The men’s final turned into an aerial showcase as Australia’s Dane Henry and Brazil’s Ryan Kainalo went blow-for-blow, launching bigger airs with every opportunity.

Making his Ballito debut, Henry had impressed throughout the event, but faced a daunting challenge against Kainalo, the 2022 and 2023 champion.

Combining explosive aerials with powerful rail surfing, Kainalo posted a winning two-wave total of 14.87 (out of a possible 20) to claim his third Ballito Pro Junior title.

“I’m really happy. I think the final was the best heat of the whole event,” said Kainalo.

“I tried to keep calm and just look for the good ones, try some airs and big turns, so I’m happy it worked out. I really love this place.”

Kainalo now turns his attention to the Ballito Open presented by O’Neill QS 2,000, which starts tomorrow, before the Ballito Pro presented by O’Neill Challenger Series begins on Sunday.

Henry, the reigning WSL World Junior champion, produced the performance of the event in his semi-final. He earned a near-perfect 9.83 for one of the biggest and most technical airs of the competition before backing it up with an 8.00 for a powerful two-turn combination, giving him the highest heat total of the event – 17.83.

“It was sick to get some fun waves,” said Henry.

“It was great to see Ryan smash it in the final. I knew it was going to be tough going up against him. I’m really looking forward to next week.”

Hately opens Ballito campaign with Pro Junior victory

Australia’s Charli Hately made the perfect start to her Ballito campaign, claiming the O’Neill SMTH Shapes Ballito Pro Junior title after returning to the North Coast following her Challenger Series debut last year.

The 17-year-old stood out throughout the event with excellent wave selection, repeatedly finding long, running walls that allowed her to showcase her powerful backhand surfing.

Hately opened the final with a 6.00 but left herself needing a backup score late in the heat to overtake South Africa’s Louise Lepront.

Using priority, she attacked the closing section with a committed turn that earned just enough points to snatch victory after the buzzer.

“I left it a bit late, but I got it done, so I’m really stoked,” said Hately.

“It was great to be out there with three other girls and get some good practice before the next comp. I’m happy to be back. I love it here – the sunrises are just so perfect.”

Lepront secured her first Ballito Pro Junior final after a convincing semi-final victory and finished runner-up.

The result moves Lepront to the top of the WSL Africa Junior rankings heading into the Ballito Open, while Simon Winter also climbed to No. 1 in the men’s rankings.

O’Neill SMTH Shapes Ballito Pro Junior Men’s Final Results:
1- Ryan Kainalo (BRA) 14.87
2- Dane Henry (AUS) 13.54
3- Kieran Murphy (RSA) 6.20
4- Rafael Barbosa (BRA) 5.93

O’Neill SMTH Shapes Ballito Pro Junior Women’s Final Results:
1- Charli Hately (AUS) 10.90
2- Louise Lepront (RSA) 9.83
3- Emily Jenkinson (RSA) 6.83
4- Laura Raupp (BRA) 6.36