Not every sporting moment goes as planned—and for South African surfer Sarah Baum, the Corona Cero J-Bay Open was one of those tough chapters.
But instead of dwelling on the result, she’s already channeling the experience into her long-term goals.
In a heartfelt conversation after the event, Baum opened up about what went wrong, what she’s taking away, and why the future of women’s surfing in South Africa is giving her hope.
A Bumpy Start at Supertubes Doesn’t Shake Her Confidence
With the morning sun glowing over Jeffreys Bay, Baum hit the waves ready to make her mark.
But her plans took a hit when American teen surfer Caitlin Simmers knocked her out of the competition in the opening round—thanks in part to an uncooperative ocean.
Even so, Baum isn’t walking away defeated.
“I had my goals lined up for this event, and even though the results didn’t show it, I’m still checking off boxes,” she told The South African.
“Every lesson I take forward is still a win for me.”
Rather than focus on the disappointment, she’s more interested in the long game—using each event to sharpen her skills and grow both mentally and technically.
“My personal goals haven’t shifted. I’m still learning so much about myself as a competitor,” she said.
“And that in itself makes me proud.”
Preparing for the Next Challenge
After her early exit, Baum has already set her sights on upcoming international competitions.
She’s previously made it to the quarter-finals at J-Bay and even won the title when it was held as a specialty event—so she knows what it feels like to succeed there.
“The last few days taught me a lot,” she explained.
“And I plan on applying all of that at the US Open next week, and then again in Portugal and Brazil. As long as I keep learning, I know I’m on the right path.”
That mindset—treating each event as a stepping stone—is what keeps Baum motivated.
“To me, once we stop learning, we’re pretty much done for,” she added with a laugh.
South Africa’s Young Talent Is Making Waves
Beyond her own journey, Baum is excited about what she’s seeing from the next generation of South African surfers.
Every time she returns to J-Bay, there’s a new wave of young athletes ready to shine.
“There’s some really promising talent coming up,” she said.
“Leah Lepront has been incredible, and there are loads of talented girls out of Ballito too. It’s inspiring.”
The Growth of Women’s Surfing—and the Need for More Opportunities
Baum isn’t just watching the sport evolve—she’s advocating for it.
She’s seen firsthand how far women’s surfing has come, and she believes it’s only the beginning.
“The level of performance is through the roof right now,” she said.
“We have such a small group of women on the Championship Tour, but so many more are hungry and talented on the Challenger Series.”
Her hope? That the sport makes room for more women to shine.
“If we could just expand the CT and give more girls a chance, it could change the game completely.”
Still Rooted, Still Dreaming
While her journey at J-Bay didn’t end the way she wanted, Sarah Baum’s passion for surfing—and her role in shaping the future of women’s surfing in South Africa—has never been stronger.
Whether it’s chasing personal growth or cheering on the next big talent, one thing is clear: Baum’s story is still being written.