Bluff para surfer claims spot on world champion podium

TEAM South Africa was placed fifth overall at the International Surfing Association 2022 World Para Surfing Championships hosted by AmpSurf in Prismo Beach, California, last week.

Hundred and eighty athletes from 28 countries competed for the world title, with team South Africa stacking up three finalists on the podium. Bluff para surfer, Tracy Lee McKay, was placed third in the women’s prime 1 division and was proud to have brought home the bronze medal.

“Pismo is a beautiful tourist destination so to be able to surf there was amazing. The competition level was a lot higher in 2022 for me. In 2020, we competed against 23 countries and 124 athletes, while in 2022, there were 28 countries and 181 athletes.

“In the category I competed in, the amount of athletes was doubled, compared to 2020, and South Africa came fifth overall. We just missed out on a team podium finish. The conditions were tough as they changed drastically from little waves with no power to big waves with lots of power. My final was the most challenging heat as the waves were big and powerful.

“The competition is held next to a pier (Pismo Pier) and unfortunately, after my first wave in the final, I was washed into a pylon. This did slight damage to my board, but I managed to paddle out again, however, I never got a chance to get a second wave. I was stoked to make it through to the final and really happy to have come third, winning the bronze medal despite the challenges. I am looking forward to what 2023 holds for me and my surfing journey,” said McKay.

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