Granny Grommets make waves at bodyboarding champs

SIBONGISENI MAPHUMULO

In an inspiring display of active attitudes and sheer enthusiasm, Port Alfred’s very own Kowie Granny Grommets were invited to participate in the SA Bodyboarding Championship at West Beach. The Kowie Granny Grommets, a lively group of women aged 50 and above, have made a name for themselves as they take to the waves with boogie boards in hand, proving that the ocean is for everyone. 

Launched in Port Alfred earlier this year, the Kowie Granny Grommets meet every Friday morning 9am at Kelly’s Beach to enjoy the breakers, followed by a cozy coffee gathering where they share stories, laughter, and friendship. These fearless women embrace the surf with joy. For them, it’s not just about catching waves, but about embracing life with good health, fun, and community. 

The Nahoon Granny Grommets was started in East London several years ago by Lee-Ann Lavender and Julie Schroeter, who wanted to create a safe, non-competitive space for women to enjoy the ocean. The Port Alfred chapter was launched in April this year.  

The invitation to the SA Bodyboarding Championship was a moment of great pride for the Kowie Granny Grommets. Clinton Millard, one of the event’s organisers, explained the rationale behind inviting the group to participate in Wednesday’s event 25 September. “We invited the Granny Grommets to give them the chance to experience the excitement of the championship,” Millard said. “Bodyboarding is not a difficult sport to learn; it’s accessible to everyone. We’re thrilled to have these ladies here because they show that age is not a barrier to having fun in the water.” 

Millard’s sentiments reflect a growing trend in sports like bodyboarding, which are becoming more inclusive and accessible to people of all ages. “We’re so happy to see them here, participating in something they enjoy. It’s inspiring, not just for other older individuals but for everyone who might feel like certain sports or activities are out of their reach. The Kowie Granny Grommets are living proof that you can take up something new at any age.” 

The group’s oldest member, who is just two months away from turning 80, has become something of a legend among the Kowie Granny Grommets. “She’s an absolute inspiration,” Millard shared. “She’s out there every week, just loving life and showing all of us that there’s no reason to ever stop trying new things.”

• This article was first published in Talk of the Town, October 3, 2024. The newspaper serving the communities of Ndlambe and the Sunshine Coast, with a weekly wrap of Makhanda news, is available at stores from early on Thursdays.