Pictured: For Glen Hills para surfer David Williams, being selected to represent South Africa in the ISA World Para Surfing Championship in California is like a dream come true.
At the time of going to press Lee Currie caught up with Glen Hills para surfer David Williams preparing to leave for the 2021 Pismo Beach ISA World Para Surfing Champion in California.
Our ocean waves in KZN can be very challenging, as most surfers will tell you. Some may admit to being more than a little apprehensive when a massive wave threatens a “wipeout” which indeed can be very dangerous. So a surfer who is physically hampered by a disability must be, by comparison, pretty scared – if not terrified.
“Absolutely!” admits David, who was born without legs from below the knees. “In fact, I have had a lifetime fear of the ocean, especially the bigger waves. However, once I was introduced to the sport, I caught a serious case of the surfing bug. I’ve found that it’s a massive mind game tied to physical ability which means each time I conquer the waves it gives me a sense of pride that makes me that much stronger mentally and physically.
“I am still fighting anxiety attacks but in many ways surfing takes the broken and fixes them. It’s a form of therapy and rehabilitation which in itself can be addictive,” explains David who is a quality assurance manager for the IT systems at the Mr Price Group.
In May this year, after winning both KZN and national para surfing championships, David was selected to represent South Africa in the ISA World Para Surfing Championship at Pismo Beach, California, taking place between December 7 and 11.
“I have always said I would love to use the adage ‘It was a dream come true’. Just becoming a surfer was so out of my league, I had never even dreamt of this happening. To this day it still doesn’t feel real.”
Real it certainly is judging by the intensive, often gruelling training ahead of the big event. This starts at 4.50am and includes a strict eating plan (which David quips is harder than the physical training), yoga, breathing exercises, gym, weights, high intensity cardio, swimming and rowing, all factored around a working day. “Oh! And a 15-minute ice bath as part of the recovery,” he grimaces. This remarkable athlete is upbeat about this too, and sees the end of his physical endurance as the beginning of his mental endurance.
“I have been extremely fortunate in having family, friends and my partner Kayla encouraging me all the way. And I am where I am right now because of a non-profit company called Made for More. They transformed my life through surfing, making those battles easier to fight. You know, we disabled people are not as fragile as we think we are or appear to be.”
“This championship certainly wasn’t even part of my future plans a year ago, but it was the proudest moment of my life to be selected to represent my country in a sport I have fallen in love with. My plan is to enjoy every step of the process while making the journey to winning – but I am going to focus more on enjoying the journey than reaching the goal.” *
FOR MORE INFO:
Made for More is a non-profit company and a public benefit organisation that aims to include, empower and equip people with disabilities through sport and mental health programmes. www.facebook.com/madeformoresa/