The Wedge Classic bodyboarding and surfing contest returned to Wedge Beach,

Plettenberg Bay, from 7 to 12 July 202, as part of the Plett Ocean Festival. After a decade-long hiatus, this year’s Classic reignited the town’s winter spirit with fierce competitions, community-driven side events, and memorable moments on and off the waves.

Key Competitive Results

• Bodyboarding Open (Men’s):
  • Winner: James McNicol executed the highest-scoring El Rollo of the event, edging out local legend Wayne Craig in a tight final heat.
  • Runner-Up: Wayne Craig, defending his title from 2015, narrowly missed the podium by 0.2 points.
• Bodyboarding Open (Women’s):
  • Winner: Taylor Duncan impressed judges with a seamless sequence of aerial spins, securing her first Wedge Classic crown.
  • Third Place: “Granny Grom” veteran Marlene “Marnie” Visser, age 52, proved age is no barrier, landing a career-best 7.8 score on her final wave.
• Surfing Open:

• Winner: International competitor Kai Bowers from Australia stormed the final with a perfect 10-point barrel ride, marking the first non-South African victory in the Open surfing division.
• Runner-Up: South African under-21 talent Sipho Dlamini, whose powerful carves thrilled the crowd.

Crowd & Community Engagement

• Record Attendance: Thousands of spectators braved cool winter winds and intermittent drizzle, setting a new attendance record for the post–COVID era. Spectator shelters and heated pop-up cafés proved essential comforts.
• Triple Crown Karaoke Night: Hosted at Surf Café on 9 July, over-18 competitors traded wetsuits for microphones. Highlights included Marlene Visser’s unexpected rock-ballad rendition, which earned her a surprise “People’s Choice” bonus prize.
• Marine Science Symposium: Daily sessions drew over 300 attendees, featuring talks on coastal erosion and shark-spotter conservation initiatives led by Plett Shark Spotters. The symposium concluded with a community beach-cleanup that removed 120 kg of debris.

Memorable Moments

• Wildcard Heat: Local up-and-comer, 14-year-old Aaliyah Jacobs, captured hearts with her fearless drop-knee maneuvers during the junior bodyboarding semi-finals.
• Weather Drama: A midday squall on 10 July paused competition for 90 minutes, only to see competitors rush back into the surf once the swell picked up to a perfect 2.1 m wedge.
• Prize Payouts: Over R150 000 in cash and product prizes were awarded across all divisions, supported by event sponsors Rip Curl, Samsung, and Plett Tourism.

– The Wedge Classic Live Streams

Takeaways & What’s Next

• The Wedge Classic’s comeback solidifies Plettenberg Bay as a winter bodyboarding destination.
• With growing international interest—evident in Kai Bowers’s victory—the 2026 Classic is already anticipated to be the biggest yet.
• Local organizers are exploring a new “Night Surf” showcase under floodlights to capitalize on the event’s growing night-time popularity.

Additional Info You Might Like

• Planning to attend next year? Early-bird entries open December 2025, with discounted rates for junior and ladies divisions.
• Check out photo galleries and highlight reels on Plett Tourism’s official YouTube channel for action shots and behind-the-scenes interviews.
• Interested in marine conservation? The Plett Shark Spotters annual volunteer program applications open August 1.

If you’d like a deeper dive—interviews with winners, behind-the-scenes logistics or a visual storyboard concept for next year’s event—just let me know!