Sunset Night Surfing Challenge

Surfers of all ages will compete in shortboard, longboard and bodyboard heats when the 7th edition of the Sunset Surf Club Night Surfing Classic returns to the Pipe, Pollok Beach, Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth.

When the sun sets on Pollok Beach on Friday 5th and Saturday 6th December 2014, a group of enthusiastic surfers will be suiting up and diving into the dark, moonlit waves. They will continue to battle it out through the waves during dusk and into the night under the glow of special flood lights on the beach, finishing at just after midnight on the Friday night and at
22h30 on Saturday night after which the awards ceremony will be held.

The Sunset Surf Club Night Surfing Classic organiser Addie Jappie and Lesley Doming of Algoa FM are expecting a bigger turn out of surfers and spectators this year. Bodyboard heats will be included for the first time.

“The Pipe is a great location for this competition as it forms an amphitheatre when the sun goes down and the lights are switched on. In so many ways it’s become a classic contest, and although the club failed to secure its regular sponsorship from Surfing South Africa and Sport and Recreation South Africa this year, we are confident the event will take place.” Jappie says.

Sunset Surf Club welcomes surfers of all skill levels pro, amateur and novice in all age groups (groms, juniors, ladies and legends) to enter the contest, the only one of its kind in
the country run by a surf club.

“The idea is to bring the whole family to the beach at night, it is also one of the only contests in which a grandparent and grandchild can surf in the same contest. The young ones have a chance to rub shoulders with the most accomplished surfers. There’s a competitive edge to the contest but it’s also a community event.” Jappie says.

The timing of the Sunset Surf Club Night Surfing Classic coincides with the annual Nelson Mandela Bay Summer Season.

Thus far the club received valuable support from Algoa FM once again for media and advertising sponsorship, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality for the temporary floodlights and product sponsorships from Quiksilver, Roxy, RVCA, Surf Centre, Soul Good, La Zila Projects and EPSC.

This year’s contest promises to be a spectacular sight, with improved lighting, a whole host of beach activities for all ages, including live music by Port Elizabeth band “The Brothers” and Brazilian band, “Napalma”, dance exhibitions by local dance groups, a beachwear fashion show with clothing provided by Surf Centre and a skate off competition.

For the safety of the competitors, lifesavers from Hobie Beach Lifesaving Club will patrol the waters throughout the contest on watercraft and shark prods will be secured to bouys behind the breaking waves as a safety precaution.

The age groups are: Under 10 and 12 Boys and Girls; Under 14 and 16 Boys and Girls; Under 18 Girls: Under 20 Boys; Open Ladies and Men; Seniors; Masters; Veterans, Long Board and Boogie board including a  Paddle Battle for Under 12 to Under 16 boys and girls.

This year the club is looking forward to participation of three out of town clubs, surf school run by international surf judge, Cyril Mqadi who recruits street children, in Durban, Jeffrey’s Bay surfers from Pelsrus community managed by Ettiene Venter and Nine Miles Project run by Nigel Savel from Cape Town. For many of the participants, this is the only event in the country giving them an opportunity to surf at night under floodlights.

The “Learn to Surf” session for beginners will be held on Saturday 6th December from 11h00 – 13h00 there will be instructors and coaches available providing free surf lessons to youngsters interested in trying the sport, with top surfers offering words of advice and vital tips. Surfboards and wetsuits will be provided to all by Sunset Surf Club.

There are still various sponsorship opportunities for individuals and businesses available. 

For further information and to enter please contact Addie Jappie on 082 042 6820 or email to sunsetsurfclub@gmail.com
Can also enter on the beach from 15h30 on Friday 5th, the first comp day.

MORE ABOUT SUNSET SURF CLUB

Sunset Surf Club was formed on the 16th February 1988 in the northern areas of Port Elizabeth to introduce the sport to the disadvantaged communities primarily at the Pipe, Pollok Beach where regular surfing clinics are held and which the club has been doing for more than 2 decades. Sunset Surf Club is affiliated to the Eastern Province Surfing Council and Surfing South
Africa.

The purpose was primarily to engage the youth in extra-mural activities in order to combat crime, drugs and violence. Initially the founding members went to numerous schools in the northern areas at the time to promote surfing by conducting surfing videos sessions to the school children and encouraging them to participate in the club’s surfing development programme.

The primary focus of Sunset Surf Club, is on surfing development and to increase our club’s membership and to enhance spectator inspiration and involvement to the lifestyle associated to surfing.

The club has been in existence for 26 years and invested significant time, money and effort in fostering and developing surfing in the previously disadvantaged areas of Port Elizabeth.

Making regular use of The Pipe, Pollok Beach surf venue and Denville Beach, Sunset Surf Club is definitely one of the country’s more laid back clubs. With the lack of a structured league to compete in, surf sessions are carried out ad hoc; in short, whenever the opportunity presents itself! Complete beginners as well as experienced surfers are well catered for, and there is always the possibility of trips around the country’s coastline, so the club is an excellent option for those looking to try something new in a less competitive environment. The whole point of the Sunset Surf Club is to get people up on boards and enjoying themselves!

To join our “Learn to Surf” programme come and meet us at Denville Beach (next to Mc Arthur’s Pool) on a Sunday morning from the first weekend of September to the last weekend in May the following year, send an email to sunsetsurfclub@gmail.com or join the Sunset Surf club Facebook group and we'll keep you up to date with what is going on at the club and how you can take part in it’s activities.

Sunset Surf Club cater for all skill levels, whether you’re an experienced surfer or have never donned a wetsuit before you can use the clubs surfboards and wetsuits to get you started, or to improve your technique.
 
Sunset Surf Club's proudest moment:

One of the best things that the club did was when it hosted the first and only night surfing competition in 2008 which is held every year in the first week of December. The attendance and the feedback is always positive, along with the waves during the event.

Several members represented Eastern Province Surfing and Surfing South Africa in national and international competition – and 3 members represented South Africa as team managers and 2 members represented South Africa as competitors.

To join the “Learn to Surf” programme or the club get in touch with
Addie Jappie Cell: 082 042 6820 or Foozie Jappie Cell : 079 505 7308
Email: sunsetsurfclub@gmail.com
Fax to email: 086 600 5968