Cape Town, South Africa – 1 September 2026
The months of preparation are over, the bags are packed, the boards are checked in, and Team South Africa is officially on its way to El Salvador! 🇿🇦🌊
This evening, members of the 2026 South African Junior Surfing Team passed through the security gates at Cape Town International Airport to begin their journey to Surf City, El Salvador, where they will represent South Africa at the 2026 ISA World Junior Surfing Championships from 4–13 September.
For this talented group of young surfers, the moment marks the culmination of months of preparation, national selection, high-performance training camps, heat drills, physical testing, mental preparation and countless hours in the water.
More importantly, it marks the beginning of the experience they have all worked towards: representing South Africa on the world stage.
The team heads into the World Championships supported by an exceptionally experienced management contingent consisting of Team Manager Penny Stemmet and Coaches Greg Emslie and Llewellyn Whittaker.
The final stages of preparation have focused heavily on ensuring the athletes arrive in El Salvador ready not only physically and technically, but mentally and tactically.
The team’s recent High Performance Camp in East London included intensive heat simulation and competition training, alongside detailed preparation for the conditions they can expect at the ISA World Championships.
Athletes have studied the competition environment, the waves of La Bocana and El Sunzal, heat strategy, mental preparation, performance under pressure and the responsibilities that come with representing their country.
Throughout the programme, one message has remained constant: the Protea is more than a badge.
Every athlete travelling to El Salvador carries with them the support of their families, coaches, districts and the wider South African surfing community.
For many of these young athletes, the ISA World Junior Surfing Championships will be one of the biggest international competitions of their careers to date.
They will compete alongside the world’s leading junior surfers while experiencing the unique atmosphere of an ISA World Championship — from the Parade of Nations and Opening Ceremony to proudly standing together behind the South African flag.
Surfing South Africa General Manager Danielle Powis said watching the team walk through the airport gates was an emotional moment after months of preparation:
“There is something incredibly special about watching a group of young athletes walk through those gates wearing South African colours and knowing that they are about to represent their country on the other side of the world. So much work, sacrifice and support from so many people has gone into getting them to this moment.”
“We have worked hard to provide this team with the strongest preparation and support structure possible, but now the journey belongs to them. We want them to compete fearlessly, support one another, embrace every part of the experience and understand just how special it is to wear the Protea. We are incredibly proud of them.”
Surfing South Africa extends a particularly heartfelt thank you to the parents and families, Coaches, Districts and support teams of the athletes.
Behind every young athlete boarding that plane are years of early mornings, kilometres travelled, financial sacrifices, encouragement through difficult results and unwavering support.
This journey would simply not be possible without everyone who has contributed their expertise, time and resources towards preparing the athletes for this campaign.
The South African team will now make the long journey to El Salvador before beginning its final acclimatisation and preparation ahead of the start of competition.
Tonight, however, there is one simple message:
Team South Africa is on its way.
The preparation is done.
The opportunity has arrived.
Now it is time to represent.
Amandla! Awethu!
ENDS
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