Surfing: Monster Energy’s Matt Bromley Prepares For The Experience Northern Cape Namakwa Challenge

Northern Cape – the inaugural WSL Specialty Event for the Northern Cape region, the Experience Northern Cape Namakwa Challenge presented by Billabong Adventure Division, will occur in the Hondeklip Bay later this month. 

The waiting period for the event is August 23-31, and August is historically one of the most consistent months for surf in that part of the world. 

The event, presented by Amandla Surfing Foundation, has a 9-day window period. On top of this, only 20 surfers have been invited to compete. However, one of South Africa’s best big wave surfers and free surfers, Monster Energy athlete Matt Bromley from Kommetjie in the Cape, is on the prestigious invitee list. 

Bromley has visited the Namakwa area before and is a massive fan of the area and the West Coast for many reasons.  

“The West Coast is one of the most beautiful places in the world,” said Bromley. “It is raw, isolated, and just exudes this Atlantic power, rarely matched in other places in South Africa and even the world. The waves are strong and unpredictable, but when everything comes together, it is quite incredible.” 

The event is based around Hondeklip Bay, an area of the Northern Cape that Bromley is fond of. 

“The area where we’re having the contest is an extraordinary place,” said Bromley on the event location. “It is in the middle of nowhere and so far away from civilization. You’re just totally surrounded by nature, and there is a selection of world-class waves in the area.” 

 

Matt Bromley, in the barrel. © Van Gysen

With several waves in the area, Bromley will need to figure out his equipment to deal with any conditions that the place might deliver during the waiting period. 

“It gets pretty solid up there, sometimes up to 12-foot, and there are always strong currents in the area and loads of water moving when it gets big,” said Bromley. “So, we’re going to need a good water safety crew, as well as a medic. It’s an intense surfing zone, with waves coming out of deep water and breaking really hard, so the waves are steep and perfect, but they can get quite dangerous.”

Bromley will be travelling with an extensive quiver.

“I’ll be taking my full quiver of small wave boards up to my 6’8 barrel boards and everything in between,” reckons Bromley. “You just never know what you going to get there. It can be fun waves for turns, to three to four-foot barrels, to 12-foot steep lurching, slabby pits, so you need to be prepared.” 

The WSL Specialty event promises to be something special. 

“I’m really just looking forward to surfing waves in that area again,” said Bromley. “It’s just such a special place, and the waves are world-class. If we get the offshore winds, which we should as it is the right time of the year, we should get some big, hollow barrels, my absolute favourite.” 

Then there are the flowers.

“On the side, it’s flower season in the Namakwa region, so the natural beauty in the area will be incredible,” said Bromley. “The whole area is a very unique experience, with great waves and incredible nature, and with all the cool people around there, it will be great vibes.”

The NGO, Protect The West Coast understands the beauty and the value of the area and has been doing great work to protect the Namakwa Coast from invasive mining and environmentally damaging activities on the coast. They are part of the Namakwa Challenge as the Environmental Partner. 

The event is brought to you by Amandla Surfing Association, the World Surf League, the Northern Cape Tourism Authority and Billabong Adventure Divison.

Video: Surfing: Monster Energy’s Matt Bromley Prepares For The Experience Northern Cape Namakwa Challenge

More Info on Surfing: Monster Energy’s Matt Bromley Prepares For The Experience Northern Cape Namakwa Challenge here: https://www.worldsurfleague.com/
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