DURBAN, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Thursday, May 9, 2024) - The World Surf League (WSL) Africa announced its return to Durban, KwaZulu-Natal for the inaugural eThekwini Surf Pro. The eThekwini Surf Pro will be the 2024/2025 season opener for the WSL Africa Regional Qualifying Series (QS) for men and women and will also host a Longboarding Qualifying Series (LQS) for men and women. The event will run from 7 June through 9 June 2024.
As the first regional QS event, 1,000 points are on offer for the men and women who are looking to kickstart their campaign to qualify for the 2025 Challenger Series, the ultimate battleground for surfers vying to qualify for the elite Championship Tour (CT).
"The World Surf League is extremely excited to return to Durban this June," Luqmaan Bruce, WSL Africa Tour Manager said. "The Durban promenade is rich in surf history and is an iconic location for professional surfing."
The eThekwini Surf Pro includes a Longboarding Qualifying Series (LQS) 1,000 and presents an incredible opportunity for the top male and female to qualify for the World Longboard Tour (WLT). The WLT starts in July in Australia with stops in California and El Salvador.
Former WSL Longboard World Champion, Steven Sawyer from Jeffreys Bay, is excited to compete in the eThekwini Surf Pro this June.
"I'm super amped to be heading to the first stop of the WSL Africa LQS," Sawyer said. "It's been a while since I've been blessed to compete locally so I'm thoroughly looking forward to getting in the mix."
Christy Gilmour, South African Longboard Surfing Chairwoman and KwaZulu-Natal Longboarding Champion, said it's fantastic to have an LQS at home.
"It's so great to have the LQS back and to give an opportunity to two very talented athletes to qualify for the World Longboard Tour," Gilmour reacted. "Longboarding has grown exponentially and I can't wait to see what the future holds for South African longboarding!"
The eThekwini Surf Pro is supported by eThekwini Municipality, Durban Tourism, KwaZulu-Natal Surfing Association and Surfing South Africa.