Slayde Shooter © Louis Wulff
Professional Surfing Returns to the Eastern Cape Coastline
World Surf League Africa has confirmed that the Royal St Andrews Rip Curl Cup will serve as the final stop of the 2025/2026 Africa Qualifying Series, bringing the season to a close at East Beach from 3 to 6 April 2026.
The event will run as a QS 4,000 for men and QS 2,000 for women, forming a key part of the Port Alfred Easter Festival and setting the scene for a high-stakes finish to the regional professional surfing calendar.
With Challenger Series qualification and regional titles on the line, the Port Alfred stop is expected to attract Africa’s top-ranked surfers, rising stars, and a strong international contingent.
© Louis Wulff
A Proven Venue for High-Performance Surfing
East Beach has built a reputation as one of South Africa’s most dependable competitive surfing locations, particularly around the Easter period. Consistent swell, favourable winds, and well-formed sandbanks regularly deliver the kind of conditions competitors hope for when everything is on the line.
This will be the first WSL Africa Qualifying Series event in Port Alfred since 2019, marking a welcome return of professional surfing to the Eastern Cape town.
“These events reflect everything we value as a brand, from developing the next generation to supporting professional surfing at WSL level.”
– Stuart Daykin, CEO, Rip Curl South Africa
GromSearch Highlights the Future of South African Surfing
Running alongside the main QS event will be the Rip Curl GromSearch, presented by the Royal St Andrews Hotel, Spa & Conference Centre and supported by Sea Harvest.
As part of Rip Curl’s globally recognised junior development platform, the GromSearch provides a vital competitive pathway for South Africa’s leading young surfers, reinforcing the event’s focus on long-term athlete development.
A Pivotal Moment on the Africa QS Calendar
As the final stop of the regional series, and the only QS 4,000 men’s event in South Africa, the Royal St Andrews Rip Curl Cup carries significant weight.
Four men and two women will secure qualification for the 2026 Challenger Series, making every heat count as surfers battle to keep their global ambitions alive.
© Kody McGregor
“With regional titles and Challenger Series qualification on the line, we’re expecting one of the strongest fields of the season.”
– Luqmaan Bruce, WSL Africa Regional Tour Manager
Growing the Sport Beyond the Contest Zone
Beyond the competition itself, the event continues to play an important role in strengthening the African surfing ecosystem. By hosting high-level international competition on home soil, the WSL Africa QS creates meaningful opportunities for athletes, while also contributing to tourism, youth development, and local economic activity.
© Louis Wulff
“This is where world-class competition, community involvement, and long-term athlete development come together.”
– Tasha Mentasti, WSL Africa Regional Director
Event Details at a Glance
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Event: Royal St Andrews Rip Curl Cup
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Series: WSL Africa Qualifying Series
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Dates: 3–6 April 2026
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Location: East Beach, Port Alfred
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Status: QS 4,000 (Men) | QS 2,000 (Women)
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Festival: Port Alfred Easter Festival
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Supported by: Royal St Andrews Hotel, Rip Curl, Surfing South Africa
For more information, visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
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