Close to 100 surfers representing seven Districts out of three Provinces will compete in the 27th edition of the Sea Harvest South African Grommet Games at the Pipe, Pollock Beach in Nelson Mandela Bay from this Thursday to Sunday.
This unique surfing tournament, which is sponsored by Sea Harvest and supported by the Department of Sport and Recreation South Africa, will get under way on Thursday March 21st at The Pipe, Pollock Beach in Port Elizabeth.
The South African Grommet Games was introduced into South African surfing culture after unification in 1991. The first SA Grommet Games was held in Jeffreys Bay but moved to the Pipe in Port Elizabeth in 1992 where it has been held every year since then. The event was introduced into South African surfing as a commitment to transformation and development.
The primary objective of the Grommet Games was to give young surfers from different backgrounds, communities and cultures the opportunity to participate in a tournament that not only had a competitive element but also focused on fun, camaraderie and social interaction.
Many South African surfers who began their competitive surfing careers at the Grommet Games have gone on to compete at National and International level and this is clear evidence that the strategy behind the presenting of the annual tournament is sound.
The Sea Harvest SA Grommet Games will always have its place in South African surfing history as a vital and important component in the growth of the sport.
The 2019 Sea Harvest Grommet Games will feature eight age divisions for girls and boys with the youngest surfers in the contest competing in the Under 8 Division and the oldest taking part in the competitive Under 16 Boys and Girls group.
The annual Grommet Games highlights the ongoing transformation process within the sport with Districts adhering to strict targets set by Surfing South Africa when it comes to selecting their teams.
While much of the focus is on surfing, events such as a paddle battle and the Sea Harvest Aloha Cup tag team surfing competition are included in the activities that take place over the four days.
The Team that posts the highest combined points total will take home the Mandela Bay Trophy, which has been won by Cape Town Surfriders every year since 2014.
The team that displays the most spirit and support during the contest will win the coveted Team Spirit Trophy, which last year was won by the Cape Winelands Surfriders…
Teams competing at this year’s event represent Cape Town Surfriders, Cape Winelands Surfriders, Eden Surfriders, Buffalo City Surfriders, eThekweni Surfriders, Ugu Surfriders and hosts Nelson Mandela Bay Surfriders.
Results and photos will be posted on the Surfing SA Facebook page and right here on SSA website.
Surfing South Africa is the recognized governing body for the sport in South Africa and a member of the South African Confederation of Sport and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), the African Surfing Confederation (ASC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA).