As the surfers gathered at first light at the East Beach car park and scrambled into their wetsuits, they could watch the Port Alfred River and Ski Boat Club boats heading out for the thrilling Species Spectacular Fishing Competition that was about to unfold. We will have all the results tomorrow from this exciting fishing competition.
They were followed by the NSRI Station 11 crew getting in position for water safety duties for day one of the Rip Curl GromSearch presented by the Royal St Andrews Hotel. The NSRI had an excellent system, with two members on the ski in the water, a spotter at the surfing judging tower, another on the pier, and a medically equipped NSRI vehicle in the car park.
The surfing was red-hot, with the best junior surfers strutting their stuff for the judges in the perfect surf that East Beach delivered on cue for the second leg in this five-event series.
Local surfer Carl Wiersma, a true hometown hero, advanced through his quarterfinal heat in the U14 boys division to the cheers of the vocal local fan club. Another local surf star, Owen Heny, was victorious in his U14 Boys quarterfinals heat with an awe-inspiring total heat score of 12.64 out of 20. Heny also advanced out of his Premier U16 Boys Round One heat, making it an excellent day for the local surfers and a moment of pride for the local community.
Carl Wiersma, East Beach © Louis Wulff
Plenty of other surfers were in form today, and all results can be found on the Live Heats website HERE.
In between heats, there was time to cruise over to the Good Time Fair On The River street market on Van Der Riet Street and Wharf Street and enjoy the festivities. An open-air market, food stalls, and homemade goods stalls made a great trade. There was fun and games galore, with a ‘walk-the-plank’ event garnering great attention from the entrants and spectators.
Tomorrow is a huge day for the Port Alfred Easter Festival, presented by Sunshine Coast Tourism. The Rip Curl GromSearch will continue, as well as the Port Alfred parkrun, the Sports n All 1 KM Marina Swim, and the Cycle Asylum Fun 10 KM Cycle Ride, all of which make up the unofficial Lazy Triathlon.
There is also the start of the SA Bodyboarding Challenge at West Beach, the Bowls and Croquet Tournaments at the Port Alfred Bowling and Croquet Club, as well as the Bands At The Beach Music Festival at Guido’s car park stage, featuring Georgetown, Arno Carstens, Wonderboom, aKING and December Streets. The Bands At The Beach Festival is a fundraiser for the NSRI Station 11. Tickets are available at QUICKET or at the door.
Port Alfred Easter Festival Platforms:
Complimentary high-resolution images are available for media outlets.
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