Bodyboarding with ambassador Jaron Burt

Tell me a bit about yourself, when did you start bodyboarding and eventually start competing? Was it ever a choice between surfing or bodyboarding or was it always clear? 

 

I’m 17 years old, I’ve been bodyboarding since I was 13. I started competing when I was 14 but mainly local and school comps, as I prefer free surfing and going on surf trips, taking on new waves and experiencing the different coasts.

 

 

I would say bodyboarders are getting more and more noticed in media and surfing magazines. Would you say bodyboarding has been battling for attention with surfing? How is it developing now?

 

Bodyboarding is definitely growing as a sport and it is being recognized a lot more throughout the world, the level of bodyboarding is definitely lifting as well. The amount of showcasing that bodyboarding is getting at the moment is great and completions and leagues around the world are also growing, which is really good to see.

 

 

Probably one of the most shared posts in surfing history was Mick Fannings encounter with two great whites in Jefferys bay. South Africa in general are known to by sharky, does that affect you in any way, is that something that’s on your mind when bodyboarding?

 

Yeah, what happened with Mick Fanning was pretty hectic, but I’m sure all surfers can agree with me and can relate to the fact that we are in their home and are intruding in there natural habitat, it’s our own risk that we take to get the waves we want. I don’t see sharks as a problem, I feel that if it’s my time to go then it’s time to go and that’s gods plan for me. So yeah, I don’t really have a problem with the Sharks around my area.

 

 

What does everyday life look like for you in South Africa?

 

My average day would usually consist of: waking up, going to check the waves, hopefully surf if it’s on, go back home, eat, then surf again in the afternoon. If there’s no wave I enjoy just chilling with my mates and camping out on the beach!