SURF SEASON COMES TO PORT ELIZABETH
Over the years big surfing events have always seemed to bypass Port Elizabeth, preferring the drama of Jeffreys Bay or the sublime perfection of Seal Point, Cape St Francis.
This is all set to change over the next few weeks, with two major surf events set to hit The Bay over the next few weeks. The first is the Billabong Junior Series presented by All Aboard # 1 – the first in a four-part series that will take place across the country. The Billabong Junior Series is the longest running junior surf series in the world, and has developed champion surfers like number 2 professional surfer Jordy Smith as well as the highly successful Bianca Buitendag from George. This much anticipated event will see the best junior surfers from across the country compete for top honours as well as two return air tickets to Bali from All Aboard for the best U18 Girls and Boys. It will take place this weekend 25th /26th at Pollock Beach.
Following that will be the first in a new surfing series of surf contest called, the City Surf Series, to be known as The Nelson Mandela Bay Surf Pro presented by Billabong and Volkswagen. Set to take place on the 7th – 9th April in Port Elizabeth, this event kicks off what promises to be a groundbreaking professional series set to put South African surfers back on the international surfing map. It consists of a World Surf League (WSL) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 1,000, with a thousand points up for grabs for first place, as well as a Junior Qualifying Series (JQS) 1,000.
“The competitive surfing circuit it looking extremely positive for the year across all divisions,” said Billabong South Africa Marketing manager Chad D’Arcy. “In the previous years much attention has been focused on the junior surfers, and rightfully so, but with the advent of the Surf City Series this year, all surfers will get a chance to compete and win prizes and points on an international standard.”
This weekend will see light and variable conditions prevail for most of the contest period, and surfers in the Billabong Junior Series will see small but highly contestable conditions for their event.
During the back half of the year the Eastern Cape will enjoy more surfing events, with the Billabong SA Junior Champs to be held in JBay in October and the Billabong Junior Series Finals at Seal Point also in October.
For more information on these events go to the Surfing South Africa website www.surfingsouthafrica.co.za
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