23 July 2026: South Africa’s top Junior Surfers complete inaugural National High Performance Training Camp
Surfing South Africa’s National High Performance Programme took a significant step forward as South Africa’s top junior surfers gathered in Ballito and Durban on July 2nd for the inaugural National High Performance Training Camp.
The National High Performance Training Camp forms part of Surfing South Africa’s long-term vision to establish a structured athlete development pathway that prepares young surfers for success at national and international level. By combining technical coaching, tactical education, mental performance and sports science, the programme represents a significant investment in the future of South African surfing.
Surfing South Africa General Manager Danielle Powis addressed the expectations of being part of a national high-performance environment and highlighted the importance of professionalism, personal conduct, leadership and the responsibility that comes with being ambassadors for the sport. The session also focused on social media conduct, personal branding and the standards expected of South Africa’s future elite athletes.
National Junior Team Head Coach Liam Wood led both the practical beach sessions and classroom presentations throughout the morning. Squad members participated in explosive heat drills and competition scenarios on the beach before returning to the hotel for an in-depth tactical presentation covering heat strategy, priority management, competition routines, preparation and decision-making under pressure. The combination of practical application and theory gave athletes a deeper understanding of the tactical demands of modern competitive surfing.
Liam Wood’s time and effort in developing and presenting the camp content, creating the classroom presentations and practical beach-based coaching provided athletes with valuable insight into the technical and tactical demands of modern surfing. Assistant Coach Llewellyn Whittaker and Manager Penny Stemmet added valuable contributions towards the development of the camp material and programme, helping create a comprehensive learning experience for the athletes.
Former multi-capped SA Junior Team member and World Championship Tour surfer Luke Thompson added immense value to the programme by sharing his experience as a competitor at the highest level. He spoke about equipment selection, contest preparation and the dedication required to progress from junior surfing to the Championship Tour. His presentation provided valuable insight into the professional pathway and the importance of meticulous preparation.
The camp was further enhanced by a live virtual presentation from renowned international high-performance coach, Paddy Upton, who delivered an engaging session on mental preparation. Athletes were introduced to practical strategies for managing pressure, building confidence, maintaining focus and developing the mental resilience required to consistently perform under the demands of elite competition.
Following the morning programme, the squad travelled to the Durban High Performance Centre, where Lynne McKay and her multidisciplinary team conducted comprehensive physical performance assessments. Athletes completed a series of tests measuring mobility, flexibility, strength, power, balance and endurance.
The results will be used to provide each athlete with an individual performance profile and personalised training programme, enabling them to continue developing beyond the camp by targeting identified areas for improvement.
Surfing South Africa extends its sincere appreciation to La Montagne Hotel for providing the conference facilities, to Lynne McKay and her High Performance team for facilitating the comprehensive physical testing programme and to Luke Thompson and Paddy Upton for generously sharing their knowledge and experience.
At the completion of this inaugural National Junior Camp Head Coach Liam Wood was confident that the initiative had laid a strong foundation for the future of South African surfing. “When you bring together the country’s best young surfers with the best minds in performance, coaching, mental preparation and professional surfing, special things happen. The future of South African surfing is exceptionally bright”
First Vice President Ann Wright was full of pride as she watched the squad give their all throughout the day. “The enthusiasm and excitement of South Africa’s top junior surfers as they absorbed so much knowledge during the camp was truly inspiring. Their commitment, willingness to learn and the effort that they put into every session demonstrated how valuable these initiatives are for the future of our sport. This camp laid a solid foundation for the future of surfing and for the development of our young athletes. My sincere thanks to SSA General Manager Danielle Powis for coordinating the camp, to Head Coach Liam Wood for his hard work and to everyone who contributed to the success of the day”
Surfing South Africa General Manager, Danielle Powis reflected on how a high performance programme such as this would have benefitted her own journey as a young surfer making her way in competitive surfing adding “We had an incredibly talented group of U18 and U16 athletes at this camp. What impressed me was the way they pushed each other to be better while supporting each other throughout the day. The team culture developing within the squad is truly special. I am confident that the knowledge and skills and personalised guidance provided will have a lasting impact on their development both in and out of the water”.
The inaugural National High Performance Training Camp represented the beginning of a new era for Surfing South Africa’s athlete development pathway. By bringing together experienced coaches, high-performance specialists and world-class expertise, SSA is committed to providing South Africa’s young surfers with every opportunity to achieve success on the international stage while building a sustainable future for the sport.
The next National High Performance Camp for the South African junior squad will be held in early August. The South African Junior Team will depart at the end of August for the ISA World Junior Surfing Championships which run from September 4th to 13th in El Salvador.
