The first event in this year’s Ballito Pro pres. by O’Neill saw the competition’s youngest athletes tearing it up in big surf.

The O’Neill SMTH Shapes Rookie Rippers drew some of the country’s best U18 surfers to local shores. Initially scheduled as a three-day contest, it was held over Sunday and Monday only as Saturday’s swell produced conditions too big for the age group surfing.

Five iLembe surfers made it to their respective finals, with the girls enjoying a good run.

In the U12 girls’ section, Lexi Venter finished third and Billi Bo Baker fourth. Pippa Wang grabbed fifth place in the U14 girls’ division, while Max Kauffman earned fourth in the U18 girls’. Lila Aszalos made two finals, claiming silver in the U16 and bronze in the U18 girls’ events.

The overall winners in the boys’ divisions were Kommetjie’s Cody Painter (U12, 14.67 wave score) and Ethan Schermbrucker (U14, also 14.67), while Cape Town’s Ben Esterhuyse won both the U16 and U18 sections.

In the girls’ side of the event, Durban’s Adriana Canning (U12, 11.17), Buffalo City’s Maya Malherbe (U14, 8.50) and Camilla Heuer (U16, 12.27) and Scottburgh’s Louise Lepront (U18, 16.50) reigned supreme. Find full results at liveheats.com.

The Ballito Pro Junior JQS U20 men’s and women’s divisions began on Tuesday and continued on Wednesday. Some international surfers joined a strong group of local talent.

The Ballito Open takes over from Thursday to Saturday, before the main Challenger Series contest gets underway from Sunday until July 18. All surfing takes place at Willard Beach.