Jake Goder

Our next rider has already achieved so much at such a young age and this doesn't surprise me having now read his story, the passion and commitment shown is inspiring.

Coming from an area of South Africa which over the Easter weekend suffered extreme flooding caused by torrential rain, our thoughts go out to the friends and families affected by the collapsed buildings, mudslides and sinkholes that caused at least 70 deaths and saw beaches and the ocean severely affected by the subsequent pollution.

The community has really pulled together with beach clean ups and in a world filled with negativity it is important the positivity is shared as community spirit will shine through.......

Please let me introduce you to part of that community.

"My full name is Jake Aragorn Goder aka Panda

I am 14 years old

I was born in the UK, but have lived most of my life in Durban, South Africa.

I have been bodyboarding from the age of 7, my mom ran the surfing and bodyboarding club at my primary school, so I was always down at the beach with her and got to meet Adam and Robbie Waites who inspired and pushed me to learn how to bodyboard, I fell in love with the sport.

My current coach is Ryan Pape who is been a massive help with my technical and competition riding.

When I was 10 years old I made the CKZN team (now known as the EBA Ethekwini Bodyboarding Association) This was when I met Michael Ostler who was the team Captain at the time.

Iain Campbell was a major role model when I first started out. He went to the same primary school as me and I won the Bodyboarding prize in Grade Seven which was donated by Iain Campbell!!

I also happen to live in the same house as he used to, and I sleep in his old bedroom!!

My local break is Durban, Bike and Bean and Cave Rock on the Bluff is my favourite break in SA.

Riding overseas is still a dream, I am frothing to ride Skeleton Bay in Namibia, or Honeysmacks in Indonesia.

My first board was a hand-me-down old Reef board from my older brother.

My main crew is mostly just my brother and I but I now get to ride with all of South Africa’s greatest bodyboarders at SA Champs and with a lot of my provincial EBA team during training.

I have been selected for the Boys’ Division for EBA since the age of 10.

This is my last year competing in this division – it is my 5th year of competing in SA Champs.

I came 2nd in SA In the Boys Division at SA Champs in 2016.

I won the Salt Rock Jnr Bodyboarding Championship in 2017 and came 2nd in EBA Champs that same year.

I won the West Beach Bodyboarding competition in 2018.

I won King of the Beach Grom Division in 2018 and am current boys SA champion.

I am sponsored by The Handpicked Movement and also by BSA (Boarding South Africa) The Handpicked boards are shaped locally by Marc Rossouw and are top quality. I use a pair of Churchill fins and a leash from Hurricane.

I have a Ripcurl wetsuit from the Surf Garage.

My favourite brand is Handpicked and I enjoy listening to Rap, especially J.Cole and Tyler The Creator.

My fondest bodyboard memories were my first SA champs. I had awesome roommates in Bevan Wilson and Dean Conway (they were the people who gave me my nickname :Panda) and it was awesome to be a part of the winning team and experience their sense of commitment, passion and spirit.

I am a weekly boarder at Northwood Boys High School. Luckily one of my boarder masters, Mr Marais, is a keen surfer so he often takes me down to the beach to get some practice in before school, afternoons are mostly taken up by sport (waterpolo) and homework.

On Friday afternoons I get coached by Ryan Pape who has been training and helping me for several years. On Saturdays, if I don’t have school sports matches I usually chill with friends and family – which usually involves some beach time.

Sundays are EBA training days where we get fitness trained by Clayton Holloway as well as getting solid advice on techniques from the many other talented and committed EBA team members.

I would just like to give a shout out to the sponsors for the EBA Team 2019.

@thewaterboy_1

@thesurfgarage031

@saltlickecosurf

#Appwise

#Vasholdings

#UnitedCallCentreSolutions

Maverick Digital

Redlong Trading

@of._the_.sea

@clayton_holloway

#movementmatters

@lapa_side

#flipit

@islandstylesurf

@handpicked_movement

@rossiboardcompany

@itsnotmadeinchina

@reefsouthafrica

@dragonenergyint

#thepowerisyours

First Tech KZN

@bikeandbean_durban

@sandbarkzn

Tahoe Spur Steak Ranch

@Gravitek Rope Access

Photo credits include:

Marco Justino

Darren Simes

Kyle Denyssen

Jake Congratulations on taking out the Win in the Boy's SA Bodyboarding champs in only your 5th year of competing you are testament that perseverance pays off, good luck next season we are excited to see what is in store for you in the future.

Last chance to pick up your very own LidLife Beach towel...... Order online or DM me.....