Kushayi Winner

The 3rd annual event provided a platform for surfers from the Umthombo and Surfers Not Street Children programmes to showcase their surfing skills.

The elite division was won by KZN Junior Surfer of the Year and 2014 National Junior Team member Ntando Msibi and although he won all of his heats plus the Final he was challenged by some radical surfing from a number of the other competitors.

In the end Msibi’s experience and skill saw him produce his second Kushayi’igagasi victory in a row and secured him R4000 in cash and an all expenses, mentored surf trip to Mozambique, courtesy of the SA Surfing Legends.

Fellow Surfers Not Street Children members Sifiso Ncgobo, Sihle Mbutho and Andile Zwane were second, third and fourth respectively in the Final which was completed in 3 foot surf.

Other award winners were Samelikiswe Cele, Avuyile Ndamase,Khetho Ngcobo, Dennis Pym, Anele Ncane,Mthunzi Mthembu,Siyanda Hewitt,Thabiso Mavundla,Sandile Mbuthuma and Sifiso Mhlongo

This Kushayi’igagasi contest has a great vibe to it thanks to its combination of personalities such as organizer John McCarthy, Contest Director Ann Wright, top Umthombo coach and international judge Sandile Mqadi and others, all of whom ensure that the event has is run like a proper surf contest with the added bonus of rocking music, a great commentator and a huge celebration.

The event was funded by Mark Snowball of Logistical Solutions Africa, Surfing South Africa, through their Lotto grant for transformation projects and ASP Africa and was supported by a host of benefactors such as the SA Surfing Legends, Teddi Adams of the KZN Sport Development and Recreation Department, O’Neill South Africa, KZN Surfing Association and the Ethekweni Municipality.

The contest was sanctioned by Surfing South Africa, the recognized governing body for the sport. SSA is a member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA).