BALLITO, KwaDukuza, South Africa (Wednesday, July 8, 2026) – Today, Ryan Kainalo (BRA) and Charli Hately (AUS) won the World Surf League (WSL) O’Neill SMTH Shapes Ballito Pro Junior, Stop No. 3 of the Africa Junior Qualifying Series (JQS). It was a beautiful day on the Dolphin Coast, with glassy conditions and fun two-to-three-foot waves offering left and right-hand peaks. Brazil’s Kainalo and Australia’s Hately overcame a strong field of South African contenders to take the top spot on the podium.

Ryan Kainalo Earns Third Ballito Pro Junior Title

It was an airshow in the men’s Final with two of the event standouts, Dane Henry (AUS) and Ryan Kainalo (BRA), pushing each other to go bigger on every opportunity. Henry, making his debut in Ballito, has been very impressive, but it was always going to be a tough battle against the tall Brazilian who won this event back in 2022 and 2023. Relying on his air game, but also hammering out some big turns, Kainalo secured the win with a solid heat total of 14.87 (out of a possible 20).

“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. I just try to enjoy every moment, because that way I think you have good energy and good vibes, so the waves come to you!’

Kainalo will reset and get ready for his next challenge tomorrow at the Ballito Open presented by O’Neill Qualifying Series (QS) 2,000, as well as the upcoming Ballito Pro presented by O’Neill Challenger Series (CS) which starts on Sunday.

Runner-up and 2025 WSL World Junior Champion Dane Henry (AUS) earned the highest heat total of the entire event today in the men’s Semifinals when he executed one of the biggest and most technical airs for a near-perfect 9.83 (out of a possible 10), and backed it up with a powerful two-turn combination for an 8.00 and a combined total of 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 the next week.”

Charli Hately Opens Ballito Campaign with Pro Junior Win

After getting a taste of Ballito in the Challenger Series last year, 17-year-old Charli Hately (AUS) returned with the aim of using the O’Neill SMTH Shapes Ballito Pro Junior as a warm-up competition. Her wave selection was the point of difference, finding beautiful running walls to open up her backhand and hit the steep sections with power and flow. Hately put together some of the best heats throughout the event.

In the final, she opened with a solid 6.00, but she left it late to get a backup score, requiring a decent wave to take the lead from Louise Lepront (RSA). Using her priority, Hately hammered one turn into an oncoming section, and it was enough to secure her the win 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 just with three other girls and getting some good practice in before the next comp. I’m happy to be back, I love it here, the sunrises here are just so perfect.”

South Africa’s top junior Louise Lepront (RSA) delivered a convincing win in the Semifinals to book her first-ever Ballito Pro Junior Finals berth. Lepront earned a well-deserved runner-up finish and will use this momentum going into tomorrow’s QS. She jumps to the top of the WSL Africa Junior rankings, while Simon Winter (RSA) also moved up to claim the No. 1 spot on the rankings.

The O’Neill SMTH Shapes Ballito Pro Junior is proudly supported by KwaDukuza Municipality, O’Neill, SMTH Shapes, Red Bull, SMG – YAMAHA and North Coast Courier.

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

O’Neill SMTH Shapes Ballito Pro Junior Men’s Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Dane Henry (AUS) 17.83 DEF. Rafael Barbosa (BRA) 9.37, Loghann Tilsley (RSA) 6.83, Clay Turrell (RSA) 5.17
HEAT 2: Ryan Kainalo (BRA) 10.50 DEF. Kieran Murphy (RSA) 8.73, Ben Esterhuyse (RSA) 8.46, Cooper Smith (RSA) 7.80

O’Neill SMTH Shapes Ballito Pro Junior Women’s Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Louise Lepront (RSA) 9.20 DEF. Laura Raupp (BRA) 6.80, Max Kauffman (RSA) 5.56, Gabriella Herbst (RSA) 4.86
HEAT 2: Charli Hately (AUS) 12.17 DEF. Emily Jenkinson (RSA) 7.07, Lila Aszalos (RSA) 4.17, Anastasia Venter (RSA) 3.54

O’Neill SMTH Shapes Ballito Pro Junior Men’s Quarterfinal Results:
HEAT 1: Rafael Barbosa (BRA) 12.50 DEF. Dane Henry (AUS) 10.27, Simon Winter (RSA) 4.33, Josh Malherbe (RSA) 2.43
HEAT 2: Clay Turrell (RSA) 9.40 DEF. Loghann Tilsley (RSA) 7.60, Dylan Wilcoxen (INA) 7.37, David Emslie (RSA) 5.74
HEAT 3: Ben Esterhuyse (RSA) 8.67 DEF. Cooper Smith (RSA) 7.54, Ntokozo Maphumulo (RSA) 7.03, Matt Canning (RSA) 1.50
HEAT 4: Ryan Kainalo (BRA) 11.33 DEF. Kieran Murphy (RSA) 6.57, Levi Epenetos (RSA) 6.43, Asbjorn Gwenin (GBR) 5.87