The event will feature a Men’s and Women’s QS 2,000 contest, alongside a Pro Junior tournament, officially launching the 2026/2027 South African Qualifying Series season.
“The Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro is an important event for the African region and continues to build real momentum for professional surfing in South Africa,” said Graham Stapelberg, WSL President: Africa Region and WSL President: Tours and Competition.
“There is genuine energy around the sport right now, with strong talent emerging and more high-quality events creating opportunities for surfers to progress through the regional pathway. Rip Curl’s ongoing commitment to competitive surfing in South Africa has played a valuable role in that growth, and Victoria Bay remains one of the country’s premier high-performance venues.”
International Talent Heads To Vic Bay
Morocco will once again arrive with strong momentum following standout performances at the Port Alfred Easter Festival earlier this year.
The Royal St Andrews Hotel Rip Curl Cup Port Alfred 2026 Qualifying Series winners Lilias Tebbaiand Teva Bouchgua have both entered the Vic Bay event, alongside fellow Moroccan surfers Ayman Gougali and Ninon Mattei.
International depth also includes Hina-Maria Conradi from Reunion Island, while experienced Australian campaigner Philippa Anderson adds significant experience and firepower to the women’s division.
Moroccan Teva Bouchgua © Kody McGregor
South Africa’s Top Surfers Entered
The event has also attracted many of South Africa’s leading surfers across both the QS and Pro Junior divisions. This includes the likes of Adin Masencamp, Connor Slijpen, and Teva Bouchgua, while the women’s field features Sarah Baum alongside Louise Lepront and Jessie van Niekerk.
Connor Slijpen (Cape Town) at the 2025 Vic Bay event © Kody McGregor
In the junior men’s division, surfers to watch include Levi Epenetos, Ben Esterhuyse, and Kai Hall, while the junior girls’ division carries another strong field led by Leah Lepront, Emily Jenkinson,and Anastasia Venter.
Rip Curl South Africa Team Locked In
The Rip Curl South Africa team will also be strongly represented at Victoria Bay, with a talented mix of established competitors and next-generation surfers entered into the event.
The team includes Jack Erlank, Rylan Jarvis, Loghann Tilsley, Louise Lepront, Max Kauffman, and Ben Esterhuyse.
Strong Sponsor And Industry Support
The event has attracted significant support from both the public and private sectors, reflecting the growing momentum around competitive surfing and coastal lifestyle events in South Africa.
Support from George Municipality and George Tourism continues to strengthen Victoria Bay’s positioning as one of the country’s premier surf and tourism destinations.
A strong lineup of commercial partners has further boosted confidence around the event, with leading lifestyle and industry brands including YETI, Bilt Surfboards, Bliz Eyewear, Sir Fruit, Red Bull, and Betify aligning themselves with the event.
Hospitality partner Royal St Andrews Hotel and local supporter The Pottery further strengthen the community and lifestyle element surrounding the tournament.
The level of support around the event reflects broader positive momentum within South African surfing, with growing enthusiasm from athletes, brands, tourism stakeholders, and audiences ahead of the new Africa Qualifying Series season.
Watch Live
The Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro will be broadcast live on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app.
Media Information
Complimentary high-resolution images are available for media outlets.
For Rip Curl South Africa media enquiries and photo requests, please contact:
Craig Jarvis
Truth Collective
e. craig@truthcollective.co.za
t. 082 376 4443
For World Surf League Africa media enquiries, please contact:
Bianca van Aardt
WSL EMEA Communications Manager
e. bvanaardt@worldsurfleague.com
t. +27 82 773 5407
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