GQEBERHA, Eastern Cape, South Africa (Thursday, 21 March 2024) - The second and final World Surf League (WSL) Africa Qualifying Series (QS) competition for the 2023/2024 season, the SA Open of Surfing is set to run at Pollok Beach, Gqeberha from 23-24 March 2024. With 1,000 points on offer, the WSL Africa Regional QS titles are on the line and will determine which men and women qualify for the 2024 WSL Challenger Series (CS).
"Surfing South Africa is delighted that the SA Open of Surfing is back on the surfing calendar in 2024," Surfing South Africa General Manager Robin de Kock said. "The SA Open of Surfing holds a special place in our hearts and we are confident that the event will not only be a huge success but will also provide an unforgettable experience for fans and participants alike. Congratulations to the WSL Africa team for making this happen."
Jessie van Niekerk - WSL / Kody McGregor
With the high caliber of surfing from an experienced field, it's anyone's call on who will take out the SA Open of Surfing titles. In the women's draw, top seed Sarah Scott (RSA) heads into the event brimming with confidence after her first-ever QS win at the Cape Town Surf Pro, but stated that she will not be competing on the CS this year to complete her school career.
Runner-up in Cape Town, Jessie van Niekerk (RSA) made her CS debut in 2023 and said she'll aim to requalify for 2024.
"I just want to go out there and do what I need to do to get a good result," Van Niekerk said. "I know that a lot can happen, so I'll leave it up to God." Van Niekerk is second on the rankings and has a decent lead over experienced CS competitor Natasha van Greunen (RSA), who had a disappointing result at the Cape Town Surf Pro.
Adin Masencamp - WSL / Kody McGregor
The defending SA Open of Surfing winner, Adin Masencamp (RSA), enters the event as the No. 2 seed on the WSL Africa QS rankings after his impressive runner-up finish at the Cape Town Surf Pro QS 1,000 at Long Beach, Kommetjie last weekend.
"I've always had good results in Gqeberha," Masencamp reflected. "I seem to have a good connection with the wave so I'm very excited, I think we'll get some fun waves. I just want to continue the momentum, that flow moving forward and see myself in another final."
The Challenger Series is the ultimate battleground for surfers vying to qualify for the elite Championship Tour (CT) in 2025 and Masencamp has been competing on the CS for three years, improving his results every season.
"Once this event is out of the way, the focus shifts to the Challenger Series," Masencamp said. "It's where everyone wants to be, where you can qualify for the Championship Tour and the events have great waves on offer. The platform is huge, with a lot of media coverage and I'm really looking forward to the year."
Top seeds Paul Sampson (RSA) and Luke Thompson (RSA) have also expressed their intent to qualify for the CS and the battle for points at the SA Open of Surfing will no doubt provide electrifying performances.
The first call will be on Saturday, 23 March at 7:00 AM for a possible 7:30 AM start.
For more information visit WorldSurfLeague.com
The SA Open of Surfing will be supported by Surfing South Africa, Accelerate Sport, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and Red Bull.