The Blog

The Garden Route is full of little dorpies (Noun. dorpie, plural dorpies “A small town.”) away from the bigger cities, where one can find hospitality, friendliness, and amazing post-surf treats along the way. Enjoy the homemade cakes or jams, a pie or three, and sit at one of the many lookouts and enjoy the scenery as you make your way up the coast. Knysna, famous for its fresh oysters, is right on route!

By now, you can understand why the Tour d’ Afrique presented by DoubleTree Hilton sold out so quickly and is a popular tour before the circus arrives at Nahoon.

DoubleTree by Hilton is offering WWST and Tour d’ Afrique competitors an incredible special before and after the event – stay in luxury and explore Cape Town and beyond from Doubletree by Hilton

Did we leave something off the list? Let us know in the comments below or on social media.

See you in the water!

Do you love waveski surfing? Do you want to own a custom-made waveski from the world’s oldest and most innovative waveski company? Do you want to support the 2024 World Waveski Surfing Titles in South Africa? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you don’t want to miss this amazing opportunity!

We are raffling off a custom Macski Waveski, valued at over $1000.00, to one lucky winner who will get to work directly and closely with Ant Stott, the head shaper and owner of Macski Waveskis, to create their perfect board. Ant has shaped boards for beginners, intermediate and advanced riders, including world champions like Pablo Arrouays and Kai Williams, and many more top riders from around the world.

Macski Waveskis is the oldest waveski company in the world, started by the Macleod family in 1970 with a rich legacy in waveski innovation. Now headed up my Master Shaper, Ant Stott in Cape Town, South Africa. Macski Waveskis is at the forefront of waveski shaping and board design, using the latest technology and materials to produce high-performance and durable waveskis that suit any style and preference.

The lucky winner will be able to collect their waveski at Nahoon at the World Waveski Surfing Titles in June, where they can witness the best waveski surfers in the world compete for the coveted title. Nahoon is famous for its amazing waves and beautiful scenery and is the perfect venue for the 2024 World Waveski Titles. Alternatively, the winner can choose to have their waveski shipped or couriered at their own cost.

All the funds raised from this raffle will go directly to supporting the 2024 World Waveski Titles, which is a prestigious and exciting event that showcases the sport of waveski surfing and promotes its growth and development. By buying a ticket, you are not only entering a chance to win a custom Macski Waveski, but also helping to make this event possible and successful.

There are only 200 tickets available, and each ticket costs as little as $25. This is a rare and limited opportunity, so don’t hesitate and buy your ticket today! The raffle closes on 30th April and the winner will be announced on 2nd May. You can buy your ticket online at www.sawaveski.co.za, where you can also find more information about the World Waveski Surfing Titles.

Don’t miss this chance to win a custom Macski Waveski and support the 2024 World Waveski Titles! Buy your ticket now and spread the word to your friends and family. Good luck and happy surfing!

 TOUR D’ AFRIQUE 2024 UNVEILS A SPECTACULAR JOURNEY FROM CAPE TOWN TO NAHOON REEF

In anticipation of the highly-awaited World Waveski Surfing Calendar event in 2024, the World Waveski Surfing Titles (WWST) kicks off on the 28th of June at the legendary Nahoon Reef in East London, South Africa. Prior to this epic showdown, the tour promises an immersive adventure of the picturesque coastal gems of Jongensfontein and Jeffreys Bay, taking the world waveski audience on an exhilarating journey along the beautiful South African shoreline.

Cape Town Welcomes the World:

From early June, Cape Town stands ready to welcome waveski surfers from around the globe, offering a captivating introduction to its coastal splendor. As part of the prelude to the WWST, participants are encouraged to explore the city and its surroundings, either through curated activities or at their own leisure.

An Array of Experiences Await:

During the tour, participants can anticipate:

– Surfing a variety of breaks across the city

– Day surf trips along the West Coast

– Visits to renowned wineries

– Peninsula Tours showcasing natural wonders

– Waveski clinics on both coasts of Cape Town

– City Tours encompassing the V&A Waterfront, Table Mountain, Cape Point, and more.

DoubleTree by Hilton Cape Town as Co-Sponsor:

Proudly co-sponsoring the Tour D’ Afrique Surf Tour with the Western and Eastern Province Waveski Surfing associations, DoubleTree by Hilton Cape Town is set to elevate the experience. The Tour includes two social competitions in Jongensfontein (15th to 17th June) and Jeffreys Bay at Magna Tubes (21st to 23rd June) before the grand finale at Nahoon Reef. These towns serve as enchanting hosts, highlighting South Africa’s coastal beauty and fostering camaraderie before the intense competition in East London.

The Tour:

The first stop is Jongensfontein, a picturesque 4 hour drive from Cape Town, is a Right-Hand Reef Break similar to Nahoon. Being exposed to the elements this wave picks up loads of swell and offers competitors powerful walls that break out to sea. Then head onto The Ultimate Road Trip through the Garden Route and you will find yourself at the world famous Jeffrey’s Bay. Surfing Magna Tubes, a wave offering a high-quality canvas to show your skills. Enjoy the sights of this historic surf town and set your eyes upon the natural phenomenon that is Supertubes.

Jongensfontein: 15 – 17 June 2024

J-Bay: 21 – 23 June 2024

Opt-In Entries and Social Evenings:

Competitors can opt into the Jongensfontein and Jeffreys Bay competitions upon registering for WWSC 2024 in January. The entry fee for each competition is R500, inclusive of a Tour T-Shirt and a social evening Braai (South African Barbecue).

Tour Accommodation Information:

For accommodation recommendations and further information, please contact:

– Rory Taylor (Jongensfontein): rory@vitalfoods.co.za

– Johann Momberg (Jeffreys Bay): bergdisposals@ymail.com

Exclusive Accommodation Rates:

DoubleTree by Hilton Cape Town offers a special 20% discount on the best available rate for pre and post-tour stays. Visit DoubleTree by Hilton Cape Town for more information or contact Lindsay.Barrett@hilton.com for reservations and Francois.Steyn@hilton.com for tour inquiries.

Embark on a journey of surf, culture, and camaraderie – Tour D’ Afrique 2024 is set to redefine Waveski Surfing excellence. Entries Open 15 January and are limited.

For Media Inquiries:

Trystan Viaene

Trystan@creativbloc.co.za

South African Waveski Surfing Association Prepared for Safe and Exciting World Waveski Surfing Titles

EAST LONDON, South Africa – The South African Waveski Surfing Association (SAWSA) is proud to announce the upcoming World Waveski Surfing Titles, set to take place at the renowned Nahoon Reef from 28 June – 7 July 2024. As we celebrate the skill and commitment of waveski surfers from around the globe, we also recognize the natural environment in which we surf, including the presence of sharks along our beautiful coastlines.

Sharks are an integral part of the ocean’s ecosystem, and their presence is a sign of a healthy marine environment. It is important to note that there has never been a recorded shark attack on a waveski surfer in the history of the sport. This fact underscores the rarity of such incidents and the harmonious relationship between surfers and marine life.

The WWST Organising Committee is committed to the safety of all participants.

We will be closely monitoring sardine migrations and will have water crafts ready in the water to respond swiftly in the unlikely event of an emergency. Furthermore, all athletes will be thoroughly briefed on safety measures, ensuring preparedness in the rare instance a shark is spotted by our land or water based teams. Taking place in the picturesque Nahoon Nature Reserve, the area is teaming with ocean life and land animals form seals to daasie’s (Hyrax), to small antelope and a wide variety of indigenous bird species.

Competitors in the World Waveski Surfing Titles need to understand that the ocean is a dynamic and unpredictable environment. By entering the water, they accept the inherent risks associated with ocean sports. SAWSA encourages all competitors to maintain good health and to approach the ocean with respect and awareness, arriving at WWST ’24 with high fitness.

Local waveski surfer and Nahoon Reef veteran, Bruce Viaene, shares his experience: “In the 20+ years of surfing, bodyboarding, swimming, spearfishing and waveski surfing at Nahoon Reef, I have only come across a shark 2 or 3 times. All these sightings have resulted in surfers exiting the water safely and, at times, heading back out once the coast is clear. It’s not something I worry about when surfing Nahoon.”

The SAWSA looks forward to a successful and exhilarating World Waveski Surfing Titles, where the focus is on the extraordinary athletes and the beauty of our ocean. We invite spectators and supporters to join us in celebrating waveski surfing and the athletes who showcase the best of this exciting sport.

Contact: WWST Organinsing Commitee via email for any queries – EMAIL

Cape Town, South Africa – 27 September 2023– DoubleTree by Hilton proudly announces its sponsorship of the World Waveski Surfing Titles’ (WWST) Tour d’ Afrique, an exciting waveski adventure along the picturesque South African coast.

To extend a warm welcome to athletes and travelers, DoubleTree by Hilton invites guests to experience luxury in Cape Town before embarking on the Tourd’ Afrique. WWST competitors will receive an exclusive discount when booking at Hilton, providing an added touch of comfort and elegance to their South African journey, both preceding and following the World Waveski Surfing Titles.

The Tour d’ Afrique kicks off in the coastal gem of Jongensfontein on June 16th – 17th in the Western Cape. The tour’s next stop takes surf enthusiasts to the legendary Magnatubes in Jbay from June 22nd – 23rd. This iconic destination promises world-class waveski waves and an unforgettable experience amidst the vibrant beauty of Jeffrey’s Bay.

“We are thrilled to partner with DoubleTree by Hilton for this extraordinary journey through South Africa,” says Trystan Viaene, WWST Event Organiser. “Their generous support and commitment to SA Waveski Surfing over the years exemplify the kind of dedication that truly elevates the waveski surfing community.”

Francois Steyn, General Manager at DoubleTree by Hilton, expresses his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “The contests will embrace South Africa’s waveski culture in our smaller town environments. Both breaks boast world class waveski waves and will showcase the talent from across the world.”

For a deeper dive into the world of DoubleTree by Hilton, visit their media platform at https://linktr.ee/doubletreebyhiltoncapetown

This partnership between DoubleTree by Hilton and WWST’s Tour d’ Afrique not only promises an unforgettable experience for waveski enthusiasts but also invites internationals to explore the beauty of South Africa. Book early to secure your spot and embark on a road trip up the enchanting East Coast before culminating in the grand finale at Nahoon.

For more information about the event, please visit www.sawaveski.co.za

Buffalo City, 16 May 2024 – Mark your calendars for an exhilarating display of waveski surfing prowess at the Reef Royalty International Waveski Open, taking place on 3-4 June at Nahoon Reef in Buffalo City. Sanctioned by the World Waveski Surfing Association, this event promises to be a thrilling showcase of skill and excitement.

We are delighted to announce that Waveski Adventurers, a prominent name in waveski and kayak surfing, has come on board as a proud sponsor of the event. This collaboration adds an extra layer of excitement and expertise to an already exceptional competition.

The Opening Function, hosted at Reef Cafe in the Nahoon Point Nature Reserve, will feature a showing of the brand-new award-nominated documentary, “Making Waves.” This ground-breaking film chronicles the journey of a group of exceptional waveski surfing women as they strive to become World Champions. This remarkable documentary is the first of its kind and promises to captivate and inspire audiences.

Waveski Adventurers, helmed by the experienced world-ranked champion waveski surfer and business entrepreneur, Jackie Dillon, along with the intrepid traveler and creative artist, Mary-Ellen King, is dedicated to making waveski and kayak surfing accessible to people from all walks of life. With a focus on sharing experiences and stories through their lens, Waveski Adventurers covers events, conducts interviews with waveski and kayak surfers, and shares captivating stories and photos from their global travels.

Furthermore, Waveski Adventurers recognizes the financial constraints faced by some individuals passionate about waveski and kayak surfing. To support these aspiring athletes, Waveski Adventurers has established a Trust Program that provides an opportunity for waveski and kayak surfers to apply for funds to help them pursue their dreams and aspirations.

No matter what you surfing level is, the Reef Royalty International Waveski Open has something to offer everyone. Prepare to witness the incredible talent of waveski surfers from around the world and immerse yourself in the thrilling atmosphere of this premier event.

Entries strictly close, Friday 26 May 2023 – ENTER ONLINE

HAPPY NEW YEAR fellow Waveski Surfers, enthusiasts, family and friends, Since our last letter at the end of September, so much has happened to say the least! I am so excited to tell you all about what has transpired and what is in store for the next coming two years. I am very fortunate to have such great support from a vibrant Executive Committee, backed up by a stronghold of seasoned waveski surfing icons making up the subcommittee. Together we want to embrace the sport, grow it and share the love amongst so many more. Executive Committee Francois Steyn – Chairman Johann Momberg – Vice Chairman Nakita Rossouw – National Secretary Duran Martin – National Contest Director Darryl Moodie – National Treasurer Sub Committee Bruce Viaene – Media Liaison Trystan Viaene – PR, Director of WWST 2024 Ken – Training and Development  So, what have we been up to in the last 4 months?  Western Province Waveski Surfing hosted the Western Province Open at Jongensfontein, one of our favourite breaks. Jongens delivered and the vibe was amazing. Everyone stayed over in the town and enjoyed the surf pre and post the contest. We had an array of fantastic get togethers and many an hour was enjoyed around the fire, obviously with a glass of wine or beer in hand. We enjoyed our first competition incorporating the priority system, which will henceforth be used at our Opens. It was well received and grasped by all after an extensive training session hosted by Jacque Smit. It was not rocket science after all. Thank you Duran Martin for designing the system and shipping it down to us, a simple and practical solution. Live Heats was also successfully incorporated into this competition. We saw some fierce competition amongst a fantastic line up and in the end it was Mike Wessels who fell victim to Bruce Viaene and Etienne Ferreira to Malan Calitz in the Semis. Malan showed everyone why he is known as the comeback kid and executed some great tight maneuvers in the final to clinch the title from Bruce. He also lifted the amazing new floating trophy masterfully made by uncle John Wessels. Thanks to the WP Committee – Rory, Mike, Nakita, Schalk, Jacque and Ken – for such a great event. Notably we also need to thank our sponsors: Macski, West Peak Meats, Doubletree By Hilton, Sunset Surf, Cilliers Paddles, Cape Canopy Tours, Good Riddance Coffee, Oak Valley wines, Paul Wallace wines & Moortop Cottages.  Darryl Moodie has successfully been working on a number of areas of refinement which will be elaborated on below. They include a new SAWSA constitution, Provincial structures, selection criteria for World Champs and also the awarding criteria for National/Protea colours as approved by SASCOC.  Duran has completed our priority system and is also working on our national seeding system and a plan to combine a scoring system to eventually crown our national circuit winner at the end of the year. See below for more detail.  5 surfers represented South Africa at the World Champs in Ventura, California. See Bruce’s report below. Doug Hendrikz and Martin Ferreira represented South Africa at the World Para Surfing Champs in Pismo Beach, California in December.  You did us proud, well done to both of you, Trystan Viaene was appointed SAWSA’s bid director for hosting the World Waveski Surfing Titles in SA in 2024. Needless to say, she did an amazing job and brought it home to SA by successfully presenting our bid at the WWSA AGM in California. South Africa won the bid by means of canvassing more votes in favour over and above Australia. See Trystan’s fantastic winning proposal on our website to find out more about WWST 2024. Our Vice President Johann Momberg and I are working on aligning provinces to feed structure from SAWSA as a flow through from WWSA. Johann and his teammates in Eastern Province have made huge strides in resurrecting EP to its former glory and the number of their participants are steadily growing. We would like to see that to happen in Buffalo City / East London.  Nakita is working on retrieving contacts, obviously with individual permission to build our database to share our information to all that are interested in the sport, whether they are social surfers, supporters or competitive surfers. Nakita would also like to tighten up our calendar for the year. See her feedback below.  Ken Clements will be liaising with the training Camps in KZN with Gary Duminy, Buffalo City with Bruce Viaene, Johann and Eugene in PE and Morne, Darren, Sean and Pierre at Big Bay and Muizenberg to get dates to all for training camps for the year. See Ken’s message below.   Our new Website is up and running and content and photos are added to it to build it. We would like to list equipment suppliers on the site and also who to contact if you need anything related to the sport. Enthusiasts would also be able to sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date with what is happening. Our events schedule will also be loaded on the site. www.sawaveski.co.za    SAWSA has called for a new KZN AGM of all KZN SAWSA members for Sunday 29th January 2023 at 10am to be held at Pirates Surf Lifesaving Club, and the date for the WP and EP AGM is 25th January so we can align all fees for the year as from the 1st of March 2023 for the year to come. Fees will be payable to SAWSA and will automatically give you affiliation to your aligned club or province and SAWSA. You would be able to cast your vote at both levels. R700 per year will be split between SAWSA and the Province you reside in. Fees are not pro-rata for the year.  National Treasurer and CSA Representative – Darryl Moodie Happy New Year to all readers. May 2023 be a fantastic year for all of you and may you all be blessed with an abundance of great waves.  Since the publication of our inaugural newsletter in September last year, I am happy to report back on the status of the following developments:- The new SAWSA Constitution – this has been completed and is awaiting final ratification by the sitting SAWSA Exco, which should hopefully be completed by the end of January 2023 so it can be disseminated to all existing and potential members during February 2023 – viz prior to the commencement of the new SAWSA Financial Year as from 1 March 2023; Future Provincial structures – essentially this new SAWSA Constitution will not only govern the rules and procedures that must be followed by all paid-up members of SAWSA and the future Provincial Associations recognized by SAWSA, but it will hopefully serve to foster and maintain a positive, fun-filled and interactive spirit amongst the South Africa Waveski surfing community, in a manner researched and expressed by the majority of SAWSA members consulted since the start of this constitutional renewal process; Selection criteria for future South African Waveski Teams representing South Africa at the World Waveski Surfing Titles (WWST)– much work has been done with Canoeing South Africa (CSA) to ensure that the SAWSA Exco and SAWSA members conform to the rules and regulations of CSA in the selection of future SA Waveski Teams that will represent South Africa at future WWST events – especially for next year’s exciting WWST event that has been successfully secured at our own Nahoon Reef. This is essential as without adherence to these rules and regulations the awarding of full National (Protea) Colours cannot be guaranteed by CSA who deals with SASCOC on our behalf in the securing of full Protea Colours. In this respect I am sincerely grateful to the guidance received from Ant Stott and the patient assistance received from the sitting Secretary General of CSA – Mr Colin Simkins. Without their assistance this process would have been much more laborious; National (Protea) Colours for SA Team members that attended the recent WWST in Ventura, California – was successfully submitted to SASCOC via the CSA Secretary General, as noted above, and approval for the following SA Waveski members in accordance to the Canoe SA Age Categories:- Kai and Trent Williams for their outstanding performance in the “Junior” (Under 21) Division; Francois Steyn for his great performance in the “Senior” Division;  Trystan Vieane for her exemplary handling of the SA Team; and Both Bruce Viaene & Ken Clements were acknowledged for their performances in the Senior & Management capacities, but as they had already received Protea Colours previously, SASCOC stated there was no need to “re-award” these.  Restructuring of the SAWSA Financial setup in preparation of a concerted sponsorship and membership drive for 2023 – SAWSA has been formally registered with Standard Bank as a recognized “Association” and the SAWSA Exco is presently in liaison with Standard Bank to set up a properly structured SAWSA Association Bank Account with limited monthly fees (R17 per month to begin with but reducing to Zero once certain conditions have been met). This has required the approval, by Standard Bank, of at least 3 SAWSA Exco members that will serve as signatories for all payments and dealings with this Standard Bank account. This process will be formally completed in the next few weeks, following which all existing SAWSA  funds – currently held in the WP Bank Account – will be transferred to this new SAWSA Bank Account. As stated previously, this new structure will adequately serve to receive both new member and sponsorship commitments and will successfully safeguard the prudent expenditure of members/sponsors funds – especially with respect to the build up to next year’s WWST in South Africa. Once again may I wish you all the best for 2023 and may I humbly implore you all to see yourselves as ambassadors for our fine sport. In this respect I urge you all to encourage as many old members, contacts and  potential new waveskiers/sponsors to get behind SAWSA and continue to grow the interest in waveskiing in South Africa. Thank you one and all.  Worlds 2022, California, USA – Bruce Viaene  After four challenging years, the World Waveski Surfing Titles were finally set to take place in Ventura, California from November 7th to 14th. Despite the small waves, icy winds, and long travel, the South African team brought their enthusiasm and passion to the Pacific shores of California. From the first day, it was clear that the “Saffas” had arrived, with passionate support for each team member. Francois Steyn, Ken Clements, Bruce Viaene, Kai, and Trent Williams surfed hard and strategically to advance through the rounds of their respective Age and Open divisions. On the final day, only Kai and Trent made it to the age division final, with Kai bringing home a gold medal as World Champion, and Trent earning a close second place behind his older brother. Amongst the tasty burritos and spicy tacos, the team brought back valuable knowledge that only a contest of this caliber could provide. The GEES was unreal and we enjoyed cheer leading from our best supporters Kevin and Tracy Williams along with Jene’ Steyn who waived our flag high during the contest. Our support back home was unreal and we were followed through day and night on live heats and streaming. Thank you so much to all our Waveskiing folk and family back home. The team’s success was not limited to the water; Team Manager, Trystan Viaene, with the help of SAWSA President, Francois Steyn, presented a bid to host the 2024 World Titles in South Africa. Up against a formidable Australian team, Trystan successfully presented an excellent bid and received enough votes to bring this exceptional event to South Africa in 2024. All of this success is due to a growing and passionate group of members who are excited to see waveski surfing grow not only in South Africa, but worldwide. As the team focuses on the 2024 World Championships, all SAWSA members are encouraged to keep their eye on the prize and work towards representing their country in this historical event. Development – Ken Clements At our last SA Waveski Champs in 2022, each rider made a commitment to bring in one new rider in 2023. In this way each Province would double their riders from 2022. We would like to increase across all Divisions, especially in Girls & Ladies, and in boys under 12 & under 16. At Trials we would like to see more participation so we can select strong teams for each Province as well as for the SA Team in 2024. We would like to see Clinics run weekly or monthly in each Province. Please appoint a rider in each Province to coordinate this.  We need media personnel on Provincial committees so we can get as much publicity in those categories to help grow numbers.  Big Bay Waveski & Muizenberg Waveski will host the first WC – interclub Contest, Both committees are in discussion to set this up during Early 2023. (Tracey Sassen to assist this drive at Muizenberg) Newspapers/ Radio/ Use of Social media for publicity in each Province Schools – target schools for presentations World Champs 2024 – start recruiting riders to join in 2023 so we have a bigger SA Squad in for 2024 in the lacking age divisions. We would like to see Each Province aim to have preferably 4 x riders in each division for SA Champs 2023. National Contest Director – Duran Martin We are excited to announce the introduction of the SA Cup, starting this year. This will be a competitive circuit encompassing all the national events for the year (SA Champs and Provincial Opens). Competitors are awarded points for their positions in each event, with SA Champs awarding double points. The season over which points are calculated is tied to the annual calendar, starting January and ending on the last event of the year, where the SA Cup will be awarded to the highest scoring rider. This leaderboard is implemented via Live Heats and is accessible for viewing throughout the year to keep track of riders points and their positions. The structure for point allocations for positions in events is identical to what is being used by the World Waveski Surfing Association. We will also be taking advantage of this system to keep track of individual riders’ performance and better inform the seedings for national events. A separate leaderboard is in place to track events over a rolling period of the last two years from which the seedings are calculated. Good luck to all riders this year competing for the SA Cup! National Secretary – Nakita Rossouw Dates for this year ahead:  WP AGM – 25th January Border AGM – 27th January EP AGM – 27th January KZN SGM – 29th January New SAWSA financial year – 1st March Competitions 2023:  3-4 June – Reef Open (WWSA sanctioned event, governed by SAWSA) between 26 June-2 July – SA Champs in KZN 12-13 August – EP Open, Port Alfred 21-22 September – WP Open, WESKUS Competitions 2024:  28 June-5 July World Champs – Nahoon Reef There may be a reduced schedule this year & hosting 2 Opens in the final part of the year, stay tuned!  Our goal for the coming year is to share the love for the sport and develop new and younger riders to enter the sport and feel the stoke. Share the positive vibe in the water and grow the sport we love.  Share your views with us at info.sawsa@gmail.com See you in the surf, Francois & SAWSA Committee