World Adaptive Champs

Smyth, who has competed in the South African Masters Championships on a number of occasions, was given the news as he was boarding his flight to the USA.

His team mates are Dries Millard (Langebaan), Jean Paul Veaudry (East London), Bruce Campbell (Durban) and Bongani Xulu (Ballito) and they will be part of an international field featuring 65 athletes and officials from 17 countries across the world.

The South African Team members have raised their own funds to make the dream of representing their country come true. All of them are travelling independently to the USA over the next few days.

The ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championships gets under way from 8am with an Adaptive Surfing Clinic at La Jolla Shores on Thursday September 24th.

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This will be followed by the Opening Ceremony at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park at 5pm

The Championship heats begin at 8am on Friday September 25th and end on Sunday September 27th. The whole event can be watched via live webcast by going to www.isasurf.org.

An Adaptive Surfing Symposium featuring keynote speakers about the future development of Adaptive Surfing will take place at the Challenged Athletes Foundation headquarters on Saturday September 25th and on Sunday the competition Finals will be completed at La Jolla Shores to culminate with the event’s Medal and Closing Ceremony.

His sister Sandy told Spike: "When Antony phoned to tell me about the possibility of going to compete in the World Adaptive Champs, I knew we would have to raise the money. It is an expensive haul across the ocean and it would be out of the reach of any one of us.

"I had seen how successful crowdfunding could be and decided that this was the best route.  After a little research, we thought that  www.indiegogo.com seemed like the most user friendly AND more importantly, it had huge reach.

"Suffice to say that it was the most incredible experience.  Not only did I find the process very simple, but we were overwhelmed at the generosity and the open heartedness of so many people.

"I put up a story on Antony and the first ever World Adaptive Surf Champs, and together with the deadline and the amount we needed to raise, we were suddenly LIVE.  And the donations started immediately. It was like magic.

"We managed to raise R42000 in about two weeks, with donations coming from strangers/surfers in the USA and Australia, to local friends in SA who opened their hearts and wallets.  And suddenly the trip was a certainty.  Antony is so thankful (and overwhelmed) and will be in touch with every single donor."

More info http://isaworlds.com/adaptive/en/