Paul ‘Chow’ Sampson: Homeless Surfer Turned Champion

At 25, South African surfer Paul “Chow” Sampson is not just making waves in the ocean—he’s reshaping the face of professional surfing. Unlike many in the sport, he is a black athlete in a field with few role models who look like him. More remarkably, he overcame homelessness to rise as a champion.

Big win for South African surfer Paul Sampson!

Taking first place at the Africa Surf Tour event in Annise, Ivory Coast, marks the biggest victory of his career.
Next up: the African Surfing Championships in Liberia! Stay tuned for more waves of success!

: Colin… pic.twitter.com/qKtX08vLUy

— Team South Africa (@OfficialTeamRSA) February 26, 2025

From the Streets to Surfing Glory

Sampson’s journey is far from typical. Losing his mother, a car guard, at a young age, he grew up on the streets of Muizenberg, even living in a cave near the shoreline. But his passion for surfing never wavered. Determined to succeed, he trained under mentor and manager Shafiek Khan at Palama Metsi Surf School.

His dedication paid off in February when he won the Africa Surf Tour event in Annise, Ivory Coast.

Now, Sampson wants to inspire the next generation. “I had that mindset of ‘I want to do this’ and see myself on TV, so up-and-coming kids who never had the opportunities I had can do the same,” he said.

Alongside Khan, he’s working to introduce more young black athletes to the sport, proving that surfing isn’t just for the privileged.

Sampson’s rise has also caught the eye of SuperSport, where he’s featured in the Real World Champions miniseries, celebrating South Africans achieving greatness in sports. His story is more than just about surfing—it’s about resilience, representation, and rewriting history.

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com

Sourced:EWN