Ballito Pro 20.15 kicks off

As the world’s longest running professional surfing event, the Ballito Pro presented by Billabong will this year once again host the most exciting surfing and entertainment festival in South Africa, and organisers are calling on locals to make this event their own and design the new trophy.

With the new presenting sponsors, the Ballito Pro needs a new piece of silverware that will be lifted by the best surfer at the end of this iconic sporting event, to be held in Ballito from June 28 to July 5.

This exciting development was announced after the event’s official launch at La Montagne Hotel in Ballito where about 150 dignitaries were treated to what the Ballito Pro – branded version 20.15 for the technological age – will look like.

“We are calling upon local artists, individuals and interested parties of KwaDukuza to help us design the new Ballito Pro trophy,” said Ballito Pro event co-ordinator Collette Bundy.

The trophy should represents all that is exceptional and unique about the event and serves as inspiration for every competitor, taking centre stage during the competition.

The new trophy will be sponsored by legends on the local surf scene, Johno and Bernice Hutchison, from Groundswell Surf Shop.

“Surfing is our family’s passion and we are very involved in local and international events.

It is a great privilege for us to play our part in this world famous tournament taking place in our back yard,” said Johno Hutchison.

After the winning design has been chosen, local crafters will be invited to manufacture the trophy which will be unveiled on May 29.

Surfwear manufacturer Billabong has stepped into the top sponsor role after Mr Price pulled out after last year’s event.

The event will be stop number three of nine on the World Surf League’s (WSL) World Qualifying Series (WQS) tour and will award the winner 10 000 points on the WQS.

The points can go a long way for surfers wanting to make it on the WSL’s World Championship Tour (WCT) the following year.

The top 96 ranked surfers will compete and the Pro Trials that will be held on Sunday, June 28 will also afford the opportunity to local surfers like Salt Rock’s Shane Sykes to earn a wildcard slot.

Surf fans will be excited to welcome back a women’s qualifying series event for the first time since 2009 when competition was called off due to the big swell conditions.

Organisers are holding thumbs for South Africa’s only female surfer on the WCT, Bianca Buitendag from Vic Bay, Western Cape, to compete in home surf.

Buitendag placed runner-up in the Oi Rio Pro in Brazil recently, sitting at number nine on the world rankings.

Durban’s Jordy Smith and previous event winner, currently number 14 on the WCT, has confirmed his attendance and Ballito will without a doubt throw their support behind Smith to take the win.