Excitement was in the air as thousands of spectators flocked to Surfer’s Beach in Ballito on Sunday, July 5 to see who would reign supreme in the Ballito Pro presented by Billabong QS10000 event.
With more than ten minutes left in the final heat, the crowds erupted, some jumped to their feet while others just grabbed their hair in clenched fists.
Brazil’s Alejo Muniz took off on a wave, throwing a massive turn and setting his fins free, tucking under the lip for a barrel section, making a clean exit and finishing with a perfectly executed aerial manoeuvre before riding out into the white water.
The judges rewarded Muniz with a 9.33 and suddenly Davey Cathels from Australia was in a combination situation.
The ocean went flat and there was no way Cathels could catch up and so the 25-year-old Muniz was carried up to the beach victorious as the 2015 champion.
“I am so happy to win here today, I love Ballito!” said Muniz after receiving the trophy and his winner’s cheque of $40 000 or about half a million Rand.
Surfers enjoyed pristine conditions with one to one-and-a-half metre waves and incredible weather.
“I really felt like the swell we have been waiting for finally arrived for the final and I am just glad I got to surf the waves when they were big,” said Muniz.
He dedicated the trophy to his brother Santiago, who was also surfing in the event but dropped out in the quarterfinals.
“He pushes me to be a better surfer and a good person.”
The win pushed Muniz up to number one on the World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) with 10 000 points on the rankings and cemented his hope to re-qualify for the Championship Tour next year.
“It is amazing news because it is such an honour for us from Brazil to be on the tour and surf with our idols,” said Muniz.
“I will definitely come back to Ballito to compete for many years to come.”
Brazil’s Michael Rodrigues walked away with the wave of the week prize money for his 10-point ride and Jeffreys Bay’s Matt McGillivray won the Monster Energy Expression Session presented by Zigzag.
The WSL Africa Operations Manager Colin Fitch said they could not have scripted a better Hollywood finish for the event.
“The crowds were excited and the surfers were happy, that is the winning formula!” said Fitch.
“Billabong and KwaDukuza put on an exceptional show in limited time and we are already looking forward to next year.”
Billabong marketing manager Chad D’Arcy said the brand is very excited for what the future holds.
“It was phenomenal getting involved in this event and I am just really glad the waves came to the party for the final day!” said D’Arcy.
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