May 2025 – Page 3 of 11 – St Francis Today

Namaqua Dove – Photo Of The Day by Si Cunneen

by SFT | May 28, 2025 | Photo Of The Day

The exquisite photo of a Namaqua Dove is our photo of the day by local shooter Si Cunneen/ / Wild By Nature photography.

You can find Si Cunneen / Wild By Nature Photography on Instagram here Wild BYNature

More POTD examples here

Jordy Smith Wins A Tank, and Western Australia Margaret River Pro

by SFT | May 28, 2025 | St Francis

MARGARET RIVER, Western Australia, Australia (Tuesday, May 27, 2025).

Gabriela Bryan (HAW) and Jordy Smith (RSA) won the Western Australia Margaret River Pro, Stop No. 7 on the 2025 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT).

It was a shorter Finals Day, featuring the Semifinals and Finals in slower conditions at Main Break. It still delivered standout moments and performances from the finalists. Bryan earned back-to-back wins at Margaret River with a commanding showing, marking her second event win of the season. Smith also secured his second victory of the year. This is a repeat podium for Bryan and Smith, as they both claimed victory in El Salvador earlier this year. As the only two surfers with two victories this season, their success further solidifies their positions. TRhey are on top of the rankings as the CT heads to Lower Trestles in San Clemente, Calif.

Jordy Smith Wins

Competing in his 18th season on Tour, Jordy Smith (RSA) has claimed a second CT win within the same season for the first time in his long tenure. Since winning his first CT in eight years in El Salvador, the 37-year-old has continued his exceptional form. He now sits with a strong lead in the rankings as World No. 1. Having previously placed runner-up to the World Title in 2010 and 2016, Smith has been in the Title conversation for much of his career. He now sits in the prime position to deliver on that promise. Smith has previously won three of the four remaining regular-season events. Two of those he has won twice, both in locations that he has called home, Trestles and J-Bay.

“It feels incredible, I think it’s just a testament to like, every day keep showing up, trusting what you’re doing,” Smith said. “I can’t just say that I’ve been doing all the work; I’ve got such a great team of people behind me. For me, this year, it’s just really been about having fun and enjoying it because it’s not forever. I think everyone’s going to be fighting for that top five now. There’s a lot of guys that are swinging for it, so that’s going to be really exciting. I think just having that opportunity to kind of push yourself against all the best in the world is all I’m really looking for. And yeah, take every day for what it is and don’t think too far down the line.”

Jordy Smith (Photo by Beatriz Ryder/World Surf League)

Perfection At The Box

After moving through an extremely wide range of conditions, from massive, unruly Main Break to slab perfection at The Box, the men’s Final was decided in small, inconsistent surf that saw only three waves ridden. With two previous Margaret River Pro runners-up, Smith and Gryphon Colapinto (USA), battling for their first event win, a fiery exchange was expected, but quite the opposite occurred. Smith opened with the single defining wave of the Final, an 8.50, earned through a variety of manoeuvres, echoing the type of surfing the South African had delivered throughout the event and across his long career. Meanwhile, after opening early with a 4.83, Colapinto dropped anchor, waiting for a wave that never arrived, and closed his account with just a single score.

“I’m so stoked, bru,” Smith said. “”It’s been a lot this week, a lot this last two or three months. Two people I want to dedicate it to, first and foremost, are my family: my wife, my mother, my father, my sister, and my two sons. And then, this is for Jack McCoy. He passed away just recently. It’s someone that’s inspired me throughout my whole life. All his movies, his videos, his family. This is for you guys. I’m sending all my love and prayers are with you guys.”

St Francis Bay Locals Shine at Nelson Mandela Bay Surfriders Trial At Seal Point

by SFT | May 28, 2025 | St Francis

The weekend saw the Nelson Mandela Bay Surfriders hold their junior trial in small waves at Seal Point. These trials are being held to select a team for the SA Junior Champs, which will take place at Lower Point in Jeffreys Bay in September or October this year.

The waves were small and inconsistent, but there were some good ones at the top of the point, as well as a few running off the Full Stop.

The swell was very inconsistent, with long waits between sets, and some heats were blessed with numerous waves while others had none at all. There was a bit of luck involved, but our surfers did exceptionally well, putting all those long hours of surfing (instead of studying) to good use and getting several wins and podium finishes. All the surfers are also members of the Seal Point Boardriders Club, and the monthly grom contest led by Simon Fish and `Matt Davis is paying off, with our surfers gaining the much-needed heat practice and heat IQ that only comes from practice and repetition.

The event was well-attended -with many St Francis Bay and Cape St Francis surfers competing. Local knowledge paid off, with our local surfers, both boys and girls, performing exceptionally well and taking a few wins in several divisions.

U18 boys – Rory Dace 1st, Rylan Jarvis 2nd, Jack Erlank 4th.

14 boys – Slayde Shooter 1st.

U16 boys – David Moussouris 1st.

16 girls – Sophia Jackson 1st

U14 girls – Brin Jarvis and 1st Camilla Prins 2nd.

U12 Girls – Summer Harding 1st.

Before you know it, we will have another Jordy Smith emerging from our area, or maybe a Caitlin Simmers.

The 10th Edition Of The Tiger’s Milk Winter Classic At Muizenberg This Weekend

by SFT | May 27, 2025 | St Francis

Muizenberg Surfers Corner, Cape Town – The 10th edition of the Tiger’s Milk Winter Classic is heading for Muizenberg Surfers Corner this weekend, 30 May – 1 June, with firing surf conditions on the forecast.

Divisions

The divisions for this event are:

Open Men Shortboard (prizemoney R7,500)

Open Ladies Shortboard (prizemoney R7,500)

Novice Shortboard/Longboard (prizemoney R3,750)

Open Men Longboard (prizemoney R7,500)

Open Ladies Longboard (prizemoney R7,500)

Over 40 Longboard (prizemoney R3,750)

Contest Venue – Muizenberg Corner. © Craig Wilson

Contestants

Some of the surfers who have entered this event include:

Ashlyn Barry and Jade Pentz – Novice Longboard.

Dewahl Watkins – Novice Shortboard.

Sam Christianson and Mbuso Zozi – Open Longboard.

Simon Winter, Brad Scott and Paul Sampson – Open Men Shortboard.

Emma Schermbrucker, Josie Middleton and Cara Stubbs – Open Women Longboard.

Charlotte Copson, Emily Jenkinson – Open Women Shortboard.

Stuart Fowles, Jonathan Rosslind and Gary Van Rooyen – Over 40 Longboard.

Forecast

“There is a solid 3.5m 14-second southwest swell heading towards False Bay this weekend with good North West Winds,” noted Surfing South Africa General Manager Reza De Nicker.

“These conditions coincide with the 10th edition of the Tigers Milk Winter Classic. In other words, the waves will be cooking for the event. If you are around the Cape Town area, make your way down to Surfers Corner this weekend and watch the surfing. We have introduced a new Novice Division, which will add to the fun! Tigers Milk will have a food truck down on the beach and lots of activity upstairs at the restaurant.”

When the waves are firing at The Corner, there is always a lot of action and excitement. With such a good forecast on the charts, this vibe has already started building.

Vibrant Culture

Tiger’s Milk Group Marketing Manager Phil Venter is upbeat about the upcoming tournament.

“It’s incredibly special to host the Tiger’s Milk Winter Classic in Muizenberg for the 10th year,” said Venter.

“It was right here in Muizenberg that the Tiger’s Milk brand was born, and despite being a multinational powerhouse with 25 locations, we believe in the power of our roots. Muizenberg’s vibrant surf culture is at the heart of who we are as a brand, and this event celebrates that spirit. Beyond the waves and good vibes, we’re proud to support Surfing South Africa’s community outreach initiatives, helping to grow the sport and uplift the next generation of surfers.”

Find more details about the Tiger’s Milk Winter Classic on the Surfing South Africa website HERE

The event will have live scoring on LIVEHEATS

For event media enquiries:

Craig Jarvis

e. craig@truthcollective.co.za

t 082 376 4443

For Surfing South Africa General enquiries:

Reza De Nicker:

e. reza@surfingsouthafrica.co.za

t. 079 373 1964

About Surfing South Africa

Surfing South Africa is the official National Federation for Surfing in South Africa. SSA is a member of the South African Confederation of Sport and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and is recognised as the governing body by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.

Surfing South Africa is responsible for developing the sport, hosting National tournaments, sanctioning International events, and selecting National teams in all SSA disciplines. SSA is a member of the African Surfing Confederation (ASC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA), the sport’s World governing body.

About Tiger’s Milk Muizenberg

A view of the beach that is home to the surfer in all of us, step through the doors of the original Tiger’s Milk. Here, you’ll find waves of tastes and times of celebrating the beautiful spot that is Muizenberg. Totally, totally awesome!

Ocean Freedom