Organisers finally conceded defeat against the Covid-19 pandemic by taking the difficult but inevitable decision to cancel this year’s Ballito Pro presented by O’ Neil, scheduled for June-July.

The world’s longest running professional surfing contest became the latest major sporting event to be a victim of the coronavirus which has killed nearly 321 000 people globally.

The announcement follows closely behind the World Surf League’s (WSL) decision to suspend all surfing events through June 2020 with a redesigned tour structure for 2021.

WSL Europe, Middle East and Africa general manager, Francisco Spinol said: “Coronavirus is having huge consequences for sporting events around the globe and we did not take this decision lightly.

“The Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill is a really important event for us and we look forward to working with all involved to bring this event back as soon as it is safely possible.”

The sports sector is one of many hard hit by the Covid-19 outbreak, amid measures taken by governments around the world to fight the virus.

There is particular disappointment because surfing would have, for the first time, become an official sport at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which will now be postponed to July 2021, and the Ballito Pro would have featured in the selection of the SA Olympic squad.

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This year would have marked the 52nd edition of the event, first run in 1969 at the Bay of Plenty in Durban.

Significant support from the KwaDukuza municipality and the opportunity to run the surfing in world-class mid-year waves, saw the contest moved to Ballito in 2009, with a music festival staged at Salt Rock.

As the event expanded in stature and size, adding an extreme sports component, and a Coastal Living festival, the surfing contest upgraded to become one of the 10 prime-rated events on the ASP calendar with a whopping US $250 000 (then R1.67 million) prize purse.

KDM acting Mayor Dolly Govender said: “KwaDukuza municipality’s primary focus during these unprecedented times is directed to protecting our communities and fighting the pandemic.

“The event is a key economic driver for the region, therefore, as the Council, we will continue to strategise and seek approaches to support and assist the organisers towards the sustainability of the event going forward.”

Govender said the event was a critical ingredient in the KwaDukuza municipality’s Tourism Recovery Plan (KDMTRP).

KDM chief lifeguard and deputy chair of Surfing South Africa (SSA) board of executives, Bongani Xulu said: “As the governing body of the sport of surfing, SSA shares the same sentiments as WSL and KDM and we will continue to support and work alongside all roleplayers and stakeholders through this process. We wish all athletes across the country and around the globe a safe return to competitive surfing in 2021 in good health.”

O’Neill brand manager, Paul Canning said they supported the decision to suspend this year’s event and reiterated the message that all focus should be aimed at getting though the devastating pandemic.

“We are understandably disappointed, as we had an amazing campaign and programme of events lined up for this year’s festival, but right now the priority has to be the safety and health of the athletes, officials and the fans.

“We look forward to hosting an exciting and even more compelling program of events in 2021.”

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WSL Africa Operations manager Colin Fitch said: “WSL Africa and all our surfers we would like to thank the Mayor and Councillors for their grateful understanding of where we stand right now with the Covid -19 crisis which continues to grow day by day. To all the fans and the community of Ballito you are our first priority when it comes to your safety.”

The Ballito Pro presented by O’Neill has become the best stop on the World Surf League Challenger Series events. Outside of Hawaii it is considered one of the best locations on tour and the best attended event by all the Championship Tour Surfers.

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