by Craig Jarvis | Jun 23, 2022 | Action Sports Media, St Francis
In great news for all of our junior surfers in South Africa, the Rip Curl GromSearch is heading for Seal Point. The second 2022 Rip Curl series event will be held at Seal Point, Cape St Francis, on 23/24 July. The Rip Curl GromSearch contest is presented by Sea Harvest and supported by The Cape St Francis Resort.
Entries for the tournament are open, and you can find them HERE. Early entries include Josh and Luc Van Wyk and local surfers Rylan Jarvis, Jesse Moulang, Jack Erlank, David Moussouris and Slayde Shooter. Two notable goofy-footers coming to the event from out of town include Durban’s Surprise Maphumulo and Cape Town’s Joel Fowles, who won his U16 division in the first GromSearch event.
Remember that once the contest is full (i.e. the maximum number of heats per day is reached), no more entries will be accepted. This will happen even if it is before the advertised closing date. Heats and a provisional schedule will be posted on Liveheats closer to the event’s start.
Junior surfer Kai Stubbs at the recent Plakkie Classic © @gumbootism
The first competition in the 2022 series was held at Mossel Bay for one heat before a shark sighting saw the contest move to Victoria Bay. The waves were excellent at Vic Bay, and the competition was a massive success. It was a welcome return for Rip Curl into the realms of junior competitive surfing in South Africa.
The Rip Curl GromSearch series has always been a great stepping stone for the recent champions of our sport. Former International GromSearch competitors who have competed or who are currently competing on the various WSL Tours include Jordy Smith, Kolohe Andino, Filipe Toledo, Owen Wright, Gabriel Medina, Mason Ho, Stephanie Gilmore, Sally Fitzgibbons, Tyler Wright, Malia Manuel, Laura Enever and Alana Blanchard.
Rip Curl’s Gabriel Medina from Brazil came up through the GromSearch ranks © WSL
In the first Rip Curl GromSearch competition, we saw some stellar performances in the water. Winners included Leah Lepront (U12 girls), Mikey Todd (U12 boys), Louise Lepront (U14 Girls), Rory Dace (U14 Boys), Sarah Scott (U16 Girls), Joel Fowles (U16 Boys), Sarah Scott (U18 Girls) and Luke Thompson (U18 Boys).
“We’re very pleased to have the Rip Curl GromSearch series going again, and we have plans for the future of this series,” said Rip Curl South Africa’s CEO Stuart Daykin. “We are looking forward to the event at Cape St Francis.”
The contest will once again have U12 boys and girls, U14 boys and girls, U16 boys and girls and U18 boys and girls divisions competing. The competition is a Premier SAST event, with 1,000 points going to the winners and prizemoney per a premier event.
Contestants must register as members of Surfing South Africa to compete in this Premier SAST Event. Click Here to register as an SSA member
Seal Point is a high-performance right-hand point-break and popular amongst surfers from all over the country. It sits under the Seal Point Lighthouse. At 27,75 meters tall, this lighthouse is the South Easternmost Point Of Africa.
The beautiful Cape St Francis Resort is supporting the Rip Curl GromSearch. Bordering the beach at Cape St Francis and just a few minutes from the contest venue, Cape St Francis Resort ticks all the boxes as a perfect beach holiday destination. The Resort has a very unique setting. Several accommodation options include conventional hotel rooms and three- and four-bedroom cottages. There are also luxury beach villas. The Cape St Francis Resort is ideal for couples, surfers, families and anyone who loves a beach holiday. All are suitable for either a bed and breakfast choice or a self-catering option.
There are discounted rates available for anyone coming down for the contest. These rates can be found at the bottom of the release. Alternatively, phone Anita at the Resort on 082 494 3755 or 042 298 0054, or email anita@capestfrancisresort.co.za
Complimentary high-resolution images are available for media outlets on request.
Distributed by Truth Collective
email. craig@truthcollective.co.za
Whatsapp. 082 376 4443
by Craig Jarvis | Jun 21, 2022 | Action Sports Media, St Francis
News Release
21 June 2022
Plakkie Classic Junior Surf Competition A Great Success in Victoria Bay.
Matt Canning © @gumbootism
Vic Bay – the inaugural Plakkie Classic Jnr surf tournament was a fantastic four-day event. The contest and contestants enjoyed good weather and great waves in Victoria Bay. Plakkie came to the party by delivering some serious prize money to the event, the largest prize pool for a junior event this year.
Plakkie’s first venture into competition surfing was exceptionally well received, and the best junior surfers in the country were all in attendance for the event. Victoria Bay is a popular venue amongst the surfers with a fairly easy wave zone, and high-performance waves running down the point. For this event the waves were on fire for the entire four days, resulting in some incredible surfing from all divisions.
The lineup © @gumbootism
The swell stuck around for the entire four days, and despite some pretty chilly mornings, there were generally excellent waves for the competitors for the duration of the event.
There were some fresh new faces and some wily competitors in the event, and every heat seemed to have a standout.
Kai Stubbs © @gumbootism
There is always plenty of attention on the U12 divisions. These divisions are the future of the sport in our country. Jasmine Venter was impressive in the U12 Girls division and Joel Gernetsky in the U12 Boys.
In the U14 Boys division, St Francis surfer Rory Dace dominated, beating Cooper Smith into 2nd, with Matt Canning and Kieran Murphy 3rd and 4th.
“I’m so stoked to be back at Vic and to take the win, said Dace on his victory. “I feel super comfortable at that wave since my local is a point break! Thanks to my sponsors, Vissla, Pyzel and all the others, and my parents! Thanks to Plakkies and Surfing South Africa for putting on an insane comp. I enjoyed surfing the final with some of my best mates. It’s always fun when we push each other to the limits.”
Rory Dace © @gumbootism
dace’s performance was smooth and powerful, and he made it two in a row after taking out the inaugural Rip Curl GromSearch u14 victory earlier this year. His strong forehand performance perfectly suits the waves of Victoria bay well and he took full advantage of the good waves to cement his victory and dominance in this division.
U16 Girls Winner Gemma Hanafey © @gumbootism
The U16 Girls division was a closely-fought battle between East London’s Gemma Hannafey and Sarah Scott from Cape Town. With very little between them, Hannafey emerged victorious, winning by a narrow margin of 0.6 points. Zia Hendricks and Anastasia Venter placed 3rd and 4th, respectively.
Hanafey was fresh from El Salvador where she competed in the ISA World Juniors and showed her competition savvy and steely nerves in the final to take the win over Scott. Her powerful forehand performance was just what the judges were looking for, and the Rip Curl athlete was a popular winner.
Surprise Maphumulo © @gumbootism
Everyone was surfing exceptionally well in the highly contestable conditions. Other surfers who had flashes of brilliance over the weekend were Ben Esterhuyse, Surprise Maphumulo, Zia Hendricks and Anastasia Venter. Surprise was looking exceptionally flash, especially after taking the win in the inaugural Plakkie Air Show at the beginning of the event waiting period. His surfing at the point was fast and powerful, and his backhand hooks were throwing spray into the sky. Always polite and humble, Surprise is a grat ambassador for the sport and has a great future ahead of him.
Full results below
U12 Girls
Jasmine Venter
Leah Lepront
Camilla Heuer
Jordan Van Eek
U12 Boys
Joel Gernetsky
Carl Wiersma
Ben Esterhuyse
Callum Loftus
U14 Girls
Louise Lepront
Emily Jenkinson
Taylor Emslie
Nina Bone
U14 Boys
Rory Dace
Cooper Smith
Matt Canning
Kieran Murphy
U16 Girls
Gemma Hanafey
Sarah Scott
Zia Hendricks
Anastasia Venter
U16 Boys
Blake Crankshaw
Nate Colby
Surprise Maphumulo
Luc Lepront
U18 Girls
Sarah Scott
Louise Lepront
Zia Hendricks
Anastasia Venter
U18 Boys
Luke Thompson
Luke van Wyk
Connor Slijpen
Nate Colby
Connor Slijpen © @gumbootism
Surfing South Africa is the National Governing body for the sport in South Africa. In addition, SSA is a member of the South African Sports Commission and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA).
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by Craig Jarvis | Jun 13, 2022 | Action Sports Media, St Francis
The waiting period for the Surf City El Salvador Pro has begun, and there is some decent swell on the way. The only surprises so far have been the withdrawal of Kelly Slater and Tyler Wright. Slater cites some niggly injury, while Wright has ‘complications’ from her recent COVID case while in the jungles of Java.
Post Mid-Year Cut
It is the second event after the mid-year cut, and things are looking decidedly different on tour. There are fewer athletes and less time is needed to run an event to completion.
So what is the wave like in El Salvador? Well, it’s a perfect right-hand point-break for starters. Our two South African surfers, Matt McGillivray and Jordy Smith, are both natural footers. Therefore they will love that it is a right-hander. That being after the recent G-Land Pro, a challenging left-hand reef break off the Plungkung Nature Reserve in Java.
McGillivray The Champion Underdog
McGillivray has been the champion underdog of the 2022 Championship Tour season. He has been fighting the good fight to requalify for the tour. So, he sneaked onto the first half of the season through an injury wildcard. Then, a valiant effort in the Margaret River Pro saw him make the cut for the second half of the year.
Matthew McGillivray at the Margaret River Pro – Photo by Matt Dunbar/World Surf League
Moreover, his recent effort at the Quiksilver Pro G-Land also needs to be mentioned. Growing up in Jeffreys Bay, McGillivray spent his youth surfing the perfect rights of Supertubes. Yet, in fast and tricky reef waves at G-Land, he continued to show brilliance. Again, he advanced to the quarter-finals. This further solidified his presence on tour.
The waves in El Salvador will suit McGillivray’s surfing. Furthermore, he knows his way around a point-break. He, therefore, has a good chance of doing well. Forehand gouges and barrels are his specialities. In addition, should the waves get big, he comes into his own. The surfing should start soon. To watch it live – https://www.worldsurfleague.com/
More:
McGillivray Our Local Hero – https://stfrancistoday.com/surfing-today-with-rip-curl-2/
Matt the Giant Killer – https://stfrancistoday.com/surfing-today-with-rip-curl-matt-mcgillivray-the-giant-killer/
JBay local Qualifies –
JBay Surfer Matt McGillivray Qualifies For Championship Tour After Mid-year Cut
by Craig Jarvis | Jun 12, 2022 | Action Sports Media, St Francis
News Release
12 June 2022
South African Surfing Kicks Into Top Gear With Exciting Contest Season
Matt McGillivray made the quarter-finals at the Quiksilver Pro G-Land. © WSL/Sloane
South African surfers and surf fans are in for a feast of events.
In the world of South African surfing and surfers, it’s all kicking off again as we emerge from the challenges of the pandemic. Currently, South African surfers compete internationally on the World Surf League Championship Tour, the Challenger Series, and the Qualifying Series for both men and women, and we have a range of domestic events coming up.
The Ballito Pro Challenger Series event will run at Willard Beach, Ballito from July 3-10, and the men’s and women’s fields are stacked with former Ballito Pro champions and local favourites.
The Corona Open JBay is the premier Championship Tour surf event in South Africa for men and women. It has a waiting period from 12-21 July and has both Jordy Smith and Matt McGillivray competing. Jordy (DBN) is a two-time event champion and also has the distinction of scoring a perfect 20-point heat in 2017.
20-point heat video here – https://youtu.be/L76Ky5LFgVo
Jordy, JBay. © WSL/Cestari
Matt McGillivray (JBay) was on the cusp of the Championship Tour mid-year cut-offs and surfed a valiant contest in giant surf at Margaret River, Western Australia, to re-qualify. He is comfortable for the back half of the tour this year and has qualified for the 2023 season. The JBay local will be fired up for a big performance in front of his family and the home crowd.
On the domestic front, we have a run of Junior events, including the Plakkie Pro at Victoria Bay, the O’Neill SMTH Shapes Ballito Pro Junior and the Rip Curl GromSearch at Seal Point.
The Rip Curl GromSearch is the second event in a three-event series that kicked off earlier this year in Mossel Bay and Victoria Bay. The Rip Curl GromSearch enjoyed a welcome return to junior surfing with their new series, with their third and final event set for Scottburgh in October. The 2023 series promises to be bigger and better.
The Tiger’s Milk Winter Classic longboarding event set to take place this weekend has been delayed due to tiny surf. It will take place on June 25 and 26th down in Muizenberg, and the Vans Duct Tape International is to be held in Muizenberg in early July. Watch the Tiger’s Milk live heats here – https://www.liveheats.com/events/19517
This weekend also sees a South African crew of hopefuls compete in the Krui Pro QS 5,000 event in Krui, South Sumatra, Indonesia.
Luke Slijpen (CT), Saxton Randall (DBN), Jordy Maree (CT), and Karl Steen (DBN) are all competing in this event in the perfect reeling lefts of Ujung Bocur, Krui. The surfers are experiencing mixed results, with Jordy Maree the most impressive in an event that has a number of former CT surfers in the mix. . Watch it live at www.worldsurfleague.com or on the free WSL App.
Luke Slijpen © WSL/Liquid Barrel
Finally, congratulations to Luke Thompson for winning Bronze at the recent ISA World Juniors in El Salvador. Team South Africa ended a credible 10th at the event.
Complimentary high-resolution images from most listed events are available for media outlets.
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