Campbell Weldon.
The two can often be spotted paddling out at Ansteys Beach from as early as 06:00 to catch the first few waves of the day.
A particularly passionate Slater was introduced to the sport by his mother, Heidi when he was five years. “My mom wanted me to learn how to surf. She took me to Ushaka Marine World and she tried to teach me to surf. It didn’t go too well but that’s where it started and it was a fun experience,” reminisced the 14 year old.
He took a break for a few years and also dabbled in bodyboarding. He reunited with his board at the end of last year and has been riding the waves ever since. “Bodyboarding is not as fun because all you can do is small tricks which are quite easy. On a surfboard, you have to push yourself to the limit to try and do different things. It’s a lot scarier but that’s what makes me really enjoy it.”
He has participated in two local surfing competitions on the Bluff held last year held by the Bluff Boardriders Surf Club. He won himself a new surfboard earlier this year in March.
With the Covid-19 lockdown interrupting most sports activities and competitions, Slater said his focus has been on honing his surfing skills on his new board. Although he is a relatively new surfer, Slater is a very good judge of character with the waves and is building up his confidence to tackle bigger waves.
“Lockdown has been frustrating because I don’t really get to see my friends, the ‘Groms’ (local young surfers) as much as I’d like to.” He shared that he aspires to go pro one day, with one of his goals being to compete in the Volcom Pipe Pro which is one of the most popular and most-watched events in the world. It is a prestigious contest at the world-famous Banzai Pipeline on the North Shore of Oahu.
The event brings together 144 of the best surfers from around the globe, providing a 13-day competition window that ensures that the athletes surf in optimal conditions at this iconic break. He also hopes to make it to the World Surfing League (WSL).
Slater looks up to the famous surfer, Kelly Slater, an American professional surfer, best known for his unprecedented 11 world surfing championship wins. A self-confessed surfing fanatic, his mom Heidi Scholl, admitted she named her son after the famous surfer.
The love for the ocean resides in the family. His younger brother, Campbell, 12, finds his thrill on his bodyboard. “
“I just find it so fun, I love it. I haven’t done any competitions yet and enjoy bodyboarding more as a hobby than a competitive sport,” said the Brighton Beach Senior Primary School learner who also enjoys soccer.
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