Local surfers struggle in Ballito Pro

Competition in the Ballito Pro presented by Billabong resumed at Bather’s Beach in Ballito this morning with competitors in heat ten of the round of 96 taking to the one metre waves fanned by a SW offshore breeze.

Organisers had no hesitation in moving the contest 300 metres south of the main venue at Surfer’s Beach, and hope to complete the 24 heats in the round of 96.

The morning started with Michael February from Kommetjie taking on Adrian Buchan (AUS), Ezekiel Lau (HAW) and Maxime Huscenot (FRA).

February couldn’t find a strong backup score and ended fourth in the heat with Huscenot and Lau proceeding to the next round.

Umhlanga’s Beyrick de Vries ended in third place in his heat against Brazilians Italo Ferreira and trial entry Flavio Nakagima who took to the air on almost every wave and Puerto Rico’s Vasco Ribeiro came in fourth place.

David van Zyl performed well in the conditions on Tuesday morning to proceed to the round of 48 after coming second behind Marc Lacomore (FRA).

Van Zyl is the first South African to go through to the next round.

Dale Staples is the last two South African remaining in the event and will be up in heat 21.

South Africa’s world tour campaigner Jordy Smith lost his heat on Monday afternoon and was disappointed to bow out of the competition so soon.

Surfers in the first four heats of round two are on standby to compete if conditions remain contestable.