His tenure at the helm of the sport came to an end at the end of August this year.

"It was an incredible journey which started about 30 years ago and was made possible by some very special people who supported me with advice and knowledge for which I am very grateful," said Bakker.

"I have really enjoyed it and it was an honour and privilege to represent the sport I really love both in South Africa and internationally."

“I will remain on the Board of SSA as a Director in a legal role and support surfing in any way possible. I will continue to represent all our surfers during the next season as I conduct academic research towards my doctoral thesis in law (sport contracts) and will hopefully continue to add value to the sport of surfing in all its many facets,"  said Bakker.

Bakker looks back fondly on his six years at the helm and lists surfing being approved as an Olympic sport at the 2016 Rio Olympics as a highlight.

"Thereafter, the highlight must be the success of Bianca Buitendag and her coach, Greg Emslie, at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where Bianca won the silver medal. When I was elected in 2014, the Olympics was just a dream and now Surfing is part thereof and Bianca has a silver. Now forward to Paris 2024."

Bakker concluded that SSA has done well at the World Games where Buitendag won three bronze medals.

SSA has competed strongly at World Junior Championships level where Luke Thompson was South Africa's most successful surfer while Jeffrey's Bay local Matthew McGillivray's recent performances on the World Surf League's elite Championship Tour remain a highlight.

AlgoaFM