DSAC Sets the Record Straight: Why the World Surf League Event Left Jeffreys Bay

Image: via Facebook / Gayton McKenzie

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) has moved to clear the air following what it describes as "unjustified scapegoating" regarding the relocation of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour event.

In response to public criticism and statements from major political parties blaming the Minister and the Department for the event’s move to New Zealand, the DSAC clarified that the decision was driven by private commercial shifts—not a withdrawal of government support.

A Legacy of Private Promotion

The Jeffreys Bay event has been a staple of the professional global surfing circuit since the mid-1980s. For over 30 years, it was successfully hosted as a privately owned and promoted event.

Crucially, the Department noted that for the vast majority of its history, the WSL event operated in South Africa without any direct financial support or involvement from the DSAC. The recent narrative suggesting the Minister "withdrew" support is, according to the Department, fundamentally inaccurate.

The Reality of Regulation

The Department highlighted that any international sporting event seeking state resources must follow the Bidding and Hosting of International Sport and Recreational Events Regulations. This legal framework ensures that events are:

• Properly Planned: Meeting all logistical requirements for international competitors.

• Financially Viable: Demonstrating a clear budget and sustainability.

• Lawfully Processed: Requiring Cabinet approval for any national government funding or guarantees.

The DSAC confirmed that, in the case of the 2026 WSL event, no formal application was ever submitted in accordance with these regulations. Without a formal request for funding or services, no decision—positive or negative—could have been taken at a national level.

Deflecting Blame

The Department views the current backlash as a deflection from the changing commercial realities facing private event organizers. As the costs of promoting global tours rise, organizers have begun seeking public funding that was previously unnecessary.

"All public comments seeking to place the blame at the feet of the Minister are misguided and a form of deflection," the Department stated.

Ongoing Support for Surfing

Despite the loss of this specific tour stop, the DSAC emphasized its continued commitment to the sport. The Department maintains an annual grant to Surfing South Africa through a three-year funding agreement aimed at grassroots development and national growth.

The DSAC remains open to hosting major international events, provided they adhere to the transparent, lawful, and sustainable processes required by South African law.