Entries are now officially open for the Royal St Andrews Hotel Rip Curl Cup, a World Surf League Qualifying Series QS 4,000 event set to take place as part of the Port Alfred Easter Festival, running from 3 to 6 April 2026.
The event marks a major milestone for the festival, with the Royal St Andrews Hotel Rip Curl Cup elevated to World Surf League (WQS) Qualifying Series (QS) status for the first time in its three-year history. With QS 4,000 points on offer for the men and QS 2,000 points for the women, the contest stands as one of the most significant competitive surfing events on the South African calendar.
Royal St Andrews Hotel Rip Curl Cup
“We’re incredibly excited to welcome both the Rip Curl Cup and the Rip Curl GromSearch to the third Port Alfred Easter Festival,” said Justin Bekker of the ROYAL ST ANDREWS HOTEL.
“Hosting the Rip Curl Cup as a WSL-rated event for the first time lifts the festival onto an international stage and strengthens Port Alfred’s standing as a world-class surfing destination. It creates a strong platform for emerging talent while bringing elite-level competition to our coastline. We are proud to partner with Rip Curl in delivering an event of this calibre.”
As a key late-season Qualifying Series contest, the Royal St Andrews Hotel Rip Curl Cup is expected to attract a strong field of local and international competitors chasing valuable ranking points and momentum. The event plays an important role in shaping qualification outcomes for the WSL Challenger Series, the next tier of professional surfing.
The contest forms part of a broader Port Alfred Easter Festival programme that includes multiple sporting and lifestyle events, creating a full long-weekend experience for surfers, families, and visitors.
Kowie River
Port Alfred’s long right-hand sand-bottom break at the mouth of the Kowie River, and reliable autumn conditions, provide an ideal stage for high-performance surfing. With favourable swell windows and a compact event zone, the location continues to prove its suitability for events at this level.
Entries are now open via the official WORLD SURF LEAGUE platform. Competitors are encouraged to enter early, as participation is limited and interest is expected to be high.
Event: Royal St Andrews Hotel Rip Curl Cup Status: World Surf League Qualifying Series QS 4,000 Men, QS 2,000 Women. Location: Port Alfred, Eastern Cape Dates:3–6 April 2026
Further event information and scheduling updates will be released closer to the festival.
JEFFREYS BAY – Kouga Local Municipality, through the Office of the Executive Mayor and its Special Programmes Unit (SPU), continues to affirm its commitment to protecting and uplifting vulnerable communities by supporting organisations that provide care and safe haven to children in need.
This commitment was recently showcased through a successful Christmas Lights Donation Campaign, led by the SPU in partnership with CC Prints and Fountains Mall, which raised R20 180.20 in support of 7th Heaven Children’s Haven, a registered non-profit organisation based in Jeffreys Bay.
The festive initiative, inspired by Executive Mayor Hattingh Bornman’s passion for giving back, culminated in a meaningful early Christmas celebration and cheque handover to the organisation. The contribution will assist the haven in continuing its vital work of providing a secure, nurturing environment for neglected and abused children.
Bornman commended both the organisation and the broader community for their compassion and willingness to uplift others.
“It gives me great pride to know that within our community there are unsung servants and heroines who do extraordinary work in caring for neglected and abused children. This act of kindness is a true testament to the humility and compassion of our people, who are always willing to go the extra mile to uplift others,” said Bornman.
Founded in 2002 by Nelly Senong, 7th Heaven Children’s Haven has, for more than two decades, provided shelter, care and hope to children with nowhere else to turn.
Senong, who relocated to Jeffreys Bay after feeling a deep calling to serve vulnerable children, has devoted her life to restoring dignity, confidence and a sense of belonging to those placed in her care. Raised in Johannesburg and Rustenburg, she attended a Christian school where she continually sought guidance about her life’s purpose.
“I thought that God was calling me to work in Rwanda when I saw the war and the circumstances of the children on television,” she recalled.
“But it was not meant to be. While I was teaching at a Christian school, my alarm clock radio – tuned to Radio Pulpit – woke me up. A lady from Jeffreys Bay was speaking on the programme. I believe the Lord woke me up and showed me the direction to go. I packed my bags and decided to try it for three months. I am still here 24 years later. This is my love story.”
Senong secured the haven’s first home at 7 Koraal Street, where she initially lived with 12 boys who had previously lived on the streets.
“In 2008, I received my first baby at the haven, and from then on, the babies kept coming, brought by social workers. Today we care for 16 children between the ages of two and 20. The 20-year-old is currently in matric,” she said.
“I did not give birth to these children, but they feel like my own.”
Senong expressed heartfelt gratitude to Kouga Local Municipality and the donors who contributed to the campaign.
“This time of the year comes with many needs. The donation means a great deal to us. We are truly blessed to have been chosen,” she said.
She added that the needs of the haven remain extensive.
“Many of these children have experienced severe trauma and struggle to cope in mainstream schooling. They attend private schools where class sizes are smaller and support is more personalised. We urgently need sponsors to ensure they receive the opportunities in life that they deserve.
They did not choose to be born into these circumstances. They deserve to be loved. God has a plan for their lives.”
Through the municipality-led initiative, community members and visitors were encouraged to contribute throughout the festive season, demonstrating the powerful impact of collective action. Additional support from Oasis Water in Jeffreys Bay further strengthened the campaign’s reach and success.
At the cheque handover ceremony, Mayoral Committee Member (MMC) Reinhardt Foley commended all stakeholders for their role in ensuring the sustainability of the organisation.
“It is always heartening to see communities coming together for a common purpose. This selfless gesture will go a long way in helping to keep the doors of 7th Heaven open, and it certainly does not go unnoticed,” said Foley.
The campaign brought together a wide network of partners, including Fountains Mall, Kouga Tourism, CC Prints, Ladies Lighthouse, Apex Synergy, and Kouga Local Municipality, reinforcing the municipality’s approach of building strong partnerships to address social challenges.
Marie Collins from CC Prints expressed her appreciation to Kouga Local Municipality and the Office of the Executive Mayor for their leadership and collaboration, emphasising that partnerships between government, business and the community are essential in creating lasting, meaningful change for vulnerable children.
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