The Bands At The Beach Music Festival at Guido’s car park stage was an all-time party for Port Alfred. From Georgetown’s opening track to the legendary Arno Carstens and Wonderboom’s incredible stage presence, the crowd loved it from the get-go.
aKING also delivered a high-octane performance, igniting the crowd with their energy. December Streets brought the house down with their electrifying set as the night’s final act. The excitement didn’t end there as the enthusiastic crowd flocked to Guido’s for the DJ’s At The Beach set with Max Hurrell, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Rip Curl GromSearch presented by Royal St Andrew Hotel and Sea Harvest
This morning, Day Three of the Rip Curl GromSearch, presented by the Royal St Andrews Hotel at East Beach, started early. The U12 Girls were out at the backline by 7:30. At the same time, the SA Bodyboarding Challenge, presented by the Royal St Andrews Hotel, sent out the first heat of their second day of competition at West Beach soon after.
After a few rounds of semifinals, we were in the GromSearch Finals. In contestable two- to three-foot conditions, the best junior surfers in the country took to the surf with much excitement. There was an absolute flurry of activity around these final heats in the U12, U14 and U18 divisions, with the premier U16 Division final set to take place tomorrow, just before the Rip Curl Cup.
U18 Girls Winner Anastasia Venter © Louis Wulff
The U12 Girls went out in what can only be described as challenging conditions, with a few different approaches by our youngest competitors. It didn’t matter which approach, though, as Maya Malherbe (EL) was head-and-shoulders above the pack with what turned out to be the day’s highest heat total. She banked an incredible 15.66 out of a possible 20 points, which included a massive 9.33 for a powerful backhand lip-soring re-entry on a set wave.
Local surfer Carl Wiersma was also one of the most outstanding surfers of the day for his win in the U 14 Boys division, beating some of the top U14 surfers in the country.
“It was tricky out there, and we couldn’t hear much due to the onshore wind,” said Wiersma. I wasn’t sure I had it, but I was so stoked when I heard I had the score and the win. The Rip Curl GromSearch in Port Alfred is by far the best surf contest of the year, and it’s right on my doorstep in a wave that I know so well, and my parents don’t have to drive anywhere.”
Carl Wiersma © Louis Wulff
Rip Curl GromSearch Final Results
U12 Girls
1st – Maya Malherbe, 2nd – Brin Jarvis, 3rd – Adiana Canning, 4th – Summer Harding
U12 Boys
1st – Slayde Shooter, 2nd – Lazaro de Bruyn, 3rd – Levi Vosloo, 4th – Tyler Balfour
U14 Girls
1st – Leah Lepront, 2nd – Camilla Heuer, 3rd – Jasmine Venter, 4th – Maya Malherbe
U14 Boys
1st – Carl Wiersma, 2nd – Ben Esterhuyse, 3rd – Owen Heny, 4th – Slayde Shooter
U18 Girls
1st – Anastasia Venter, 2nd – Louise Lepront, 3rd – Sara Scott, 4th – Gemma Hanafey
U18 Boys
1st Simon Winter, 2nd – Matt Canning, 3rd – Loghann Tilsley, 4th – Clayton Turrell
SA Bodyboarding Challenge
Despite the wind, the SA Bodyboarding Challenge, presented by the Royal St Andrews Hotel, also concluded at West Beach in fun conditions.
Final results
Drop Knee
- Ashley De Pontes
- Vaughn Harris
- Luke Staniforth
- Darren Halse
Pro
- Hugo Naude
- Teegan Coulonval
- Darren Halkse
- Luke Staniforth
Bodyboarding Winners
Sunshine Coast Open Pairs Bowls Tournament.
This event, part of the Port Alfred Easter Festival presented by Sunshine Coast Tourism, was busy and well attended. It concluded today, and the results will follow.
A few of the Bowls Tournament winners
The Sunshine Coast Open Tennis Tournament
This tournament was another resounding success, with keen players battling it out for top honours. Tennis is a popular sport and pastime in Port Alfred, and including the Port Alfred Tennis Club and their event was a popular decision. More results to follow.
Surfing continues tomorrow
Tomorrow, the Premier U16 Division finals of the Rip Curl GromSearch, the Riosehill SPAR Expression Session, and the Rip Curl Cup will conclude at East Beach. Come down and watch the country’s finest surfers in action.
Port Alfred Easter Festival Platforms:
