Ballito Pro set for exciting return to Willard Beach from July 4

The Ballito Pro pres. by O’Neill, now the biggest surfing competition on the continent, is raring to go ahead of its return to Willard Beach on July 4.

The 57th edition of the two-week festival will host some of the world’s best surfers and rising stars across four competitions, culminating in the Challenger Series showdown from July 12 to 18. Alongside the surfing action, a packed entertainment programme includes free live concerts at Salt Rock Beach, the popular Skate Jam and a range of new festivities linked to the event’s ‘Waves of Unity’ theme.

Inspired by Durban surfer Luke Thompson’s hometown win last year and Bafana Bafana’s return to the FIFA World Cup, Waves of Unity seeks to join two of South Africa’s most fervent sporting fanbases.

At the official launch of the Ballito Pro at Fiamma Grill last week, KwaDukuza mayor Siduduzo Gumede outlined the event’s continued importance to the North Coast.

“The Ballito Pro is our signature event. It is our greatest window to the outside world. This marriage must remain,” he said.

“The success of this event is the product of extraordinary public-private partnerships and the political will of KDM.”

Gumede said the Waves of Unity theme aligns perfectly with three key milestones – 30 years of democratic local governance in KwaDukuza, Bafana Bafana’s qualification for the World Cup and the 50th anniversary of surfing’s World Tour.

He also welcomed efforts to expand surfing opportunities in township communities, joking that he wished he were young enough to take advantage of some of the programmes.

“We are grateful for the community development driven by this event. It has given children the chance to stand up on a wave and experience what it feels like to fly,” he said.

O’Neill Brand Director Paul Canning credited KDM’s long-standing support for helping to create a multi-tiered pathway for local surfing talent to grow with the event. Many South African surfers, including defending champion Luke Thompson, have benefited from the exposure to high-level competition at a young age.

Visit theballitopro.com for a full programme of events.