LW Mag LW Magazine
Related Articles
In this quick series we’re going to introduce you to a selection of top South African junior surfers who are set to compete in the Billabong Junior Series Grand Finale at Seal Point in Cape St Francis. The event is set to take place over the long weekend of 25 – 27 September.
Surfer Profile No8 – Chanelle Botha
Chanelle Botha is one of the hottest stars to come from the Kwazulu Natal South Coast. She has a long list of incredible achievements under her belt, and has an even longer and illustrious career ahead of her in the surfing world, be it in South Africa or somewhere else in the world. Chanelle is determined, and when she has a bad heat or a poor event she is always visibly disappointed. She always comes back strong however. True fighting spirit.
Chanelle reckons that wanting to always be better than yesterday is what drives her to succeed. “That’s what pushes me to surf better and obviously winning is a feeling that I love, so I’m always chasing that.”
Looking for heroes and inspirations, Chanelle looks no further than one of the best professional surfers in the world. “I think surfing-wise Carissa Moore is a huge inspiration to me. She just seem to keep getting better and I love how much power and flow she surfs with.”
Chanelle loves surfing. It’s clear in everything she does. When it comes to the best thing in surfing, Chanelle is quick to point out the great things that are happening with girls surfing. “I think the rate at which girls surfing is improving and the respect it’s getting from sponsors is so good at the moment,” said Chanelle. “Even the guy surfers are giving it so much respect.”
So how does a bubbly young girl from the South Coast get around, to surf all the domestic events as well as the ISA World Games? Chanelle has a good list of local sponsors that look after her. “Im sponsored by Lizzy, Nixon, VonZipper, Hurricane, Spider Surfboards and Nature Zone,” said Chanelle. “Xcel help me out with wetsuits.”
As mentioned, Chanelle has an impressive list of career achievements. She is a 3 times SA Champion, a 4 times SA Junior Team Member, a Billabong Junior Series Champion and has made 10 consecutive National Championships finals from U8 to U20. Pretty incredible, from anyone’s standards.
Last year was Chanelle’s last year at the Billabong SA Junior Champs. She made the final, but the good waves evaded her and she finished third. This year the Billabong SA Junior Champs will be a little quieter without her around.
Photo: Kody McGregor
