Congrats to Kom’s Linnie Ash who won the 2026 kneeboard surfing world championship

Linnie Ash, a Kommetjie local, won the World Ladies Championship at the Kneeboard Surfing World Titles 2026, hosted during 22-30 August 22–30 at Itaúna Beach in Saquarema, Brazil.

More than 100 surfers from 12 countries (South Africa, Australia, USA, France, New Zealand, Portugal, Brazil, the UK, Venezuela, Canada, Ireland and Mexico) competed for the top spot in categories ranging from juniors (up to 19 years old), pros, veterans and immortals (over 70 years old). 

Linnie took home the Ladies Championship title. But it wasn’t the first time she won. Linnie first won the Ladies Open Kneeboard Surfing World title in Portugal in 2022, competing against women less than half her age. She was 61 at the time. 

Four years later, she reclaimed her Ladies Open World Champion title, surfing in challenging conditions that many others refused to compete in. 

As if being a Double World Champion is not enough, Linnie also has provincial colours in seven sports: judo, athletics, netball, hockey, and all the surfing codes (longboard, short board, and kneeboard). 

Being a multiple SA Ladies Open Kneeboard Surfing Champion, she earned her South African national colours for kneeboard surfing.