South Africa’s Next Generation of Wakeboarding Talent Heads to Singapore

Photo Credit: Ron Lach via Pexels

Families and organisers are now calling for support as SAWWF junior team prepares to represent South Africa in Singapore.

South Africa (08 May 2026) – A recent story highlighted young wakeboarding talent Caleb Freitas dos Santos and his dream of competing in Singapore, but he is not the only South African rider preparing for the international stage.

Caleb forms part of an exciting eight-member South African junior wakeboarding and wakeskating team selected by the South African Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (SAWWF) for a development tour to Singapore from 12 to 22 June 2026.

For South African wake sports, the trip represents a growing push to bring the country back into the international conversation after years without consistent global representation in the sport.

The tour will give the young riders the opportunity to train alongside international athletes and compete in an International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF)-sanctioned event.

Behind the team is coach Matti Buys, a former professional rider with international experience who is helping guide and develop the next generation of South African wakeboarding talent.

The focus goes beyond competition alone, with athletes also learning discipline, technical progression and the mental resilience needed to compete at higher levels.

The selected team includes Thomas Mandel (9), Kayla Mae Harris (10), Caleb Freitas dos Santos (11), Georgia Smit (15), Reagan Blake (15), Kaiden Coelho (16), Abigail Kirkland (16) and Jaxon Storkey (16).

For many of the riders, the opportunity comes after years of training, early mornings and countless hours spent on the water chasing improvement.

While the opportunity is exciting, funding remains one of the biggest challenges facing the team.

The tour is privately funded, meaning families are responsible for covering travel, accommodation, competition fees and transport costs for specialised equipment and gear.

The federation is appealing for assistance through sponsorships, travel support, accommodation partnerships, team kit sponsorships and wakeboarding safety equipment.

Anyone wanting to support the SAWWF Junior Wakeboarding & Wakeskating Development Team can contact the federation at [email protected].