Surfers in Sierra Leone have calls on the government to support and recognize the surfing discipline

Surfing is a surface water sport in which the wave rider, referred to as a surfer, rides on the forward or deep face of a moving wave, which is usually carrying the surfer towards the shore.
Waves suitable for surfing are primarily found in the ocean, but can also be found in lakes or rivers in the form of a standing wave or tidal bore. However, surfers can also utilize artificial waves such as those from boat wakes and the waves created in artificial wave pools.
Surfing is an international sports that is not popularly known in Sierra Leone because the required equipment to play the game are not available in the country. But Young beach workers have started changing that narrative as Surfing is becoming a reality in the country.

Speaking to this medium, one of the players Steven Pratt said that they have started playing surfing in the Bureh Beach community situated within the western rural district of the country and has helped to attract more tourist into the country. He said that they have approached the ministry of sports to recognize surfing as one of the sporting disciplines in the country but the sport ministry is yet to consider their request.

The Sierra Leone Surfing club opened five year ago and fifteen athletes are presently involved in playing surfing in the Ruler area of Freetown, Sierra Leone.

“We want to take Sierra Leone to the international stage when it comes to surfing but we cannot do it if our government don’t recognize our effort and support us”, Steven Pratt said.

Steven Pratt further said that the introduction of surfing sport in Sierra Leone has helped to boost the country’s Tourism sector and that many of the guest using the beautiful beaches of Sierra Leone now play Surfing as a way of having fun.  He said that their aim is to play the game to the height of the international stage.
The international surfing federation has recognized Sierra Leone as one of the countries in the world that surfing can be play.

When asked if they as surfers  are ready and committed to represent Sierra Leone, Steven said it would be a pleasure to fly the country’s flag high in the international as they are having people every year who are registering in the Bureh Surfing club. He said children are very attracted to the sport as they come along all the time to play Surfing.

“Football over the years have failed to bring the desired result that the people of Sierra Leone are looking for with surfing now been introduce, so we want the government to pay attention to us.  I want to assure Sierra Leonean’s that surfing is a sport worth paying attention to.”

Steven Pratt said one of their worries is the non-recognition from the ministry of sports.

He called on the new minister of sports Ibrahim Nylenekeh to recognize and support surfing as it will create employment for the Youths and help expose the discipline in the country to the world.

The Sierra Leone surfing association in 2017 organized its first surfing competition at the Bureh beach community and Alpha Barrie stood out as the winner of the tournament.

“We are also challenged on the aspect of having an experienced coach to train us We try by ourselves with the help of tourists who visit the Bureh Beach community to relax and play the sport.”

By Muctar Koroma