Ballito’s Richie Kidd wins wildcard into Pro

Richie Kidd was stoked to the max when he secured the most prestigious win of his career after defeating three of South Africa’s top surfers in the final of the SSA Ballito Trials presented by Billabong at his home break of Willard Beach on Friday.

Also read: Brazil and Hawaii steal the crown in Ballito Pro Junior Series

With the victory came a wildcard entry into the World Surf League (WSL) QS10,000 Ballito Pro where he will take his place among 112 of the world’s best surfers when the week-long, R3.3 million event starts on Monday, July 3.

“I was lucky with that one wave where I got an 8, it linked up right through to the inside,” said an elated Kidd after being carried up the beach on his friend’s shoulders.

Starting in round two, Kidd finished runner-up in three consecutive heats before going for broke in the final, taking to the air at every opportunity and attempting some outrageous manoeuvres in his quest for victory.

“I’m a local here so I surf this spot pretty much every day. My girlfriend (Sarah Steele) told me to just to go out there and free surf like I usually do, and that kind of worked.

“I’m definitely going into the main event with the same strategy!

“I’m stoked on my boards, stoked on the vibe, just stoked in general!”

Slade Prestwich (Durban), Shane Sykes (Salt Rock) and Jordy Maree (Cape Town) ended second to fourth respectively and were rewarded with a spot in the Monster Energy Expression Session on the final day of the Ballito Pro where the surfer completing the most radical moves earns R30,000.

The two-day QS1,000 Ballito Women’s Pro starts today with 14 international competitors among the 32 entries.