GEORGE NEWS - South Africa's leading junior surfers delivered three days of outstanding performances at the 2026 Billabong Junior South African Surfing Tour (SAST) presented by Island Tribe, held at Victoria Bay from 25 to 27 September in fun and highly contestable conditions.
Solid surf sets the pace on day one
Day one opened with solid four-foot conditions, providing an exciting platform for the country's top junior surfers to showcase their talent.
Rounds one and two of the U18, U16, U14 and U12 boys divisions were completed, and several exceptional performances set the standard for the weekend.
Slayde Shooter posted an excellent 9.00-point ride, while Cody Painter produced one of the highest-scoring waves of the day with a 9.50. Ben Esterhuyse was another standout, earning an excellent 8.00-point ride.
Rain, mist and excellent scores on day two
Day two welcomed competitors with pristine two-to-three-foot surf, accompanied by periods of rain throughout the day. Mist drifted in and out of the bay, adding to Victoria Bay's dramatic atmosphere.
The girls' opening rounds, remaining second rounds and all quarter-finals were completed. A particularly thick spell of mist arrived around midday, reducing visibility and forcing the competition to be placed on hold for about an hour until the conditions cleared.
Despite the rain and interruption, the surfers produced outstanding performances.
Camilla Heuer recorded an 8.67-point ride, Emily Jenkinson earned a 9.00, Owen Heny scored an 8.33 and Lila Aszalos posted an exceptional 9.67, the highest single-wave score of the day.
The day concluded with another special beachfront movie night featuring Chasing Mavericks. Surfers, families and local spectators gathered beneath the marquee to enjoy the film on the big screen, plied with free popcorn.
Budding grom Ziggy Smith, the son of the legendary Jordy Smith.
Champions crowned on finals day
Light onshore winds greeted the competitors on the final day, but the fun two-foot conditions offered plenty of waves and opportunities for high-performance surfing.
Standout rides included an 8.50 from Lazaro de Bruyn, while Esterhuyse demonstrated his versatility across two divisions with an 8.50 in the U16 boys and an 8.83 in the U18 Boys.
Emily Jenkinson continued her strong run with an excellent 8.83-point ride.
Finals day began with one of the most heart-warming heats of the weekend as Koa King and Ziggy Smith met in the super groms final. Competing man-on-man with their fathers, Thomas King and Jordy Smith, caddying for them in the water, the two young surfers showed incredible enthusiasm and commitment.
Both surfers absolutely sent it, providing a thrilling glimpse into the future of South African surfing. Koa ultimately took the win over Ziggy in a memorable final enjoyed by everyone on the beachfront.
Kai Stubbs
Lila Aszalos posted an exceptional 9.67.‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
