Lily takes learning curve from world junior champs
SA surfers face teams from 46 nations in Brazil
ort Alfred’s Lily Heny may not have set the world alight at the ISA World Junior Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, but she is confident the steep learning curve will do her well as she transitions through her surfing career.
The 16-year old, who hails from the prominent Heny surfing clan in Port Alfred, and whose career took an upward trajectory after her selection to the junior SA team, admitted she was “very nervous” before her opening surfing heat at Praia da Macumba beach.
Heny surfs in the Under 18 division for the SA team, who finished in credible 17th position at the championships that ended this past Sunday.
Team Brazil won the 2023 ISA World Junior Championships, with the US taking second place and Japan third spot.
“We have about 365 of the top junior surfers in the world competing here from various countries [46] – and the competition and standard of surfing among the top surfing nations is at a very high level,” Heny said earlier from Brazil.
“I admit I was a bit overwhelmed in the first round, which made me very nervous, but the waves haven’t been too great due to strong winds … the swells were really small [early part of competition]. But that being said, Macumba is a cool and beautiful beach.”
She said the learning experience was just as crucial to her development as her results.
“This has given me time to network and to watch other top surfers in action; to learn from them and see what works for them and to
Pimplement some of their approaches. Our fellow junior girl surfers have been superaccommodating and are always willing to share information. “I met with the US and Norway surfers and this relationship-building is quite beneficial because when there are competitions in those countries, these relationships can help as a surfer.”
Heny is enjoying her first taste of international competition and described surfing at Macumba Beach, which is a few kilometres from the iconic Copacabana Beach, as a “great experience”.
“Everything is green as I look out of our apartment window … there are lots of locals enjoying the beaches and the people are superwarm and friendly and helpful. And to top it off, the organisation of the tournament is slick.
“After my initial nerves I have settled quite a bit and am enjoying the ‘free surfing’ opportunities with the team and I am adapting quite well to the conditions. We are getting along well as a team.”
She said turning pro some time in the future was “definitely a goal”.
“I like the idea of surfing and travelling ...” At present, she is focused on her GCSE levels in-between her surfing commitments and hopes to complete her schooling by June next year.
She was one of the SA team flag carriers at the opening ceremony on November 24 when the streets of Rio were packed with surfers from across the globe as they joined hands in a march past to mark the 19th edition of the World Junior Surfing Championships. The parade of nations featured 365 of the world’s best junior surfers, along with more than 200 team officials, representing a record-breaking 46 national teams.