Cape Town – After a spectacular performance in Hawaii last winter, 20-year-old Llandudno surfer Luke Slijpen signed a multi-year contract with Quiksilver International that will back the surfer’s participation in the World Surf League's (WSL) World Qualifying Series (WQS).
It was Slijpen’s gutsy and powerful performances at Pipeline on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii that got the attention of Quiksilver International team manager Miky Picon.
"In Hawaii, I got to stay at the Quiksilver house for a month.
“It was a good opportunity to surf all day, meet the Quiksilver crew and push my surfing with them," said Slijpen.
Despite his age, Slijpen already had a string of successes under his belt, including a series of first-place finishes in the Pro Juniors, contests at Lambert's Bay, Durban and Victoria Bay, and placing third at the ISA World Juniors in the U18 division.
Truth Collective said the accomplished surfer was determined to vindicate the global surf brand’s vision of signing him up and as he came from a surfing family, Slijpen had clear cut goals for the upcoming competitive year, aiming to make the Challenger Series (CS) next year.
“Since I was a youngster, I always looked at the guys that got sponsored by international brands.
“It’s tough to climb up the ranks in South Africa and get an international brand to commit to taking you on.
“Now I have Quiksilver, and I’m super amped to push it and do the best I can for the brand and hopefully keep moving forward with them,” said Slijpen.
Slijpen was currently competing in the Experience Northern Cape Namakwa Challenge, an invite-only WSL Specialty contest, at a remote location in the Hondeklip Bay area that also aimed to raise awareness about the mining that is destroying the area.
"There are some amazing waves up there, and hopefully, we can share awareness of the destruction of the land that is happening along the coastline," said Slijpen.
Those interested in learning more about the Namakwa Challenge was encouraged to visit their website (https://www.worldsurfleague.com/events/2021/spec/3715/namakwa-challenge) and follow Slijpen on Instagram (@lukeslijpen) or on his WSL Profile (https://www.worldsurfleague.com/athletes/10270/luke-slijpen).