The Rip Curl GromSearch and the Rip Curl Cup, presented by the Royal St Andrews Hotel and supported by Sea Harvest, are two of the anchor events of the Port Alfred Easter Festival, along with the Bands At The Beach Music Fest. These events will occur in Port Alfred over Easter, 29 March – 1 April.
What are these competitions?
The Rip Curl GromSearch Port Alfred is the second in a five-event series at premier venues along our coastline. The first contest took place in Kommetjie and Witsands in Cape Town earlier this year, and the event to follow the Port Alfred competition will be held at Nahoon Reef in East London.
The Rip Curl Cup is an Open Specialty Event that will take place after the GromSearch with prizemoney that has increased to R80k.
Who is competing?
The top junior surfers in the country will contest the Rip Curl GromSearch. The GromSearch series is the most popular junior series in the country.
The Rip Curl Cup is an open event, and there is a mix of top surfers from all over the country, some top juniors, and a few seasoned competitive veterans. With R80k in prizemoney, it is going to be an exciting event. Apart from the R20k first-place prize for men and women and prizes for second, third, and fourth places across both men’s and women’s divisions, there is also the Rosehill SUPERSPAR Expression Session, with two prizes of R2.5k each.
Where are these contests taking place?
Both tournaments will take place at East Beach, Port Alfred, one of the prime sand-bottom right-handers on the East Coast. The forecast for good waves looks promising at this early stage.
Why are they taking place?
The Rip Curl GromSearch and the Rip Curl Cup are both presented by the Royal St Andrews Hotel and are supported by Sea Harvest. They form the main events of the Port Alfred Easter Festival, the four-day multi-sports and culture festival in Port Alfred. The surf events and the SA Bodyboarding Challenge taking place at West Beach will have the local NSRI Station 11 doing water safety throughout the ocean events.
On Saturday night, there is the inaugural Bands At The Beach Music Fest at Guido’s, alongside the West Beach Pier. Featuring Georgetown, Arno Carstens, Wonderboom, aKING and December Streets, the music festival is a fundraiser for the NSRI. Everyone is encouraged to come along and join in the festivities. Tickets are available on QUICKET
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What Else?
Opening Function:
There will be an opening function at the Royal St Andrews Hotel on Thursday evening at 18:00. This is open to all surfers, bodyboarders, media, parents, and anyone who wants to attend.
The speakers will be Surfing South Africa Vice President Anne Wright, Royal St Andrews Hotel MD Justin Bekker, Bodyboarding representative and Business Chairperson Clinton Millard, Kowie Boardriders Chair Mickey Witthuhn and NSRI Spokesperson Chris Pike. There will also be a brief safety demonstration with Chris afterwards.
A cash bar will be available in the conference foyer, and there is an awesome Surfers Special at the Highlander after the opening ceremony.
Adults – Chicken/Beef Burger and 300 ml Beer – R135.00
Children – Chicken/Beer Burger and Soft Drink – R100.00
SA Junior Team Colours Awards.
The 2024 South African Junior Team selected to compete in the 20th ISA World Surfing Championships in El Salvador in May will be awarded their colours on Friday, 29 March, at the Royal St Andrews Hotel.
The function starts at 18:00. Parents, friends, coaches, sponsors and media are invited to attend.
Linkonline will provide a free high-speed hotspot on the beach for competitors, spectators and officials. More here – LINKONLINE
A SuperSport Film Crew will be on-site, producing a show on these two surf contests and coverage of the other Port Alfred Easter Festival events for later viewing.
