Camps Bay High School learner Holly Smith has been selected to represent South Africa at the ICF World Ocean Racing Championships to be held in Portugal in October.
The Grade 10 learner earned her green and gold colours while competing in the SA Surf Ski Championships on her 16th birthday which she celebrated on Sunday 1 May.
On the day, Smith faced some tough conditions out at sea, but she managed to stay on the bunch of senior ladies for 5 km into a strong head wind. She fell off the bunch, but managed to stay in sight of the top ladies competitor.
Smith turned the buoy at Partridge Point near Cape Point after 9 km of paddling and then had a good 14 km downwind paddle to finish at Fish Hoek beach where there was strong wind and a big swell.
She finished first in the u-16, second in the u-18 and seventh place overall. With her second place in the u-18 category, she earned her place on the SA u-23 team to race in the championships.
The teen says ocean racing is her “happy place”.
“I love big swell and strong winds and I’ve always loved racing in the ocean or being in it. The exhilaration of riding the ocean swells that the wind generates to connect run after run. You can surf waves in your ski for kilometres on end, it’s an unbelievable feeling.”
An elated Smith says she is excited to represent the country.
“I’m very proud and beyond stoked and grateful to have made it as it was a very strong field of girls.”
The learner says she follows a tight training schedule to prepare for the race.
“I train twice a day most days, we follow a specific training programme made by our coach Pete Cole from the Orka squad who prepares all for the world championships. Nine of us from the group of 18 are from the Orka squad.”
She says winning the competition would be a dream come true.
“It would be an absolutely amazing feeling, but I also understand I still have three years in this age group to fulfil my dreams of winning the juniors. But I will put everything I have into it.”
Smith says although she spends most of her free time practising, she does make time for academics as well.
“I do manage to find time to do schoolwork after evening training and I do lots of work on the go.”
Her mom Caroline says: “I as her mom am super proud of Holly. Her focus and determination are incredible.”
Her dad Miki also expressed his elation at his daughter’s achievement.
“I love the fact that I get to hang out with both my children (her brother is also a phenomenal paddler) and her paddling teammates and to watch them grow and achieve. The amount of effort these kids put out is unbelievable. You then see why they are champions.”
Busi Ngcwama, Head of Sport at Camps Bay High School, says: “Holly puts in long hours of training every week and these efforts have yielded the results she has been dreaming of.
“We are incredibly proud of her and wish her all the best for the World Ocean Racing Championships and her future competitions. We are supporting her all the way.”
The teen says she is now hard at work practising before her departure to Portugal.
Posted on News24.com
17 May 2022
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