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Athlete Introduction

Athlete introduction

 

ActivityHub is proud to announce a partnership with up-and-coming junior athlete, Isabella Strydom.

 

If you would like to get involved and assist Isabella in her goal to compete internationally, please contact us using the contact details below.

 

Isabella Strydom, or Bella as she is fondly known, competes competitively in both ocean surf ski and open water canoeing. Bella, only 16 years old, began her journey as a junior lifeguard with the Fish Hoek Surf Life Saving Club. Here she developed a keen interest in paddling, especially in ocean surf ski and flat-water canoeing. Her talent was quickly noticed which led to her joining the exclusive Orka paddling squad. Isabella started competing competitively around 1 year ago and has gained many achievements along the way. Along with her performance focused workout routine, we firmly believe Isabella will enjoy plenty more success in the coming years.

 

Isabella, recently participated in the South African canoe marathons held in Upington. Here she placed 2nd in both the under 16 and under 18 age categories in the K1 Long Course competition. She also competed in the K2 Long course competition where she placed 1st and 3rd in the under 16 and under 18 age categories respectively. These results have led to Isabella being chosen to represent South Africa in the upcoming ICF Canoe World Championships which are being held in Gyor, Hungary in September 2025. In addition to the above, Isabella will also participate in the World ICF Canoe Ocen Racing World Championships being held in Durban in October 2025.

Below are some of Isabella’s key achievements to date:

June 2025: South African Canoe Marathons

  • K1 Long Course: 2nd in under 16 and under 18 age categories
  • K2 long course: 1st in under 16 and 3rd in under 18 age categories

May 2025: Western Province Canoe Marathons.

  • K1 long course: 2nd in under 16 and under 18 age categories
  • K2 long course: 1st in under 16 and 2nd in under 18 age categories

April 2025: SA Lifesavings Championships

  • Single Surf Ski: 2nd in Under 17
  • Surf Ski Relay: 2nd in under 19

March: Western Province LifeSaving Champs

  • Single Surf Ski: 1st in Under 17
  • Double surf ski: 3rd in under 19
  • Beach relay: 3rd in under 17
  • Taplin Relay: 2nd in under 17

March: SA Surf Ski Championships

  • Single surf ski long course: 2nd in under 16 and 3rd in under 18 age categories

March 2025: Western Province Canoe Sprints

  • 1st in under 16 age category and overall Victrix Ludorum

February 2025: West Coast Canoe Challenge

  • K1 Long Course: 1st in under 16 and 2nd in under 18 age categories

February 2025: Western Province Life Saving Championships

  • Single surf ski: 1st in under 17

 

Isabella is not only a fierce athletic competitor, she also excels academically. Isabella is currently in Grade 10 in Fish Hoek High School in the Western Cape and has a keen interest in Mathematics, Physical and Biological sciences and History. She hopes to explore one of the engineering disciplines once she pursues tertiary education.

Isabella’s goals for 2025 are (in her own words)

"My goals and plans for 2025 are to excel and podium at ocean surf ski races. My goal to come top 3 at the SA surf ski was realised and I will be competing at the World surf ski race in October. I now have the privilege of being selected for the South African team competing at the World Canoe Marathon Champs in September. Here I plan to give it my all to achieve the very best position that I can on my debut on the international canoe marathons stage."

 

As a partner, ActivityHub is currently assisting Bella with the following:

  • Travel Expenses
  • Gear
  • Nutrition
  • Monthly stipend

Isabella is also a budding young entrepreneur. She founded Bella’s Rusks when she was only 12 years old. A small home-based business baking and selling home-made rusks. This venture has proven so successful that Isabella has built up a network of regular customers including a handful of coffee shops and local delicatessens. As a family, we are currently taking the required steps to get these products stocked in more formal retail outlets like Spar.

By buying her rusks, you are directly contributing to her competing on the international stage. Not only this, but you will also be making an investment into her future as well as an investment into the futures of aspiring athletes. Isabella challenges gender and racial stereotypes through her strength, skill, and success in endurance water sports. She is not only a competitor, she is an entrepreneur, a team player, and a mentor in the making. Isabella represents the next generation of elite paddlers. and as such will inspire young girls to take up and participate in the mainly male dominated sport.

Bella’s Rusks are currently available at the following outlets:

  • Seaside Coffee at Long Beach in Simon’s Town
  • Bean & Beyond in Fish Hoek
  • Cinnamon & Sage at Harry Goemans Nursery
  • Just Food Deli & Wine Shop in Kommetjie
  • Chardonnay Deli in Constantia
  • Directly from Bella

 

To get involved in Bella’s development, or to order rusks, please make contact using the details below.

 

Andre

andre@activityhub.co.za

+27 84 391 7674

 

Veronique

veronique@activityhub.co.za

+27 82 925 6067

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