Slade Prestwich

My Story

We all have a passion. This is mine! From an early age, I decided to master my craft. And I’ve been learning ever since.

At the age of five, since I can remember... I have always loved the ocean. I lived close to the beach and enjoyed many water sports like lifesaving, spearfishing, bodyboarding, kayaking, wake-boarding and many more. I started surfing at the age of nine when my mother got me my first surfboard which I still keep today.

At the age of ten I decided to become a professional surfer. I started training everyday and competed in the local surf club contests and around South Africa. At the age of twelve I got my first sponsor -Quiksilver, ant that motivated me further to work even harder and make my dream a reality. The same year I won multiple local events around South Africa and u/12 South African Billabong championship. At the age of fourteen I started travelling internationally: for the first time to Ecuador to represent South Africa in u/16 division of the ISA (International Surfing Association) World Surfing Games. I gained great experience and took this home where I won the u/14 South African Surfing Championship.

I competed around South Africa for the next three years winning multiple events including u/16 Billabong Championship and the Quiksilver King Of the Groms series. The latter gave me the opportunity to travel to France to compete in the World Final against sixteen surfers from eight countries where I won Bronze coming 3rd. That led to more sponsors expressing interest in my performance and further exposure working with brands internationally while doing multiple surf trips and photo shoots. 

At the age of eighteen I won the Volcom VQS event in South Africa and got the opportunity to represent South Africa at the Volcom VQS World finals in Tavarua, Fiji. I won the Volcom World Games and was the u/18 World Champion.

Since then I have been competing professionally in numerous events around the world including the Corona Open Jefferey's Bay World Championship event. And had an honour to proudly represent major global brands such as Red Bull. 

About Me

My name is Slade Prestwich, I was born in Durban, South Africa on 24 February, 1995, and my passion is surfing. 

I come from a small humble, loving family. I have two siblings - an older brother and younger sister. I grew up in a small surfing town 65km south of Durban called Scottburgh which is famous among the surfing community for its consistent right hand break.

Coming from a small town made me appreciate the life I live as a professional athlete having access to extensive traveling, different cultures and meeting new people almost every day. That shaped me into who I am today.

Since my childhood I enjoyed the outdoor lifestyle and diverse African culture. While at school I excelled in athletics, swimming, soccer, rugby, cricket and surfing. I also set multiple inter-school records in swimming  -100m freestyle & 200m breaststroke and athletics - 100m sprints and 5km long distance running.

Due to my sponsorship commitments I am currently residing in Hawaii. On the North Shore of Oahu.

My goal in surfing is to permanently join the ranks of World Championship Tour and compete in the next Olympic Games 

My Mission

'To become your Team Rider'

The definition of a team rider is an athlete who dedicates his achievements in the name of his team and through his performance adds value and glorifies the brand such team represents.

I am willing to dedicate every bit of my strength and athletic performance to make your team not only lead on the sports field but to impact the value of your brand. I will always provide the best of myself so together we can leave our mark. 

What I Can Offer:

• Advertisement via social media
• Global media exposure and coverage during national and international events such as ISA World Surfing Games, WSL events, the Olympics qualifications
• Promote your company values, ethics, and message
• Photoshoots and videography for the brand
• Brand Ambassador duties