SA surfers Smith and Baum qualify for Paris 2024 at World Surfing Games

JOHANNESBURG – Two South Africans, Jordy Smith and Sarah Baum, have qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after participating the 2023 ISA World Surfing Games in El Salvador.

For Baum, this feat is a "dream come true".

“Ever since I can remember I would love to sit and watch athletes compete at the Olympics games. I always thought how cool it would be to tell your family one day that you were an Olympian, it is something I’ve always dreamt of.

“Life throws us some crazy challenges and this week to say the least has been a roller coaster of emotions. I am so proud to represent my country, family and friends,” Baum said in an Instagram post.

This means SA Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Bianca Buitendag was the only surfer to represent the country at the event.

Buitendag has retired and now the country’s surfing hopes lie on the shoulders of Baum and Smith. A total of eight Olympic qualification spots – four men and four women – were handed out at the competition to athletes from Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania.

Other qualifiers for the Paris 2024 Olympics are New Zealanders, Saffi Vette and Billy Stairmand, and Japan’s Shino Matsuda following their performances at the World Surfing Games at Surf City in El Salvador.

Smith took the quota as the top-ranked male surfer from Africa and Baum clinched the African women’s spot after advancing to the women’s repechage round 5 at the 2013 ISA World Surfing Games.

Athletes Qualified for Paris 2024 Olympic Games:

Men Jordy Smith (RSA) – Africa Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) – Asia Kauli Vaast (FRA) – Europe Billy Stairmand (NZL) – Oceania

Women Sarah Baum (RSA) – Africa Shino Matsuda (JPN) – Asia Vahine Fierro (FRA) – Europe Saffi Vette (NZL) – Oceania