Cape Town's elite surfers showcase heritage skills at Rolling Retro 2026
Luke Slijpen competing for the Monster Energy team at Rolling Retro 2026.
Image: Supplied
The world’s biggest retro-style surf event, Rolling Retro, delivered a thrilling day of surfing action at Llandudno Beach on Saturday, February 7.
The event brought together some of Cape Town’s top surfers to celebrate the sport’s heritage, with competitors riding boards from across the decades.
Teams went head-to-head in an elimination format, battling through the heats for a place in the final.
Monster Energy surfer Brendon Gibbins.
Image: supplied
Big wave surfer and Monster Energy athlete Matt Bromley says the event is about “getting in touch with surfing heritage.
"Many of the boards they get to ride are from the beginning of surfing in South Africa.
"Each surfer got the opportunity to choose from one of nearly 40 surfboards, most of which were of an old school nature. You have some of the best surfers in the country coming to surf on these old boards and go back to the drawing board and make their style and performance match the board."
Rolling Retro featured big names such as Jordy Smith (far right) and Dale Staples (second left), alongside Monster Energy stars Eli Beukes and Brendon Gibbins.
Image: Supplied
Monster Energy surfer Brendon Gibbins describes Rolling Retro as a “unique way to celebrate surfing.”
Competing at the event for the first time, he says, “It was lots of fun. Surfing is so awesome and the fact that this is a Cape Town event hosted at Llandudno makes it even more special.”
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