CITY SURF SERIES RETURNS IN 2021

The City Surf Series, a fully private owned surfing property by Accelerate Sport, will be making its much anticipated return to the South African shores in 2021 - including two stops along the Eastern Cape coastline.

The Series is the biggest, annual series of its kind amongst professional surfing events in the world and was poised to kick start on the 11th of April 2020. Unfortunately, due to the global disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and with the health and safety of all involved being top priority, it was decided that the best route would be to cancel the 2020 edition.

Accelerate Sport has been working in close co-operation with Surfing South Africa (SSA), World Surf League (WSL) and its respective partners to establish new dates to stage the tournament in 2021.

Gary Grant, MD of Accelerate Sport believes it was a responsible move to reschedule the series to next year, “We had previously hoped to delay the City Surf Series to later this year in anticipation that COVID-19 concerns might lessen. However, following continuous monitoring of health advisories and recent statements by WSL, Surfing SA and the government, it is safer for everyone concerned to move the series to 2021”.

Gary further added, “We are working on some exciting new ideas and additions for 2021 and we look forward to bringing together the surfing community in a healthy, safe and entertaining environment when the event returns next year. We would like to thank all our valuable partners who are supportive of the decision to move the series to 2021. Most importantly, our thoughts and sympathies are with all the families who have lost loved ones due to this pandemic”.

2021 provisional dates and venues:

• 3 – 5 April: Royal St. Andrews Hotel Port Alfred Classic

• 9 – 11 April: Nelson Mandela Bay Pro

• 16 – 18 April: George Vic Bay Classic

• 22 – 26 April: Cape Town Pro

• 12 – 16 June: VW SA Open of Surfing

In addition, plans are underway to secure events in Durban, Lambert’s Bay, the KZN South Coast and Mossel Bay – further details to follow.

Commenting on the legacy of the series in the world of surfing, Francisco Spinola, WSL Regional Director (Europe - Middle East and Africa) for EMEA said, “The City Surf Series has helped not only South Africa but the rest of the world to show how to run very successful series of smaller QS events back to back with great success. It has been the foundation of the resurgence of surfers from South Africa”. He concluded, “The international wins by David Van Zyl in Hawaii, Jordy Maree in Indonesia and Shane Sykes who came in 5th place in Morocco, has shown that a healthy domestic tour like the City Surf Series will go a long way to grow the level of surfing in the region”.

Robin de Kock, GM of Surfing South Africa said, “Surfing South Africa is disappointed that the City Series will not be taking place this year. The health and safety of the surfers, officials and spectators at Surfing South Africa sanctioned events is paramount and clearly the right decision has been taken. We look forward to working with all of our partners on the City Surf Series when it gets underway in early April next year”

Accelerate Sport will continue to monitor the situation, with the priority being placed on the health and safety of athletes, officials, fans and the community at large.

To learn more, please visit www.citysurfseries.co.za

About City Surf Series

The City Surf Series is an Accelerate Sport owned and managed surfing property. Accelerate Sport has collaborated with Surfing South Africa (SSA) and the World Surf League (WSL) in order to create and facilitate a competitive platform for WSL Qualifying Series events to the benefit for local South African surfers.