Inaugural Cape Town Pro to Bring Country’s Top Surfers to Mother City in May
WSL QS1,000 Rated Events for Men & Women at Big Bay, Bloubergstrand

The World Surf League Africa regional office is proud to announce that the inaugural edition of the Cape Town Pro presented by Quiksilver comprising internationally rated Qualifying Series (QS) 1,000 events for men and women will be staged at Big Bay, Bloubergstrand on 6-8 May 2016.

Offering prize-purses of R30 000 for men and R20 000 for women, the events also contribute invaluable points on the WSL QS rankings which determine competitors’ qualification for and seeding into all rated events worldwide. The points will also count towards determining the annual regional WSL Africa champions.

“We are really happy to add the Cape Town Pro presented by Quiksilver to the WSL Africa calendar and thank all those who have made it possible,” said Colin Fitch, Operations Manager for WSL Africa, which is sanctioning the event. “ Hosting rated events in Africa is vital for the careers of our local members and gives them the opportunity to qualify for WSL events worldwide.”

The Cape Town Pro will be managed by Accelerate Sport in partnership with Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport and the City of Cape Town.

“We look forward to hosting an exciting world class surfing event in our beautiful City,” said Gary Grant, Managing Director of Accelerate Sport. “We already represent both World Surf League Africa and Surfing South Africa from a commercial, consultancy and development perspective and we are also able to create and manage our own events under both WSL and SSA’s auspices.”
The WSL events are expected to attract the top surfers from every corner of the coastline, including those who campaign internationally on the QS, to the Mother City. Fields of up to 48 men and 24 women are anticipated.

“The Cape Town Pro will be a welcome occasion to bring back professional surfing to the City of Cape Town and will contribute towards our mission of making Cape Town the events capital of the world,” said Mayor Patricia De Lille.

“We are proud to showcase an event like this in Cape Town as it is important to expose our youth to these sporting events,” said Anroux Marais, Provincial Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, whose department is happy to assist in the hosting of the event.

“I am excited about the development tournament part of the event and it is crucial that our youth are afforded the opportunity to see what is available to them so that their participation and future achievements can become a reality. This is another step closer to identifying local talent and growing sporting skills.”
The Cape Town Pro will also host 3A rated Pro Surf Tour (PST) events for Under 18 boys and girls on Friday 6 May. Sanctioned by Surfing South Africa, the national controlling body for the sport, there will be R5 000 in prize-money at stake in each division and the winners qualify for the QS events.

“We are pleased that elite surfing will be hosted in Cape Town,’ said Robin de Kock, General Manager of Surfing South Africa. “The Cape Town Pro presented by Quiksilver is a significant event for South Africa and Cape Town and will enhance the level of surfing in the country.”

Global apparel brand Quiksilver is happy to partner with the Cape Town Pro to promote the sport.

“We’re very excited to be partnering in this event and investing in surfing in South Africa,” said Dane Patterson, Quiksilver Sales and Marketing Manager. “There is an abundance of talented surfers in South Africa and events like this give them the opportunity to showcase their skills and progress their careers.”

Entries for the Cape Town Pro QS events can be submitted through the www.worldsurfleague.com website. The closing date for entries is 22 April 2016 and the costs are US $50 for men and $25 for women, excluding VAT.

Reigning WSL Africa champion David van Zyl (Glenashley) will be one of the top seeds in the Cape Town Pro at Big Bay Bloubergstrand in May. ©Luke Patterson

Issued on behalf of:

WSL Africa
Contact:            Colin Fitch – Operations Manager
Tel:                   021 534 5738
Email:               cfitch@worldsurfleague.com