Author: AdminBallitoPro

Thousands of visitors flocked to the warmest winter venue, KwaDukuza, from 25 June to 8 July to enjoy the longest-running professional surfing event and its non-stop festival entertainment. Hosted for the 15th year on the KZN North Coast, the 55th Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill, themed This is the Battlefield – Lena Inkundla Yempi, was deemed another success with sports, family-friendly events, and after-dark parties catering for all tastes.

“I’d like to extend a massive congratulations to all the competitors this year and a special thanks to the many sponsors who contributed to The Ballito Pro’s success, and our incredible hosts, KwaDukuza for making this all possible,” said Collette Bundy, The Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill Festival Organiser. “This is the 55th year of the event which continues to grow every year, bringing more activations and features that support community inclusiveness and a celebration of our ocean. We encouraged anyone who missed out this year to follow ‘The Ballito Pro’ on social media for the 2025 edition!”

Sports action at The Ballito Pro

While the Challenger Series surfing action is central to The Ballito Pro, the festival’s sporting action has expanded with the likes of the Monster Energy Activation’s top BMX performers impressing the crowd! This year also saw the 4th edition of the Ballito Skate Jam presented by Monster Energy & Volcom taking place at the Ballito Bowl on 29 June, with Durban’s legendary skater, Khule Ngubane (30) taking home the Open’s and Best Trick titles for the day, while Ballito’s Ezra Vosloo won the Groms Division. Finishing off in style, brothers Matthew and Joshua Fenn took home the title at the Engen Ballito Downwind surfski race which ran from Blythedale to Tiffany beaches on 7 July. Local contenders, Hank and Pippa McGregor were crowned Mixed Doubles winners, while Saskia Hockly and Christie Mackenzie won the Ladies Division.

Music at The Ballito Pro

It was non-stop musical entertainment at the 55th edition of The Ballito Pro with the Corona Sunset Beach Bar Sessions running from 26 June to 7 July at the Willard Beach Retail section where the best in local DJ talent were performing. The fun continued at The Ballito Pro After Dark Programmes at Conchilla and Good Vibes. Local talent was on display when KwaDukuza Municipality organised the Battle of the DJs audition at KwaDukuza Town Hall on 2 July. The winning DJ, Blaq Muntu from Darnall, then got to perform on the main stage at the free-to-attend Ballito Pro Music Concerts Presented by Corona which ran on 4 and 5 July at Salt Rock Main Beach. Here visitors got to enjoy the likes of DJ Merlon, Stanky Deejay, December Streets, Desmond & the Tutus, Veranda Panda, the Saxby Twins, and TIMO ODV.

Festival-goers immersed themselves in the finest electronic dance music and outdoor lifestyle activities, offering a perfect escape to unwind, relax, disconnect from daily routines, and reconnect with their essential selves in nature. South Africa’s top musicians and DJs performed against a stunning sunset backdrop, leaving a lasting impression on visitors.

Community initiatives at The Ballito Pro

The event is committed to community upliftment, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability as was evidenced by the festival programme. This included The Ilembe Surf Riders Fundraiser on 2 July at Fiamma Grill, where surf equipment and memorabilia were auctioned, a raffle held, and an autograph signing session with O’Neill Pro Team Surfers raised much-needed funds to develop the future of surfing in the Ilembe District. Forming part of the evening was the Made for More presentation where the KZN-based NPO showcased the work it does equipping and empowering people with disabilities through sport.

This year saw the introduction of The Ballito Pro art activation run by KZN NPO Painting on Purpose in partnership with the KwaDukuza Municipality Youth and Sports Development Unit, the KZN Department of Education, and O’Neill. The art competition welcomed art contributions from 19 KwaDukuza high schools with the top 10 contestants participating in a Lino Cut workshop on 15 June hosted by Painting on Purpose. The artists had to create something based on the Ballito Pro’s 2024 theme #Thisisthebattlefield #LenaInkudlaYempi, all of which are on display and for sale at The Gallery at The Junction, with 100% of the profits going towards the artists. The top three artists – Danita Pharo from Stanger Manor Secondary School (1st place), Yashvir Chabalalsingh (2nd place), and Hazel Ruth Ramdass (3rd place) – participated in an interactive mural at the Ballito Pro, assisting the Painting on Purpose team. Prizes for the three top contestants include work internships, a mural at their respective schools, as well as many more goodies donated by the Ballito Pro event partners.

Conservation Initiatives at The Ballito Pro

The Ballito Pro welcomed back the local Litter4Tokens Recycling Awareness Campaign and Beach Activation which encourages ocean conservation while supporting livelihoods. Litter4tokens collectors and volunteers worked throughout the two-week event to prevent ocean-bound and landfill waste while educating visitors about their work. Funded by the President’s Stimulus Fund and Brownie Points, Litter4Tokens employed 15 staff to collect and separate waste at the source, making the WSL Ballito Pro the first event to quantify its environmental impact with all data logged on the Litter4Tokens app, verified by recycling partners, and tracked.

Branded bins encouraged proper waste separation with environmental care provided by Dolphin Coast Waste Management, Ballito UIP and KwaDukuza Municipality. There were also engaging activities and prizes for participants in the National Nurdle Cleanup with volunteers collecting tiny plastic balls – Mermaid Tears used in plastic manufacturing. Prizes included lifesaver water bottles capable of removing 99.9% of all known bacteria and viruses, a surfboard worth R7 200 made from bio-resin and natural fibres, and additional prizes sponsored by Fiamma Grill, Concha Cafe, and Coco de Mer. The activation set a new standard for WSL events, hopefully inspiring future WSL events to adopt similar practices.

Litter4Tokens Impact:

Total Recycling Collected: 694 bags

Materials Collected: Glass, cardboard, plastics (types 1-5)

Total Weight Repurposed: 1157.18 kg

Total Waste to Landfill: 472 kg (including Styrofoam and food waste)

Nurdles Collected: 3.56 kg

Daily Entertainment at The Ballito Pro

Willard Beach was a hive of activity as families were kept engaged with the Recreational Actionthat included fashion shows, beach sports, dance, yoga, nduku (stick fighting) demonstrations and environmental displays. The little ones enjoyed the Willard Beach Kids’ Corner which consisted of daily face painting, sandcastle building, beach dashes, water balls, and the popular Jive with Jen dance programme. Those looking for great food, drinks, arts, and crafts, as well as live entertainment found what they wanted in the daily Retail Delight hosted throughout The Ballito Pro.

Don’t miss out!

The Ballito Pro will return to KwaDukuza in the winter of 2025, so don’t be caught out! Keep updated by visiting www.theballitopro.com or follow on the various social media platforms:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/theballitopro/

Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheBallitoPro

Instagram: www.instagram.com/TheBallitoPro

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/theballitopro

Snapchat: Username – TheBallitoPro

WatchThe Challenger Series on WorldSurfLeague.com, the free WSL app, and the WSL’s YouTube channel. Also, check out more ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners.

After two weeks of non-stop seaside sports and festival entertainment on the KZN North Coast, the 2024 Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill ends with the final day of the iconic Challenger Series surfing contest on Monday, 8 July.

Visitors from KZN and further afield enjoyed a fortnight of warm winter weather, epic surfing action, and some of the best festival entertainment on offer. There was daily Recreational Action and Retail Delights with the little ones kept engaged at the Kids’ Corner.

Outside of the longest-running professional surfing event, sports enthusiasts were treated to the Ballito Skate Jam presented by Monster Energy & Volcom which was won by Durban’s Khule Ngubane, the Monster Energy Activation, and the return of the Engen Ballito Downwind surfski race on Sunday, 7 July won by brothers Matthew and Joshua Fenn.

In line with the festival ethos, there were lots of community initiatives and activations including the Painting on Purpose Art Activation, Litter4Tokens Awareness Campaign and Beach, and iLembe Surf Riders Fundraiser.

Music lovers were in for a treat this year with the After Dark Programmes, Battle of the DJs, Corona Sunset Beach Bar Sessions, and two-day Ballito Pro Music Concerts Presented by Corona featuring some of South Africa’s hottest acts.

Follow The Ballito Pro on social media platforms #thisisthebattlefield #lenainkudlayempi. Visit www.theballitopro.com for more information.

With a selection of the province’s top competitive paddlers taking to the Indian Ocean on Sunday, 7 July, the 2024 Engen Ballito Downwind was always going to be a hotly contested tournament. But in the end, it was East London brothers, Matthew and Joshua Fenn, who took top honours in the doubles surfski race from Blythedale to Tiffany’s beaches. Husband-and-wife team from the KZN North Coast, Hank and Pippa McGregor, took the mixed doubles title, coming 2nd overall just minutes behind the winners, while fellow North Coasters Saskia Hockly and Christie Mackenzie took the ladies’ title.

This epic contest forms part of the Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill festival programme which brought non-stop entertainment to KwaDukuza visitors from 25 June to 8 July. Some 53 competitors started at Blythedale Beach at noon, finishing at Tiffany’s Beach 18.5kms north with the prizegiving ceremony hosted at Canelands Hotel. Organisers South Africa Surf Ski partnered with The Ballito Pro for the event, with new title sponsor, Engen Ballito and perennial surfski sponsors, the Pumpsmiths, supporting the event.

Speaking on behalf of the winning team, Matthew Fenn said: “The race went really well. We were blessed with more wind than the forecast predicted so we had a lovely downwind. The competition was fun, we struggled to get rid of Hank and Pippa early on in the race, they were strong from the start and got out through the surf nice and clean, and it was good fun dicing them in the early stages. It’s a beautiful stretch of coastline to paddle and we really enjoyed it. Josh was super strong the whole way, I had a lot of fun in the back trying to stay with him.”

Commenting after the prizegiving ceremony, Barry Lewin, Event Organiser, said: “It was great to see so many paddlers take part in the event with guys coming from as far as Pietermaritzburg, Scottburgh, East London, and Richards Bay. Conditions were amazing with a beautiful wind, which is what the event aims for. There were lots of big smiles on the faces of the competitors. It’s great to have local businesses backing the event with Engen Ballito, the Pumpsmiths, and South African Surfski sponsoring.”

The surprise contenders on the day were Ballito power paddling couple, Hank and Pippa McGregor, both respected paddlers with a number of wins together. Multiple World Champion, Hank, also said the day’s conditions were fantastic for the race:

“The conditions turned on to be perfect. Barry waited for the perfect opportunity, the wind was building in the morning and a midday race was perfect. There was a small swell and great downwind conditions. My wife, Pippa paddled really well and we finished second overall against the Fenn brothers. Winning the Mixed Doubles was a tough competition with the likes of Matthew Bouman and Michelle Burn, and the Mansons, so we were really happy to pull off the title in this fantastic event. Thanks to all the sponsors and I look forward to next year’s race.”

One-half of the Ladies’ Division winners, Saskia Hockly, said despite initial weather predictions, it was a great race: “The forecast on Saturday night made it look like a slog of a paddle but we were happily surprised the ocean was spotted with white and running nicely. After navigating a bit of a challenging launch, Christie and I headed deep to make the most of what was on offer. There were some fabulous runs to race against and we hit some good speeds! We cruised down the coast to Tiffany’s where we came in nice and cleanly and overall, I enjoyed every second of the race. Barry always puts on such fantastic events and is always utilising the best stretches of coastline in our province, giving us paddlers a mixture of courses to enjoy throughout the season.”

2024 Engen Ballito Downwind Results

Men’s Division

1st Matthew and Joshua Fenn (1:03:00.16)

2nd Luke Nisbet and Brent Chiazzari (1:07:57.34)

3rd Gal Marks and Keegan Vogt ( 1:11:24.93)

4th Marco Magni and Vernon Vogt (1:11:50.95)

5th Lee Furby and Barry Painting (1:13:27.67)

6th Ty Haynes and Troy Jacobs (1:16:15.76)

7th Bryce Hatton and Marc Stanton (1:16:33.78)

8th Brad and Chris Allan  (1:17:11.40)

9th Jayden Van Rensburg and Senzo Ngcobo (1:20:17.62)

10th Clint Pretorius and Mark Jason (1:22:22.51)

Mixed Doubles Division

1st Hank and Pippa McGregor (1:05:03.14)

2nd Michelle Burn and Matthew Bouman (1:08:23.15)

3rd Bevan and Carol Manson (1:15:18.91)

4th Brendon Waters and Mikaila Brown (1:16:40.35)

5th Shaine and Julia McAlister (1:18:08.94)

6th Dirk Barnard and Stacey Lee Pretorius (1:31:40.72)

7th Wilma Deyzel and Keith Bennett (1:32:34.48)

Ladies Division

1st Saskia Hockly and Christie Mackenzie (1:12:46.12)

2nd Jenna Nisbet and Bridgette Hartley (1:19:49.65)

3rd Lyn Bennett and Clair Spring (1:37:25.16)

Following the 2024 theme, This is the Battlefield – Lena Inkundla Yempi, visitors got to watch the best surfers battle it out in the longest-running professional surfing event while enjoying a host of top-class festival entertainment.

Crowds headed to Salt Rock Main Beach for two days of the best in South African music at the Ballito Pro Music Concerts Presented by Corona on 4 and 5 July. Night one of the free-to-attend concert started with the winner of the Battle of the DJs, organised by KwaDukuza Municipality, taking to the decks.Thisset was followed by local greats DJ Merlon, Kabza De Small, Asante and Stanky Deejay. Night Two welcomed indie pop and electronic dance music by the December Streets, Desmond & the Tutus, Veranda Panda, the Saxby Twins and TIMO ODV. This was one of the many musical elements of the two-week 2024 Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill Festival which includes Corona Sunset Beach Bar Sessions and The Ballito Pro After Dark Programmes. 

Check out all the action by following The Ballito Pro on social media #thisisthebattlefield #lenainkudlayempi.

The return of the Engen Ballito Downwind to the Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill brings with it some serious competition as top paddlers from the Eastern Cape, brothers Matthew (22) and Joshua (24) Fenn, take on the top local competitors this Sunday, 7 July. This doubles surfski race, from Blythedale to Tiffany’s beaches, forms part of the 55th Ballito Pro festival programme running in KwaDukuza until the 8 July, featuring live entertainment, quality retail, extreme sports, art activations, kids’ activities, and more!

Organisers South Africa Surf Ski are partnering with The Ballito Pro for the event, with new title sponsor, Engen Ballito and perennial surfski sponsors, the Pumpsmiths, supporting the event. Barry Lewin, Event Organiser, said the stage is set for an epic surfski showdown this weekend.

“East London’s Matthew and Joshua Fenn will be taking on the KZN North Coast contenders with intimate knowledge of the local course, for the Engen Ballito Downwind title. The local crew topping the list include winners of the 2024 Leatherback Rum Surfski Challenge and last weekend’s Scottburgh to Brighton, Luke Nisbet and Brent Chiazzari,” says Lewin.

He explained that a third crew includes surprise contenders, the mixed doubles of Hank McGregor and Pippa McGregor. This husband-and-wife power paddling couple from Ballito has notched a number of wins together, including the uMhlanga Pirates race as a mixed doubles team. They also took respective wins in the men’s and women’s races at the 27km Prescient Freedom Paddle around Robben Island.

“The McGregors currently hold the record for a double between Blythedale and Tiffany beaches – the race course – so they will definitely be top contenders,” continues Lewin. “The ladies’ favourites are uMdloti’s Saskia Hockly and Christie Mackenzie, the current KZN Flatwater Marathon Champs who are looking forward to competing on home turf!”

Commenting on the impending race, East London’s Matthew Fenn said: “We are feeling really excited about the race this weekend, we always look forward to going to Ballito to race the guys there. Generally, the locals are in top condition and bring their A-game! We’ve raced a few times on the KZN North and South Coast, we try to race there as much as we can, so we know the area quite well but are looking forward to some tight racing in this competition.”

2024 Engen Ballito Downwind

Course: 18.5kms from Blythedale Beach to Tiffany’s Beach
Date: Sunday, 7 July
Time: 9am
Entry: www.canoesa.org.za | R305 (incl. KNCU fees) with a race shirt for the first 50 paddlers to pre-enter

This is a proudly Ballito Pro event presented by The Pumpsmith, South Africa Surf Ski, and Engen Ballito.