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, at the weekend.

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.

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 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 capitalised 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.”

The tension was palpable in the air for the women’s final, 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.”

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