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SURFING SOUTH AFRICA ANNOUNCES MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH ACCELERATE SPORT

Surfing South Africa, the officially governing body for surfriding in South Africa, has renewed its long-term partnership with Accelerate Sport on a 4-year contract. The renewed agreement is a testament to the collaborative partnership the two organisations have had in the past and will continue going forward.

“The renewal of this contract is a significant vote of confidence in Accelerate Sport’s services and effectiveness over the years”, stated Robin de Kock, General Manager of Surfing South Africa. “Accelerate Sport has been a valued partner whose industry knowledge and experience has helped us evolve to stay on the forefront of the surfing industry in South Africa to date”.

Accelerate Sport has worked with and supported Surfing South Africa as the exclusive commercial and marketing agency since December 2016. The Cape Town-based marketing agency will continue to be responsible for the marketing strategies and activities to exploit Surfing South Africa’s commercial products. By extending this partnership, the agency will continue providing leading marketing capabilities and differentiated solutions to drive Surfing South Africa’s continued growth and success within South Africa.

Julia Camargo, Royal St Andrews Surf Classic 2019 – photo taken by Ian Thurtell

Daniel Quinta, CEO of Accelerate Sport, said in a statement, “We’ve had a great working relationship over the years with Surfing South Africa and we are very much looking forward to building on that relationship.” He added, “We believe by continuing and expanding on our existing relationship, we will only see more growth and success for surfing, despite the trials and tribulations we are all experiencing given the COVID-19 outbreak”.

Following the adjusted regulations by the Presidency, Accelerate Sport and Surfing South Africa will make the necessary announcements in light of the upcoming surfing activities for 2021.

For further information and updates, please contact surfingsouthafrica@gmail.com

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).

About Accelerate Sport

Accelerate Sport and Entertainment is a results-driven marketing agency that focuses on effectively serving the best interest of clients and sponsors. With a collective 70 years of experience in sport and entertainment, Accelerate delivers integrated strategic solutions specialising in sponsorship rights, consultancy, event management, media and public relations.

For further information, please contact:

Media & PR: Katleho Mashego – Accelerate Sport
+27 (0) 63 224 0267
katleho@acceleratesport.com
www.acceleratesport.com

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CITY SURF SERIES TO MAKE A RETURN IN 2021

CAPE TOWN – The City Surf Series, a fully private owned surfing property by Accelerate Sport, will be making its much anticipated return to the South African shores in 2021.

The Series is the biggest, annual series of its kind amongst professional surfing events in the world and was poised to kick start on the 11th of April 2020. Unfortunately, due to the global disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and with the health and safety of all involved being top priority, it was decided that the best route would be to cancel the 2020 edition.

Accelerate Sport has been working in close co-operation with Surfing South Africa (SSA), World Surf League (WSL) and its respective partners to establish new dates to stage the tournament in 2021.

Gary Grant, MD of Accelerate Sport believes it was a responsible move to reschedule the series to next year, “We had previously hoped to delay the City Surf Series to later this year in anticipation that COVID-19 concerns might lessen. However, following continuous monitoring of health advisories and recent statements by WSL, Surfing SA and the government, it is safer for everyone concerned to move the series to 2021”.

Gary further added, “We are working on some exciting new ideas and additions for 2021 and we look forward to bringing together the surfing community in a healthy, safe and entertaining environment when the event returns next year. We would like to thank all our valuable partners who are supportive of the decision to move the series to 2021. Most importantly, our thoughts and sympathies are with all the families who have lost loved ones due to this pandemic”.

2021 provisional dates and venues:

• 3 – 5 April: Royal St. Andrews Hotel Port Alfred Classic

• 9 – 11 April: Nelson Mandela Bay Pro

• 16 – 18 April: George Vic Bay Classic

• 22 – 26 April: Cape Town Pro

• 12 – 16 June: VW SA Open of Surfing

In addition, plans are underway to secure events in Durban, Lambert’s Bay, the KZN South Coast and Mossel Bay – further details to follow.

Commenting on the legacy of the series in the world of surfing, Francisco Spinola, WSL Regional Director (Europe – Middle East and Africa) for EMEA said, “The City Surf Series has helped not only South Africa but the rest of the world to show how to run very successful series of smaller QS events back to back with great success. It has been the foundation of the resurgence of surfers from South Africa”. He concluded, “The international wins by David Van Zyl in Hawaii, Jordy Maree in Indonesia and Shane Sykes who came in 5th place in Morocco, has shown that a healthy domestic tour like the City Surf Series will go a long way to grow the level of surfing in the region”.

Robin de Kock, GM of Surfing South Africa said, “Surfing South Africa is disappointed that the City Series will not be taking place this year. The health and safety of the surfers, officials and spectators at Surfing South Africa sanctioned events is paramount and clearly the right decision has been taken. We look forward to working with all of our partners on the City Surf Series when it gets underway in early April next year”.

Accelerate Sport will continue to monitor the situation, with the priority being placed on the health and safety of athletes, officials, fans and the community at large.

To learn more, please visit www.citysurfseries.co.za

About City Surf Series

The City Surf Series is an Accelerate Sport owned and managed surfing property. Accelerate Sport has collaborated with Surfing South Africa (SSA) and the World Surf League (WSL) in order to create and facilitate a competitive platform for WSL Qualifying Series events to the benefit for local South African surfers.

About Accelerate Sport

Accelerate Sport and Entertainment is a results-driven marketing agency that focuses on effectively serving the best interest of clients and sponsors. With a collective 70 years of experience in sport and entertainment, Accelerate delivers integrated strategic solutions specialising in sponsorship rights, consultancy, event management, media and public relations.


About the World Surf League (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.

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 0267
katleho@acceleratesport.com
www.acceleratesport.com