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National Schools Surfski Series. A new wave of young ocean talent is set to rise with the launch of South Africa’s first national Schools Surfski Series, powered by ForexPeople SA in partnership with the South Africa Surf Ski Academy in Durban. This pioneering initiative will introduce hundreds of schoolchildren to the exhilaration of surfski paddling, foster healthy outdoor habits, and establish a credible national pathway for junior athletes.
Surfski is also one of South Africa’s great sporting success stories – a homegrown discipline that blends endurance, ocean awareness, and pure fun. Yet until now, no national, youth-centred structure has existed to nurture young paddlers from their first strokes to competitive racing.
A new national pathway for young ocean athletes
The series will also debut with two major launch events that firmly anchor it in South Africa’s paddling calendar.
- Cape Town introduction: A sponsored appearance at the much-loved Sea Dog Paddle Series in Fish Hoek – a vibrant weekly gathering that welcomes paddlers of all levels.
- Official national kick-off: On 21 March 2026, the ForexPeople KZN Schools League Surfski Race will headline the lively Paddle Fest festival in Durban.
From these launch moments, the Schools Surfski Series will expand across the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal, offering accessible short-course racing and club-supported development to make it easy for children to discover and grow within the sport.
The series follows an inclusive scoring model that rewards both participation and performance, with a Champion School Trophy encouraging schools to enter squads of young athletes. Rising stars such as U18 contenders Keagan Vogt and Tessa Salmon are already tipped as names to watch.
“This series gives young South Africans an incredible opportunity to develop confidence, fitness, and ocean awareness,” says Jasper Mocke, former world-champion surfski paddler and ambassador for the series. “Surfski builds resilience. It gets children outdoors, working as a team, learning to read the ocean, and discovering the joy of movement. I’ve spent my life in this sport, and I’m excited to help open that world to as many kids as possible.”
Mocke recently joined the ForexPeople SA team as a partner, further strengthening the company’s commitment to the development series.
ForexPeople SA champions the next generation
As founding partner, ForexPeople SA is investing in more than a sport – it is investing in a generation of young South Africans.
“For us at ForexPeople, this partnership is about creating opportunities that support healthier, more confident young people,” says Richard Beddow, Founder and Managing Director of ForexPeople SA. “Having someone like Jasper involved – not only as a former world champion but now also as part of our team – makes this initiative especially meaningful. His experience in the sport and his passion for developing young paddlers make him the ideal person to help grow the series and introduce more children to surfski.”
ForexPeople SA’s support will fund safety training, school clinics, regional development, and the national finale. It ensures the series is both sustainable and accessible.
Powered by passion, mentorship, and community
Jasper Mocke’s involvement brings unmatched credibility to the programme. Together with his brother Dawid, Jasper has spent more than two decades at the top of global surfski paddling as a world-champion athlete, coach, and mentor. His role will include school engagements, technique clinics, media appearances, race-day hosting, and a season-end showcase of South Africa’s emerging talent.
With the national Schools Surfski Series, South Africa is building something the sport has long needed. This is a clear, inspiring pathway for children to discover the ocean, develop lifelong skills, and compete with purpose.
As the series prepares to launch, one thing is already clear: the future of South African surfski is bright, buoyant, and boldly youth-centred. And with ForexPeople SA supporting that journey from the very beginning, the next generation of ocean paddlers is ready to set off.
Read more exciting school news here: https://schoolsthatrock.co.za/
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