GEORGE NEWS - The waves delivered, and so did the surfers.
From Friday to Sunday 2 to 4 May, Victoria Bay came alive as it hosted the 49th edition of the Vic Bay Quad in Memory of John Pfaff, an iconic interdistrict surfing competition organised by Eden Surfriders and Surfing South Africa.
The event celebrated both elite surf talent and Pfaff's enduring legacy. He was a legend in the South African surf community.
But it was a local senior surfer, Mervyn van Straeten (Eden), and a junior, Loghann Tilsley (15) of the Cape Winelands, who stole the show in the country's oldest surfing contest.
Loghann became the youngest surfer ever to win the open men's division. His sharp turns and confident approach in the final earned roaring applause from the crowd, which included surf legends and young groms alike.
Eden's very own salted Van Straeten delivered gold when he won in the men's over-60 division, while well-known local shredders Sean Holmes and Forrest Hair both landed third places on the podium in their respective divisions (men over 45 and men over 30).
In the men over 50 division, Gunther Schultz (Eden) took second place. Cape Town's former big wave world champion, another legend, Cass Collier, was first. Another Eden Surf Rider, Charlie Reitz, ended fourth.
Eden surfer Forrest Hair during his heat in the men's over-35 division. Photo: Jeff Ayliffe
Over the three days, 85 surfers from five districts, Eden, Cape Winelands, Cape Town Surfriders, Buffalo City and Nelson Mandela Bay Surfriders, competed in a series of hotly contested heats.
The Cape Winelands team emerged as the overall winners, claiming the prestigious team trophy in a show of consistency and flair.
Victoria Bay offers one of the most consistent right-hand point breaks along the South African coastline. Seasoned watermen have long described Vic Bay as a small-scale classic setup - a wave that provides a canvas for surfers to showcase their talent.
The organisers are especially grateful to George Municipality for its generous sponsorship and logistical support, and for granting access to this iconic surf break.
"In partnership with George Tourism, municipal services played a vital role in keeping the beach clean, safe and welcoming, ensuring the event was successful," said Eden Surf Riders' Izelke Benecke.
Local surfing legend Sean Holmes. Photo: Jeff Ayliffe
The Vic Bay Quad is designed to unite the surf community through friendly competition, kick-starting the masters surfing season and building momentum for the rest of the year.
Surfers compete to earn points for their districts in a format that rewards consistency and team effort.
It also supports youth upliftment through new partnerships with organisations like Local Motion & Local Vibes and The Surfer Kids NPO, who provided local teens with opportunities to assist and learn as part of the event.
Results:
• Over 60, men: Mervyn van Straeten (Eden)
• Over 50, men: Cass Collier (Cape Town Surfriders)
• Over 45, men: Tristan Johnson (Buffalo City)
• Over 35, men: Craig Johnson (Cape Town Surfriders)
• Over 30, men: Remi Peterson (Nelson Mandela Bay Surfriders)
• Open, women: Anastasia Venter (Cape Winelands)
• Open, men: Loghann Tilsley (Cape Winelands)
Mervyn van Straeten (Eden) won the men's over-60 division. Photo: Aidan Stokker
Katie Winter from Kommetjie in Cape Town took part in the women’s open division.
The women’s open division winner, Anastasia Venter, from the Cape Winelands.
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