GEORGE NEWS - Ellen Strydom, an 18-year-old Grade 12 pupil of Hoërskool Outeniqua, recently clinched the junior ladies' national title at the South African Ocean Paddling Championships in Cape Town.
Her victory has also earned her a spot on the South African national team, setting the stage for her to represent the country at the World Ocean Paddling Championships in Durban this October.
This marks the first time the global event will be hosted in South Africa, with strong competition expected from teams from Europe and Australia.
Competing over a gruelling 22km course, Ellen pushed through challenging conditions to secure the prestigious title in ocean paddling during the championships in Cape Town on 25 April.
Ellen faced a particularly tough race day, with thick fog banks sweeping across False Bay, nearly throwing her off course. "I almost ended up losing direction completely, which could have been the end of the race," she said. Despite this, her skill and determination prevailed, overcoming the advantage held by local paddlers familiar with the area's unpredictable conditions.
Often described as an extreme sport, ocean paddling sees competitors navigating 6.5m-long surfskis in rough, windy seas, sometimes several kilometres offshore. Paddlers harness 'downwind' conditions to reach thrilling speeds of 25km/h or more, demanding both physical prowess and mental fortitude.
Beyond paddling, Ellen excels in competitive lifesaving and surfing.
As a member of the Outeniqua Canoe Club, Ellen trains rigorously with her squad, a commitment that paid off with her national title win. "Winning the junior ladies' title has been my big goal, and although I've been training extremely hard, I didn't expect this result," she said.
Ellen's passion for the ocean runs deep, rooted in a family immersed in water sports. Beyond paddling, she excels in competitive lifesaving and surfing, making the ocean her natural playground. "Being selected to represent South Africa is every serious athlete's dream," she said. "Now it's on to bigger things and to do well on the world stage."
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