Only in Africa

The WSL speciality event is the cherry on the cake on the weekend while the total numbers for the long, short and SUP boarders is set to exceed 150.

Cape Town is home to some of South Africa's top longboard champions, including 2016 Champion and Muizenberg local Alfonso Peters (top seed in the Men’s Longboard Division), with 2015 Champion and two time ISA World Champion Matthew Moir, seeded second. 2016 Tigers Milk champion and ISA Women’s World Champion Simone Robb of Kommetjie is top seed in the women's but will face tough competition from 2015 champion and seven time South African Surfing champion Kay Holt.

Further challenges in the Men’s could come from locals Tao Farren Hefer, Nobel de Castro and Kwezi Qika as well as provincial representatives Tristan Lev and Krystal Tavernor, Deborah Patterson, Therese Russel and Angela Craemer.

STYLING: Longboarders join shortboarders and SUP riders in the event. Photo WSL / Fotor

A prize purse of R18,000 has been reserved for the finalists in the WSL longboarding event, with another purse of R9,000 to be shared by longboarders who reach the finals of the seperate Over 40 and Over 23 divisions. An additional R18 000 will be on offer to competitors in the shortboard and SUP division

The first heats get underway on Friday, and concludes with the final rounds of all Longboarding, Surfing and Stand Up Paddling divisions on Sunday. One of the most well supported groups is the Over 40 Longboard division and the new additions to the event, the Under 23 Men’s and Women’s, not far behind. All contestants will receive a Tigers Milk voucher and a commemorative event hoodie while finalists in the nine divisions will share close to R50000 in prize money and over R36000 in prizes.

Gavin Moir, who represented South Africa in Brazil in 2000, leads the charge in the Over 40 group with SA Longboard Chairman Paul O’ Connell and SSA Board member Isaac February also in the mix. In the Open Men’s surfing Division 2017 National Team member, SWOT Surf Club stalwart and ‘Berg local Brandon Benjamin will be hoping to celebrate his return from the ISA World Games in France with a win at his local break. His challenges will come from fellow SWOT Club members locals Dillon Fernandez and Craig Johnson, top young Surfshack campaigner Paul Sampson Chudleigh and Donovan Wichmann.

FUN DAY: People of all ages come down to the beach for a great day out. Photo Fotor

SA Team members Tanika Hoffman and Faye Zoetmulder, Tarryn Chudleigh and multiple SA Champion Tasha Mentasti are the pick in the highly competitive women’s surfing division.

The Under 23 Longboard divisions are new to the event and feature talented younger longboarders making their mark. The pick of the Men’s Sup division is Nathan Van Vuuren and in the Women’s Sup it's Chelsea Van Rooyen.

Finalists will also win prizes from Mami Wata, a support sponsor including clothing, t-shirts, caps and other items as well as the grand prize of a beautifully crafted longboarded shaped by Hugh Thompson. The Heat Draw and daily schedule for the Tigers Milk Winter Classic is posted on www.surfingsouthafrica.co.za

While the Tiger’s Milk Winter Classic will showcase the skills of many of South Africa’s top Longboarders, Surfers and Stand Up Paddlers it will also support a Surfing South Africa Outreach initiative. This initiative will be coordinated by SSA Development Officer Danielle Johnson and will take place at Surfers Corner from 10am to 1pm on Sunday June 11th.

HANG FIVE: Old and New School will be on show at Muizenberg Corner this weekend. Photo Field

About 60 young surfers from a number of community based outreach programmes that use surfing to change the lives of marginalised youth will participate in a surf contest with the top four teams winning medals for their efforts.

During the programme a Tag Team format will be used which will see groups of five boys and girls surfing together as teams. In this way organisers ensure that every participant plays a role in the project. Although the Outreach programme is geared towards giving surfers from disadvantaged communities the opportunity to participate in a team focussed surfing contest, the main objective of the initiative is enjoyment.

Each participant will receive a commemorative Tigers Milk T shirt, a goodie bag as well as refreshments and meals which will be provided by Tiger’s Milk and their suppliers

The Tiger’s Milk Winter Classic is supported by Mami Wata in partnership with Wavescape.

SHREDDABLE: Jordy Maree is always a standout at this speciality event. Photo Fotor

ABOUT TIGER’S MILK RESTAURANT & BAR

Located in the heart of the Cape Town Surf scene, Tiger’s Milk brings both a heightened sense of excitement and delicious food to Surfer’s Corner in Muizenberg. Serving generous portions of all your favourite food with a panoramic view of the bay is a hard combination to beat. Through the expansion of the brand to six stores, Tiger’s Milk has held on to the ethos that their customers have fallen in love with: mouth-watering food enjoyed in a festive environment. It is Tiger’s Milk's love for surfing led them to host the Tiger’s Milk Surf Classic in 2015, the Tiger’s Milk Winter Classic in 2016 and now the third edition of the event in 2017. Their aim in sponsoring this surf contest is simple; to promote surfing as a sport in South Africa and provide accessibility to emerging surfers. www.tigersmilk.co.za

TOES ON NOSE: The rollers of Muizenberg lend themselves to moves like this. Photo Fotor

ABOUT MAMI WATA

Mami Wata is a global African surf brand based out of Cape Town. Launched in 2016 they design and produce premium surf apparel, surfboards and accessories. High quality and long lasting products are designed to survive your African surf adventures and manufactured ethically in Africa. Available globally online and in select surf stores in South Africa. “Mami Wata” is West African pidgin literally meaning ‘Mama Water’ or ‘Mother Ocean’. Mami Wata is the African water spirit who appears in the shape of a mermaid. It is said that those who she takes for her lovers, return with a new spirit and become more successful and good looking. www.mamiwata.surf

PRIZE MONEY:
WSL Mens Longboard – R12,000
WSL Womens Longboard – R6,000
Mens Surfing – R5,000
Womens Surfing – R5,000
Over 40 Longboards – R3,000
U23 Mens Longboards – R3,000
U23 Womens Longboards – R3,000
SUP Men – R3000
SUP Women – R2000