gsport has been keeping an eye on Tarryn Chudleigh’s progress through this year, so it wasn’t a difficult choice regarding who would be our December gSTAR. Here’s a young woman who loves surfing and is passionate about life: a combination that has seen her achieve amazing success both here and abroad.
Tarryn,
who turns 18 next February, started surfing at the age of 10, and her progress
has been phenomenal. This year alone, she received her national colours for the
third time, she came 8th in the World Junior Championships in Portugal,
she re-qualified for the National Squad for 2008, she won three consecutive
Billabong Pro Junior Events, and was the Billabong u/20 Series Champion for
2007.
Its
probably unfair to call her role model at such a young age, but just hearing
her philosophy on life and sport, its hard not to. Tarryn or Tazz, as her
family like to call her, believes surfing is about self-expression and is
inspired by people, young and old, who share her passion for surfing.
Tarryn
has an incredibly supportive family who back her all the way as she pursues her
surfing dreams. She is home schooled, and is currently completing her matric
over two years. This allows her to be a professional surfer, and admits she
enjoys earning money from surfing.
Tarryn is
grateful for her dedicated sponsors who help make her surfing dream a reality.
In her personal capacity, she assists less advantaged surfers in getting the
right quality equipment to surf. Because she believes if you want to surf, you
should not be hampered by lack of equipment.
Her
fabulous approach to life, and her dedication to being the best she can be, has
seen Tarryn achieve amazing successes, and she is already seen as a shining
light for South African women’s sport.
This
festive season Tarryn will be celebrating in the only way she knows and loves –
SUN, SURF, TRAVEL… She is currently away from home, competing in three major
girls only contests in Durban, Margate
and Jeffreys Bay.
Then she heads off on a surfing road trip with her sponsors, who are
documenting the trip for Durban to Cape Town for a TV
production. On Christmas Day, she leave for Australia to compete in the
Australia Pro Junior circuit.
Introducing
gsport’s 2007 December gSTAR; Kommetjie surf sensation, Tarryn Chudleigh!
Tarryn, when did you fall in love with surfing?
I
starting surfing in 2000, a friend of my parents was a surfer and he made it
sound like great fun. I said I wanted to try and he convinced my over-protective
mom to let me try, I was 10-years-old. He took my mom and I out to Blouberg. It
was freezing and I only had boardies.
What is your nickname?
I like to
be called Tarryn but my family insists on calling me Tazz and my team manager
calls me Chuddles.
Where do you live, and what do you love most
about it?
My home
is Kommetjie, Cape Town.
It is a small beautiful seaside village that is the heart of contest surfing in
Cape Town. I
love being able to walk to the beach with my friends and surf until it’s dark,
watching the sunset and the lights come on over the sea in Houtbay.
I also
have a second home in the Bluff, Durban, where I
stay with my 2nd family, when I compete in Durban. I love the family like my own and I
am one of there family. I love the Bluff because most of my friends live there
and I like surfing in warm water.
How do you feel about the state of women’s
surfing in South Africa?
I think
SA women are as talented as our international competitors; we just lack the
experience of competing on an international stage and therefore lack confidence
in our surfing. We have a vast amount of potential and skill in SA, we just
have to learn how to use it correctly. We also need more recognition and
support in the media, to help build our confidence and profile.
Who are your surfing heroes and why?
My friend
Grace taught me that there is a little inspiration in everyone you meet.
Surfing is about self-expression, it has a deep connection with nature and
beauty, and therefore everyone that surfs, young, old, beginner or world champ
is an inspiration because they each have something special about them and they
share my passion and love of surfing.
Which is your favourite surfing destination and
why?
Elands Bay, it is an awesome left hand break on the West Coast, the country
side has a stark beauty about it, but I love traveling and exploring new
destinations.
What have been your surfing career highlights
this year?
2007 has
been a great year for me. I received my national colours for the third time and
I came 8th in the World Junior Championships in Portugal. I
also re-qualified for the National Squad for 2008. I won three consecutive
Billabong Pro Junior Events and was the Billabong u/20 Series Champion for
2007.
This
qualified me for a spot in the ASP Billabong Pro Junior World Championships in Australia u/20.
I am currently the U/18 and u/20 ratings leader for the South African Junior
Professional Tour. I am the u/18 girls South African Champion. I have won two
open women’s events this year, The O’Neill Coldwater classic and the
Volcom. 
What are your all-time surfing achievements so
far?
I made
history this year as the only SA girl to hold the u/14 SA Champ title (won that
twice) 2003/2004, u/16 SA Champ 2006,and u/18 SA Champ 2007.
I have
also been awarded the Western Province Surfer (Male and Female) of the year
award twice, 2006/2007.
gsport strives to celebrate femininity. How
would you define femininity and what role does it play in your life?
I believe
that femininity is the right to be myself with no one placing restrictions on
me. The right to be beautiful, strong, successful and happy. To be just me.
What inspires you?
I find
inspiration in the beauty of my surroundings and the people around me. I am
inspired by success and money is a great motivator for me.
What has surfing taught you?
Respect.
Pride. Joy.
It has
taught me that dreams can come true, that opportunity is everywhere. That there
is more to life than what is right in front of you. That you can’t win
everything and that there are lessons to be learnt from losing.
Who is your biggest supporter?
My
family, Dad, mum and sister Bronwyn, they give up so much time for me and I
really appreciate it. My grandparents are great fans as well as all my friends
and my sponsors.
How do you approach fitness and physical health?
Most surfers
believe that the best training for surfing is surfing. I have learnt that to be
a true champion, you have to be a professional athlete. So I have changed my
training program and attitude to reflect this.
I train
with a personal trainer at Sport Science Institute. I work on core strength,
flexibility and balance, for a surfer my balance is bad. I try to follow a
healthy diet, stay away from junk food.
Who are your role models and why?
Cheron
Kraak, Heather Clark. They are both strong beautiful women that achieved their
dreams.
Heather
Clark and Cheron Kraak have both been a great inspiration to me. Heather Clark for her magnificent surfing,
brilliant career on the WCT and her courage and strength as she represented South Africa as
the only South African surfer on the WCT. I am privileged to call her my
friend. She has been my role model, mentor and a great inspiration for me to succeed
on the world stage.
Cheron
Kraak is a powerful, successful business woman in a mans world (the surf
industry). It is her passion, energy and drive that inspires me to never give
up. I am also privileged to have her involved in my surfing career and to know
that she will always be there for me.
Jordy
Smith, World Champion, a young South African surfer who has taken the world by
storm and signed one of the largest sponsorship deals for a rookie surfer in
the world and proven that South Africans were born to be Champions.
What is the best advice you’ve received?
Don’t
doubt herself.
Are you studying or working?
I’m home
schooled and at present doing my matric over two years.
I am also
a professional surfer, i.e. I earn money from surfing and have done so for the
past couple of years.
Do you have sponsors? If so, who are they, and
what impact have they made on your surfing career?
Yes, I am
very privileged to have been sponsored by an amazing company from a very early
stage in my surfing career. I was sponsored by Billabong SA, in 2001 and then
Von Zipper, Kustom and Palmers. My sponsors play a huge role in my surfing and
my success, they are a major part of my support system.
My
sponsors are like my family, they are passionate about my surfing. They are
completely hands on, actively involved in my surfing and well being and always
there to assist me.
Do you have a favourite charity, if so, why that
one?
Dream
makers, it’s a new charity for orphans, widows and single parents.
I am also
involved in aiding less advantaged surfers to get the right quality equipment
to surf. I strongly believe that surfing can have a positive effect on ones
life and believe that if you want to surf, you should not be hampered by lack
of equipment.
What’s your advice for young girls who would
like to excel in surfing?
Believe
in yourself, set you goals and have fun. Nothing is worth doing if you are not
having fun.
gsport’s theme for December is CELEBRATION. How
will you be celebrating this festive season?
I will be
traveling so much this festive season, in fact I am already away from home,
competing in three major girls only contests in Durban, Margate and Jeffreys Bay. Then I am off on a surfing road
trip with my sponsors, who are documenting the trip for Durban
to Cape Town for
a TV production.
I’ll be
home for five days and then I leave for Australia on Xmas day to compete in
the Australia Pro Junior circuit, I’ll only be home in February 2008.
So the
time I have with family and friends will be precious, otherwise I’ll be
celebrating in the only way I know and love, SUN, SURF and TRAVEL, not a bad
way to spend my holiday!!!!
What is the best thing about being a South
African?
MADIBA
MAGIC, BRIAN HABANA.
I am
Proud to be a South African. We have a beautiful country with amazingly
successful people.
What do you miss the most, when you’re away from
home?
My
family, my friends, my pets…..oh and my feather duvet.
What is your greatest ambition?
I believe
that I have already achieved my ambition and that is TO LIVE MY DREAM. What I
still would like to achieve is to be the very best I can be. To surf and win
WCT would be nice!
Leading Ladies:
Woman of the Month- Carina Bruwer: Sounds of Silence
Style Star- Bianca Le Grange: Music in the Air
Woman in Media- Hendrien Grové: Talent Falls Near
Monthly Regulars:
The Penny Heyns Series: Action III
Wonder Woman: Celebrating Life
Personal Accounts:
Dorah Nkgage: My gsport Attraction!
Anja van Aswegen: Loving Sport!
December Features:
Synchronised Swimming: Poetry in Motion
Star Search: Splash! Swimming Academy
5 Mins with Carol Joyce: Sprint Canoeing on High
5 Mins with Zeena Isaacs: World Cup Wonder
Waterpolo the New Rage: Eye on the Ball
Cosmo Awesome Sports Women: Wondrous Women
Clinique December Newsletter: Celebrate Beauty!
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