CAPE TOWN, South Africa (Friday, 15 March 2024) - The World Surf League (WSL) Africa Qualifying Series (QS) contingent will head to Long Beach, Kommetjie for the Cape Town Surf Pro this weekend 16-17 March 2024. The event offers 1,000 points toward the 2023/2024 QS season and 2024 Challenger Series qualification. With only two events on the schedule for this season, it's a make-or-break scenario for anyone who has their eyes set on qualifying.
Surfers From Madagascar, Morocco and Mozambique Join The Lineup Toky Joe Kennedy Ravelomanantsoa is the first surfer from Madagascar to officially compete in the WSL QS, and this will be his first time competing in South Africa.
"I only began competing internationally in the WSL last year, the first time for Madagascar and this will be my first time in South Africa too, so I am very excited to surf these famous breaks," said Kennedy. "My goal for this event is to represent my country well and enter Madagascar into the African rankings for the first time."
Adding to the lineup of African surfers competing at the Cape Town Surf Pro, are Morocco's Aboubakar Bouaouda and Nelson Nhamona from Mozambique.
Top Seeds Luke Thompson and Natasha van Greunen Up For The Challenge Entering this event as the top seed, Cape Town's Luke Thompson knows there is a target on his back, but is up for the challenge.
"It's a different kind of feeling, going into the year as number one," Thompson admitted. "Last year I was the underdog and now all the eyes are on me. Pressure is a privilege, I'm grateful for the opportunity and I'm excited to get the contest season started. I learnt a lot last year and I'm looking forward to implementing it this year."
The men's draw is a stacked lineup with Adin Masencamp, Daniel Emslie and long-time QS competitor Shane Sykes making his return to competitive surfing, alongside a handful of international competitors.
"It's really cool to compete against other international competitors in our regional QS, before you get to the Challenger Series," Thompson said. "To have the likes of Joe and Aboubakar come down to South Africa, it pushes our surfing and challenges us to surf against someone you haven't competed against before in your junior career."
Natasha Van Greunen will rely on local knowledge and experience as she enters the event as the top seed, with the simple goal of winning the event. If she wants to qualify for the Challenger Series again, a good result at the Cape Town Surf Pro is crucial.
Van Greunen will come up against fellow Challenger Series competitor Jessie Van Niekerk, Kira Hofmeyr and Danielle Powis.
The first call for the Cape Town Surf Pro will be on Saturday, 16 March at 07:00 AM local time for a possible 7:30 AM start.
The Cape Town Surf Pro will be supported by Surfing South Africa, Accelerate Sport, City of Cape Town, O'Neill and Red Bull.