First week thrills at Ballito Pro
The quality of surfing has improved year-on-year with youngsters delivering some thrilling board riding at Willard Beach.
Triumph, disappointment, new champions and old – what a first week it has been at the Ballito Pro pres. by O’Neill!
The Under 20 surfers were the first to test the conditions last week and the feedback was unanimous, Ballito has been showing off in typical winter surf fashion.
Running concurrently from Tuesday to Saturday, the JQS1000 (local and international U20 surfers) and Rookie Rippers (South African U18 surfers) were the first two competitive events to finish.
Photo: Kody McGregor/Ballito Pro.
Brazilian Ryan Kainalo defended his JQS1000 men’s title from last year, while Japan’s Anon Matsuoka earned her third junior women’s tour victory. Both are just 17.
After handily winning his first heat, Kainalo snuck through the Round of 16 and quarter-finals behind Durban’s Nate Colby, before knocking out South Africans Luc Lepront and Daniel Emslie in the final stages.
In the women’s division, it was a story of two dominant forces on opposite sides of the draw, with Matsuoka and American Alyssa Spencer tearing apart the competition before inevitably meeting in the final.
Photo: Kody McGregor/Ballito Pro.
And the final lived up to the billing, drawing fantastic surfing out of both competitors, with Matsuoka’s final wave – a massive 9.17 (total 16.07) – ultimately enough to knock out the consistent Spencer (15.66).
In the Rookie Rippers division, Kai Hall and Louise Lepront both delivered an historic double, winning the U16 and U18 boys and girls titles respectively.
iLembe’s Nathan Tayler (U14 boys) and Marcello Zedde (U12 Boys) won home break victory, with Emily Jenkinson (U14 girls) and Maya Malherbe (U12 girls) rounding out the victors.
Friday saw the return of the popular KZN Surfing Outreach Initiative hosted by the iLembe Surf Riders Association – a tag team event between development surfing organisations from across KwaZulu-Natal.
The quality of surfing has improved year-on-year with youngsters delivering some thrilling board riding at Willard Beach.
Surfers not Streetchildren were the winners on the day, followed by iLembe Surf Riders, Girls Surf Too and Genesis Wave of Hope.
The final surfing event in week one brought perhaps the biggest smiles seen so far at this year’s Ballito Pro, with the introduction of the Made for More Para Surfing Expression Session on Saturday.
Photo: Luke Patterson/Ballito Pro.
Differently abled surfers in nine separate classes showed the level of inclusivity that surfing offers, which is not possible in most other sports.
And it was certainly no hollow showcase, with the athletes ripping through the surf and inspiring the hundreds of new fans on the beach.
“Witnessing the determination and commitment of our team, coaches, and volunteers was nothing short of inspiring. Their unwavering support and dedication made the day even more remarkable,” said Made for More founding director, Julia van Zyl.
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