The World Surf League (WSL) Africa Qualifying Series (QS) 2024/2025 season culminates this weekend with the Cape Town Surf Pro QS 1,000. Surfers will gather at the renowned Long Beach in Kommetjie, Cape Town, for the final event of the season, which is part of the City Surf Series. This event is crucial for surfers aiming to secure their spots on the 2025 Challenger Series.
Key Takeaways
- The Cape Town Surf Pro is the final event of the WSL Africa QS 2024/2025 season.
- The top four men and top two women in the WSL Africa QS rankings will qualify for the 2025 Challenger Series.
- The Challenger Series is a pathway to the elite Championship Tour (CT).
- Current ranking leaders Louise Lepront and Luke Thompson are in strong positions.
The Road to the Challenger Series
The Cape Town Surf Pro serves as the sixth and final stop on the WSL Africa QS tour. It offers a critical opportunity for the region’s top surfers to not only claim the season’s rankings but also to earn a coveted spot on the 2025 Challenger Series. The Challenger Series is the penultimate step for surfers aspiring to join the elite Championship Tour (CT) in 2026, featuring a global circuit of five events.
Dominant Performances and Close Contests
Louise Lepront and Luke Thompson have showcased exceptional form throughout the season, leading their respective rankings. Lepront, a 16-year-old talent, has secured victories at the eThekwini Surf Pro and the SA Open of Surfing, demonstrating her potential on the international stage. Thompson has had a remarkable season, winning three events, including the eThekwini Surf Pro and the Ballito Open, and a significant third-place finish in Morocco has cemented his top ranking. Thompson brings valuable experience from two previous Challenger Series seasons.
The battle for the remaining Challenger Series berths is intense. Adin Masencamp holds a strong second position in the men’s rankings, aiming for requalification. Close behind him, a tight competition is unfolding among surfers like Connor Slijpen, Joshe Faulkner, Thomas Lindhorst, Luc Lepront, and Luke Slijpen, with only a few hundred points separating them.
In the women’s division, Natasha van Greunen is riding a wave of confidence following her maiden WSL QS victory at the Vic Bay Surf Pro. Her win, coupled with a runner-up finish at the SA Open of Surfing, propelled her to second place in the rankings, pushing Jessie van Niekerk to third. The final qualifying spot is fiercely contested, with Anastasia Venter closely trailing Van Niekerk, making the Cape Town Surf Pro the decider for this crucial position.
The first official call for the Cape Town Surf Pro is scheduled for Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 7:30 a.m. GMT+2. The event is proudly supported by the City of Cape Town, Accelerate Sport, Surfing South Africa, and Red Bull.
Sources
- Cape Town Surf Pro To Round Off WSL Africa 2024/2025 Qualifying Series, World Surf League.
