For the second year in a row, longboard surfers from around the country will compete in the 32nd annual South African Longboard Championships from August 23-28 at the world-famous longboard surfing spot, Point in Jeffreys Bay.
According to the chairperson of SA Longboard Surfing, Paul O’Connell, traditionally four teams namely, Western Province (WP), Eden (Southern Cape), Eastern Province (EP), and KZN (KwaZulu-Natal) competed in the prestigious event, but this year they have included a fifth team, Buffalo City.
O’Connell said the main requirement for all participants is that they have a nine-foot-long surfing board.
He said they currently have a total of 14 divisions which include, u/14 boys, u/16 boys and girls, u/18 boys and girls, open men and women, masters (35+), senior women (40+), grand masters (45+), divas (50+), kahunas (55+), veterans (60+) and legends (65+).
O’Connell said Point in Jeffreys Bay was considered the world’s most famous longboard surfing spot and competitors love surfing at this location.
“The competitors absolutely love coming here and we hope we can establish the event as a permanent calendar fixture,” said O’Connell.
He said one of the many highlights during last year’s event included 15-year-old Levi Meyes (WP), who was seconds away from winning the open division and came third in the u/16 boys division.
Last year’s defending champions in the open divisions were Sam Christianson (KZN) and Tarryn King (WP), while Hayley Hensen (WP) won the u/18 girls and placed second in the open division.
Jamie Morrison (EP) was awarded the prestigious ‘Surfer of the event’ trophy while Jeffreys Bay’s very own Marishka Myers won the ‘Surfers’ Surfer’ award, while seven months pregnant.
This year Myers will be competing again for EP while her young son, Pascal Myers, cheers from the beach sand.
“This year there will be over 160 participants competing for the national title,” said O’Connell.
He said during this year’s event all four finalists from each division will receive a RYD hamper, RYD trophy and a Vissla wetsuit.
In addition, floating trophies will be handed to ‘Surfer of the event’ which is the standout performer and ‘Surfers’ Surfer’ which is given to the surfer who brings something unique to the event.
O’Connell said there were many more surfing related prizes for all finalists and a team trophy for the highest place team.
To ensure that spectators have a great week of fun while enjoying great surfing, there will be food trucks and various vendors at the beach.
The sponsors for the event includes, RYD, Red Bull and Kouga Municipality.
