Eden surfers prepare for SA Longboarding Championships

GEORGE NEWS - Garden Route longboarders put their skills to the test over two weekends as the Eden Longboarding Trials were held at Victoria Bay and Buffalo Bay, selecting a team to represent the region at the South African Longboarding Championships in Jeffreys Bay.

The trials took place at Victoria Bay on 28 February and Buffalo Bay on 28 March, drawing 40 local surfers who competed across nine divisions, from U16 boys and girls through to the Veterans and Kahunas categories.

The selected Eden team will head to Lower Point, Jeffreys Bay, from 27 April to 2 May for the national championships, where more than 200 of South Africa’s top longboarders are expected to compete in one of the country’s premier surfing events.

In addition to the national championships, the World Surf League (WSL) will host a Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) event, giving surfers the chance to compete internationally and earn ranking points on the global longboarding circuit.

Competitors at the Eden trials were judged on their ability to perform controlled manoeuvres in the critical sections of the wave while making full use of their board and the wave itself.

In longboarding, style is crucial. Judges reward flow, grace and technical skill, looking for classic elements such as nose riding, rail surfing, smooth footwork and overall control on the wave.

Both Victoria Bay and Buffalo Bay offered excellent conditions for the trials, allowing surfers to demonstrate wave selection and technical ability across a variety of surf.

Organisers said the trials highlighted the depth of longboarding talent along the Garden Route, with strong performances across all age groups.

The final Eden Longboarding Team to compete at Jeffreys Bay is expected to be announced later this week.

Lower Point is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s best longboarding waves and will host surfers from across the country as they vie for national titles in their respective divisions.

Events like the Eden trials continue to showcase the strength of the Garden Route’s surfing community, where surfers of all ages share a passion for the ocean and the timeless style of longboarding.