THE XHOSA SURFER  

Name: Lungani Memani

Nickname: Lungs

From: South Africa

Born in: Port Alfred, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Age: 18 years

Favorite local break: East Beach, Port Alfred

Years surfing: 6 years

Best results: Only small contests like my club events and my regional team trials

Sponsors: Red, Oakley

Favorite surfer: Royden Bryson

Surfing goals: To become a Pro Surfer and succeed on the WQS, and then on the WCT Tour. Improve my surfing to the best of my ability.

Hobbies: Soccer, running

Favorite school subject: English

Name of your school: Nonzamo Secondary School in Port Alfred

Lungani Memani was born in a township some five miles away from the village of Port Alfred. He grew up playing soccer with his friends but was mesmerized by the sea and the waves and the fact that people could ride these waves on pieces of what he thought were wooden planks.

He had learned to swim at an early age so when his friend and mentor Warwick Heny taught him how to surf he was hooked. He entered all the competitions, earned his Provincial colors and in 2005 was chosen to represent his country at the ISA World Junior championships in the USA. With this he became the first Xhosa surfer to compete for his country. In 2007 he represented South Africa for the second time, in Portugal for the fifth edition of the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships, where he was selected as to read the Athlete Oath during the Opening Ceremony.

At the 2005 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships, Lungani placed on a respectful 49^th among more than 80 surfers. He repeated the result at this year WJSC in the Under 18 division, where also more than 80 surfers participated.

He still lives in a small village with his parents who sell vegetables on the side of the road. Lungani is a hero among the children in his village, many of whom follow him on his 5 mile walk to the beach and most of whom want to become surfers like him. He continues going to school determined to pass his 12th and final grade this year.

This is why, last year Lungani was selected along with four other surfers from around the globe as one of the winners of the annual ISA Scholarship. That definitely has helped him to develop as a surfer and student.

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