Sassen Wins Sixth Individual Waveski World Title
Tracy Sassen captured the Women's Legends division at the 2026 World Waveski Surfing Titles in Huanchaco, Peru.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Surfing
Tracy Sassen won her sixth individual world title in the Women's Legends division at the 2026 World Waveski Surfing Titles, held October 20 to 29 in Huanchaco, Peru. She also teamed with Courtney Schelhase to claim the Women's Tag Team world title.
Why it matters
The result extends Sassen's long run at the top of waveski competition, with her first world crown dating back 40 years. Her win adds to South Africa's presence in the event's international results.
Sassen's sixth individual world title came 40 years after she won her first world crown in 1986, and she posted a perfect 10 wave score on her route to the Legends final. The source does not provide final scores or margins for the Legends division or the Tag Team final.
The players
Tracy Sassen
A South African waveski paddler from the Clovelly club who has won multiple world titles across her career.
Courtney Schelhase
A South African paddler who won the Women's Tag Team world title alongside Tracy Sassen.
The details
Sassen won the Women's Legends division after achieving a perfect 10 wave score on her way to the final. She teamed with Courtney Schelhase to win the Women's Tag Team title, defeating two French teams.
Timeline
1986: Tracy Sassen wins her first world crown.
October 20 to 29, 2026: The 2026 World Waveski Surfing Titles are held in Huanchaco, Peru.
Season Trajectory
Sassen's sixth individual title, won 40 years after her first in 1986, places her among the most decorated competitors in waveski's world championship history. The result adds to the South African team's standing at the 2026 titles in Peru.
Sassen's sixth individual title and the Women's Tag Team win shift the head-to-head picture in waveski's women's divisions heading into future seasons. Readers following the sport can track the Legends and Tag Team results as a reference for the competitive field.
The takeaway
Sassen's career record shows how long elite waveski competitors can remain at the top of the sport, with a world title won four decades apart. Following results across divisions offers a clear view of how the field is developing.
Further reading
For more on the sport, see our Surfing coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by False Bay Echo.
