SA Longboard History
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON SALSA
The SALS was constituted in 1989 and is a partner of:
- SSA (Surfing South Africa) – the governing body for all surfing codes in South Africa. SSA is a member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), which, along with Sport and Recreation South Africa, (SRSA), controls all sports in South Africa.
Membership of SALSA is drawn from the 4, Longboard Surfing clubs of South Africa – principally Western Province, Eastern Province, Eden (Southern Cape), and KZN. The growth in popularity of, and participation in Longboard surfing, has been exponential over the past 10 years. Membership covers the full age spectrum – the competition caters to all age groups (U14 to 60-plussers), all races, and both genders. Our community is very much family-based and is non-sexist and non-racist.
SALSA provides the platform for SA longboarders to participate in the organized competition – it provides surfers the opportunity to compete –
- Locally – in club contests and the annual club SA Longboard Surfing Championships.
- Internationally – our top longboarders compete at the ISA World Championships and also on the prestigious WSL (World Surf League) circuit.
In 2013, South Africa sent a team to the last ISA World Championships. Highlights of the team’s performance:
- Team SA placed 2nd overall.
- Simone Robb (WP) won the Open Women’s Division.
- Thomas King (WP) placed 4th in the Open Men Final.
- Ethan Pentz (WP) placed 4th in the Junior Boys U 18.
- Justin Bing (WP) placed 9th overall in the Open Men Division.
From these results it can be seen that Longboard surfing in SA is of an exceptionally high standard:
- Matthew Moir (WP) has been ISA Open Men World Champion on two occasions.
- Stephen Sawyer (EP) narrowly finished 2nd, at the 2016 WSL World Championship.
Since the early 90s we, SALS have held a strong position in World Longboard Surfing. We are currently rated 2nd in the world by the ISA and will travel to China with a very competitive team.