South African surfer Zoë Steyn delivered a strong performance but narrowly missed out on the top prize at the Coupe de Surf Francophonie et Océan Indien, held at Trois-Bassins, Réunion Island, on Sunday, 23 November 2024. Steyn, a powerful goofy-footer from East London, earned a silver medal after a closely contested final where she fell short against the eventual champion, Aelan Vaast.
Throughout the event, Steyn demonstrated exceptional skill and determination. However, in the final, she was unable to secure the additional score needed to surpass Vaast. Despite the loss, her performance highlighted her talent and ability to compete at a high level.
The South African team also showed strong results during the competition, with two surfers advancing to their respective finals. The team’s coach expressed pride in their efforts and acknowledged the high standard of surfing on display. The coach emphasized the value of the competition, noting the camaraderie and sportsmanship shared with the host nation and other Pacific and Indian Ocean countries.
Reflecting on the event, the coach praised the professionalism and dedication of the South African surfers, commending them for representing their country with distinction. He expressed gratitude to the organizers, including the French Surfing Federation and the Réunion Surf League, for hosting a memorable competition. The South African team looks forward to participating in similar events in the future.
The women’s final showcased fierce competition, with Aelan Vaast from New Aquitaine securing the victory with a score of 11.33. Zoë Steyn finished second with 7.50, followed by Tahitian surfers Kahili Simon (6.63) and Miliani Simon (6.60), who took third and fourth places, respectively.
The event highlighted the rising talent in the region, underscoring the bright future of surfing for countries from the Pacific and Indian Ocean regions.