Nelson Mandela Bay Surf - Camps Bay High School

Nelson Mandela Bay Surf. Grade 9 learner, Ben Esterhuyse (15) from Camps Bay High School, delivered a remarkable performance at the recent Nelson Mandela Bay Surf Festival in Gqeberha. He earned two podium finishes in a week of elite competition.

A Rip Curl South Africa team rider, Esterhuyse began his campaign with a 2nd place finish in the U16 division at the Sea Harvest Pipe Junior event at Pollock Beach. He then stunned the field in the WSL JQS (World Surf League Junior Qualifying Series) Nelson Mandela Bay Pro Junior – an U20 Junior Men’s division. Here he also went head-to-head with some of the country’s top young surfers.

Despite being one of the youngest competitors, Ben advanced confidently through the rounds. The result – securing a strong 2nd place finish in the final. He earned 800 points and jumped to 2nd place on the National Junior Men’s Ranking.

“This is an outstanding achievement,” said Ms. Busi Ngcwama, Head of Sport at Camps Bay High School. “To place second in an U20 event at only 15 years old shows incredible talent, composure, and determination. We are immensely proud of Ben and excited to support him as he continues to rise in the world of competitive surfing.”

The Nelson Mandela Bay Pro Junior was the first stop in the 2025 JQS series. With this result, Ben Esterhuyse has firmly established himself as a surfer to watch this season.