Seal Point Boardriders club Archives – Page 3 of 8

Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri and Luke Tema Win O’Neill SMTH Shapes Ballito Pro Junior – Rory Dace Top Local

by SFT | Jun 26, 2025 | Seal Point Boardriders club, St Francis, Surf Editorial

BALLITO, KwaDukuza, South Africa (Thursday, June 26, 2025). Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) and Luke Tema (HAW) won the O’Neill SMTH Shapes Ballito Pro Junior today in pumping two-to-three foot surf and light offshore wind. It was an action-packed Finals Day that wrapped up stop No.3 of the World Surf League (WSL) Africa Junior Qualifying Series (JQS).

Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri Earns First Win in Ballito

Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) and Remi Fourie (RSA) got off to a quick start in the women’s Final, with Etxabarri locking in two mid-range scores to take the lead. Sophia Medina (BRA) found some open faces to work with, pushing Fourie down to third and Kiara Goold (PYF) struggling in fourth. The difficult conditions didn’t offer more scoring opportunities. Etxabarri got the win and Medina settling for runner-up.

“The waves in the Final were really difficult, but I managed to win it and I’m super happy,” said Etxabarri. “It’s a good warm-up, the QS will be another warm-up for the Challenger Series next week. Last year I got a really good result, so I’m excited to be back in Ballito.”

Medina, the 2022 runner-up at the Ballito Pro Junior, said the contest is a premium warm-up event for the Challenger Series.

“I’m grateful to be here,” said Medina. “It’s been fun. It’s such a good warm-up, the girls are ripping and I’m grateful to compete against such amazing women.”

In the women’s Semifinals, goofy-footer Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) found the best waves to hit her powerful backhand into the steeper sections. She advanced to the Final ahead of Remi Fourie (RSA).

The second Semifinal was stacked, with Challenger Series contender Sophia Medina (BRA) and Tahitian youngster Kiara Goold (PYF) booking their spot in the Final. Thus ousting last year’s runner up Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) and eThekwini Pro Junior winner Emily Jenkinson (RSA).

Luke Tema Makes Winning Debut in Ballito

Hawaiian youngster Luke Tema has been earning the highest heat total of every round of the men’s competition. Tema came up against top ranked South African juniors Connor Slijpen, Levi Epenetos and Josh Malherbe.

The waves picked up in the strong offshore and the judges rewarded the big, single maneuvers in the critical section. Tema earned a 6.67 for one huge hit on his backhand, with a backup of 5.33 for two big hits on his forehand, for a 12.00 heat total.

“I’m super stoked, it’s been so fun to get in some practice before the Challenger Series,” said Tema. “The waves got a little tricky in the final, but it’s been really fun. It’s crazy how high the level is in the Challenger, so I just got to keep doing that and more.”

Malherbe really left his best surfing for the Final, committing to a big closeout section for a 5.83 and trailing Tema in second place. The 17-year-old from Coffee Bay found another solid ride for two strong hits and riding it out for a 5.67. Sadly falling short of the win and setting for runner-up.

“I went into that knowing it’s going to be a hard final,” said Malherbe. “I gave it my all, so it feels great, I’m happy.”

In the men’s Semifinals, it was a see-saw battle between the two in-form surfers, Luke Tema (HAW) and Connor Sijpen (RSA). Tema relied on his aerial skills to punt a big frontside full rotations, going into the excellent range for an 8.17. Slijpen’s combination of powerful turns and airs saw him advancing in second.

In a tightly contested all-South African Semifinal, Cape Town’s Levi Epenetos took the win with Malherbe in second.

Connor Slijpen, Emily Jenkinson Top WSL Africa Junior Rankings

This wraps up Stop No.3 of the WSL Africa JQS season. Connor Slijpenand Emily Jenkinson holding onto the No.1 positions. Both Slijpen and Jenkinson won the previous stop, the eThekwini Surf Pro Junior in Durban last week.

The attention now shifts to the Ballito Open presented by Flojos Qualifying Series (QS) 1,000 that will run from June 27-29, 2025. The first call will be at 6:50 a.m. GMT+1.

Surfers Summer Harding (above) and Slayde Shooter – Photos Of The Day

by SFT | Jun 16, 2025 | Photo Of The Day, Seal Point Boardriders club

Surfers Summer Harding and Slayde Shooter are two young surf club members from Cape St Francis. Both competed in the Rip Curl GromSearch Durban recently. The event was held at the New Pier in Durban with great waves to be had.

Summer placed second in the U12 Girls and third in the U14 Girls divisions. Slayde placed fourth in the Premier U16 Boys division.

Slayde Shooter

Both surfers are members of the Seal Point Boardriders Club.

All photos were taken by Dave Lindemann

Full contest results can be found here

Blue Cheese on Wheels: A Surf Dad Story

by Craig Jarvis | May 26, 2025 | Notes From The Editor, Seal Point Boardriders club

I Just Wanted a Few Waves

I hadn’t surfed in weeks. Work. Kids. Stuff. My brain was mush. I needed water. Salt. A few waves. Just that.

I grabbed the big blue 9’0 soft top. The Log Model. The one everyone disenjoys me riding, A superior paddle machine.

My friends don’t mind. I’m not selfish in the water. I’m too unfit to be inconsiderate.

The others, though. They glare. They mutter, and they don’t greet. Don’t acknowledge. Don’t shake hands.

They also don’t catch many waves. They ride ego-driven, superlight, narrow pro models. The boards have great turning but no paddle power.

The ultimate quest in surfing is finding the marriage between paddle power and turning ability. You can’t have optimum levels of both.

I don’t care too much about turning. I just want a few waves. Just a few. No one dies. Everyone gets wet.

The Wave. The Surfer. The Air.

Late afternoon. Golden light. Long shadows. Wind going slack. That clean hush before dark.

I paddled out to join my daughter, Brin. Twelve-years-old. And her best friend, Summer. Also trouble.

Got one. An absolute bomb. Swung and went. It stood up just right. Smooth wall. My feet found the sweet spot.

But the sun. Right in my eyes. Blinding. Like fire. And then, a blur. Some young guy. Blue wetsuit.

He was paddling straight up the face. A wrong move. Should have paddled into the whitewater and ducked under. A golden rule. I saw his head too late. Too close.. Point blank range.

Instinct took over. I bunny-hopped. On a 9’0. Full credit card air. Not easy with 90 litres of volume.

A full leap of faith. Board went light. I lifted off the water. Floated. Briefly.

Somehow, I cleared him.

No thud of fins to head. No scream and no blood.

He popped up blinking.

I carried on riding.

Blue Cheese on Wheels

Brin and Summer screamed from the channel.

Someone hooted from the car park.

Someone whistled. A long, single-tone whistle, indicating a ‘shew, that was close‘ vibe.

In the distance, a dog barked.

I paddled back out to the guy. A little bit shaken. Apologised for giving him a scare. Gave him a thumbs up. He was fine. Still blinking. But fine.

He went straight in after that. Paddled in. Over the rocks. Driven over by a tanker. Enough for one day.

Brin reappeared as I paddled back to the top of the point.

Summer was with her.

Pirates

They paddled straight at me. Grinning like pirates. Both punched me solidly on the shoulder.

“Blue Cheese on Wheels!” they shouted.

And burst out laughing.

Not about the kid in the blue wetsuit.

About some arb blue car in the car park.

If you see a blue car, you can punch some and shout, ‘blue cheese on wheels.”

It’s just a game they play.

“But I nearly killed someone,” I said.

“I know,” said Summer. “That was rad. I always wanted to punch you with blue cheese on wheels.”

“That was cwazy,” said Brin, adding the speech impediment for special effects.

She turned. Paddled. Caught an inside wave. Moved on to the next thing in front of her eyes.

Her wave was watched over by the blue car in the car park. Same place it had been all afternoon.

The end./

Further reading: Seal Point Boardriders Club Grom Comp Great Success

Seal Point Boardriders Club Grom Comp Great Success

by SFT | May 20, 2025 | Seal Point Boardriders club

Gallery Below…

Last weekend, another successful Seal Point Boardriders Grom Comp and Surf Lessons morning session took place at the Corner at Seal Point on Saturday morning.

Small Conditions

Small conditions, with a pretty average sand bank, didn’t deter the young surfers from the club, who attacked the waves with gusto. Some fast right-handers saw wave selection as the essential criterion of the day. Our young and very young surfers made a few notes about competitive surfing while having so much fun in the process.

The top surfers of the day were Leo McLeod and Brin Jarvis. Both surfers were awarded 9 points out of a possible 10 for the two highest-scoring rides of the day.

The Seal Point Boardriders Surf Club (SPBRC) consistently run surf contests and fun sessions for the groms nearly every month. It strives towards teaching the kids good values of sportsmanship, camaraderie, and loyalty, Also, environmental awareness, ocean knowledge and more while helping to instil a certain sense of pride in their club.

Low-Key

The groms contests are low-key and take place on the beach break, leaving the point for the social surfers and residents.

After the contest, the groms enjoyed delicious boerie rolls and drinks from the on-site. This from the braai by the club committee members and parents.

All of this culminates in the SPBRC Annual Championships, which will take place over an upcoming weekend. This contest is usually accompanied by a party/braai or social gathering. Also, the Club Championships take place at the point for an entire weekend. Further, social surfers and non-club members will have the beachbreak to surf that weekend. The dates for this contest will be announced soon.

The SPBRC is supported by Billy’s Beach and the Rotary Club Of St Francis. They support the club with generous annual donations.

Seal Point Boardriders Club Facebook

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Seal Point Boardriders Grom Comp and Lessons This Saturday

by SFT | May 14, 2025 | Seal Point Boardriders club, St Francis

Seal Point Boardriders Surf Club will hold a Grom Comp and surf lessons this Saturday, 17 May 2025. The grom session will run from 9 to 12, and entry is free for the groms. The Grom Comp and Surf Lessons are run by Lucky Fish

The Seal Point Boardriders Club consistently runs surf contests throughout the year to inspire our younger surfers, teach them about competitive surfing, and have a good time with their friends. The contests are fun events and social outings for the parents.

Billy’s Beach and Rotary Club Of St Francis

The Seal Point Boardriders Club has enjoyed tremendous support from Billy’s Beach and the Rotary Club Of St Francis. For the last two years, the Rotary Club Of St Francis has handed out donations to the club on behalf of Billy’s Beach. The funds have been used to purchase an EAD machine, for First Aid courses for members, and to help the club buy equipment to enable the contest to run smoothly. SPBRC is grateful for these generous donations.

Furthermore, local businesses, including The Bakery, The Brewery, Pig & Rooster, The Store, Full Stop Cafe, and many others, have also supported the events. They have helped to feed the hungry groms and supply them with wax, suncream, and other necessities.

What Are Groms, or Grommets?

Grom Definition by The Urban Dictionary

Surfer slang (although it also extends to other board sports and surf sports) for a young surfer. It can also be used to refer to children in general, although they usually have some association with surfing, etc.

Although the term usually has no ill meaning, it is often used to poke fun at younger surfers. It can sometimes be a derogatory term when younger surfers are annoying, bad, or otherwise problematic.

Also, It is frequently abbreviated to grom.

On a beach crowded with children: “Where did all the grommets come from?”