Following two very successful national championships in 2021 and 2022, the Spar SA Longboarding Champs presented by Ryd, and sanctioned by Surfing South Africa, returns to Jeffreys Bay for a third consecutive year from the August 22 to 27.
Jeffreys Bay’s unique offering of a world-class longboarding wave in Point, as well as the Kouga Municipality’s sponsorship and co-operation, make the town an attractive location for the event to be held.
Athletes and spectators will travel from all around the country to participate in or watch the event. With several generations being represented in the age divisions, the longboarding championship is a popular family event, with some families participating across three generations: children, parents and grandparents.
This year’s championships will, for the first time in the history of longboard surfing in SA, feature an u/14 girls’ division. With an overwhelmingly positive response to this addition, this division is certain to encourage growth in women’s longboarding over the years.
Thanks to title sponsorship by Spar and presenting sponsor, Ryd, the event will be bigger than previous years. Spectators can expect food stalls and a Ryd surf accessories pop-up store on the beach.
At the helm of South African longboarding is accomplished young longboarder Christy Gilmour, who was appointed to head up South African Longboard Surfing in 2022.
“We’re looking forward to crowning our South African champions at Point in Jeffreys Bay. The wave is considered by many longboarders to be the best longboarding wave in South Africa, and it’s an incredible privilege to be returning again in 2023,” says Gilmour.
Giving back to the community, South African Longboarding Surfing will host a fun afternoon of surfing together with the J-Bay Surf Alliance, an organisation that works to empower the youth in Jeffreys Bay.
In an effort to leave Jeffreys Bay’s beaches impeccably clean, SA Longboard Surfing will also host a beach clean-up for all competitors to participate in.
