LONG BEACH, Kommetjie, Cape Town, South Africa (Sunday, 30 March 2025) - Today, Jessie Van Niekerk and Adin Masencamp won the World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) Cape Town Surf Pro QS 1,000 in pulsing two-to-three foot surf at Long Beach, Kommetjie. As the final event of the WSL Africa 2024/2025 QS season, the stakes were at an all-time high to determine the regional champions and the 2025 Challenger Series qualifiers.
To add to the pressure of the event, small conditions forced a lay day on Saturday, but a new swell filled in overnight for a full day of action on Sunday. The building swell and strong offshore wind made for an exciting day with massive performances, capping off a memorable season for the WSL Africa region.
Adin Masencamp - WSL / Kody McGregor
Adin Masencamp Wins Rematch with Luke Thompson, Dedicates Win To His Mother
The men's Final felt like it was personal, with No. 1 Luke Thompson and No. 2 Adin Masencamp in a rematch of their clash at the Vic Bay Surf Pro. Both surfers produced some of their best surfing during the Cape Town Surf Pro, despite having surfed five heats each during the course of the day. Masencamp somehow had a bit extra in the tank and put Thompson against the ropes from the start.
Masencamp whacked out an excellent 8.83 (out of a possible 10) for his searing carves on his backhand, and with a 6.57 as a backup, Masencamp's total of 15.40 (out of a possible 20) was enough to overcome Thompson's 13.06 to secure the surfer from Strand his first QS win this season.
"I really wanted to get him back this time," Masencamp said. "I made a mistake in our Final at the Vic Bay Surf Pro and Luke (Thompson) capitalized on it. I really didn't want to make any mistakes in this heat, that was important to me. Luke is an amazing surfer, he pushes me to be the best I can be. I'm really excited to be on the Challenger Series with him. I think together we can really push each other and qualify for the World Tour."
This rivalry spurred him on, but there was a much stronger driving force behind Masencamp's intense focus and determination, and that was his mom's fight against cancer.
"More than anything else, I really wanted to win this for my mom. It's been a really difficult time for all of us, but it felt like all the stars aligned for this event. To win it for her, with friends and family on the beach, it means so much. I missed the first two events due to injury last year, so I couldn't afford any throwaway results. I'm really proud of myself, of the work I've put in to get here and I'm really excited for this year."
The men's Semifinals saw Thompson and Masencamp come up against Levi Epenetos and Jordy Maree. Thompson and Masencamp were the ones to beat, posting the highest heat totals of the day, but Epenetos and Maree weren't going to give up without a fight.
Epenetos made Thompson really work for it, but in the end Thompson advanced with a slight lead as the ocean went flat in the last few minutes.
Masencamp and Maree had a tight tussle but Masencamp kicked into another gear to execute a near-perfect ride, scoring a 9.17 to book his spot in the Final.
Jessie van Niekerk - WSL / Kody McGregor
Jessie van Niekerk Earns Hard Fought Win For Challenger Series Requalification
The tension was palpable in the air for the women's Final at the Cape Town Surf Pro, with more on the line than just the event title for Anastasia Venter and Jessie van Niekerk. Whoever came out on top, would claim the last remaining Challenger Series spot for the region.
Venter took control of the heat at the start, increasing the pressure on Van Niekerk to respond. Wave selection was the point of difference as Venter found a few gems that offered her more of an open face to work with. Van Niekerk clawed her way back into contention after making a few mistakes that almost cost her dearly.
"It was definitely a shaky performance," Van Niekerk reflected. "I would've loved to put together a few better heats, but I always hold on to a bit of faith that I can put it together at the end, trusting God to pull together all the pieces."
Her experience from competing on the Challenger Series shone through, and she found her best two scores as time was winding down and then utilised her priority to keep Venter off more opportunities. It was a tough loss for Venter, but a sigh of relief for Van Niekerk.
"I can pinpoint an exact heat on the Challenger Series where I pulled together the heat in eight minutes, instead of how you should do it in 25 minutes! My Challenger Series experience definitely plays into holding it together until the very last second. I'm starting my third season and I want to put in more work than what I've ever done and have a really solid season."
The Semifinals featured the top four women surfers in the draw. While Louise Lepront had an insurmountable lead at the top, it was a battle for the last remaining qualification spot for the 2025 Challenger Series between Natasha Van Greunen, Jessie van Niekerk and Anastasia Venter, with less than 10 points separating each other.
It was a nail-biting Semifinal between Van Greunen and Van Niekerk, with Van Greunen keeping the pressure on Van Niekerk until the dying seconds. Surfing with confidence after her win at the Vic Bay Surf Pro, it was heartbreak for Van Greunen when she didn't get the required score to advance over Van Niekerk, losing out on Challenger Series qualification.
In the second Semifinal, Venter surfed a smart heat against Lepront, to book her spot in the Final.
WSL Africa QS 2024/2025 Champions - WSL / Kody McGregor
WSL Africa 2024/2025 Regional Champions Crowned
Coming into this last event, no one could deny Louise Lepront and Luke Thompson the title of WSL Africa Regional Qualifying Series Champions for 2024/2025. Lepront and Thompson both enjoyed a stellar season with consistent results, and their stand-out performances at the Pro Taghazout Bay QS 3,000 in Morocco made a big difference to their points.
Lepront won the eThekwini Surf Pro QS 1,000 and the SA Open of Surfing QS 1,000 in Gqeberha and ended her season with an equal third-place at the Cape Town Surf Pro.
"I'm really excited to compete on the Challenger Series," Lepront said. "It's been such a fun couple of events leading up to this. I really hope I can make my country proud on the world stage."
Thompson won three events this season including the eThekwini Surf Pro, the Ballito Open and last weekend's Vic Bay Surf Pro. Ending off with a runner-up finish at the Cape Town Surf Pro, Thompson comfortably secured requalification for his third year on the Challenger Series.
"I feel like my first year I went in not knowing what to expect and had a decent year of results," Thompson said. "My second year I expected more of myself and got absolutely smoked, so I'm hoping I'll find a happy medium for my third season on the Challenger Series."
Challenger Series Qualifiers Confirmed
After wrapping up the sixth and final event of the 2024/2025 season, the region's Challenger Series qualifiers for 2025 were decided. The top four men and top two women on the final QS rankings qualify.
The men's qualifiers Luke Thompson, Adin Masencamp, Connor Slijpen, Luke Slijpen and the women's qualifiers Louise Lepront and Jessie van Niekerk will represent Africa on the Challenger Series.
The surfers will enjoy a good break before the 2025 Challenger Series kicks off in Newcastle, Australia in June for the first of five events.
The Cape Town Surf Pro QS 1,000 ran from 29-30 March 2025.
The Cape Town Surf Pro is proudly supported by City of Cape Town, Accelerate Sport, Surfing South Africa and Red Bull.
For more information visit WorldSurfLeague.com
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