Volkwagen SA Open Of Surfing_Ian Thurtell_ Mens and Women winners - Copy

City Surf Series Confirms 5 Events in 2020

In partnership with World Surf League (WSL) and Surfing South Africa (SSA), Accelerate Sport have today announced the dates and venues for the fifth edition of City Surf Series, the largest series of surfing events in Africa.

This illustrious series is set to bring the global surfing community together during winter season in South Africa across four key locations, namely Nelson Mandela Bay, Port Alfred, Vic Bay and Cape Town. Entering its 5th year, the series will be action-packed with quality surfing from men, women as well as junior athletes, providing competitive WSL Qualifying Series events for local South African surfers.

Confirmed dates and venues:

11 – 13 April: Nelson Mandela Bay Pro
• Event Venue: Pollock Beach, Summerstrand
• QS1,000

15 – 17 April: Royal St Andrews Port Alfred Town Classic
• Event Venue: East Beach, Miles Bowker Drive
• QS,1000

20 – 24 May: Thirsti Cape Town Pro – 3 Event days, 5 day waiting period
• Event Venue: Multiple venues across Cape Town
• QS1,000

29– 31 May: Vic Bay Classic
• Event Venue: Vic Bay Beach
• QS1,000

13 – 17 June: VW SA Open of Surfing
• Event Venue: Pollock Beach, Summerstrand
• QS1,500

“The City Surf Series is a fantastic opportunity for young surfers to really introduce themselves to the world stage and we are delighted to once again have 5 events on the calendar. Returning to Cape Town was always a target and through the support of the City and Thirsti Water, this is once again possible,” said Daniel Quinta, CEO of Accelerate Sport.

Volkswagen SA Open of Surfing

“This series would not have become reality without the huge commitment from our partners and support of the local municipalities. We would like to extend our utmost gratitude for their support in making this series the success that it is today”, he added.

The City Surf Series has proven a huge success since its inception in 2016, with Michael February and Marr McGillivray both using it as a platform to qualify for the Championship Tour for 2018 and 2020 respectively.

The Series features over 100 surfers at each tournament and provides South Africans with the opportunity to compete against international surfers and earn valuable qualifying points in a short time period. The series has proven extremely lucrative for those abroad, with surfers from 6 continents all descending to South Africa in 2019 to compete.

“The City Surf Series and WSL Africa’s partnership with Accelerate sports and Surfing South Africa (SSA) has been fantastic for the growth of professional surfing in South Africa and Africa. We can gladly be proud of the fact that through the City Surf Series we now have ten surfers in the top 100 in the world and guaranteed that we will have three South Africans in the Corona Open JBay at the World Championship Tour event in Jeffrey’s Bay in July”, said Colin Fitch, World Surf League Manager Africa.

He further added, “Our development program in conjunction with Surfing South Africa will see the growth of not only surfing nationally but the growth of surfing in areas that have been unable to surf at this level in the past. We have gone from a region with a limited growth to a region that is challenging and becoming a very strong African Cyclone on the World Surf League thanks to the City Surf Series”.

Commenting on the excitement built around the series, Johnny Bakker, President of Surfing South Africa said, “Surfing South Africa is very excited about the City Surf Series for 2020. The series once again offer the opportunity for local surfers to compete against international competitors in South Africa. The different venues offer opportunities to all surfers in a variety of conditions and this again adds to the excitement of the series. We wish all competitors the best of luck for the series”.

About City Surf Series
The City Surf Series is a collaboration between Surfing South Africa (SSA), the World Surf League (WSL) and Accelerate Sport which aims to provide competitive WSL Qualifying Series events for local South African surfers.

About the WSL
The World Surf League (WSL), established in 1976, is the enablement platform for surfing and surfers worldwide. The WSL is dedicated to changing the world through the inspirational power of surfing by creating authentic events, experiences, and storytelling to inspire a growing, global community to live with purpose, originality, and stoke.

The WSL is a global organization, headquartered in Santa Monica and with regional offices in North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and EMEA. The WSL possesses a deep appreciation for the sport’s rich heritage while promoting progression, innovation, and performance at the highest levels.
The WSL is comprised of Tours & Events, celebrating the world’s best surfers across all disciplines and annually running more than 180 global contests and crowning the undisputed World Champions across all divisions; WSL WaveCo, where innovation meets experience; and WSL Studios, which offers best in class storytelling across competition, lifestyle, and conservation.


About Surfing South Africa (SSA)
Surfing South Africa is the governing body for the sport in South Africa and is a member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), the African Surfing Confederation (ASC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA).

For further information, please contact:
Media & PR: Katleho Mashego – Accelerate Sport
+27 (0)63 224 0268
katleho@acceleratesport.com
www.acceleratesport.com

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