Competitors Battle the Elements on Opening Day of SA Open of Surfing
The World Surf League Qualifying Series Stop No.4 of the 2024/2025 WSL Africa regional season, the SA Open of Surfing, completed the men’s and women’s Opening Round today in strong onshore winds with three-to-four-foot surf at Pollok Beach, Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape, on Saturday, 15 March, 2025.
Organisers waited for the morning sun’s glare to subside and the tide to improve before sending out the single heat of the women’s Opening Round. Cape Town’s Remi Fourie secured the win to advance to the next round where she will face second seed Jessie van Niekerk.
“The conditions are really tricky with the strong onshore, but Gqeberha is known for that,” Fourie said.
“I started with that wave on the right where I could fit in two turns, and then I got out the back scrambling for some lefthand rides that could give me a backup score. I’m really stoked I got the win and I’m excited to continue tomorrow.”
The SA Open of Surfing runs from 15-16 March 2025 at Pollok Beach, Gqeberha. Visit WorldSurfLeague.com for more updates.
The SA Open of Surfing is supported by Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Astron Energy, Accelerate Sport, Surfing South Africa and Red Bull.
SA Open of Surfing QS 1,000 Women’s Round of 10 Results
Heat 1: Remi Fourie (RSA) 9.83 def. Crystal Hulett (RSA) 6.17, Adriel Wolmarans (RSA) 4.86, Jasmine Venter (RSA) 2.67
SA Open of Surfing QS 1,000 Women’s Quarterfinals Matchups
Heat 1: Jessie van Niekerk (RSA) vs Remi Fourie (RSA)
Heat 2: Natasha van Greunen (RSA) vs Leah Lepront (RSA)
Heat 3: Louise Lepront (RSA) vs Lily Heny (RSA)
Heat 4: Anastasia Venter (RSA) vs Crystal Hulett (RSA)
Original Copy: WSL Africa, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Remi Fourie (pictured) and Crystal Hulett progressed from the Round of 10 to the Quarterfinals of the World Surf League’s Qualifying Series SA Open of Surfing, at Pollok Beach, Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape, on Saturday, 15 March, 2025. All Photos: Kody McGregor/World Surf League
Photo 2 Caption: Top seed Louise Lepront conducting media interviews ahead of Sunday’s Quarterfinals, where she will face Lily Heny.
Photo 3 Caption: Crystal Hulett finished second in Saturday’s Round of 10 behind Remi Fourie, to face Anastasia Venter in Sunday’s Quarterfinals round.
Crédito: Link de origem