Hout Bay paddlers Ryley and Holly Smith celebrate their victory in Madeira.
Hout Bay siblings, Holly, 17, and Ryley Smith, 15, paddled their way to victory and were crowned as world champions at the Ocean Racing World Championship in Madeira, Portugal, last weekend.
The Madeira Ocean Challenge was held on the Atlantic archipelago from Friday October 4 to Sunday October 6, according to the tournament’s website.
The siblings attend Camps Bay High School. Ryley is in Grade 10 while Holly is in matric. They were crowned as the Mixed Doubles Under-18 World Champions after powering through the 23km race.
In addition to their shared victory, Holly won a silver medal in the singles under-18 women’s race, while Ryley, competing as an under-16 athlete in the under-18 men’s division, finished sixth in his singles race, according to school spokesperson Carol van der Spuy.
Earlier this year, Holly and Ryley, along with another Hout Bay paddler, Jared Shrimpton, scooped top honours at the SA Marathon Championships and the SA Surfski Championships (“Paddlers scoop top honours,” Sentinel August 2).
“This latest win makes Holly a three-time world champion, having also won the Women’s Double Under-18 Canoe Marathon title last year and the Women’s Singles Under-18 Ocean Racing event earlier this year in Australia
“For Ryley, this marks his first world championship title, making him as one of the youngest world champions in ocean racing. With his talent and determination, we’ll no doubt be seeing more of him in the future,“ Ms Van der Spuy said.
The Sentinel was unable to reach Ryley for comment, but Holly said: "Winning a world championship is always an incredible feeling, but to do it with my brother, in my final year of racing in the under-18 category, makes it even more unforgettable.”
Busi Ngcwama, head of sport at Camps Bay High School, said: “Holly and Ryley’s achievements are truly inspiring. Their dedication and commitment to the sport, combined with their teamwork as siblings, is something we don’t often see at this level. They are incredible ambassadors for both the school and South Africa.”
School principal Louis Mostert said: “We are incredibly proud of Holly and Ryley for their outstanding achievements on the world stage. As a prefect, Holly exemplifies the leadership and dedication we value at Camps Bay High School, while Ryley’s determination is truly inspiring.
“Both of them embody the essence of our school's character—hardworking, resilient and passionate about their pursuits. Their success serves as a remarkable example for all our students and a testament to what can be achieved with commitment and teamwork.”