MOSSEL BAY NEWS - JCC Camp resident Inam Falteni began learning how to swim and surf when he was 11.
Now, four years later, he is the only surfer in the Eden District to have made the South African junior surfing squad.

Inam joins 23 of the country's most skilled surfers as a non-travelling reserve to compete in the International Surfing Association's World Junior Surfing Championship in Surf City El Salvador from 4 to 13 September. This means that if any member of the squad is injured or cannot compete, Inam will take their place and represent the country.

Inam joined The Surfer Kids NPO through a friend in 2022, and while he found it difficult at first, learning to swim and surf, Chuma Magusha, a former coach and the current manager of The Surfer Kids, said he was a natural. 

He said Inam had learnt to surf on a short board, an impressive feat for a beginner, as longboards are usually used to teach beginners.

Inam Falteni catches a wave off Diaz Beach. Photo: Thinus Mouton

Magusha said this is an incredible achievement for both Inam and The Surfer Kids, and it shows there are opportunities for youngsters from previously disadvantaged backgrounds and that they can build up their skills.

Inam, a learner of Indwe Secondary, told Mossel Bay Advertiser he loves being in the water and is out surfing six days a week, no matter the weather or the season. He said he was extremely happy about being selected for the squad. 

"It is difficult, though, to be chosen out of all the strong surfers across the country," he said.

Inam Falteni surfing at The Point. Photo: Thinus Mouton

Magusha said he is incredibly proud of Inam. "He put in a lot of work. He is a dedicated and focused young man. There is a great sense of achievement for The Surfer Kids as well; it is proof of the work we do.

"This is especially close to my heart, because I started surfing through a similar programme as The Surfer Kids, and to see a person of colour make the national surfing team is something really special," said Magusha.

Asked about his aspirations for the future, Inam said he hopes to become a professional surfer with sponsors. He left for Durban today, 1 July, to compete in the O'Neil Rookie Rippers competition in Ballito. He will spend two days at a training camp there, and then the competition runs from 4 to 6 July.

‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’