Author: AdminBallitoPro

Despite the unpleasant weather and tough conditions, the Ballito Pro pres by O’Neill World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 10,000 rated event saw some of the best scores of the event. A bigger swell and gusty, strong cross-shore winds made for punchy 1 – 1.2 (3-4ft) metre waves that was perfect to showcase the competitors’ aerial repertoire.

South Africa’s Jordy Smith (Durban) casually scored the highest single wave score of the event. Smith started small and shifted his focus to the lefts to look for a section to complete an air, but couldn’t find anything, and then found a beautiful right-hander with less than 5 minutes to go, hacking it to pieces for a 9.57.

“You’ve got to roll the dice in conditions like this,” said Smith. “There weren’t a lot of opportunities, but I surf this wave a lot and I’ve surfed it enough to know exactly what I need. I tried two, three lefts and it didn’t work out, so I switched the game plan to wait for a longer right and then I got the nine-something.”

Smith is the only other South African along with Beyrick de Vries (uMhlanga) left in contention after Durban’s David van Zyl exited the competition after a third place finish in his heat today.

Last year’s runner-up in Ballito, Jack Freestone (AUS) ahead of the former World Champion Adriano de Souza (BRA) in the first heat of the day, sending Marcos Correa (BRA) and Miguel Tudela (PER) home.

“It was tough, there were talented surfers in that heat. Every heat here looks like a final. It was probably the hardest conditions to compete in, hopefully there will be more swell with the southerly wind, but it was so difficult,” said Freestone.

It was an unlucky draw for brothers Wiggolly and Weslley Dantas (BRA) who had to face each other in a heat with Ian Gouveia (BRA) and Keanu Asing (HAW). Wiggolly jumped into first with a 7.33 and 7.07 ride for a total of 14.40, less than half a point ahead of fellow Brazilian Gouveia in second place, with Weslley Dantas and Asing eliminated.

“I really wanted to make my heat with my brother, the conditions aren’t super good but it’s still fun. I know it’s good for airs and I went for the backside airs, but my brother didn’t have the waves to get those airs,” said Dantas. “It’s hard surfing against Weslley, it’s the second time this year, and a second win but stoked to get through. My board is feeling mental, I’m feeling confident and I’m really happy to be here. I was out of the water for three months last year with a leg injury, so everything is super happy for me right now and I’m stoked to be in Africa.”

While the wind did make things extremely tough for some, others embraced the gusty southerly. Barron Mamiya (HAW) went flying for a massive rotation to land cleanly in the flat section of a left-hander and the judges didn’t hesitate to drop an excellent 9.17 and he advanced to the next round.

With a building swell and light winds forecast for Saturday, 6 July it’s going to be an action-packed weekend and a winner will be crowned on Sunday, 7 July.

The crowds gathered on Willard Beach for another full day of world class surfing in the Ballito Pro pres. by O’Neill World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 10,000 rated event. Inconsistent conditions with 1.2 – 1.5 metre (3-4ft) waves made for slow, low-scoring heats, and saw big names drop out of the event.

In one of the big upsets of the day, defending event winner Peterson Crisanto was eliminated in an all-Brazilian heat with Lucas Silveira and Flavio Nakagima advancing ahead of Crisanto and Rafael Teixeira. The Brazilians are known for their explosive surfing and aerial skills, but it was a surprisingly quiet heat.

“Conditions aren’t easy, but it’s fun. It’s definitely not easy with the other guys, all Brazilians, they all surf really good. I started slow but it was a good heat in the end. I think this is the most important event for everyone here,” said Silveira.

The highest placed South African in the Ballito Pro pres by O’Neill will get a wildcard entry into the Corona J-Bay Open Championship Tour (CT) event and David van Zyl (Durban) was determined to increase his chances and advance to the next round.

Van Zyl blasted out of the starting blocks to quickly bank two decent scores and then continued roaming the line-up to build on his total, while Gatien Delahaye (FRA), Matt Banting (AUS) and Dion Atkinson (AUS) waited for the set waves. Van Zyl was surfing with a lot more commitment and won the heat with a total of 12.50, with Banting in second, while Delahaye and Atkinson were eliminated in third and fourth.

“I knew it was a hard heat and my plan was to sit wider, shake the nerves with a quick wave. I started with small scores and managed to get two decent ones. J-Bay is my favourite wave so that’s my dream, but we’ll see how it goes. I hope I can get a good result out of the bag and make South Africa proud,” said Van Zyl.

Inspired by Van Zyl’s performance, the locals were hoping Matthew McGillivray (Jeffrey’s Bay) could continue flying the SA flag high, but a hungry Marco Giorgi (URY) stopped him in his tracks with an incredible, last hurrah maneuver. Bino Lopes (BRA) was in second, with McGillivray and Championship Tour (CT) surfer Willian Cardoso (BRA) eliminated.

Beyrick de Vries (Durban) managed to lift the mood in a nail-biting heat against Ezekiel Lau (HAW), Noe Mar McGonagle (CRI) and Jadson Andre (BRA). With a flurry of waves ridden at the death, De Vries only had one chance and popped into the air and finished in the flats to get the required score and advance to the next round.

“I knew I only had one section to throw the tail. It was nice to get the score in the last minute, because I’ve been on the other side of that draw before. It actually happened against Jadson Andre in Australia earlier this year, so it was so good to get that score, sport is amazing like that,” said De Vries.

Following De Vries’ victory, South Africa’s Michael February (Kommetjie) couldn’t find a decent backup score in the last heat of the day and will have to watch from the sidelines for the rest of the event.

Contest organisers will make an early call at 07:00 on Friday, 5 July to continue the Round of 48.

This year’s Ballito Pro Family Food Festival, presented by Ballito Junction Regional Mall, attracted visitors from across the province with its delicious programme of Cook-off Competitions, quality markets, non-stop entertainment and the programme highlight – the Celebrity Cook off. Running from 1 to 2 July, this formed part of the expansive Ballito Pro festival – presented by O’Neill – which runs alongside the global surfing contest from 27 June to 7 July.

Things got heated in the Cook-off on Monday night as teams rustled up enticing meals using ingredients from the Mystery Box. But it was ‘The Cuzzies’ from Ballito, aka Abigail van der Linde (18) and Thailen von Allemann (14), who proved themselves the cream of the crop this year as they took the winning aprons. Tuesday night saw the likes of Sal Masekela – ambassador for this year’s Ballito Pro – Natasha ‘Bash with Tash’ Munien; South African singer, Bok van Blerk and his wife, Hanna Grobler; and the mystery surfer contestant – Slade Prestwich – competing for first place. After some stressful cooking conditions, the judging panel eventually selected Team Booyakasha aka Bok van Blerk and Natasha Munien as the winners!

Both cooking contests were emceed by the charismatic Diogo Barendse with the judging panel consisting of local restaurateurs, including Trevor Wolf from Al Pescatore, Brett Michielin of Mozambik, Dianne Duncan from Old North at Karibu and Fabien Durocher-Yvon from Fiamma Grill.

Full List of Winners:

Cook-off Competition
1st: The Cuzzies – Abigail van der Linde and Thailen von Allemann
2nd: Cooking Dynamite – Lizette Steyn (39) and Luke Fisher (17)
3rd: Douglas Duo – Shane (33) and Ryan (8) Douglas

Celebrity Cook-off
1st: Team Booyakasha – Bok van Blerk and Natasha Munien
2nd: Team Alakazam – Sal Masekela and Slade Prestwich
3rd: Team Survivor – Hannah Grobler and Darren Maule

Lewaine Von Allemann, organiser of the Ballito Pro Family Food Festival, said visitors were kept entertained at the two-day festival with numerous onsite activities: “The atmosphere has been so incredible and we’ve been really excited to welcome visitors from far and wide to the event. Congratulations to all the cooking participants, the standard was set very high this year, and audiences were treated to truly innovative dishes using the Mystery Box ingredients. A big thanks to all our sponsors as well as to all our Young Entrepreneurs, Eco Living Market traders, food and drink stalls, and all other stall holders. Without your support, the event could not have been such a success!”

Geraldine Jorgensen, CEO of Ballito Junction, also extended her thanks to the sponsors and everyone involved in putting together such a successful family fun event: “We were delighted to, once again, host The Ballito Pro Family Food Festival at Ballito Junction Regional Mall. It was well supported by both the local community and holidaymakers, with everyone getting a chance to really enjoy Ballito’s culinary talents and superb entertainment.”

In addition to the cooking contests, the Ballito Pro Family Food Festival hosted a marine conservation presentation by SA endurance swimmer, Sarah Ferguson; a Young Entrepreneurs’ Market; Green Living Market; Eco Brick Making; Recycling Craft Area; SMG Mini Rocks Adventure Zone; Pop up Restaurants; a Games Area and non-stop entertainment in the form of music and dance.

Visitors can still enjoy action at the Ballito Pro festival, running until 7 July. Some of the activities include:

· Sal Masekela African Surf Adventure Driven by SMG Rocks and Hosted by Coco de Mer
· The Ballito Pro Music Concerts presented by 5FM
· After Dark Parties – hosted by Crush Ballito
· Extreme Sports – adrenaline-fuelled Monster activations
· Daily Beach Action, Retail Area and Kids’ Corner
· Save the Waves – Litter4Tokens recycling programme
· South African surfboard shapers

If you’re looking for an experience that #feelslikefreedom, get to the Ballito Pro presented by O’Neill!

There were some big wins and tough losses at the Ballito Pro pres. by O’Neill at Willard Beach in Ballito. Organisers and competitors were greeted with clean, small 0.5 – 1 metre (2-3ft) waves in the morning for Day 2 of the World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 10,000 rated event.

Former event winner and local favourite Jordy Smith (Durban), who is currently fourth on the World Tour, was happy to get the win in his first heat against Luel Felipe (BRA), Ramzi Boukhaim (MOR) and Imaikalani deVault (HAW). Smith was surfing incredibly loose and fast on the small waves, and secured the win in the last few seconds, going to the air after two strong turns for a 7.77 to bring his total to 14.50.

“It’s always good to be here for this event, halfway through the year it just helps me refuel my soul and give me enough energy to go into the back half of the year,” said Smith.

It was a tough day for fellow countrymen Dylan Lightfoot (Jeffrey’s Bay) and Jake Elkington (Kommetjie), both failing to progress through to the next round. The last remaining South Africans, David van Zyl (Durban) and Matthew McGillivray (Jeffreys Bay) are yet to surf.

Former World Champion Adriano de Souza (BRA) is back from a serious knee injury that kept him out of the water for eight months. Making use of the QS as a warm-up before the Corona Open J-Bay Championship Tour (CT) event, De Souza was up in the second heat of the day against Kei Kobayashi (JPN, Keanu Asing (HAW) and Stuart Kennedy (AUS).

It was all about who could do the most in the slow and small conditions. Kennedy and Kobayashi opted for the aerial approach but couldn’t complete any for a valid score. De Souza and Asing stuck to the game plan of power surfing, staying compressed and linking up some decent turns and won the heat with 13.13, with Asing in second and Kennedy and Kobayashi eliminated.

“I’ve been waiting for this for so long, it was a long eight months trying to get back,” said De Souza. “I put everything I can in those months to get ready and fit. I’m so hungry to make heats and come back strong next year. This is a great event for me to make some points because I’m fighting for two division this year, on the QS and CT.”

Brazilian Caio Ibelli, who’s been surfing on the World Tour as replacement for De Souza, light up the Ballito beach break in his heat against Liam O’Brien (AUS) and Hawaiians Barron Mamiya and Kiron Jabour. With an incredible 38 waves ridden in the 30 minutes, Mamiya and Ibelli advanced in first and second respectively, with O’Brien and Jabour out of the event.

“The waves aren’t as good as yesterday, there are more opportunities in some heats than others but it’s still a beautiful day,” said Ibelli, who was happy to see fellow countryman De Souza back on his feet.

“He came down to Brazil for the CT event and making that first heat after injury, I know how hard that is and I struggled with that for a long time so I’m super stoked to see him in-form and winning heats again.”

Contest organisers will reconvene on Thursday, 4 July at 07:30 to make the call for the day’s schedule.

It was a beautiful start to the first day of competition for the Ballito Pro pres. by O’Neill World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 10,000 rated event. Clean 1,2 – 1,5 metre (4-5ft) waves and a light offshore wind provided the perfect playground for the world’s best surfers down at Ballito, KwaDukuza.

Local knowledge and home crowd support paid off for Beyrick de Vries (uMhlanga) who won his heat, advancing ahead of Jordy Lawler (AUS) while Championship Tour (CT) competitor Seth Moniz (HAW) and Charly Martin (FRA) were sent packing.

“I’m happy to get the first heat at home out of the way. The 10,000 points on offer gets you amped, but also seeing familiar faces on the beach as you run down, it’s always better when it’s at home. This is the best forecast we’ve had in years, the sand is the best we’ve had in four, five years. The conditions, the banks, the people, everything is here!” said De Vries.

Noe Mar McGonagle (CRI), inspired by his sister Leilani McGonagle’s runner-up finish in the Ballito Women’s Pro pres. by O’Neill, won his heat ahead of South African Michael February (Kommetjie), while Alonso Correa (PER) and Jack Robinson (AUS) were eliminated.

“I’m super stoked coming back to Ballito, waves are super fun this year. It was my strategy to start by the rocks and that first wave came my way, even though it wasn’t in my top two it set me in a good rhythm. I’ve been practising in a lot of beach breaks in preparation for this, and I’m feeling good,” said McGonagle.

February’s inspiring 3^rd place finish at the Ballito Pro in 2017 helped him tremendously to earn a spot on the CT for 2018, but after falling off the Dream Tour, South Africans would love to see the stylish goofy-footer get another good result in Ballito.

It didn’t go as planned for the other South African hopefuls, with Slade Prestwich (Durban), Jordy Maree (Kalk Bay) and Adin Masencamp (Strand) eliminated from the event.

In the Round of 112, Wiggoly Dantas (BRA) was loving the waves on offer and smashed his heat for the highest score in the first round with a total of 16.83 out of a possible 20.

“I feel really good and the waves are pumping,” said Dantas. “Every year coming here we get good waves and it’s a super special place for me, Africa is amazing and I always have a great time coming here with good friends. Traveling with my brother gives me great confidence, we’ve both been making heats and having fun.”

The forecast is looking smaller for Wednesday, 3 July but with the low tide in the morning and light winds, organisers will make the call at 06:30 for 07:00am SAST.

Sal Masekela’s epic African Surf Adventure at the Ballito Pro has served as a catalyst in connecting his past, present and future. South Africa has etched indelible memories in Sal’s mind, since his first visit in 1991 when he accompanied his father on a music tour, and his historic meetings with Nelson Mandela and Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi. The son of legendary jazz great Hugh Masekela, Sal is the official event ambassador for the 2019 Ballito Pro presented by O’Neill. Born and bred in exile, Los Angeles-based Sal is an action sports presenter, journalist and musician.

Sal embarked on a whirlwind 24-hour trip of the KwaDukuza region early on Sunday morning, with a memorable meeting of Dr Albertina Luthuli, the daughter of Africa’s first Nobel Peace Prize winner Nkosi Albert Luthuli, at the home of her late father, which is now the Luthuli Museum.

The progeny of two most notable South African anti-apartheid struggle stalwarts delved into the depths of their iconic fathers’ contributions in shaping the history of this country. They also laid a wreath at the grave of Albert Luthuli.

“Salema Masekela’s visit to me is an historical one. The father of this young man, Hugh Masekela was very close to my own family and I feel highly emotional about this visit. I love Bra Hugh’s music. This is like a missing piece of the puzzle of my life,” said a sentimental Dr Luthuli.
After this unforgettable encounter, Sal officially opened the first community swimming pool at Shaka’s Head, a project undertaken by the KwaDukuza Municipality as part of its commitment to uplift local communities. The pool will be used by Ubuntu Learn to Surf and Swim Club to teach young children the essential life skill of swimming. Children from the club seized the opportunity to spend a few hours swimming and interacting with Sal.

The children will engage with Sal once again at the Ballito Pro on July 7, at the Sea Harvest Surfing South Africa Development Surf Day. Young surfers from KZN’s iLembe Surf Riders Association (ISRA), Ubuntu Learn to Surf and Swim Club, Sisonke Surf Club and Surfers Not Street Children (SNSC) will take to the waves in a fun tag team event. The event will showcase the development and transformation in the sport of surfing.

Drawing comparisons to his own childhood, Sal said there were no people of colour in his community who surfed. He encouraged the children, saying “This is one of the luckiest days of your lives. Own this pool like it is yours. Have fun. The skills that you learn at this pool, you will be able to take to the ocean!”

Sal was then whisked away along the King Shaka Heritage Route to the Umfolozi Big Five Game Reserve just two hours away, where he was treated to true South African hospitality. His brief visit included exploring King Shaka’s hunting grounds, traditional Zulu dancing by the local community, game drives and local cuisine. Five Zulu chiefs in the Umfolozi region have contributed their tribal land towards the now 30,000 hectare game reserve in an effort to uplift their communities through sustainable eco-tourism by protecting the local heritage, flora and fauna.

“The diversity of experiences and culture and opportunities in this region is just mind-boggling. From all the times I have spent in this country, I have learnt that South Africa will always surprise you. I always come with an open mind because the possibilities are unlimited,” said Sal.

“On this trip, I have felt like my dad was with us, because everything that I have done, are things that he would have loved, especially when it comes to South African heritage and traditions,” he added. “His biggest frustration was that people who came to visit South Africa didn’t get to experience South Africa’s diversity; that they usually came for one thing and that had less to do with people and culture and more to do with landscape and animals. If you experienced the two together it would mean endless combinations of joy and opportunities to celebrate the magic of what makes us human.”

Hugh Masekela’s wish was that people within South Africa have the opportunity to appreciate the magic and diversity of their country. He really pushed hard for South Africans to develop a sense of pride, to own their culture and realise that their home is as great as any other place in the world.

Sals’s African Surf Adventure will be a never-ending journey, weaving him into the tapestry of the Ballito Pro, the world’s oldest competitive surfing event.

Words by: Pierre Tostee and Farzanah Asmal

South African Sarah Baum (Durban) was crowned the Ballito Pro pres. by O’Neill Women’s winner after a full day of surfing. The day started with trying and tricky conditions, but improved with a strong offshore and 0.5 – 1 metre (2-3ft) waves. The World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 1,000 rated event was the last stop on the WSL Africa Tour.

Baum was the lone South African in the 4-women Final, with Leilani McGonagle (CRI), Anne dos Santos (BRA) and Rachel Presti (GER). It was an exciting final that saw the lead change between McGonagle and Baum, with a tight wave exchange right until the end. The judges took their time to compare the last waves, but in the end, Baum won with a total of 13 points out of 20, bumping McGonagle into second place. Presti was in third and Dos Santos in fourth.

“I’m on top of the world! I’m just so happy to be at home with friends and family, to have this event right here and everyone supporting me, I can’t wipe this smile off my face,” said Baum, who is the first South African woman to win this event since Nikita Robb in 2015.

“I was a bit slow in the beginning of the heat, just patiently waiting for those good ones. The waves died off and I had to make due with what I could, but in the end it paid off,” said Baum. With this result, Baum moves up to 39th on the WSL QS rankings.

In a funny twist of events, McGonagle predicted that she will be in the Final with Baum.
“I thought that was pretty funny. I knew all the girls in the competition were good surfers, but I had the names picked out even before it started so it’s funny how it worked out. I really wanted to win, but it’s alright. Next time!” said McGonagle.
Rachel Presti (GER) was off to a blistering start in the first Semifinal, opening her account with a 7.25 for two critical maneuvers on a beautiful right-hander. Presti backed it up quickly with a 5.25 to take the lead. The light and nimble Brazilian, Anne dos Santos, was chasing Presti with a 6.75 and 5.45. Goofy-footer Zoë Steyn (East London) was stuck in combination situation and couldn’t find any decent waves until the end, but it was a little too late. Presti and Dos Santos advanced to the Final, eliminating Steyn and Lucia Martino (ESP).

The second Semifinal featured two South Africans, Ceara Knight (Kommetjie) and Sarah Baum (Durban) up against Pacha Luque-Light (AUS) and Leilani McGonagle (CRI). Luque-Light was leading the heat with a 4.50 and a 2.75, but McGonagle came back strong to take the lead with a 6.00 and 5.00 with 5 minutes left on the clock. After a slow start, Baum jumped from fourth to first, going right and throwing two powerful hacks for 8.25 and then found a left-hander to take the win with a 6.35, for a total of 14.60. McGonagle was in second, sending Luque-Light and Knight home.

As the last stop on the WSL Africa Tour, this result determined the 2019 WSL Africa Title winners. It was a close battle between Steyn and Knight, with both being eliminated in equal 7th place in Ballito, but Steyn pipped Knight to the top.

Ballito Women’s Pro pres. by O’Neill Final Results:
1. Sarah Baum 13.00
2. Leilani McGonagle 12.20
3. Rachel Presti 9.90
4. Anne dos Santos 7.60

It was an all or nothing approach from the 32 surfers competing in the Ballito Trials pres. by O’Neill for the coveted wildcard entry into the Ballito Pro pres. by O’Neill World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 10,000 rated event. However, there could only be one, and it was Japanese surfer Hiroto Arai who sealed the deal.

After a fierce day of competition, Arai was up against Luke Dillon (GBR) and South Africans Luke Slijpen (Llandudno) and Chad du Toit (Durban).

“I’m so happy to make the trials, because I’ve flown 24 hours from Japan to be here. Hopefully I can make a couple of heats and get the points to make the Championship Tour (CT) at the end of the year,” said Arai.

The Japanese surfer stayed patient and waited for the best waves in the heat, while his opponents were going for riskier airs to improve their situation.

“My game plan was to sit on the left side and wait for the lefts, and I got a really good one in the first few minutes of the heat. I was so nervous with the last couple of waves, because everyone was going for airs and I didn’t know if they were making it or not. I checked my phone on the beach and saw I won, so I was stoked!”

Arai relied on the local knowledge passed down from his coach, South African Wade Sharp.

“He knows the break so well, so he told me when it gets high tide the wave will do this and that and it helps a lot.”

While Arai’s focus is making it onto the Dream Tour, the 24-year-old is excited for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where surfing will be included for the first time.

“I’m really looking forward to the Olympics in my home country. I want to join the guys like Kanoa Igarashi, Hiroto Ohara and Reo Inaba and represent Japan,” said Arai.

It was an exciting final that got off to a quick start with Dillon opening up the scoreboard. He quickly got a right-hander and completed three sharp maneuvers, going vertical to hit the lip for a good 7-point ride. He backed it up with a 4.75 and was leading for the majority of the heat, when Arai took the lead with four minutes to go.

Slijpen and Du Toit were going for big airs, but couldn’t seem to complete most of it for a decent score and they will have to wait another year for a chance to compete in the main event.

The trialists consisted of 16 international surfers and 12 local surfers. The South African surfers were determined by the WSL Africa Men and Junior rankings, Surfing South Africa (SSA), O’Neill and the winner of the Ballito O’Neill SMTH Shapes Pro Junior.

The Ballito Pro pres. by O’Neill features a 112-man entry field with 10,000 points and a prize pool of more than R3-million.

Ballito Trials pres. by O’Neill Final Results:

1. Hiroto Arai 12.00
2. Luke Dillon 11.75
3. Luke Slijpen 11.35
4. Chad du Toit 11.10

The call for the start of the Ballito Pro pres. by O’Neill is at 6:30AM for a 7AM start.

Times have changed since Sal Masekela, the ambassador for this year’s Ballito Pro presented by O’Neill, first surfed in Durban almost three decades ago. The SouthAfrican surfing world has dramatically transformed, where the sport has crossed racial barriers to become all-inclusive.

“When I first surfed in Durban in 1991, I saw no African surfers and was given a very difficult time by the police for even surfing,” reminisced Sal Masekela. “To see now, all these kids ripping in Durban and across the country and doing so with distinct African flair…I really look forward to being in that energy.”

Surfing’s oldest competitive event is set to take on the shores of KwaDukuza on KZN’s North
Coast from 27 June to 7 July as the world-famous Ballito Pro presented by O’Neill gets underway.

And for 2019, the world’s longest continuously running professional surfing event is proud to host
renowned American sports’ commentator, sportsman and musician, Sal Masekela – son of legendary Jazz musician, Hugh Masekela.Following in his famous father’s gigantic footsteps, Sal himself is fast becoming an icon of the times.

A seasoned voice of action sports, Sal is identified globally as being the face of ESPN’s Summer and Winter X Games, as well as a celebrated US TV host and correspondent for National Geographic. His multitude of talents include being a journalist, presenter, producer, musician and founder of Stoked Mentoring, a non-profit organisation which uses action sports to empower children from underprivileged communities in the USA.

Sal’s obsession with board sports; surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding, shattered the stereotype that these were predominantly white sports. Growing up in a Southern California beach town, where he was the only Black kid who surfed and skated in his community, Sal has been breaking boundaries his whole life. This African American surfer defied the myth that Black people could not swim, let alone surf.

Inspired by his his exiled father’s struggle against apartheid, which he vehemently voiced through his music, Sal’s passion for surfing demolished racial barriers in unconventional sports. Hugh Masekela’s life was defined by his activism and resistance against apartheid. Sal discovered his father’s advocacy for justice, freedom and equality for all people when he spent three months road-tripping with Masekela senior as part of Paul Simon’s Graceland Tour, including a controversial trip to South Africa.

Not only will Sal Masekela be commentating at the Ballito Pro presented by O’Neill, but he will use the opportunity to showcase KwaDukuza and the North Coast region as a prime tourist
destination. “I’m excited to commentate but even more excited to give viewers from around the world some perspective on what this region of South Africa is like. I’m going to be visiting the Luthuli Museum, go down the King Shaka Heritage Route and get to spend time surfing with young kids from the Ilembe Surf Riders and see the great work being done by Surfers Not Street Children and the Ubuntu Club,” he said in his video message at the event launch, on 17 May at the Fiamma Grill, Coco De Mer. “The Ballito Pro is a prestigious, iconic event that you want to
be at,” he added.

American born Sal’s love for South Africa is inextricably linked to his father, who eventually returned to the country from exile. “I love South Africa’s incredible cultural diversity, the melding of traditional and modern music, it’s dance, it’s broad landscape; but most of all I love the relentless passion, spirit and resilience of its people despite the enormous social and
economic challenges they are still faced with to this day,” he enthused.

Sal has visited this country several times, including 2010, where he presented for the FIFA World Cup. Sal continues his father’s legacy of nation-building and transformation albeit in the contrasting arena of extreme sport. “I look forward to promoting unity through the sport of surfing and showcasing the African Adventure; past, present and future. I do believe that we are going to make some great, beautiful noise,” said Sal spiritedly. “I’m most passionate about upholding my father’s legacy as well as continuing to have opportunities to tell important stories that hopefully connect us together as human beings.”

While the world’s best surfers will be in action at the Ballito Pro, development, unity and
transformation remain at its core through its support for community-based surf development programmes. Sea Harvest together with Surfing South Africa and the KwaDukuza Municipality will be hosting a Development Surf Day on Sunday, 7 July, to celebrate the journey of transformation in this sport.

Young surfers from KZN’s iLembe Surf Riders Association (ISRA), Ubuntu Learn to Surf and Swim Club, Sisonke Surf Club and Surfers Not Street Children (SNSC) will take to the waves
in a fun tag team event. The young surfers will have the privilege of surfing and engaging with with Sal Masekela.

Visitors will have the chance to meet legendary South African surfboard shapers crafting on site. The Ballito Pro Music Concerts presented by 5FM featuring top South African acts will be free of charge. There will be After Dark Parties – hosted by Crush Ballito. Other highlights include meeting Simon Keys and Siouxsie Gillett, the hosts of popular Nat Geo WildTV show
‘Snake City’, getting involved in the Save the Waves recycling campaign including the Litter4Tokens Recycling Programme, as well as Ballito Pro Food presented by Ballito Junction Regional Mall.

Be sure not to miss out on ten days of non-stop fun for the entire family at the Ballito Pro presented by O’Neill!

Words by: Pierre Tostee and Farzanah Asmal

Luke Thompson and Piper Harrison (AUS) won the inaugural Ballito O’Neill SMTH Shapes Pro Junior Men’s and Women’s World Surf League (WSL) Africa Junior Qualifying Series (JQS) 1,000 respectively on a beautiful day in Ballito. It was a completely different ocean at Willard Beach today with a cross-shore wind grooming the 1-1.5 metre (3-4ft) waves for fun, high performance surfing.

The top three men on the WSL Africa Junior rankings, Luke Slijpen (Llandudno), Luke Thompson (Durban) and Eli Beukes (Kommetjie) were fighting it out for top honours in the Men’s JQS 1,000 final, along with Japan’s Joh Azuchi.
It was a red-hot final, with Thompson and Beukes showing their intent right from the start. Thompson found an absolute gem of a wave that allowed him to fit in three critical turns before finishing right in front of the rocks. His commitment was awarded by the judges for a 7.25 and with a 5.00, he won with a total of 12.25. Beukes tried to improve his scores right up until the last second, but it wasn’t enough. Luke Slijpen and Joh Azuchi finished in third and fourth place respectively.
“I’m so happy. I’ve made almost every final this year and I just wanted to win one so badly. I felt really good before this contest started. The waves are super fun and I waited on the wider peak, where I got one under priority and that was my best score,” said Thomspon.

With Thompson now in the number one spot on the WSL Africa Junior rankings, Beukes said the race for the top spot has been fun. “We push each other a lot, staying together at events, we’re actually super close friends. We are all trying to build up to go to the WSL Junior Championships at the end of the year,” said Beukes.

It was a display of power surfing in the first Men’s Semifinal with Azuchi starting off the heat with an excellent 8-point ride on one of the bigger set waves. Slijpen got to work and quickly banked his top two scores for a 6.75 and 6.35 to take the win with 13.10. Azuchi could only get a 2.50 to back up his score, but fortunately it was enough to advance to the finals ahead of Max Elkington (Kommetjie) and Mitch du Preez (East London).

The second Semifinal was a stacked heat with Eli Beukes and Durbanites Luke Thompson, Tide-Lee Ireland and Karl Steen. Beukes kept busy to try and build a decent score and it worked in his favour for the win, bagging two mid-range scores for a total of 10.30. It was a close battle for second place between Thompson and Ireland, but it was Thompson who survived to advance to the final.

Australia’s Piper Harrison is on a roll in South Africa, winning her third consecutive JQS 1,000 after being in control for most of the Women’s Junior Final. “The conditions were really tough, the toughest that I’ve surfed in South Africa. The girls were ripping, so it was awesome. I think I put myself in the right place at the right time and I got lucky with a few, so I’m super stoked,” said Harrison, who will also compete in the Ballito Pro presented by O’Neill Women’s QS 1,000.
Defending event winner, Zoë Steyn (East London), had to work hard to catch up to the heat leaders. With a few seconds to go, Steyn squeezed in two quick maneuvers for a 4.90, but it wasn’t enough and she had to settle for second place. Rachel Presti (GER) was third and Pacha Luque-Light (AUS) in fourth.

“The waves were good, I got quite a nice first wave, but I just didn’t manage to back it up. Hopefully I can win the next few JQS events so I can defend the WSL Africa title,” said Steyn. Steyn was surfing circles around her fellow Women’s JQS 1,000 surfers in the first Seminfinal. The goofy-footer unleashed her backhand attack on the bigger set waves to put her opponents in a combination situation. Piper Harrison (AUS) was in second, eliminating Aimee du Preez (East London) and S’Nenhlanhla Makhubu (Durban).

In the second Semifinal, Rachel Presti (GER), who has been in South Africa for almost a month competing on the WSL Africa Tour, advanced to the final with Pacha Luque-Light (AUS) who knows the Ballito break all too well. Ending in third an fourth place respectively, was Brazil’s Anne dos Santos and local ripper Kayla Noguiera (Durban).
On Sunday, 30 June, the Ballito Pro Trials will take place to determine who will win the coveted wild card entry to the prestigious Ballito Pro presented by O’Neill QS10,000.