The sandbars packed on the inside of the break contributed to contestable onshore bowly conditions when the Ballito Pro, pres. by O’Neill men’s quarterfinals got underway this morning.

Only four athletes remain in the men’s and women’s draws.

This round saw the newly brewing Japanese storm square up against the fully fledged Brazilian storm, a pair of matchups that ended the land of the rising sun’s Ballito Pro title hopes.

First on the chopping block was Keijiro Nishi who went down to Edgard Groggia who took his board above the lip to be awarded with an excellent 9.00 late in the heat. A back-up score of 6.07 was enough to seal the deal for a total heat score of 15.07 over Nishi’s 6.37.

Hiroto Ohhara’s dream run was ended by Ian Gouveiea who snuffed out his opponent from the start. It was pretty much one-way traffic in shifty beach-break conditions that continuously changed throughout the day with the tidal shifts and strengthening wind. This was, however, the first time Gouveia ever defeated Ohhara.

“He is a tough guy to beat,” said a stoked Gouveia.

An all-goofy matchup in heat three saw Nolan Rapoza convincingly defeat Jackson Bunch of Hawaii with 14.17 over 9.70. Rapoza dominated from the beginning. He hammered two solid maneuvers on a critical wave that judges rewarded with an excellent 8.00 which left Bunch chasing an unassailable 9.34 to advance.

Aussie grom, Winter Vincent continued his flawless run, eliminating Justin Becret (FRA) in the final heat of the day. Vincent’s on-point flow and board positioning combined with flawless rail surfing was rewarded with a heat total of 13.53 which was enough to take the win over Becret who only mustered a 9.66 heat total.

Finals day tomorrow promises to be a feast for surf fans worth taking the day off work for. Brazilian veterans Groggia and Gouveia are to face off in the men’s semifinal heat one, followed by the young guns Rapoza and Winter in heat two.

The action continues with an 8am call for a possible 8.30 start.