KwaZulu-Natal and Irembe U14 girls surfing champion Max Kaufman has made a huge step up in her wave riding career.
She has been selected to join the South African Junior Surfing Team to compete in the 2024 ISA World Junior Surfing Championships to be held in El Salvador from May 3 to 12.
Her South African Blazer has been highly praised based on her consistent performance in last year's competitive campaign and her fourth place finish at the SA Junior Trials earlier this year.
In addition to winning the 2023 KZN and iLembe titles, she also topped the Rip Curl Grom Search in Scottborough, the O'Neill SMTH Shape Thru Key Rippers Contest in Ballito, the Sea Harvest Junior Championship in Jeffreys Bay, and the Rip Curl Grom Search. I entered 4. #5 Seal Point, Cape Francis.
Max was also invited to surf with professional activists at Jbay's Rising Tides.
But, as is the case with many young sports stars, along with the elation of being selected to represent their country comes the reality of finding the funding to make their dream opportunity a reality.
For Max, the cost of travel, accommodation, entrance fees, and daily necessities will be around R70,000.
As time approaches before he leaves for El Salvador on April 27, his mother, Sally, and some supporters have organized a fundraiser through raffles, donations, and a Return to Friend campaign.
Anyone wishing to donate can call Sally on 082 824 7520.
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