Preparations are in full swing for one of the most exciting paddle sports events on the South African calendar: the 2025 Reef Royalty International Paddle Fest, taking place from 13th to 16th June 2025 at the iconic Nahoon Reef in East London.
This year’s event has received support from an incredible group of partners helping bring the contest village to life and ensuring a world-class experience for both athletes and spectators.
Presented by Waveski Adventurers, and proudly partnered with Buffalo City Tourism, the Reef Royalty International Paddle Fest brings together competitors from around the world in both Waveski Surfing and Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) divisions.
“We’re proud to have S.I.C Productions on board to livestream the entire event to audiences across the globe. Body 3.0 Hyrox Training Club will be running a dedicated Athlete Zone and Hydration Station, offering a space for athletes to prep between heats. Priority Care Event Paramedics will be on site for medical support, while NSRI (National Sea Rescue Institute) will manage all water safety during the event” shares event organiser Trystan Viaene
“Thanks to Herotel, we’ve secured the connectivity needed to support judging and broadcast systems. XAV will be supplying sound and technical support across the venue. And with the help of Kazin Trading, Eastern Wheelers, and Border Cater Hire, the physical contest village will be kitted out with everything needed to host three full days of international competition” she further states.
For coffee lovers and hungry supporters, SurfBru will be on site with their famous brew and Reef Café menu items.
We’re thrilled to confirm that multiple world champions Mathieu Babarit and Caro Angibaud (Babarit) from France will be competing in both the Waveski and SUP divisions this year – a huge drawcard for fans and athletes alike.
Also returning to fight for the title are Bruce Viaene (East London), Andre Burger (East London), and Mike Wessels (Cape Town), who are all looking to make their mark at this year’s event.
This contest has been officially accredited by the World Waveski Surfing Association (WWSA), meaning all results will contribute to international rankings and influence seeding for the 2026 World Waveski Surfing Titles in Peru.
Join us in a celebration of paddle sport, community, and the raw beauty of Nahoon Reef. We can’t wait to welcome paddlers, families, and fans for three days of epic surfing.
Entries close on the 6th June 2025 and details are available: www.sawaveski.co.za
