Paul Sampson (24), a former street child from Muizenberg, is making waves on the international stage.
In the first professional surfing event in Liberia, the African Surfing Confederation (ASC) African Surf Tour hosted in Robertsport from Thursday 23 May to Sunday 28 May, he managed to bring home a silver medal.
Colin Fitch, his manager from Global Athlete Management Services, explains that the surfing event was of a very high standard.
“The event, which formed part of the newly formed African Surf Tour hosted by the African Surf Confederation in conjunction with the Liberian Surfing Federation with direct support from the President and the respective government department,” he says.
To take on his various surfing challenges, Sampson started a back-a-buddy campaign to fund his professional surfing career.
Love of the sport
For Sampson, the love for surfing started at the tender age of six.
“I started surfing at the young age of six and I have progressed through all levels of this wonderful sport,” he says. “From the Grom Games for young surfers to the professional tour in Africa under the banner of the International World Surf League (WSL).”
The World Surf League consists of three levels of events: the regional Qualifying Series (QS), the Challenger Series (CS) and the “jewel in the crown” the Championship Tour (CT).
says Sampson.
A select few
He is one of only five male surfers from all over Africa to make the second level of the WSL Challenger Series.
“This is a lifetime opportunity for me to show my surfing talent to the rest of the world.”
To him, this is a huge personal achievement, something he aspired to his whole life.
However, he has to raise enough funds to compete at the surfing events in Brazil, Portugal, and the USA. “The next upcoming event will take place at Willard Beach, Ballito-Durban and thereafter I will be heading to America, Portugal and then Brazil for the final event.”
Reflecting on his second-place win at the African Surfing Confederation (ASC) African Surf Tour, Sampson says it was an exciting start to his international professional surfing career.
“A special thanks for the second-place winnings of $2 000 (roughly R36 000) which will go a long way to the start of my 2024 Challenger Series in South Africa, US Open and Portugal,” he said.
Try your best
“The surf was great in Robertsport with the left-hand point break helping improve my backhand surfing tremendously.”
His advice to other surfers is to try your best.
To participate in the various challenges, Sampson needs financial support to assist with travel costs. “I humbly request any support from fellow South Africans and to anyone abroad who can assist me to accomplish my dream.”
All funds raised will be used for travelling, accommodation, food, entry fees into the competition, insurance and taxes.
“I would love to continue this journey as an inspiration to everyone as I believe that anything is possible when your heart and mind are in the right place,” says Sampson.
- For more info visit https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/paul-on-tour
