Barbados is beaming with pride as the Wave Riders, the Rasta brothers continue to carve their names into surfing history. Ras Tafari Lewis, known affectionately as Emperor, recently achieved a remarkable feat at the 2025 NSSA Regional Junior Surfing Championships in Florida, USA. He not only reached the finals in the highly competitive Open Men’s Longboard category, securing an impressive 4th place overall, but he also mirrored this achievement in the Explorer Junior Longboard division, once again finishing in a commendable 4th position.
This dual accomplishment marks a significant milestone, establishing Ras Tafari as the first surfer from Barbados to ever reach the finals in two distinct longboard categories at this prestigious regional championship. His performance in both the men’s and junior’s divisions underscores his exceptional talent and dedication to the sport.
While the choppy and small wave conditions at the event presented a challenge, the brothers remain undeterred. They are already setting their sights on upcoming competitions slated for the summer months in surfing hotspots like Florida, New Jersey, Virginia, and California. Their determination to continue delivering strong results and bringing further accolades to Barbados remains unwavering. (Wave Riders)
Their father, Wayne Lewis, a passionate advocate for their surfing dreams, shared his thoughts with News On The Go:
“We just was sorry the condition wasn’t better at the contest, waves were small and choppy,” he noted. Despite this, their focus remains firmly on the future. “The boys said they are looking forward to competing in the summer… and continue to bring good results and awards as usual and making Barbados proud in surfing.”
Looking ahead, Wayne emphasized the importance of perseverance and hard work, advising his sons to “keep working hard and never give up.” He also highlighted the crucial role that support from the local business community could play in their continued success on the global stage. “It will be good if businesses and corporate Barbados will acknowledge that the boys are very talented and highly world rated junior surfers and they will need support with (flights)(surfboard bag fee)(accommodation)(Entry fee) to attend the major surfing events for junior surfers to keep their ranking on the world stage.” The journey of these talented young surfers is a testament to their skill, resilience, and the unwavering pride they bring to Barbados with every wave they ride.
