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Surfing | Surfing In South Africa Digital Surf Mag Launches To Great Response

Written on . Posted in SA Surfing.

Surfing In South Africa, a fresh, interactive magazine endorsed by Surfing South Africa (SSA), has officially launched its first issue and the positive responses and ensuing readership numbers have been great.

 
Levi Epenetos gets the Issue One cover
© Dave Lindemann

Edited and published by former Zigzag Magazine Editor and Stab, Tracks, and Surfer contributor Craig Jarvis, the new digitised mag is designed to reflect the full scope of the SSA's ecosystem, from groms to grandmasters, grassroots outreach to international qualifiers. The magazine, emerging from the surfing hotbed that is the Kouga Region, is a calm step forward for South African surf media.

Issue One is now live and packed with stories that matter. Coverage includes:

  • The Tiger's Milk Winter Classic at Muizenberg
  • Rip Curl GromSearch Durban
  • The O'Neill SMTH Shapes Rookie Rippers event
  • The inspiring Ilembe Outreach Surfing Initiative in Ballito

Matt Canning, Ballito. Matt had a successful season during the Durban contest run, and is set for a great future. © Dave Lindemann 

The magazine also features an exclusive interview with standout junior Loghann Tilsley, a spot check from Jeffreys Bay, a book review of The Oom by Miles Masterson, and even a surf industry job listing, all wrapped in a sharp, scrollable, and highly visual format.

Loghann Tilsley was the season's giant killer and is  featured in the first issue © Dave Lindemann

"We didn't want just another contest report. We wanted to build something with lasting value — a monthly touchpoint, a visual record, a digital place where the full story of South African surfing could unfold," said the team at Surfing In South Africa.

From the polished lineups of the Cape to the warm-water beach breaks of KZN, the magazine's mission is clear: to document, connect, and celebrate surfing in all its South African forms. That includes profiling events big and small, surf clubs and communities, rising talents, seasoned legends, social development projects, and everything in between.

Ilembe Outreach Program, Ballito © Dave Lindemann

Behind the scenes, the platform brings together a talented crew of photographers, writers, and designers, all people who live and breathe the sport and are deeply connected to the surf zones they cover. The imagery for Issue One is primarily from Dave Lindemann, the SSA photographer for the Durban contest season.

The magazine is endorsed by Surfing South Africa, the national governing body for the sport, ensuring official alignment and access to verified contest results, news, and grassroots updates.

"Our goal is to create an inclusive, credible, and visually striking publication that grows month by month," the editorial team added. "We're just getting started."

Read Issue One now:

Surfing South Africa, interactive magazine