The Venue

Victoria Bay is a small bay about 5km East of George, with a right-hand point break running off its Western edge. The point is the primary wave in the bay, but there is also a slaby left on the far side of the bay and a beach break. The point can get heavy when the swell jacks which can make the paddle out a little nervy. To make matters worse when making the jump there is a blind section where you simply have to commit, if you get it right it’s a dry hair paddle out, if you get it wrong, it can end in broken fins and embarrassment in front of the crowed on the pier.

For the super supporters if the contest is running there are a few other waves in the area which are worth a surf. Just south of Vic Bay there is Herold’s Bay which picks up more swell and can get super heavy. Less than an hour back down the N2 is Mossel Bay with Inner Pool and Outer Pool. While further up the coast you will also find waves at Wilderness and Buffalo Bay.

Vic Bay is situated a comfortable 4 hour drive from Stellenbosch so it makes the ideal first stop on a winter road trip. Many an epic university road trip has centred on the event before venturing further up the coast to Jeffries Bay and for the more intrepid travellers, even further north to the Transkei.

If you are interested in making the trip as part of the super support crew speak to Ricki Allardice who is standing in the club chairman Andrew Mandy as the prim of the Maties Surf Club at the event.