SA Masters Surfing Team Announced for the Surf City El Salvador Isa World Masters Surfing Championships

The SA Masters Surfing Team to compete in the ISA World Masters competition in Surf City El Salvador has been announced. The two women competitors are former champion Heather Clark (KZN) and Tasha Mentasti (CT), and the two men are Gary Van Wierengen (KZN) and Tyrell Johnson (EL).

The seventh edition of the ISA World Masters Surfing Championship (WMSC) will be hosted by Surf City El Salvador from October 18 to 24, 2024, at the iconic point break of El Sunzal.

Multiple CT Champions are counted amongst the roster of Masters World Champions, including three-time WSL Champion Tom Curren (USA) and seven-time WSL Champion Layne Beachley (AUS). Other notable previous champions include Rochelle Ballard (HAW), Rob Page (AUS), previously mentioned Heather Clark (RSA), and the WMSC’s winningest surfer, Juan Ashton (PUR).

“I’m feeling excited about this event,” said Van Wierengen. “It’s been 11 years since we have had a World Master’s Event, and it’s always an honour and privilege to represent my country, South Africa.”

Gary in action on the South Coast © Justin Klusener

Mentasti echoed similar sentiments.

“I am honoured to be able to represent South Africa again as an athlete,” said Mentasti. “The last time I represented Team South Africa as an athlete was 20 years ago, when I placed equal 5th overall, and Sofia Mulanovich (PERU) won the Open Women’s title in Ecuador.”

Mentasti is looking forward to this event.

“I am excited to head back to El Salvador,” she said. “I was fortunate enough to be there as Head Coach for the 2022 SA Junior Surfing Team, so I know the wave well and look forward to proudly flying the South African flag.

We are a small team representing our beautiful country, but we all have big dreams and would love to return with a few medals.”