J-Bay to host Billabong Surf Festival

The third leg of the four-event Billabong ‘Girls Get Out There’ Surf Series will be staged in the surfing Mecca of Jeffreys Bay on Sunday where girls can experience the joys of the beach lifestyle with loads of activities taking place at the Main Beach.

Alongside the popular free ‘Learn to Surf’ and Yoga sessions, there will be a Novices surf contest and a ‘Make UR Mark’ creative workshop where girls can add their input to marine themed canvasses that will be auctioned and the proceeds donated to the Ajubatus Marine & Wildlife Rescue facility for the rehabilitation of penguins at Seal Point Lighthouse.

“It’s about sand between your toes, salty sun bleached hair, surf, freedom and laughter,” explains Jeannie Castle, marketing manager for Billabong Girls.

“This event aims to inspire girls to enjoy the healthy natural surfing lifestyle, give them confidence to be comfortable with themselves, have fun and creatively make their mark.”

Starting at 9am on Sunday 17 December at the Main Beach in town, the Novices surf contest is open to all girls under the age of 18 who have never surfed in a contest before. Entries will be taken on the beach and the top finishers in the event will take home hampers of the sponsors’ products.

The free ‘Learn to Surf’ lessons cater for any girl who wants to try her hand at riding waves. All surfing equipment is provided and the lessons will be conducted by fully qualified and Surfing South Africa accredited surf instructors, well versed in teaching beginners the basics of how to stand up and ride their first wave.

The free Soft Lips Yoga sessions are also open to all and the techniques practiced during these sessions are designed to assist anyone in becoming more supple.

The Make UR Mark workshop comprises ocean orientated canvasses erected on easels at the event site where girls can use the freely provided brushes and paint to add their creative input to the image. Once completed, these unique works of art are then auctioned off with the funds raised contributed to the penguin rehabilitation fund.

There will also be good music and commentary throughout the event with plenty of give-aways and spot prizes for participants and spectators alike. The whole event is covered by Silver Bullet Productions and broadcast on SuperSport.

The Billabong ‘Girls Get Out There’ Surf Series is sanctioned by Surfing South Africa and proudly supported by Soft Lips, Liqui Fruit, First National Bank (FNB), Von Zipper, Kustom, Silver Bullet and Interstage and is presented by Nashua Mobile.

The series started in Durban in September followed by Margate earlier this month. After Jeffreys Bay it winds up in Cape Town on the weekend 3 & 4 February 2007.

Click here to see the report from Durban’s Billabong GGOT Event;
Click here to see the report and pics from Margate’s Billabong GGOT Event.