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 It was a dream-come-true for three young paddlers from Chesterville, in Durban, when they were selected for the South African Development Team to compete in the World Cup Surfski event that will be held at Durban's Bay of Plenty in July.
Xolani Mkhize, Wanda Mbutho and Mthunzi Ngcobo only started surfski paddling 18 months ago, but their dedication to the growing sport has seen them achieve this remarkable milestone. Trials for the World Cup team were held in Durban recently, in surf conditions that had seasoned paddlers battling to complete the 30-kilometre course.
Their introduction to the sport came when they met one of the country's top paddlers, Barry Lewin, at the Marine Surf Lifesaving Club where they are all members. Lewin is the chief instructor at the Surfski School that operates from South Beach and he convinced them to give it a try.
 The Team (from left): Wanda Mbutho, Xolani Mkhize, and Mthunzi Ngcobo (Photo: Harry Lock)
"We were keen, as we saw it as an extension of our lifesaving skills," explains part-time lifeguard, Wanda Mbutho. "Barry showed us the basics and must have seen some potential as he began coaching us to compete in the regular Surfski series."
They paddled in last year's Winter Series and the recent Summer Series achieving good results in their respective grades. Mbutho won the D-Grade and Mthunzi Ngcobo was third in his class.
Although surfskiing is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, it still struggles to attract major sponsorships. "This is an expensive sport, with a basic ski costing around R5000.00," says Lewin. "Up to now the Surfski School has sponsored their equipment and employ them as instructors, but with the World Cup coming up we have to find sponsorship for the development team."
"Between now and the World Cup in July the guys are going to have to put in a lot of time on the water," says Lewin who knows what it takes to compete at this level, "I paddle every day, the more time spent on a ski, the better."
Mkhize, Mbutho and Ngcobo are determined to do what it takes to get a good result in the World Cup. "To be competing against teams from around the world is a challenge, and beating some of them is our goal," says Mthunzi Ngcobo who, with his two team mates, regularly cycles from Chesterville to South Beach to train.
 Early morning training... (Photo: Harry Lock)
It is their love of the water that brought them together. The three met several years ago when they learned to swim at the Chesterville swimming pool. They are still members of the pool's Octopus Swimming Club and today teach other youngsters to swim in between their duties at the beach.
 The coach: Barry Lewin (Photo: Harry Lock)
For more info on the SA World Cup race, see http://www.surfskiworldcup.com
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