Tanika Hoffman

I have known Tanika and have been watching her surf since she was 12 years old. Even at such an early age it was clear that she had a decent amount of talent.
She is a goofy-foot surfer and possesses a stylish front side hack.
She is also not scared of the bigger stuff and is 100% committed when needed.

Tanika is very much part of the “Kom Kids” crew.
This is a group of talented young surfers that have emerged from the sleepy village of Kommetjie in Cape Town and have mad a significant impact on the local surf scene.

She has a number of national surfing titles and is well travelled having represented South African Surfing on a number of occasions.
She was also on set of the Blue Crush 2 movie that was shot in South Africa shooting the surfing action sequences.

I recently caught up with her for a quick chat….

1 )  <Me> Why surfing?
<Tink>I love being in the ocean! Surfing is always different; no wave is ever the same and its fun.

2 ) What does it mean to be a surfer?
It means freedom to express myself, not being constrained by predetermined rules and loving and respecting the ocean and enjoying myself in it.

3 ) Earliest surfing memories?
The first time I stood up on a board and having a really good session out at Muzinberg.

4 ) Favorite wave?
The Lefts around Reunion Island!

5 ) Greatest surfing achievement?
My equal 9th Place at World Games 2011 in Panama and winning the Girls U/20 at South African surfing Championships at my home break in Kommetjie

6 ) Number of National Titles?
3! Girls U/12, U/14 and U/20

7 ) Future Plans?
This year I want to travel a bit and do a couple of Pro Junior’s and maybe a couple of WQ’s. Hopefully I will get a few results that will set me up for next year.

8 ) Secret Passion?
Chocolate!

Check out Tanika’s awesome blog here

A few more pictures of Tanika.

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