All systems go for Amanzi Challenge
Surfers, rubberducks expected to attract large crowds
It’s all systems go for the seventh edition of the R1.3m Royal St Andrews Hotel Amanzi Challenge that kicks off with a welcoming party for the officials, sponsors and watersports participants on Friday November 10.
Rubberducks, surfing and bodyboarding will once again be showcased on Port Alfred’s West Beach and East Beach which is expected to attract enthusiastic crowds until Sunday November 12.
Royal St Andrews Hotel, as anchor sponsor and accommodation facility for participants who hail from East London, Gqeberha, Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg, has been a hive of activity this week.
Top surfing names who will be competing under the auspices of Surfing SA in the U16, U18 (boys and girls) and open women’s and men’s sections include Andrew Laverge, Thomas Lindhorst, Joshe Faulkner, Simo Mkhize, Ntando Msibi, Avuyile Ndamase, Danielle Powis, Anastasia Venter, Lily Heny, Owen Heny and Warwick Heny.
The adrenaline-rush of the inflatable boats competition which will be hosted at East Beach and on the Kowie will be sure to attract an appreciative crowd.
Hotel owner Justin Bekker, general manager Difford Louw and staff have been burning the midnight oil getting everything in place for the watersport spectacular. They expressed their excitement ahead of the official opening.
“Amanzi is obviously a big expense every year but it does help the town a lot. It helps get people in town and gets people wanting to come back once they’ve been here,” Bekker said.
Bekker said, as sponsors, there is no huge return on financial investment for the hotel itself. However, the hotel recognises and supports the huge gains to be made in attracting more visitors to the town in the future.
“Once people come here to visit, especially tour groups that come to Port Alfred and visit different attractions for a day or two they are hugely surprised saying, ‘we’d actually would love to stay here longer.’ So that’s the idea — to get people in here to see what’s available and get them to return in the future.”
Though Bekker said there were no “hardcore stats” available on the numbers of visitors coming in to town during the Amanzi Challenge, the event definitely is a boost for the hospitality sector.
“There are more people coming in for sure, and they will book with B&Bs and other hotels. We, ourselves, offer combined packages for game reserves like Sibuya, Phumba and Lalibela, so visitors have choices.
“There are other leisure activities such as deep sea fishing, snorkeling, river cruising. It branches out so it’s just not the hospitality sector but all supporting businesses.”
Bekker says his hotel is committed to contributing toward making the Amanzi Challenge a long-term event but they are planning to branch out internationally and make it attractive for a broader range of sponsors.
“Next year we are looking to do international events — surfing and bodyboarding in particular,” he said.
Bekker says the way this weekend’s event is laid out at West Beach, East Beach and on the Kowie makes it convenient for participants and spectators
“The surfing and bodyboarding will be on West Beach and the rubber ducks next door at East Beach, which means switching between events is easy for the public and participants.”
Development forms an integral part of the Amanzi Challenge and youth from Nemato Change a Life have been invited to attend swimming clinics.
“They are going to have swimming lessons so that we possibly can have more interest from the local community to get involved in surfing in the future, so they’ll have the basics to venture into water.”
He said there will also be bowls, tennis and croquet clinics on the go during the Amanzi Challenge.
Louw said the late Mr Bekker senior’s vision for the hotel was to use sport to build and attract people to the town.
“So, in line with Mr Bekker’s vision we continue to combine sports with hospitality and it is a huge drawcard. We are still busy building the framework in expanding the town,” he added.
“We market the Amanzi wherever we go because with body boarders and international surfers coming next year, it is huge exposure for Port Alfred.
“We are part of the Adventure Province, so it ties in with what we want to achieve in getting people to the Eastern Cape, especially the Sunshine Coast which is a gem on its own,” Louw said.
Amanzi Challenge managing director Zwelinzima Nkwinti confirmed that it’s all systems go for this year’s event.
“Everything is finalised with the local events committee who has approved all requirements. It points to the fact that everything has been well organised and we are ready to run with Amanzi Chalenge 2023.
“The participants over the three watersport disciplines are on their way to the town and everything is on track for the official opening on Friday,” he said.
“The collaboration between all the roleplayers has been very positive. Sarah Baartman District Municipality and Ndlambe Municipality, traffic and ambulance services have been on board and tourism as well.
Nkwinti said a huge thanks needed to go out to Royal St Andrews Hotel for their continued support of the Amanzi Challenge “and we know we always have their backing.
“It was always Mr Bekker senior’s vision to use sport as a vehicle to make Port Alfred ‘a destination of choice’,” Nkwinti said.