South Africa Surf Ski launches first national Schools Surfski Series, powered by ForexPeople SA

Jasper Mocke.

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. The initiative aims to introduce hundreds of schoolchildren to the exhilaration of surfski paddling, build healthy outdoor habits and create a credible national pathway for junior athletes.

Surfski is one of South Africa’s great sporting success stories – a homegrown discipline that blends endurance, ocean awareness and pure fun. Until now, however, no national, youth-centred structure has existed to nurture young paddlers from first exposure to competitive racing.

The series will debut with two major launch moments that anchor it firmly in South Africa’s paddling calendar. First, it will be introduced to the Cape Town community through a sponsored appearance at the much-loved Sea Dog Paddle Series in Fish Hoek – a vibrant weekly gathering that welcomes paddlers of all levels. The official national kick-off follows on 21 March at the ForexPeople KZN Schools League Surfski Race, hosted as part of the lively Paddle Fest festival. From these launch events, the Schools Surfski Series will roll out across the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, offering accessible short-course races, school visits, clinics and club-supported development that make it easy for children to discover and grow within the sport.

The series follows a clear, inclusive scoring model that rewards both participation and performance, with a Champion School Trophy encouraging schools to enter squads of young athletes. Some of the country’s emerging stars – including U18 contenders Keagan Vogt and Tessa Salmon – are already eyed 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, with the company supporting the development series.

As the 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 helps fund safety training, school clinics, regional development and the national finale, ensuring that the series is both sustainable and accessible.

The involvement of Mocke 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 wrap showcasing the country’s up-and-coming talent.

With the national Schools Surfski Series, South Africa is building something the sport has long needed – 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.

Tessa Salmon.