Camps Bay High teen surfer Ben Esterhuyse claimed a double podium position to surge to an impressive national ranking.
Cape Town, South Africa (09 April 2025) — Grade 9 learner Ben Esterhuyse is a teen surfer from Camps Bay High School who delivered a remarkable performance at the recent Nelson Mandela Bay Surf Festival in Gqeberha.
The 15-year-old earned a double podium finish in a week of elite competition which helped him surge to an impressive national ranking.
A Rip Curl South Africa team rider, Ben began his campaign with a 2nd place finish in the U16 division at the Sea Harvest Pipe Junior event at Pollock Beach.
He then stunned the field in the WSL JQS (World Surf League Junior Qualifying Series) Nelson Mandela Bay Pro Junior – an U20 Junior Men’s division – where he went head-to-head with some of the country’s top young surfers.
A Rise in the Rankings
Despite being one of the youngest competitors, Ben advanced confidently through the rounds and secured a strong 2nd place finish in the final, earning 800 points. This sweet success also saw him jump to 2nd place on the National Junior Men’s Ranking.
“This is an outstanding achievement,” said Ms. Busi Ngcwama, Head of Sport at Camps Bay High School. “To place second in an U20 event at only 15 years old shows incredible talent, composure, and determination. We are immensely proud of Ben and excited to support him as he continues to rise in the world of competitive surfing.”
The Nelson Mandela Bay Pro Junior was the first stop in the 2025 JQS series. With this result, Ben has firmly established himself as a surfer to watch this season.
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