by SFT | Jun 28, 2026 | St Francis, Surf Editorial
Most surfing stories begin at the ocean. This one starts in the Swiss Alps.
The Wavepool Surf Tour officially gets underway on 1 August with the Alaïa Surf Challenge at Alaïa Bay, Switzerland, the first event in a new international tour created specifically for wavepool surfing. The tour includes both online and live competition formats.
While surfers have been competing in wavepools for decades, wavepool surfing has changed dramatically in recent years. New facilities continue to open across Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and the Americas, creating new surfing hubs and bringing the sport to places once considered far beyond surfing’s traditional reach.
The Wavepool Surf Tour has been created to connect those communities through competition.
The Team
Built by a team drawn from both the surfing and wavepool industries, the tour reflects the changing face of surfing and the opportunities created by a rapidly expanding global network of wavepools. It offers surfers a new way to participate, compete and measure themselves against others while remaining connected to their local wavepool communities.
There’s another way to do this.
Surf. Submit. Compete.
“We’ve watched wavepools grow from isolated projects into a global network of venues and surfers,” said founder Mark Fessler.
“Today, world-class facilities are operating across multiple continents, with more opening every year. We believe the time is right for a competition format built specifically for wavepool surfing and the people who are helping drive its growth.”
The Wavepool Surf Tour has been designed to be inclusive from the outset, bringing together surfers across multiple ages, disciplines and abilities within a shared competitive format.
While the season unfolds online, it culminates at the Wavepool World Finals, where the leading surfers from every division come together for the first live event of the year and the crowning of the year’s global champions.
The Alaïa Surf Challenge
The Alaïa Surf Challenge is the first event on the calendar. Additional details regarding divisions, event formats, participation opportunities and future events will be announced in the coming weeks.
Vicente Romero © Wavegarden Alaïa Bay
For more information, visit:
www.wavepoolsurftour.com
Partnership & Sponsorship Enquiries
Mark Fessler
Founder
mark@wavepoolsurftour.com
Athlete & Competition Enquiries
Clyde Martin
Co-Founder
clyde@wavepoolsurftour.com
Media Enquiries
Craig Jarvis
Head of Marketing & Communications
craig@truthcollective.co.za
FAQ’s
www.wavepoolsurftour.com/faq
About The Wavepool Surf Tour
https://www.wavepoolsurftour.com/about
The Wavepool Surf Tour connects surfers from wavepools around the world through a shared online competitive format built specifically for wavepool surfing. Competitors participate throughout the season from their local wavepools, with the leading performers advancing to the Wavepool World Finals, the first live event of the season.
by SFT | Jun 23, 2026 | St Francis, Surf Editorial
This is not even a full gallery of the Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro. In fact, this is just a smattering of what went down at Victoria Bay over the weekend. all photos © Kody McGregor
by SFT | Jun 22, 2026 | St Francis, Surf Editorial
Masencamp, Baum, Winter And Venter Celebrate Finals-Day Success
VICTORIA BAY, George, South Africa – Herold’s Bay delivered the perfect backup venue for Finals Day as four champions emerged from the Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro QS 2,000 and inaugural Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro Junior yesterday (June 21).
With small surf forcing organisers to move from Victoria Bay, clean two-to-four-foot waves provided an ideal canvas for the final day performances from some of the most talented and dedicated surfers in the country.
Adin Masencamp and Sarah Baum claimed the men’s and women’s Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro QS 2,000 titles, while Simon Winter and Anastasia Venter won the inaugural Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro Junior divisions.
Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro 2026 winners Anastasia Venter, Sarah Baum, Adin Masencamp and Simon Winter Photo: WSL / Kody McGregor
The Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro QS 2,000 marked the opening event of the WSL Africa 2026/2027 Qualifying Series season, while the newly introduced Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro Junior served as the second stop of the regional Junior Qualifying Series.
“I’m so stoked,” said Masencamp. “This is one I really wanted to tick off the box.”
The women’s QS title went to Baum after a strong performance against France’s Sarah Leiceaga in a high-quality final.
“I’m so stoked I got to go left all day,” said Baum. “Sarah was ripping, so it was an awesome final.”
New Pro Junior Event Produces New Winners
The inaugural Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro Junior proved a successful addition to the event, with two new champions crowned in the junior divisions.
Kommetjie’s Simon Winter secured the biggest result of his young career, claiming his first Junior Qualifying Series victory with a winning total of 13.50 in the final against top seed Levi Epenetos.
“I went out there, got two waves, and got it done,” said Winter.
In the girls’ division, Anastasia Venter capitalised on a dramatic final to secure victory and move to the top of the regional rankings.
“I feel so amazing,” said Venter. “I’m just so happy to be here and to take out the win. I’m glad to be back up on the podium!”
Anastasia Venter finding form, en route to victory © Kody McGregor
Standout Performances Earn Special Awards
While four titles were decided in the water, several competitors were also recognised for exceptional performances throughout the weekend.
The Royal St Andrews Hotel awarded a four-night stay during the upcoming 2027 Port Alfred Easter Festival, which includes the Royal St Andrews Hotel Rip Curl Cup QS 4,000 event to Brad Scott. The prize recognised Scott’s outstanding performances throughout the event, including one of the highest heat totals of the competition on his run to the final.
Neil Schalkwyk congratulates Brad Scott on the Royal St Andrews Hotel prize © Kody McGregor
Bilt Surfboards International presented custom De’zin Creations trophies and custom surfboard prizes to Simon Winter and Emily Jenkinson for their breakout performances in the Pro Junior event.
VICTORIA BAY, GEORGE, SOUTH AFRICA – JUNE 19: Bilt Specialty prize winner Simon Winter of South Africa and Neil Schalkwyk of Bilt at the prizegiving of the Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro Junior on June 21, 2026 at Victoria Bay, George, South Africa. (Photo by Kody McGregor/World Surf League)
As part of the award, Winter and Jenkinson will each receive a surfboard of their choice from the Bilt International stable, including Channel Islands Surfboards, …Lost by Mayhem, Bilt and Chilli Surfboards.
All The Results
Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro Men’s Final Results
1- Adin Masencamp (RSA) 14.50
2- Brad Scott (RSA) 9.50
Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro Women’s Final Results
1- Sarah Baum (RSA) 12.83
2- Sarah Leiceaga (FRA) 11.84
Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro Junior Men’s Final Results
1- Simon Winter (RSA) 13.50
2- Levi Epenetos (RSA) 11.53
3- Luc Lepront (RSA) 9.44
4- Ryan Coelho (BRA) 8.67
Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro Junior Women’s Final Results
1- Anastasia Venter (RSA) 10.67
2- Louise Lepront (RSA) 9.44
3- Camilla Heuer (RSA) 9.33
4- Emily Jenkinson (RSA) 8.00
The Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro QS 2,000 and Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro Junior were supported by George Municipality, George Tourism, The Pottery, Sir Fruit, Bliz Eyewear, Bilt International, Betify, Yeti, Red Bull, The Royal St Andrews Hotel and Harcourts South Africa.
See also – RIP CURL VIC BAY SURF PRO – Regional Qualifying Series Season Opens at Victoria Bay
Read more – Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro Celebrates International Surfing Day as Top Contenders Emerge
One more – Pumping Surf At Victoria Bay For Opening Day Of The Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro
by SFT | Jun 21, 2026 | St Francis, Surf Editorial
by SFT | Jun 21, 2026 | St Francis, Surf Editorial
The 2026 Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro QS 2,000 and Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro Junior opened in superb conditions at Victoria Bay, with long, clean walls reeling down the point from first light. With the new season officially underway, competitors wasted no time taking advantage of the quality surf as they chased an early foothold on the rankings.
Local surfer Kane Johnstone advanced through to the QS round of 32
© Kody McGregor
Competition opened with the Men’s QS 2,000 Round of 56, where several surfers wasted no time making their intentions clear. Local standout Daniel Orpen, Durban’s Chad du Toit, and Brazilian goofy-footer Ryan Coelho all advanced comfortably through their opening heats with confident performances in the clean conditions.
The Women’s QS Round of 24 followed, with East London’s Taylor Emslie, Cape Town’s Emily Jenkinson, Reunion Island’s Hina Maria Conradi, and France’s Sarah Leiceaga all claiming heat victories. Conradi delivered the performance of the round, posting an impressive 15.00 heat total out of a possible 20 to set the benchmark and establish herself as one of the early standouts of the event.
Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro setup © Kody McGregor
The Pro Junior division hit the water next, with Asbjorn Gwenin (United Kingdom), Nate Colby (Durban), Ryan Coelho (Brazil), and Rip Curl team rider Jack Erlank (St Francis Bay) all securing heat wins to advance through to the next round.
By the time the Men’s QS 2,000 Round of 48 got underway, the wind had begun to influence conditions. Nevertheless, several surfers still found quality scoring opportunities. Joshe Faulkner (Pellsrus), Chad du Toit (Durban), Brad Scott (Cape Town), Simon Winter (Cape Town), and Kai Hall (Durban) all posted strong heat totals to progress.
The final heat of the round saw Erlank continue his impressive form. The St Francis Bay surfer claimed victory ahead of Clay Turrell, while Nate Tayler and Paul Sampson were eliminated from competition.
“There were some good ones out there, but some of them just went flat,” said Erlank.
“I got this outside set wave and managed one good hit right in the pocket before it flattened out. It was one of the bigger waves of the heat, so I got a decent score from it.”
Erlank said the heat came down to the closing minutes.
“I wasn’t sure what I needed towards the end, and then I saw Clay surf past me on a bomb. On my last wave, I went for a layback off the whitewater on the inside. I made it, and they gave me a 3.93, which was enough for the win, so I had to claim it.”
Jack Erlank © Kody McGregor
Competition in the Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro resumes tomorrow morning, with officials set to make a call on conditions at 7:30 am.
Watch Live
The Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro will be broadcast live on WorldSurfLeague.com and on the free WSL app, bringing all the action from Victoria Bay to a global audience.
Media Information
Complimentary high-resolution images are available for media outlets.
For Rip Curl South Africa media enquiries and photo requests, please contact:
Craig Jarvis
Truth Collective
e. craig@truthcollective.co.za
t. 082 376 4443
For World Surf League Africa media enquiries, please contact:
Bianca van Aardt
WSL EMEA Communications Manager
e. bvanaardt@worldsurfleague.com
t. +27 82 773 5407
ENDS
Sponsors and supporters
by SFT | Jun 21, 2026 | St Francis, Surf Editorial
The Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro QS 2,000 and Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro Junior delivered another day of high-quality surfing at Victoria Bay on Saturday, with clean two-to-four-foot waves and light winds providing ideal conditions on International Surfing Day.
With the men’s Round of 16 and women’s Quarterfinals completed in the QS 2,000, and the Pro Junior semifinalists decided, the stage is now set for an exciting Finals Day on Sunday.
Sarah Baum Returns In Style
Top seed Sarah Baum made a successful return to Victoria Bay, drawing on fond memories from her junior surfing days as she powered through both the Round of 16 and Quarterfinals.
Baum looked comfortable from the outset, finding the best waves of each heat and posting one of the strongest performances of the day. Her quarterfinal total of 13.67 secured a place in the semifinals and reinforced her status as one of the favourites heading into the final day.
Defending champion Natasha van Greunen also advanced after a dramatic finish to her quarterfinal encounter with Morocco’s Ninon Mattei. Needing a score in the closing moments, Van Greunen used priority wisely and found the wave she needed to move through to the semifinals.
The final women’s heat of the day produced another tight battle. Zoë Steyn remained patient as conditions slowed and was rewarded with one of the better set waves of the heat. Her strong backhand surfing earned a semifinal berth ahead of Anastasia Venter.
Prestwich Leads Strong Men’s Charge
The men’s Round of 16 produced some of the best surfing of the event so far.
Slade Prestwich posted the highest single-wave score of the competition, earning a 9.00-point ride for a series of powerful turns linked together with trademark flow and speed. His performance secured a convincing victory and a place in the quarterfinals.
Morocco’s Teva Bouchgua continued his impressive start to the season. Surfing Victoria Bay for the first time, Bouchgua adapted quickly to the long right-hand point break and advanced comfortably through his Round of 16 heat.
One of the standout matchups of the day saw Adin Masencamp and Luke van Wyk exchange the lead several times in a closely contested battle. Masencamp eventually emerged victorious with a heat total of 13.84 to secure his place in the quarterfinals.
The men’s quarterfinal lineup now features a mix of experienced campaigners and rising stars, setting up an intriguing Finals Day showdown.
Junior Semifinalists Confirmed
The Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro Junior continued to showcase the next generation of South African surfing talent.
Top seed Louise Lepront advanced comfortably and will now face her younger sister Leah Lepront in one of the most anticipated semifinal matchups of the event. Leah secured her place after winning her quarterfinal heat ahead of Camilla Heuer.
Anastasia Venter enjoyed a remarkable day of competition. After advancing deep into the QS 2,000 draw, she carried that momentum into the Pro Junior division. Venter stayed active throughout her heat, building scores steadily before sealing victory with a strong final-wave performance.
In the boys’ division, Nate Colby demonstrated patience and composure as the swell began to ease during the afternoon. After waiting through a long lull, Colby found the wave he needed and posted an excellent 8.17 to secure victory.
Levi Epenetos also booked his place in the semifinals after one of the strongest performances of the day. Improving with nearly every ride, Epenetos finished with an outstanding 8.67-point wave score to take the win and continue his charge toward the title.
International Surfing Day Celebrated At Victoria Bay
Saturday’s competition coincided with International Surfing Day, creating a fitting backdrop for a memorable day at one of South Africa’s most iconic point breaks.
Competitors, spectators and organisers enjoyed excellent weather, quality surf and a vibrant atmosphere throughout the day. The combination of world-class waves and strong performances highlighted why Victoria Bay remains one of the country’s most beloved surfing venues.
With titles, ranking points and valuable momentum all on the line, attention now turns to Finals Day as the Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro QS 2,000 and Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro Junior draw to a close.
The event concludes on Sunday at Victoria Bay, George.
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