Bigger and better eThekwini Surf Pro to launch exciting surfing season

NATIONAL SPORT - The World Surf League (WSL) Africa will officially launch their 2025/2026 Qualifying Series (QS), the start of an exciting season of surfing on the continent, with the eThekwini Surf Pro.

The second edition of the eThekwini Surf Pro includes a QS 2,000, a Junior Qualifying Series (JQS) 1,000 and Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) 1,000 for men and women. The window opens tomorrow and will run from 18 through 21 June 2025 at New Pier, Durban.

"We’re excited to return to Durban for the second edition of the eThekwini Surf Pro,” said Luqmaan Bruce, WSL Africa Tour Manager.

“This year’s event is set to be bigger and better, featuring a Qualifying Series, Longboard and Pro Junior divisions, and welcoming over 120 aspiring professional surfers from across South Africa and abroad."

Louise Lepront will compete in both the Pro Junior and Qualifying Series division at the eThekwini Surf Pro. Photo: WSL / Pierre Tostee

Pro Junior Division Joins The eThekwini Surf Pro Lineup
After the success of the inaugural edition in 2024, this year sees the eThekwini Surf Pro adding a Pro Junior division to the lineup. This will be the second stop on the junior tour for Africa.

Cape Town’s Connor Slijpen and Scottburgh’s Louise Lepront lead the charge as the top seeds in the Pro Junior division. They will come up against top contenders such as Levi Epenetos, Surprise Maphumulo, Anastasia Venter and Lily Heny. The wildcard spots have been awarded to Durban’s local stars, Siyanda Hewitt, Melokuhle Zotshana and Indiphile Osinachi.

Both Slijpen and Lepront have qualified for the Challenger Series and recently returned from the first stop in Australia, bringing a wealth of experience to Durban’s shores. The two youngsters will be competing in both the Pro Junior and the QS division at the eThekwini Surf Pro.

Former Durbanite and defending winner Luke Thompson will be competing at the eThekwini Surf Pro. Photo: WSL/Pierre Tostee

First Stop of the 2025/2026 Qualifying Series in Africa
The eThekwini Surf Pro QS 2 000 field is stacked with all the big names that have the potential to go all the way. As the first stop of the 2025/2026 QS season, the competitors are raring to go and start their season off with a good result.

Former Durbanite and defending winner Luke Thompson has been collecting a few impressive results this year and he really lets his surfing do the talking. Thompson will have stiff competition coming up against fellow Challenger Series competitors Adin Masencamp, Luke Slijpen and Thomas Lindhorst.

Morocco’s Teva Bouchgua and Lillias Tebbai will make their debut in Durban, competing in the men’s and women’s QS with their vast international experience. Bouchgua is a longtime QS competitor in the Europe region, and Tebbai is a multiple Moroccan national surfing champion.

Paris 2024 Olympian and born-and-bred Durbanite, Sarah Baum returns to her local break to challenge fellow Challenger Series surfers Louise Lepront and Jessie van Niekerk.

“I’m super excited to compete in the eThekwini Surf Pro,” said Baum.

“I grew up surfing in Durban, between the piers, and I can’t remember the last time I competed there. I’m excited to go back to my roots, and hopefully come away with a good result. The forecast is looking good, so it should be a fun week.”

Sam Christianson will be back at the eThekwini Surf Pro Longboard to defend his title. Photo: WSL / Pierre Tostee

World Longboard Tour Qualifying Spots Up For Grabs In Durban
The eThekwini Surf Pro Longboard will be the only event of the longboard season to determine the Africa qualifiers for the World Longboard Tour (WLT).

In 2024, Sam Christianson and Crystal Hulett took top honours and competed in the WLT. This year they return to defend their titles and fight for the WLT qualification. It will be tightly contested once again with the likes of former World Longboard Champion Steven Sawyer, Christy Gilmore and Tarryn King in the mix.

The eThekwini Surf Pro will be streamed live from Thursday, 19 June through Finals Day on Saturday, 21 June. Watch live on WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL YouTube or the free WSL app.
Crystal Hulett will be competing for World Longboard Tour qualification in Durban. Photo: WSL/Pierre Tostee