Ballito Pro delivers some of the best Challenger Series surf outside Pipeline

The 2026 Ballito Pro, presented by O’Neill, has delivered some of the best surf on the World Surf League (WSL) Challenger Series outside Hawaii’s Pipeline, according to WSL Africa regional tour manager Luqmaan Bruce.

Powerful swell and perfectly formed sandbanks at Willard Beach have produced world-class waves, allowing surfers to push their performance to the limit.

WSL Africa regional director Tasha Mentasti said the exceptional conditions, combined with a field featuring 10 Championship Tour (CT) men and seven CT women, had created spectacular competition.

The heavy surf has also taken its toll.
South Africa’s Joshe Faulkner broke his right tibia and fibula, while Hawaii’s Finn McGill dislocated his shoulder during the Ballito Open men’s final after heavy wipeouts on the shallow sandbanks.

The event has also delivered major upsets. Defending champions Luke Thompson of South Africa and Nadia Erostarbe of the Basque Country have both been eliminated, guaranteeing new Ballito Pro champions this year.

Championship Tour surfers Isabella Nichols, Anat Lelior, Rio Waida, Jacob Wilcox and Callum Robson also exited early.

At the time of writing, Sarah Baum and Connor Slijpen remained South Africa’s only title hopes as several international stars continued their campaigns.

International stars claim QS and Junior titles

American Kirra Pinkerton and Australia’s Winter Vincent mastered the heavy surf to win the Ballito Open QS2000 titles at Willard Beach on Saturday.

Three South Africans reached the finals, with Sarah Baum contesting the women’s decider and Luke Thompson and Adin Masencamp lining up in the men’s final.

The men’s final was halted after Finn McGill dislocated his shoulder just three minutes into the heat. When competition resumed, Vincent edged Masencamp 14.33 to 14.00, while Thompson fell short of the required scores.

Pinkerton won the women’s title with 13.17, ahead of defending champion Bella Kenworthy, Australia’s Sophie McCulloch and Baum.

Brazil’s Ryan Kainalo claimed his third Ballito Pro Junior title, while Australia’s 17-year-old Charli Hately won the girls’ event with a late wave to edge South Africa’s Louise Lepront, who nevertheless moved to the top of the WSL Africa Junior rankings.