Where warriors clash

With an array of tricks and their weapon of choice under their feet, surfing’s greats battle it out in Ballito’s welcoming waters to be crowned the Ballito Pro presented by Billabong champion.

The first version of the Ballito Pro presented by Billabong – formerly the Mr Price Pro – called out for a new piece of silverware and organisers and the KwaDukuza Municipality decided that the challenge belongs to the locals.

On Monday evening after the first day of competition the new winner’s trophy was unveiled at a special gathering with the who’s who of surfing in town.

About a month ago local artists and creatives were asked to enter their ideas for the new contest trophy. The brief was simple – the design had to encapsulate three key elements, celebrating Ballito as a world class surfing destination, the culture and heritage of KwaDukuza and the epic sport of surfing.

There were some well thought out designs, but when it came down to the wire, local furniture designer/artist Conrad Nalson’s submission clearly stood out. His design combined the elements of Zulu culture and surfing, backed by a stainless steel wave. He titled the work “Where Warriors Clash”.

Bernice and Johno Hutchison from Groundswell Surf Shop sponsored the making of the trophy and were thoroughly impressed with the trophy design. Nalson partnered up with local steel guru Julian Klim from Metal Mania to manufacture the trophy.

“We worked together on the design and then I made the steel wave on the back of the trophy,” said Klim.

“I think it will definitely be one of those iconic trophy’s that everyone will remember.”

Nalson said he was pretty stoked with how it all ended up.

“A friend sent me the ad in the Courier so I just scribbled something on paper and this is what came out, so I’m really happy everyone liked it!” said Nalson.

While Klim handled the making of the steel wave, Nalson took on the woodwork. The new Ballito Pro trophy encapsulates everything that is unique about the event and will without a doubt fuel the warriors to rise to the top and lift this piece high up in the air when they stand victorious on the Ballito Pro podium at the end of this week.

Unfortunately the surfers will have to battle the tough conditions more than anything else. With the small swell, organisers decided to move the surfing from the main venue at Surfer’s Beach 300m south to Bather’s Beach or Willard on Monday and Tuesday. The bay seemed to provide better wave faces and bowls for the surfers to perform at their best.

While the Brazilians had no problem to rack up high scores with taking to the air, the waves were far and few in between.

Crowds were left disappointed, but not nearly as heartbroken as the man himself when South Africa’s Jordy Smith bowed out in the competition after losing his heat in round one against Brent Dorrington (AUS), Tomas Fernandes (PRT) and Granger Larsen (HAW).

“It is of course disappointing to leave the competition this early, but it is a pity about the lack of swell and just the fact that the organisers had to move the comp down the beach to get some waves is disappointing. This is probably the worst swell this event has seen in a long time,” said Smith.

Spectators did enjoy some fabulous weather over the weekend and Monday, before the weather turned on Tuesday with wind and rain forecasted which did not bode well for the waves. The outlook at the moment is that the swell could pick up over the weekend.

In the meantime visitors can revel in the retail area at Willard Beach with great stalls, live entertainment and the popular Extreme Sports Park for all those adrenaline junkies.

The Coastal Living Bru Food and Wine Exhibition started on Tuesday evening with the first Fleur du Cap So You Think You Can Cook Ballito Style and Fine Young Cooks Awards.

Get down to La Montagne Resort tonight for the Monster Surf Movie Night powered by Zigzag. It is first come first served, so best you get there early.