Entries are now officially open for the Royal St Andrews Hotel Rip Curl Cup, a World Surf League Qualifying Series QS 4,000 event set to take place as part of the Port Alfred Easter Festival, running from 3 to 6 April 2026.
The event marks a major milestone for the festival, with the Royal St Andrews Hotel Rip Curl Cup elevated to World Surf League (WQS) Qualifying Series (QS) status for the first time in its three-year history. With QS 4,000 points on offer for the men and QS 2,000 points for the women, the contest stands as one of the most significant competitive surfing events on the South African calendar.
Royal St Andrews Hotel Rip Curl Cup
“We’re incredibly excited to welcome both the Rip Curl Cup and the Rip Curl GromSearch to the third Port Alfred Easter Festival,” said Justin Bekker of the ROYAL ST ANDREWS HOTEL.
“Hosting the Rip Curl Cup as a WSL-rated event for the first time lifts the festival onto an international stage and strengthens Port Alfred’s standing as a world-class surfing destination. It creates a strong platform for emerging talent while bringing elite-level competition to our coastline. We are proud to partner with Rip Curl in delivering an event of this calibre.”
As a key late-season Qualifying Series contest, the Royal St Andrews Hotel Rip Curl Cup is expected to attract a strong field of local and international competitors chasing valuable ranking points and momentum. The event plays an important role in shaping qualification outcomes for the WSL Challenger Series, the next tier of professional surfing.
The contest forms part of a broader Port Alfred Easter Festival programme that includes multiple sporting and lifestyle events, creating a full long-weekend experience for surfers, families, and visitors.
Kowie River
Port Alfred’s long right-hand sand-bottom break at the mouth of the Kowie River, and reliable autumn conditions, provide an ideal stage for high-performance surfing. With favourable swell windows and a compact event zone, the location continues to prove its suitability for events at this level.
Entries are now open via the official WORLD SURF LEAGUE platform. Competitors are encouraged to enter early, as participation is limited and interest is expected to be high.
Event: Royal St Andrews Hotel Rip Curl Cup
Status: World Surf League Qualifying Series QS 4,000 Men, QS 2,000 Women.
Location: Port Alfred, Eastern Cape
Dates: 3–6 April 2026
Boilerplate and Editor’s Notes.
More Info on Entries Open for the Royal St Andrews Hotel Rip Curl Cup WSL QS 4,000 at the Port Alfred Easter Festival here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PortAlfredEasterFestival
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Alan Straton
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