Tasha Mentasti

HAPPY SURFER: Tasha Mentasti brings a wealth of talent to SA surfing. Photo Sandy Coffey

Do you remember your first wave?
The first time I stood up was on a body board when I was about seven so the progression into surfing was organic. I was with my Dad – he’s a legend. Go check out my Instagram account (@Tashamentasti) and you will see the ballie charging Cave Rock! My fondest memory as a grom was cruising along the South Coast of KZN surfing the Bluff, Green Point, Scottburgh and Southbroom.

What does surfing mean to you?
It’s life to me. I wouldn’t be who I am today if it wasn’t for the relationship I have with the ocean through the sport of surfing. I am also very blessed to be able to make a living out of the sport. So yes, surfing is the world to me.

Describe a perfect day for you?
Waking up to a windless day, ready for a roadtrip along our beautiful coastline to find a little gem in the ocean somewhere.

SUPER TRIP: Tasha is one of SA's most decorated surfers. Photo Greg Chapman / chappypix.co.za

I know that you have achieved a huge amount in your surfing career. Take us through some of these successes?
I have been very fortunate to be able to do something surf related each and every day of my life. That’s a huge success in itself! I represented the SA Junior Surfing Team for 4 years in a row – and placed equal 5th at the ISA World Junior Surfing Champs in Bali, Indonesia. I was the first female to represent SA as a coach for the SA Junior Surfing Team (2005-2007 and in 2014). I was the first female Director to sit on the Board of Directors at Surfing South Africa (2007). I am a former operations manager at SSA. I was the 2013 Pro Surf Tour Champion, multiple SA Masters Women’s’ Champion and current SA Champion. I accompanied the SA Adaptive Surf Team in 2015 at the first World Adaptive Surfing Champs in La Jolla. Currently involved in putting together the only WSL CT event on the African continent – The JBay Open. I was also involved last year and it was truly a wonderful experience.

Your next goal?
My life goal is to be able to give back to surfing what surfing has given to me. My current goal is to pull off a successful 2016 JBay Open and then head across to California for the summer.

ALL SMILES: Tasha is passionate about surfing. Photo: Supplied

Can you tell us a bit about what its like to behind the scenes at this event? And what of THAT shark encounter?
The JBay Open is held at the iconic surf spot of Supertubes. For those of you who know Pepper Street, you will know how small it is. To be able to pull off a multi million Rand event takes a lot of organization, planning and a solid team. I work alongside a great bunch of passionate surfers whose first priority is to look after JBay's best interests. That shark encounter we witnessed at the 2015 event was something the organizers were prepared for but never for a moment did we ever think it would ever happen. It's the nature of the sport; we hold an extreme sporting event in the wild, unpredictable ocean.

What is your advice to a 12 year old grom?
Never forget to have fun and that a good loser makes an excellent winner. And always be able to take the lesson from the loss. There will always be losses.

TOP OF HER GAME: Tasha is the current SA women's champion. Photo: Robbie Irlam

Your most exhilarating surfing experience?
There are so many but my most recent one was being able to surf with both my Dad and my brother in cooking (warm) waves in my home town of Durban.

Your thoughts on women surfing in SA?
I believe we have so much talent in SA but unfortunately the women/girls are not being challenged enough in the contest arena – due to lack of events in the country. It doesn’t help if you are trying to make a name for yourself on the international stage.

Your hero and why?
Nelson Mandela for sure. I am proudly South African and I admire Madiba in the way he composed himself and considered others before him – especially in the face of adversity. A quote from the great man always resonates with me “It is ALWAYS impossible until it’s done.”

Surfers to watch out for in SA?
So many talented surfers here but if I had to base it on WSL QS capabilities – then Matt Mcgillivray and Shane Sykes. And there is a new kid on the block I'm looking forward to watching locally in the girls events in SA is the young Lisa Van Heerden

You recently got involved in the Adaptive Surfing movement. Can you tell us why and what it means to you?
I have been involved with Adaptive Surfing since 2011. It has been a highlight of each year for me holding the annual SSA Adaptive Surf Days since then and I hope to be able to help this wonderful sport to grow globally. I find it both humbling and inspirational – the human spirit is amazing and to be able to work alongside some truly inspiring individuals, I have been able to grow as an individual. I also find the logistics behind Adaptive Surfing events very challenging and exciting. Taking a paraplegic out to surf his/her very first wave – often being in the water for the very first time – is a humble privilege. I went to the first ISA World Adaptive Games with the SA Team – held in La Jolla last year – it’s going to be a huge movement. Watch this space!

Your life Mantra?
Peace, Love and Happiness. Sounds trite but its true. I have those words tattooed on me.

Can you send me a pic?
Noooooooooooo!!