Jordy joins for juniors for O’Neill SMTH Shapes Pro Junior

As pro surfers get ready for the annual The Ballito Pro presented by O’Neill, upcoming surf talents can look forward to the inaugural O’Neill SMTH Shapes Pro Junior.

This new addition to the world’s longest running professional surfing event is a collaboration between global wetsuit and apparel giant O’Neill and former world junior champion and two-time Ballito Pro winner, Jordy Smith.

“I am really stoked to be promoting my new surfboard brand, SMTH Shapes, at Ballito in June,” said Smith, the current world number three.

Always keen to support opportunities for the country’s junior surfers, Smith said this was the perfect partnership with his sponsor, O’Neill.

This event, which kicks off the festival programme from June 27-29, allows South Africa’s top 18-and-under men and women to meet, mingle and compete against their international peers.

Also read: Countdown to The Ballito Pro presented by O’Neill has begun

Competitors earn prize-money and rankings points that count towards the prized annual WSL Africa Junior titles and the selection of the regional squad invited to the WSL World Junior Championships in December.

O’Neill South Africa brand director Paul Canning said they are honoured to have SMTH Shapes come on board with the Pro Junior.

“Jordy is such a great ambassador for South African surfing and is always amazing with all the kids, so we welcome this partnership,” said Canning.

KZN’s top surfing scholars will get the opportunity to display their talent on the big stage when the top five high school teams in the O’Neill KZN Schools Surfing League contest the final tag team heat that will crown the top surfing school in the province. The league runs from April to June and is always a fiercely contested battle with the favourites this year including defending champions Clifton, Northwood, Westville, Glenwood, Michaelhouse and St Henry’s along with the North Coast’s Ashton and Crawford who will definitely have local knowledge on their side.

“The league is a great platform for any young surfer to get involved in the sport in a fun and team environment and I am very excited to see the final included in this year’s festival,” said Canning.

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