The World Surf League Africa is excited to announce a one-day Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) 1,000 at the Surf Emporium SA Longboard Championships in Jeffreys Bay on May 2, 2026. This is the only LQS event in the region and will award one male and one female a spot on the World Longboard Tour (WLT) for 2026.
Surf Emporium, the iconic surf shop and surf school in Muizenberg, has come on board in a big way to support longboarding in South Africa. The Surf Emporium SA Longboard Championships is set to run from April 27 – May 2 at Lower Point in Jeffreys Bay, followed by the WSL LQS 1,000.
“It’s exciting to come on board for an event that centres local athletes and surfing on a global scale,” said Samantha Redelinghuys, Surf Emporium CEO. “Sponsoring SA champs and the LQS in Jeffreys Bay means giving everyone, new and experienced, a place to be welcomed and celebrated for their hard work and spirit at one of the best surf spots in South Africa. We’re looking forward to a week of surfing and celebrating all that our sport has to offer. Regardless of their outcome, everyone deserves a space to feel welcome and seen, and that is what we’re all about.
The LQS 1,000 will also award one male and one female with a spot on the WSL World Longboard Tour for 2026. South Africa has had great representation on the tour in the past with the likes of former World Longboard Champion Steven Sawyer, and multiple SA champions Crystal Sawyer, and Sam Christianson.
“We are so excited to bring an LQS to a world class wave such as Lower Point in Jeffreys Bay, a town that holds such a rich surfing history,” said Luqmaan Bruce, WSL Africa Tour Manager. “This is the best place to qualify for the World Longboard Tour and we’re looking forward to an incredible day of surfing.”
Lower Point in Jeffreys Bay has hosted multiple competitions before, and the long, mellow right-hand point break is ideal for high-performance longboarding.
“The South African Longboard Championships once again places our coastline on the national stage, but more importantly, it delivers real value to our local economy,” said Kouga Executive Mayor, Hattingh Bornman.
“Every visitor who comes to compete or support this event contributes to our restaurants, accommodation establishments, and small businesses. We are intentional about attracting events like this because they stimulate economic activity, support jobs, and position our region as a destination of choice. This is how we build a local economy that works for our people, by opening our doors, backing events that bring investment, and making Kouga a place where both tourism and talent can thrive. I wish all the competitors the very best for the championships. May the conditions be excellent, the competition fierce, and your time in Kouga both memorable and rewarding. We look forward to seeing outstanding performances in the water and sharing in the spirit of this incredible event.”
The competition will feature an incredibly deep field of experienced competitors. Jeffreys Bay local Steven Sawyer enters the event as the top seed, followed by Oliver Packham, Sam Christianson, and Guy Campbell. In the women’s draw, Crystal Sawyer is the top seed followed by Cara Stubbs, Tarryn King and 2025 SA Champion Christy Gilmour.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.