Congratulations to Australia’s Chayne Simpson, 2024 Kneeboard Surfing Open World Champion. Chayne claims his second world title in pumping surf over a crowd of top talent at one of the world’s premier surf destinations.  Division Champs include: Anne Milochau (FRA) Womens, Owen Fairweather (AUS) Juniors, Kevin Skvarna (USA) Pro Juniors, Jedd McNeilage (RSA) Seniors, Hamish Christophers (NZ) Masters, Lester Sweetman (RSA) Grand Masters, Stephen van der Watt (RSA) Veterans, Simon Farrer (AUS) Kahunas, Stephen Cruickshank (RSA) Legends, Brad Colwell (USA) Immortals, Scott Wessling (USA) Invincibles.

2024 World Champ Chayne Simpson – photo Clint Perring

Team USA had a strong showing with Kevin Skvarna, Brad Colwell, and Scott Wessling claiming World Titles in their age divisions. Jack Beresford came in second to Simon Farrer in the Kahuna’s division as did Greg Holzman in the Immortal’s division. Sean Noone and Shaun Murphy both earned third in their age divisions. Patti Hook was second in the Women’s division.  We’re so proud of those results and super stoked to be part of this awesome event.

Gigs Celliers, the man with the vision and the ability to execute it – photo Clint Perring

The journey started in 2022 when it was announced that the next World Titles would be held in South Africa (though probably started much earlier with Gigs and the South African team).  The dream was an event at Jeffreys Bay, but was this even possible?  The WSL pulled out of J-Bay for 2024.  Was this an opportunity for kneeboard surfing or instead a sign of how hard it is to organize an event at this world class venue?  Through lots of planning, paperwork, and negotiations, Gigs amazingly obtained approval for the 2024 Kneeboard Surfing World Titles with only about eight months to go, and shared his plans for an event of a quality unlike we’ve ever seen before.

Kneeboarders from around the world excitedly started making plans for a bucket list trip to South Africa and a Kneelo Gathering for the ages.  Over 120 kneelos from eleven countries ended up making the trip.  We were stoked to see the Australian team return in full force with 22 surfers, including former world champions Chayne Simpson, Albert Munoz, Simon Farrer, Gavin Colman, and Michael Novakov.  South Africa brought out 45 competitors for the home team, many of them genuine rippers of whom we had previously heard little, but they showed up big time.

Some of us first flew into Cape Town and checked out the Westside Challenge to witness some great kneeboarding in harsh conditions.  It was cold, damp, and windy – victory at sea.  Winter was in full effect.  Nevertheless, the ensuing drive to Jeffreys Bay along the Garden Route was beautiful.  We arrived in Jeffreys Bay to find beautiful weather, warm offshore winds, and fun sized surf up and down the point.  Wednesday, the swell really moved in bringing 15-18ft surf and howling offshores.  Those willing to take on XL Supertubes had some of the rides of their lives.  Roger Hughes might have logged more water time than anyone at the top of the point, and seemed right at home in the bigger surf.  Scott Wessling had a different experience, snapping his special USA step-up board there in its inaugural session. Some amazing photos and video came out of those pre-contest free surfs.

Roger Hughes taking the highline at Supertubes – photo by Brad Colwell

As the contest infrastructure came together, we could see that Gigs’ promises were not just hype.  This was something that would rival any professional surfing event.  A two-story judging tower and media center were erected.  Seating and shade for the crowd, food trucks, a coffee shop, and a surf shop were available on-site for competitors and fans.  All of the equipment needed for a state-of-the-art live broadcast was set up; multiple camera angles, wave replays, a broadcast booth for commentators, and a separate area for competitor interviews.  This was not your ordinary kneelo contest!

The Competition was held at the Point, a few hundred meters north of Supertubes.  The Point is normally a user-friendly right point break that demands you to continually cutback into the power source.  When the swell increases, however, the take off zone become more critical and the wave serves up long carveable walls and big closeout end sections.  Incredibly, we never lacked for swell during the contest entire period!  The swell size, direction, and period was constantly changing as was the wind.  We could have glassy conditions, howling offshores, and raging onshores all in one day.  The full moon brought us big tide swings.  Local Steve Kneelo marveled that we experienced a whole winter’s worth of conditions in one week.  We saw many different personalities of the Point providing challenging conditions for perhaps the best display of kneeboard surfing ever witnessed.  When you weren’t surfing your heats, Supertubes was a short walk down the beach beckoning you for a free surf; and it was pumping all week.

Jack Beresford’s Supertubes Sunrise Warmup – photo by Steeno @16images @leglesstv

Now we’ve all heard salivating stories and viewed amazing videos of Jeffreys Bay, that legendary righthand point break.  We’ve beheld the perfection and power of the wave on WSL broadcasts.  Occasionally, we would hear mention about the JBay “keyholes”, but nobody really explained how difficult it actually is to enter or exit the water.  A formidable rock shelf sits between the sand and the surf.  Finding and navigating the crevices in the rocks —the keyholes— to find your way in or out is an art that the locals have perfected, but visitors find daunting.  As the waves roll in, the keyholes quickly fill with water and just as quickly drain like the ocean is breathing.  Find the path through the rocks to open water and time your sprint with the rising water, whew—you’re past the rocks! Mistime it or veer off course (or, more likely, be swept in the currents) and you’re likely to get drydocked on the reef.  You also need to time the sets or get pounded on the inside, all the while getting dragged way further down the point. We all left some fiberglass and skin on the reef. Roger Hughes broke all three of his fins clean out of their boxes in one mistimed adventure with these rocks. Needless to say, the ding repair shops were fully employed throughout the contest period.

The Women’s Open finalists nervously slide into the keyhole

The Parade of Nations, followed by Opening Ceremonies, was held on Saturday and included a warm welcome from the mayor on behalf of the town of Jeffreys Bay.  All of the competitors and their families and supporters came out dressed in team colors to celebrate the start of an epic event.

Karla, our favorite cheerleader

On Monday morning the Kneeboard Surfing World Titles began with the Opening Rounds, in which 80 unseeded surfers competed for 34 spots in the round of 64. The competition was tough from the beginning, with the heat of the morning seeing Liam Taurins (AUS) and Larry Berger (RSA) edge out J-Bay local standout Stephen van der Watt (Stevo the Kneelo) by less than a tenth of a point. Then, the following day, the Round of 64 commenced, and the competition really heated up. An injured Simon Farrer put on a clinic with some of the most graceful and powerful rail surfing you’ll ever see. Semifinalists Chayne Simpson, Albert Munoz, Hamish Christophers and Karl Ward rose to the top with radical surfing throughout the event. Young Owen Fairweather and his dad Pete both surfed their
way to the quarterfinals in impressive fashion.

Sam and Jack battle it out for a spot in the round of 16 – photo by Brad Colwell

In past world title contests, Finals Day has sometimes turned into a bit of a let down. Everyone wants the finals to be surfed in the best, most challenging conditions with the best surfers, but the ocean often does not cooperate. No such let down on this Finals Day! J-Bay delivered consistent, solid 6-8 foot surf with occasional 8-10 foot bombs and offshore winds. The Open, Women’s, and Age Division Finals were all decided in demanding, exciting conditions with excellent surfing all around. There was so much water moving down the point that JetSki assist was employed–another first for Kneeboard Surfing. With some competitors being swept hundreds of meters down the point in the swift currents, the JetSki assist was an invaluable addition to get competitors into the line up and give them opportunities to catch multiple waves.

Gigs Celliers navigating the sections on finals day – photo by Sean Thompson

Shaun Murphy eyeing the oncoming end section – photo by Brad Colwell

Kevin Skvarna reclaimed the Pro Junior title for USA in a super close final with Aussie powerhouse Tom Novakov. With just 30 seconds left, Kevin ripped a set wave from start to finish, edging out Tom for the championship by two tenths of a point!

Kevin Skvarna, Pro Junior Division World Champion, Hits The Lip – photo by Brad Colwell

After the Open Final victory by Chayne Simpson over Albert Munoz, the event concluded with the Women’s Final, the Immortal’s (65-69) Final, and the Invincible’s (70+) Final, all being challenged by some of the biggest surf of the day. USA’s Patti Hook timed her paddleout perfectly while her fellow competitors got swept away, all requiring JetSki assist. Patti snagged her best wave of the event to come in second to Anne Milochau of France. South Africa’s Linnie Ashe (the defending champion) courageously dropped into some bombs, but couldn’t seem to find her way out of the white water and onto the shoulder. USA’s Brad Colwell secured his second age division world title with a 9.0 ride and a last minute backup score to pass Hawaii’s hard charging Greg Holzman. In the inaugural running of the Invincibles (70+) division Scott Wessling locked up the titles for USA, defending his title from two years ago in Portugal, and scoring a combined 16.67 on his first two waves.

For those of us fortunate enough to attend this event, South Africa delivered everything we imagined and more. The contest was flawlessly and professionally run. For those that couldn’t attend, the live stream broadcast on YouTube of every minute of the event was provided for all the world to watch along, or to rewatch all the heats at their leisure. It was top quality production rivaling any professional event.

If you have not yet had the opportunity, find these CineFX Kneeboard Surfing World Titles 2024 broadcasts on YouTube and witness the best World Titles in kneelo history. You’ll enjoy an epic contest with outstanding surfing, some hilarious commentary, and great interviews of all the heat winners.

• Open: 1. Chayne Simpson (AUS), 2. Albert Munoz (AUS), eq 3rd. Hamish Christophers (NZ) and Karl Ward (UK)
• Women’s Division: 1. Anne Milochau (FRA), 2. Patti Hook (USA), 3. Linnie Ash (RSA)
• Juniors (under 20): 1. Owen Fairweather (AUS), 2. Loris De Marco (FRA), 3. Carl Wiersma (RSA), 4. Max Elvang (PRT)
• Pro Juniors (20-29): 1. Kevin Skvarna (USA), 2. Tom Novakov (AUS), 3. Matt Bentley (RSA), 4. Maukino Skelton (NZ)
• Seniors (30-39): 1. Jedd McNeilage (RSA), 2. Matt Novakov (AUS), 3. Shaun Murphy (USA), 4. Jason Farquhar (NZ)
• Masters (40-44): 1. Hamish Christophers (NZ), 2. Tom Gray (RSA), 3. Brendon Robson (AUS), 4. Brian Wood (RSA)
• Grand Masters (45-49): 1. Lester Sweetman (RSA), 2. Albert Munoz (AUS), 3. Eduardo Machado (BRA), 4. Karl Ward (UK)
• Veterans (50-54): 1. Stephen van der Watt (RSA), 2. Paul Mannix, 3. Ryan Gallagher (AUS), 4. Garth Price (RSA)
• Kahunas (55-59): 1. Simon Farrer (AUS), 2. Jack Beresford (USA), 3. Gigs Celliers (RSA), 4. Pete Fairweather (AUS)
• Legends (60-64): 1. Stephen Cruickshank (RSA), 2. Paul O’Neill (AUS), 3. Sean Noone (USA), 4. Terence Hogben (RSA)
• Immortals (65-69): 1. Brad Colwell (USA), 2. Greg Holzman (USA), eq 3rd Brad Arman (AUS) and Paddy Laroque (RSA)
• Invincibles (70+): 1. Scott Wessling (USA), 2. Murray Weir (NZ), 3. Paul Christophers (NZ), 4. Charlie Harris (AUS)
• Aloha Cup Teams Event: 1. South Africa, 2. Australia, 3. USA, 4. New Zealand, 5. Europe