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With fewer than two years of surf training under their belt, talented surfers from JBay Surf House and Jeffreys Bay-based Surf Alliance were the winners of the Eastern Cape Grom Games in East London, with three of their young surfers chosen for the Eastern Cape team after winning gold, silver, and bronze at the competition.
Before establishing JBay Surf House as a non-profit organisation in February 2023, Jimeal Abersalie had many years of experience as an avid surfer since he joined Aleph Surf Project JBay at just seven-years-old.
By joining Aleph Surf Project, he said he felt inspired to lean into his love for surfing, which he describes as a blessing, since he experienced so much joy while attending the surfing programme and was able to stay out of mischief as a young boy.
Abersalie was further inspired to start his own surfing programme, when he noticed that surfing was gradually diminishing in Pellsrus.
“Surfing changed my life and my friends’ lives as well. Many of my friends at the time left the programme, but I stayed committed because I had a dream in my heart to teach children to surf,” said Abersalie.
Despite noticing that surfing was dying down in the area, by establishing JBay Surf House, he said he believed he could teach children how to surf, and provide them with a safe space, away from drugs and out of trouble at least three times a week.
Through his surfing programme, Abersalie said that he does not only focus on surfing but uses the platform to get children back to school.
“My heart started this programme with only four kids and has grown to approximately 50 children who joined JBay Surf House, because they felt the energy and love,” said Abersalie.
“I want to empower young men and women to believe in themselves, and to get where they want to be. I grew up with many of the young surfers in the area, so I know them well and I have a good relationship with them.”
Abersalie said that since the children who have joined his programme work hard during their training sessions, he hopes to expand the programme to offer a place for them to read, have a meal and play together.
“We hope to welcome more children from surrounding towns, because we believe that surfing has the power to save their lives,” said Abersalie.
With fewer than two years of experience, he said that budding surfers from JBay Surf House and Surf Alliance joined forces under his leadership to participate in the Eastern Cape Grom Games on February 21 in East London, where they did exceptionally well.
Abersalie said that Henlee Alexander (14) received a gold medal, Aljairen Uithaller (12) who has only been surfing for 10 months received silver, and Alex Carolus (15) who surfed in the u/16 category at his very first surfing competition received bronze.
As a result of their performance at the competition, he said that the three surfers have been chosen for the Eastern Cape team.
To further add to the excitement of the event, Abersalie said that the team of seven were crowned as the winners of the Eastern Cape Grom Games.
“These children have been surfing for less than two years, but have improved greatly,” said Abersalie.
