The final day of the 2015 Ballito Pro presented by Billabong got underway at 8.45am today (Sunday) in excellent 1.0 to 1.5 metre glassy waves a Surfer’s Beach in Ballito.
The 2015 Ballito Pro champion will be crowned today and his name will be etched on the magnificent new event trophy.
A QS 10,000 rated event on the World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS), the Ballito Pro started on Monday featuring 96 of the world’s best surfers. This has been whittled down to the last eight who contest the Quarterfinals, Semifinals and Final today.
The Monster Energy Expression Session presented by Zigzag will be run between the Semifinals and Final featuring nine of South Africa’s most progressive surfers in the Ballito Pro and the Ballito pro Trials presented by Billabong, plus local standout Alan Johns. The surfer producing the most impressive performance during the 30 minute session will pocket R20 000.
Ideal conditions at Surfer’s Beach on Sunday morning prompted organisers to get the finalday of the Ballito Pro underway at 8.45am Photo: WSL / Ballito Pro / Cestari
The winner of the Monster Energy Wave of the Week presented by Zigzag is open all the surfers in the Ballito. Determined by video footage taken during the event, the winner takes home R25 000. See more details at https://theballitopro.com/expression-session/
The Final of Ballito Pro is scheduled for approximately 12.30pm today with the awards ceremony on the beach approximately an hour thereafter.
Ballito Pro Upcoming Quarter Final Match-Ups
Q1: Alejo Muniz (BRA) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (USA)
Q2: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Caio Ibelli (BRA)
Q3: Mitch Coleborn (AUS) vs. Santiago Muniz (ARG)
Q4: Davey Cathels (AUS) vs. Soli Bailey (AUS)
The Ballito Pro presented by Billabong is proudly supported by the KwaDukuza Municipality, Billabong, 5FM, Monster Energy, Zigzag Surfing Magazine, World Surf League (WSL) and Surfing South Africa (SSA).
Alejo Muniz Jumps to Top of QS Rankings as Brazilians and Australians Dominate on Day 6
The world’s best surfers took to air at the Ballito Pro presented by Billabong on Saturday, performing gravity defying manoeuvres above the lip of the overhead, onshore waves at Willard Beach in KwaDukuza.
The last 24 competitors in the QS 10,000 rated event on the 2015 World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) held nothing back, attacking the waves at Bather’s Beach during Round 3 in the morning and then boosting their way into the last 8 after the contest was moved 300 metres north to Surfer’s Beach for Round 4.
Alejo Muniz (BRA), No. 3 on the QS coming into Ballito, jumped to the top of the rankings when he comprehensively outpointed Medi Veminardi (REU) in Heat 1 of the Round of 16. Muniz relished the more powerful waves at Surfer’s Beach, dropping three scores in the excellent range (over 8.00 out of 10), with the top two totalling 17.16.
“Moving the event was the right choice,” Muniz said. “Here you can push on your turns more. As soon as I knew that they were going to change I tried to set up my mind to surf differently and I think it worked really well.”
Ballito Pro top Seed Italo Ferreira (BRA) soars above the lip of the wave on his way to the highest single ride and heat tally of the day at Surfer’s Beach in Ballito on Saturday. Photo: WSL / Ballito Pro / Cestari
“Going to the top of the rankings is very important. I was on the CT for four years and when I got out last year I felt like I could I could do it better, so I’m trying to get back to prove to myself that I can do it better. I know it’s a long way until the end of the year and I’m not thinking about winning, just about making heats.”
Seventeen year-old Kanoa Igarashi (USA), ranked No. 84 and on his first trip to South Africa, surprised former CT member Joan Duru (FRA) in their Round 4 duel by posting a massive 9.23 point ride to overtake the Frenchman and then extended his lead with a further 7.40.
“I was pretty out of rhythm that heat and just took a deep breath to reset my mind,” Igarashi said. “The first wave that came after that was the 9. It was such a perfect wave and I was in good position and surfed my hardest on it.”
“It’s my first time in South Africa and I love it so much. This is a huge result for me. I’m going jump up probably about 50, 60, 70 spots and that’s a huge confidence booster for my year, so I’m super excited.”
Muniz and Igarashi will face off in the first of the Quarterfinal heats on Sunday morning.
Mitch Coleborn (AUS) was another who benefitted from the move to Surfers Beach. The goofyfoot (rides with right foot in front) targeted the left breaking waves and used the wind to complete a huge slob-air that netted him an 8.17 and added a 7.33 to win his heat against fellow Australian and close friend Mitch Crews.
“I was with one of my buddies and I didn’t get the start that I wanted. Finally towards the end of the heat I found those two waves,” Coleborn said. “That was what I was looking for the whole time, those little southerly ramps into the wind. I’m stoked to make it the quarters. It’s my best result all year and hopefully I can keep the momentum going.”
Top seed Italo Ferreira (BRA) upped his game after finishing runner-up to compatriot Caio Ibelli in Round 4. The current World No. 8 progressed to the last eight with a consummate display of competition surfing, earning a near-perfect 9.40, the highest single ride of the day, for an incredibly high forehand aerial manoeuvre.
“My last wave was great. I did a big front side air on my first wave but I didn’t land it so I tried again and it worked,” Ferreira said. “I was so stoked when the heat ended and I’m super excited for the quarters.”
Ferreira faces Ibelli in the Quarterfinals in a rematch of their Round 3 encounter after Ibelli dispatched Ezekiel Lau, the last Hawaiian in the event. Coleborn is up against Santiago Muniz (ARG), the brother of Alejo, and the last of quarters sees an all-Australian duel between Davey Cathels and Soli Bailey.
The organisers will convene at 7am to decide on when to start the final day of competition. The 2015 Ballito Pro champion will be crowned on Sunday and all the action can be watched live at www.worldsurfleague.com and www.theballitopro.com
The Monster Energy Expression Session presented by Zigzag will be run between the Semifinals and Final featuring nine of the most progressive surfers in the event plus local standout Alan Johns. The surfer producing the most impressive performance during the 30 minute session will pocket R20 000. The winner of the Monster Energy Wave of the Week presented by Zigzag determined by video footage taken during the event takes home R25 000. See more details at https://theballitopro.com/expression-session/
The Ballito Pro Festival, the continent’s biggest beach festival, also comes to an end on Sunday after a week of beach, music and extreme sports entertainment. The final Tropika Ballito Pro Music Concert Powered by 5FM will be held at Salt Rock on Saturday evening.
The Ballito Pro presented by Billabong is proudly supported by the KwaDukuza Municipality, Billabong, 5FM, Monster Energy, Zigzag Surfing Magazine, World Surf League (WSL) and Surfing South Africa (SSA).
Ballito Pro Upcoming Quarter Final Match-Ups
Q1: Alejo Muniz (BRA) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (USA)
Q2: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Caio Ibelli (BRA)
Q3: Mitch Coleborn (AUS) vs. Santiago Muniz (ARG)
Q4: Davey Cathels (AUS) vs. Soli Bailey (AUS)
Competition in the Ballito Pro presented by Billabong resumed this morning (Saturday) with competitors in Round 3 back in action in the one metre glassy waves on offer at Bather’s Beach.
A QS 10,000 rated event on the World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS), the Ballito Pro has 24 of the world’s best surfers still in contention for the prestigious title, the US $40 000 (nearly R500 000) winner’s paycheque and 10,000 priceless rankings points.
Organisers had no hesitation in getting the event underway at 7.15am and expect to utilise the idyllic conditions to complete a total of 16 heats in Rounds 3 and 4 today, leaving the Quarterfinals, Semifinals and the Final to be run on Sunday.
Ballito Pro: Upcoming Round 3 Match-Ups
H1: Alejo Muniz (BRA), Kanoa Igarashi (USA), Keanu Asing (HAW)
H2: Medi Veminardi (REU), Billy Stairmand (NZL), Joan Duru (FRA)
H3: Brent Dorrington (AUS), Ezekiel Lau (HAW), Maxime Huscenot (FRA)
H4: Italo Ferreira (BRA), David do Carmo (BRA), Caio Ibelli (BRA)
H5: Marc Lacomare (FRA), Mitch Coleborn (AUS), Stu Kennedy (AUS)
H6: Santiago Muniz (ARG), Gony Zubizarreta (ESP), Mitch Crews (AUS)
H7: Michael Rodrigues (BRA), Davey Cathels (AUS), Connor O’Leary (AUS)
H8: Heitor Alves (BRA), Soli Bailey (AUS), Jadson Andre (BRA)
The competitors in the Ballito Pro are also competing for valuable specialty prizes in the Monster Energy Expression Session presented by Zigzag and the Monster Energy Wave of the Week presented by Zigzag which will reward the respective winners with R20 000 and R25 000 each. See more details at https://theballitopro.com/expression-session/
Ideal conditions at Bather’s Beach on Saturday morning prompted organisers to get the Ballito Pro underway soon after dawn. Photo: WSL / Ballito Pro / Cestari
While the surfers ride the waves, the Ballito Pro Festival is set to turn up the heat in KwaDukuza by offering the best in beach, music and extreme sports entertainment. Locals and holiday-makers will be spoilt for choice with the week-long festival featuring an
extreme sports programme, the Coastal Living Bru Food & Wine Festival and an exciting retail area while the Tropika Ballito Pro Music Concerts Powered by 5FM bring some of South Africa’s most talented music acts to the stage in Salt Rock.
The Ballito Pro presented by Billabong is proudly supported by the KwaDukuza Municipality, Billabong, 5FM, Monster Energy, Zigzag Surfing Magazine, World Surf League (WSL) and Surfing South Africa (SSA).
Last 24 Set to Explode in Predicted Overhead Surf and Glassy Conditions
A second successive lay day on Friday has set up an explosive weekend of action at the Ballito Pro presented by Billabong as the last 24 in the event fight it out for the prestigious title and coveted rankings points.
The third of nine QS 10,000 rated events on the 2015 World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series, the Ballito Pro offers the highest level of rankings points available to surfers seeking to qualify for the elite Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour (CT) which decides the annual World Champion.
After a lay day due to small waves on Thursday, organisers met at 8am on Friday and put the event on hold several times to monitor conditions before deciding to call it off at 1pm. With an increase in swell size and windless conditions predicted for the next two days, WSL QS Commissioner Travis Logie opted to return at 7am on Saturday and is hoping to restart competition at 7.15am.
“There were actually some really fun waves this morning, but I knew that if we started running we’d put some later heats in jeopardy,” Logie said. “We probably would have one or two good heats and then the third or fourth heat would have struggled.”
“This afternoon we were hoping for a tide push but unfortunately the onshore came through pretty strong. The forecast is so good for tomorrow and the next day that it’s not worth just running heats for the sake of it.”
When competition resumes in Heat 1 of Round 3, current QS No. 3, Alejo Muniz (BRA) takes on Kanoa Igarashi (USA), the last mainland American in contention, and CT No. 24 Keanu Asing (HAW) in a three-man clash where the top two advance to man-on-man encounters in the Round of 16.
Medi Veminardi from Reunion Island faces Billy Stairmand and former CT campaigner Joan Duru (FRA) in Heat 2 while top seed and current World No. 8, Italo Ferreira, meets compatriots David do Carmo and Caio Ibelli in an all Brazilian match-up in Heat 4.
Joan Duru (FRA), a former WSL Championship Tour campaigner, is up against Medi Veminardi (REU) and Billy Stairmand (NZL) in the Heat 2 of Round 3 of the Ballito Pro at Willard Beach when competition resumes Photo: WSL / Ballito Pro / Cestari
Event standout Michael Rodrigues (BRA), who has posted the only perfect 10-point ride and the two highest heat tallies to date, will be up against Australians Davey Cathels and Connor O’Leary in Heat 7.
The heat formats change to man-on-man competition from the Round of 16 with the winner advancing and the loser eliminated, until the last two remaining surfers contest the Final on Sunday. The winner takes home R500 000 and adds 10 000 rankings points to his season’s tally.
The window period for the Ballito Pro runs until Sunday 5 July and all the action can be watched live while the contest is running at www.worldsurfleague.com and www.theballitopro.com
The competitors in the Ballito Pro are also competing for valuable specialty prizes in the Monster Energy Expression Session presented by Zigzag and the Monster Energy Wave of the Week presented by Zigzag which will reward the respective winners with R20 000 and R25 000 each. See more details at https://theballitopro.com/expression-session/
While the surfers ride the waves, the Ballito Pro Festival is set to turn up the heat in KwaDukuza by offering the best in beach, music and extreme sports entertainment. Locals and holiday-makers will be spoilt for choice with the week-long festival featuring an
extreme sports programme, the Coastal Living Bru Food & Wine Festival and an exciting retail area while the Tropika Ballito Pro Music Concerts Powered by 5FM bring some of South Africa’s most talented music acts to the stage in Salt Rock.
The Ballito Pro presented by Billabong is proudly supported by the KwaDukuza Municipality, Billabong, 5FM, Monster Energy, Zigzag Surfing Magazine, World Surf League (WSL) and Surfing South Africa (SSA).
Ballito Pro: Upcoming Round 3 Match-Ups
H1: Alejo Muniz (BRA), Kanoa Igarashi (USA), Keanu Asing (HAW)
H2: Medi Veminardi (REU), Billy Stairmand (NZL), Joan Duru (FRA)
H3: Brent Dorrington (AUS), Ezekiel Lau (HAW), Maxime Huscenot (FRA)
H4: Italo Ferreira (BRA), David do Carmo (BRA), Caio Ibelli (BRA)
H5: Marc Lacomare (FRA), Mitch Coleborn (AUS), Stu Kennedy (AUS)
H6: Santiago Muniz (ARG), Gony Zubizarreta (ESP), Mitch Crews (AUS)
H7: Michael Rodrigues (BRA), Davey Cathels (AUS), Connor O’Leary (AUS)
H8: Heitor Alves (BRA), Soli Bailey (AUS), Jadson Andre (BRA)
The Ballito Pro presented by Billabong runs until 05 July and the world class surfing and lifestyle event attracts over 100 000 visitors to Willard’s beach in KwaDukuza. The epic beach and lifestyle festival promises a summer holiday experience with exciting beach soccer and volleyball activations; regular stage performances by local dancers, singers and performers and an impressive retail area to explore. Festivalgoers can experience what it’s like to be a real life stuntman or stuntwoman by leaping off the SevensevenSports bagjump and watch the impressive motocross antics of the Le Riche Brothers. The Tropika Ballito Pro Music Concerts Powered by 5FM, Crush Nightclub and Big Night Out are bringing together SA’s top musical acts to rock out for three nights (02 – 04 July) of non-stop music. The concerts are free of charge and open to all members of the public on Salt Rock beach.
High resolution images are available on request.
Photographer: Ryan Janssens
The Imbewu Zulu dancers brought some colour to the festival at the 2015 Ballito Pro presented by Billabong.Another amazing morning at the 2015 Ballito Pro presented by Billabong.Malcom Kabuka from the Congo loving the shade at the 2015 Ballito Pro presented by Billabong.Sanelisiwe Dube, Deandra Mattioda and Mlindeni Dube from On-The-Go food at the 2015 Ballito Pro presented by Billabong.Hastin Naidoo and Tom Earle get the frisbee going at the 2015 Ballito Pro presented by Billabong.Joao Cabral joined in the fun doing the SevensevenSports bagjump at the 2015 Ballito Pro presented by Billabong.Micheal Bestar, Herman Du Plessis, Mauritz Pienaar, Bernard Davel and Warren Van De Westhuisen from Johannesburg loving the sunshine at the 2015 Ballito Pro presented by Billabong.Sugar Dance performers showing the crowds how it’s done at the 2015 Ballito Pro presented by BillabongSugar Dance performers at the 2015 Ballito Pro presented by Billabong.Sugar Dance performers at the 2015 Ballito Pro presented by Billabong.The ‘Sugar Dance’ crowd was just as spectacular as the dancing at the 2015 Ballito Pro presented by Billabong.Tropika made sure the crowd was cool and refreshed on this scorcher of a day at the 2015 Ballito Pro presented by Billabong.Colben Holmes and Teresa Mackinnon providing festival goers with their daily ‘scoop’ at the 2015 Ballito Pro presented by Billabong.Sharne’ Snyman, Rowan Clelland and Tanielle Mccallum loving the awsome atmosphere at the 2015 Ballito Pro presented by Billabong.Tiffany Williams and Joshua Amey from ‘The Coffe Guys‘ serving the best coffee daily at the 2015 Ballito Pro presented by Billabong.Manius Meyer, Melanie Meyer, Lionel Van Schoor and Agrippa Nxumalo from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, keeping our animals and tourism alive at the 2015 Ballito Pro presented by Billabong.
Rodriques shines again as Brazilian Storm makes waves in South Africa
The 96-man field of the world’s best surfers in the Ballito Pro presented by Billabong was reduced to 24 when Round 2 of the QS 10,000 rated event was completed in one metre waves at the backup venue of Bather’s Beach in Ballito on Wednesday.
Once again it was Michael Rodrigues (BRA) that shone, delivering the day’s highest single ride score – 9.00 out of 10 – and the highest heat total – 17.40 out of 20 – by combining carving turns and high-flying above-the-lip manoeuvres that perfectly matched the criteria for high performance surfing.
Rodrigues was joined by six compatriots, the aptly named Brazilian Storm, in Round 3 with top seed and current World No. 8 Italo Ferreira, Alejo Muniz, and Heitor Alves also winning their respective Round of 48 encounters.
Ferreira produced a particularly impressive performance, upping his game to claim the second highest heat total of the day – 16.70 – and was happy with his showing.
“That heat was great and I got good lefts and I did some airs,” Ferreira said. “My board is amazing and I’m super confident for the next round. I hope to keep it going and my focus is to get a good result in the event.”
Marc Lacomare (FRA) produced a surprise when he and veteran Gony Zubizarreta (ESP) ended the chances of former elite Top 34 competitors Dion Atkinson and fellow Australian Yadin Nicol. The Frenchman earned the heat’s highest score, a 7.67, and then clinched the win with a 6.77.
“The conditions looked difficult so I knew I wouldn’t get many opportunities and I tried to wait for the right wave and not fall,” Lacomare said. “After a really slow start I got the scores I needed, it was kind of nerve racking but I’m stoked. This contest means a lot but I’m try to not think about it. I just take it heat by heat and will see at the end of the week where that takes me.”
Other Frenchmen to advance included Joan Duru (FRA), Maxime Huscenot (FRA) and Media Veminardi from the French province of Reunion Island, who all won their respective Round 2 encounters, with Veminardi posting an excellent 16.30 heat tally.
Mitch Crews, who spent a year on the Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour (CT), was today’s top performer among the strong Australian contingent in the world’s longest running professional surfing event. He earned a pair of scores in the excellent range (8.00 or more out of 10) to progress along with second placed compatriot Stu Kennedy.
“It was a really tough heat, everyone was ripping, so I was stoked to progress over all the boys,” Crews said. “I was thinking just catch waves because it was pretty slow as the tide changed and the heats before everyone was getting through with 4’s and 5’s. It’s a pretty important event and I love coming here and am in a good mindset.”
South Africa’s participation in the event ended when David van Zyl (ZAF) from Glenashley placed third in Heat 8 and exited in 25th pace overall, taking home US $1 900 (approx. R20 000) and 1 100 rankings points.
Mitch Crews (AUS) displaces buckets of water as he jams a full rail cutback on his way to winning his Round 2 heat and advancing to the last 24 in the Ballito Pro on Wednesday Photo: WSL / Ballito Pro / Cestari
After studying the predicted wave and weather predictions for the remainder of the contest window, the organisers have called for a lay day on Thursday and will reconvene at 7.00am on Friday morning to make a call on when to restart the competition.
When action resumes, first up will be Alejo Muniz (BRA), Kanoa Igarashi (USA), the last mainland American in contention, and Keanu Asing (HAW) in a three-man clash where the top two advance to man-on-man encounters in the Round of 16.
The window period for the Ballito Pro runs until Sunday 5 July and all the action can be watched live while the contest is running at www.worldsurfleague.com and www.theballitopro.com
The competitors in the Ballito Pro are also be competing for valuable specialty prizes in the Monster Energy Expression Session presented by Zigzag and the Monster Energy Wave of the Week presented by Zigzag which will reward the respective winners with R20 000 and R25 000 each. See more details at https://theballitopro.com/expression-session/
While the surfers ride the waves, the Ballito Pro Festival is set to turn up the heat in KwaDukuza by offering the best in beach, music and extreme sports entertainment. Locals and holiday-makers will be spoilt for choice with the week-long festival featuring an
extreme sports programme, the Coastal Living Bru Food & Wine Festival and an exciting retail area while the Tropika Ballito Pro Music Concerts Powered by 5FM bring some of South Africa’s most talented music acts to the stage in Salt Rock.
The Ballito Pro presented by Billabong is proudly supported by the KwaDukuza Municipality, Billabong, 5FM, Monster Energy, Zigzag Surfing Magazine, World Surf League (WSL) and Surfing South Africa (SSA).
Ballito Pro Round 2 Results
H1: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 14.80, Billy Stairmand (NZL) 14.00, Matt Banting (AUS) 12.73, Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 11.76
H2: Medi Veminardi (REU) 16.40, Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 14.10, Marco Fernandez (BRA) 12.17, Griffin Colapinto (USA) 11.14
H3: Joan Duru (FRA) 15.00, Keanu Asing (HAW) 14.94, Tanner Hendrickson (HAW) 10.80, Tomas Fernandes (PRT) 10.74
H4: Brent Dorrington (AUS) 13.70, David do Carmo (BRA) 13.10, Tomas Hermes (BRA) 11.60, Noe Mar McGonagle (CRI) 11.23
H5: Maxime Huscenot (FRA) 15.33, Caio Ibelli (BRA) 15.16, Hiroto Arai (JPN) 11.40, Flavio Nakagima (BRA) 3.50
H6: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 15.50, Lau Ezekiel (HAW) 9.80, Perth Standlick (AUS) 9.66, Glenn Hall (IRL) 9.17
H7: Marc Lacomare (FRA) 14.44, Gony Zubizarreta (ESP) 13.33, Dion Atkinson (AUS) 10.76, Yadin Nicol (AUS) 9.60
H8: Santiago Muniz (ARG) 14.34, Mitch Coleborn (AUS) 12.86, David Van Zyl (ZAF) 11.00, Kolohe Andino (USA) 10.80
H9: Mitch Crews (AUS) 16.20, Stu Kennedy (AUS) 15.87, Cooper Chapman (AUS) 12.67, Jose Ferreira (PRT) 8.60
H10: Michael Rodrigues (BRA) 17.40, Soli Bailey (AUS) 14.10, Alex Smith (HAW) 12.43, Nathan Hedge (AUS) 11.10
H11: Connor O’Leary (AUS) 14.37, Jadson Andre (BRA) 14.23, Lucas Silveira (BRA) 13.17, Michael Dunphy (USA) 12.40
H12: Davey Cathels (AUS) 15.00, Nathan Yeomans (USA) 14.53, Thomas Woods (AUS) 14.06, Heitor Alves (BRA) 5.97
Competition in the Ballito Pro presented by Billabong resumed this morning with competitors in Round 2 in action in the one metre offshore waves on offer at Bather’s Beach.
A QS 10,000 rated event on the World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS), the Ballito Pro features an elite 96-man entry of the world top ranked surfers. On offer is a total prize-purse of US $250 000 (over R3 million) and invaluable ranking points, with the winner taking home nearly R500 000 and adding 10,000 points to his season’s tally.
The Ballito Pro resumed competition at Bather’s Beach on Wednesday Photo: WSL / Ballito Pro / Cestari
Organisers had no hesitation in getting the contest underway at 7.15am and expect to complete the 12 heats in the Round of 48 today.
Watch all the action at the Ballito Pro live at www.worldsurfleague.com and www.theballitopro.com
The competitors in the Ballito Pro are also be competing for valuable specialty prizes in the Monster Energy Expression Session presented by Zigzag and the Monster Energy Wave of the Week presented by Zigzag which will reward the respective winners with R20 000 and R25 000 each. See more details athttps://theballitopro.com/expression-session/
While the surfers ride the waves, the Ballito Pro Festival is set to turn up the heat in KwaDukuza by offering the best in beach, music and extreme sports entertainment. Locals and holiday-makers will be spoilt for choice with the week-long festival featuring an
extreme sports programme, the Coastal Living Bru Food & Wine Festival and an exciting retail area while the Tropika Ballito Pro Music Concerts Powered by 5FM bring some of South Africa’s most talented music acts to the stage in Salt Rock.
The Ballito Pro presented by Billabong is proudly supported by the KwaDukuza Municipality, Billabong, 5FM, Monster Energy, Zigzag Surfing Magazine, World Surf League (WSL) and Surfing South Africa (SSA).
David van Zyl the Only South African Through to Round 2
Michael Rodriques (BRA) was the standout performer on Day 2 of the Ballito Pro presented by Billabong where the remaining 15 heats in the opening round were completed in 1.0 to 1.2 metre waves at Bather’s Beach in Ballito on Tuesday.
The young Brazilian produced a spectacular display of progressive surfing, posting the first perfect 10 point ride in the World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) event for a series of powerful turns and a high flying aerial manoeuvre that he landed in full control.
Michael Rodrigues (BRA) displays the form that earned him the first perfect 10 point ride at the Ballito Pro on Tuesday Photo: WSL / Ballito Pro / Cestari
The current No. 18 on the QS rankings was already leading the heat with scores of 7.00 and a near-perfect 9.20.The perfect ride gave him a heat total of 19.20, the highest of the event to date, and put him out of reach of his opponents who were left in a combination situation where they needed to improve on both their scores to overtake him.
“This is a very important event for me. There are good waves and the conditions are so so, but I make some airs and the judges like it,” Rodriques said. “I stay in ranking at number 20 after one 9th place at Lowers (California) and want to go to the next event in Huntington Beach. S it’s important to do well here in Ballito.”
Rodrigues progressed to Round 2 (the Round of 48) along with second placed Stu Kennedy (AUS), with third and fourth placed Nic Von Rupp (PRT) and Hiroto Ohhara (JAP) eliminated from the event.
Earlier in the day, Ballito Pro top seed Italo Ferreira (BRA) showed the skills that have taken him to World No. 8 in his rookie year on the elite Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour (CT). Surfing well within his capabilities, Ferreira still delivered two scores in the excellent range (over 8.00 points out 10), for what was then the highest heat score of 16.70.
That left fellow Brazilian Flavio Nakagima in second place and through to the next round while Beyrick de Vries (ZAF) from nearby Umhlanga and Vasco Ribeiro (PRT) were eliminated in third and fourth places respectively. Nakagima gained entry to the main event by finishing runner-up in the Ballito Pro Trials presented by Billabong on Sunday.
“The waves were good, it’s fun but it’s small. I’m stoked with my first heat and this event,” Ferreira said. “This is my first time here and I’m happy and I hope to keep going in the next heat. I did some airs on the left and I got a good rotation, so yeah I’m stoked.”
The local South African challenge for the prestigious Ballito Pro title rests on the shoulders of 22-year-old David van Zyl from Glenashley after Jordy Smith (Durban) and Michael February (Kommetjie) were ousted yesterday and de Vries and Dale Staples (St Francis Bay) were sidelined today.
Van Zyl finished second behind Marc Lacomare (FRA) and ahead of Jonathan Gonzalez (CNY) and Carlos Munoz (CRI). He posted a 6.00 early in the heat and then a 6.80 with five minutes to go, after which the ocean went flat and he held on to the runner-up spot.
“It’s a big result for me. I haven’t had many results, or many keepers this year, so it’s hopefully going to turn my year around and I’m hoping to build off this first heat,” van Zyl said.
“I surf onshore like this quite a lot so I know there’s no defined peaks and you’ve just got to keep moving around and try keep busy. That’s what I started off the heat doing, and then the rest of the heat I was just waiting for a bomb, and luckily the other guys didn’t manage to get two big scores.”
Cooper Chapman (AUS) was another who enjoyed the conditions, racking up a heat total of 17,27, the third highest of the event, and fellow Australian Soli Bailey earned a near perfect 9.57, the second highest score to date after Rodrigues’ 10 pointer, in winning his heat.
Conditions are expected to be similar for Day 3 on Wednesday and the organisers will meet at 7am for a possible 7.15am start. The event runs until Sunday 5 July when the winner will receive US $40 000 (nearly R500 000) and a coveted 10 000 points on the QS rankings
All the action at the Ballito Pro presented by Billabong can be watched live while the contest is running at www.worldsurfleague.com and www.theballitopro.com
The competitors in the Ballito Pro are also be competing for valuable specialty prizes in the Monster Energy Expression Session presented by Zigzag and the Monster Energy Wave of the Week presented by Zigzag which will reward the respective winners with R20 000 and R25 000 each. See more details at https://theballitopro.com/expression-session/
While the surfers ride the waves, the Ballito Pro Festival is set to turn up the heat in KwaDukuza by offering the best in beach, music and extreme sports entertainment. Locals and holiday-makers will be spoilt for choice with the week-long festival featuring an
extreme sports programme, the Coastal Living Bru Food & Wine Festival and an exciting retail area while the Tropika Ballito Pro Music Concerts Powered by 5FM bring some of South Africa’s most talented music acts to the stage in Salt Rock.
The Ballito Pro presented by Billabong is proudly supported by the KwaDukuza Municipality, Billabong, 5FM, Monster Energy, Zigzag Surfing Magazine, World Surf League (WSL) and Surfing South Africa (SSA).
Results
Ballito Pro Round 1
H10: Maxime Huscenot (FRA) 12.10, Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 10.93, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 10.60, Michael February (ZAF) 8.63
H11: Perth Standlick (AUS) 14.83, Caio Ibelli (BRA) 12.43, Charles Martin (GLP) 10.80, Hizunome Bettero (BRA) 8.53
H12: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 16.70, Flavio Nakagima (BRA) 14.33, Beyrick De Vries (ZAF) 11.37, Vasco Ribeiro (PRT) 10.30
H13: Dion Atkinson (AUS) 15.56, Mitch Coleborn (AUS) 14.76, Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 12.17, Robson Santos (BRA) 11.20
H14: Marc Lacomare (FRA) 15.34, David Van Zyl (ZAF) 12.80, Carlos Munoz (CRI) 11.77, Jonathan Gonzalez (CNY) 11.76
H15: Kolohe Andino (USA) 16.67, Gony Zubizarreta (ESP) 14.83, Garrett Parkes (AUS) 14.20, Cory Arrambide (USA) 13.53
H16: Santiago Muniz (ARG) 13.63, Yadin Nicol (AUS) 13.57, Cahill Bell-Warren (AUS) 10.54, Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 9.14
H17: Cooper Chapman (AUS) 17.27, Alex Smith (HAW) 14.37, Miguel Pupo (BRA) 11.10, Mason Ho (HAW) 7.56
H18: Jose Ferreira (PRT) 14.60, Nathan Hedge (AUS) 14.43, Evan Geiselman (USA) 13.67, Jesse Mendes (BRA) 12.84
H19: Michael Rodrigues (BRA) 19.20, Stu Kennedy (AUS) 16.10, Hiroto Ohhara (JPN) 14.77, Nic Von Rupp (PRT) 13.50
H20: Soli Bailey (AUS) 14.80, Mitch Crews (AUS) 14.77, Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 11.90, Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 9.90
H21: Connor O’Leary (AUS) 12.56, Heitor Alves (BRA) 10.60, Ricardo Christie (NZL) 8.74, Dale Staples (ZAF) 5.90
H22: Lucas Silveira (BRA) 13.30, Davey Cathels (AUS) 12.77, Bino Lopes (BRA) 8.67, Dusty Payne (HAW) 7.84
H23: Thomas Woods (AUS) 16.10, Michael Dunphy (USA) 13.10, Ryan Callinan (AUS) 12.17, Krystian Kymerson (BRA) 12.04
H24: Nathan Yeomans (USA) 15.00, Jadson Andre (BRA) 14.53, Frederico Morais (PRT) 14.06, Jack Robinson (AUS) 5.97
Competition in the Ballito Pro presented by Billabong resumed at Bather’s Beach in Ballito this morning with competitors in Heat 10 of the Round of 96 taking to the one metre waves fanned by a SW offshore breeze.
A QS 10,000 rated event on the World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS), the Ballito Pro features an elite 96-man entry of the world top ranked surfers. On offer is a total prize-purse of US $250 000 (over R3 million) and invaluable ranking points, with the winner taking home nearly R500 000 and adding 10,000 points to his season’s tally.
Organisers had no hesitation in basing the contest at Bather’s Beach, 300 metres south of the main venue at Surfer’s Beach, and hope to complete the 24 heats in the Round of 96. Surfers in the first four heats of Round 2 are on standby to compete if conditions remain contestable.
Watch all the action live at www.worldsurfleague.com and www.theballitopro.com
The competitors in the Ballito Pro will also be competing for valuable specialty prizes in the Monster Energy Expression Session presented by Zigzag and the Monster Energy Wave of the Week presented by Zigzag which will reward the respective winners with R20 000 and R25 000 each. See more details athttps://theballitopro.com/expression-session/
Organisers elected to continue running the Ballito Pro at Bather’s Beach on Tuesday Photo: WSL / Ballito Pro / Cestari
While the surfers ride the waves, the Ballito Pro Festival is set to turn up the heat in KwaDukuza by offering the best in beach, music and extreme sports entertainment. Locals and holiday-makers will be spoilt for choice with the week-long festival featuring an extreme sports programme, the Coastal Living Bru Food & Wine Festival and an exciting retail area while the Tropika Ballito Pro Music Concerts Powered by 5FM bring some of South Africa’s most talented music acts to the stage in Salt Rock.
The Ballito Pro presented by Billabong is proudly supported by the KwaDukuza Municipality, Billabong, 5FM, Monster Energy, Zigzag Surfing Magazine, World Surf League (WSL) and Surfing South Africa (SSA).
The Ballito Pro presented by Billabong kicked off on Sunday, 28 June and is the world’s longest professional surfing event, and the continent’s biggest beach festival. The festival runs until July 5. The world class surfing and lifestyle event attracts over 100 000 visitors to the summery shores of Willard’s beach in KwaDukuza and this year, together with a host of exciting new partners, promises to deliver even more fun in the sun. Bigger and better in every respect the expanded festival boasts a range of fun-filled activities for the whole family, the return of the women’s surfing competition and of course, the opportunity to watch the world’s best surfers in action.
The epic beach and lifestyle festival promises a summer holiday experience with exciting beach soccer and volleyball activations; regular stage performances by local dancers, singers and performers and an impressive retail area to explore. Festivalgoers can explore the Tropika Chill Zone from July 2-4, filled with goodies from the Tropika treasure chest, and children are fully catered for with a kiddies corner, sandcastle building competition and daily children’s programme.
Always a crowd favourite, The Tropika Ballito Pro Music Concerts Powered by 5FM, Crush Nightclub and Big Night Out are bringing together SA’s top musical acts to rock out for three nights of non-stop music. From July 2 to July 4 music lovers can watch a stellar line-up of bands and DJS on Salt Rock beach under the stars, and all for free! Top acts include Gangs of Ballet, Matthew Mole, Riky Rick, K.O and a host of 5FM’s most loved DJs. The musical celebrations will continue late into the night with DJ contests, bar flaring competitions and epic after parties.
Coastal Living Bru Food and Wine Exhibition (June 30- July 2) returns to La Montagne Resort for three nights of fine wining and dining and quality fashion and lifestyle entertainment. The popular culinary event boasts plenty of foodie experiences including the Fine Young Cooks Awards, a wine auction and a flavoursome artisanal food and beverage market. The popular cooking competition, the ‘Fleur du Cap So You Think You Can Cook Ballito Style’, adds a new element into the mix this year with entrants pairing wines with the meals they cook from mystery box ingredients. Expert judges Joani Mitchell, Genee’ Griffiths and Andrew Draper will decide which pro and amateur chef takes home the grand prize.
Fashion lovers will be happy to know the foodie event is also showcasing the Miss Ballito Pageant as well as a glamorous fashion shows by Simply Models. Leading Durban stylist Kevin Ellis is also on the bill and will be showcasing his new range of his designer clothes at grand finale show on July 2, incorporating the event’s theme ‘liquid motion – evolution of epic’. A new addition to this year’s event, the Monster Beach Surf Movie Night on July 1, also promises an exciting entertainment experience.
Adrenaline junkies are in for the ride of their lives as the festival’s extreme sports programme is guaranteed to thrill. Festivalgoers can experience what it’s like to be a real life stuntman or stuntwoman by leaping off the SevensevenSports bagjump, watch the impressive motocross move of the Le Riche Brothers and skate at the surreal 2nd Lunar Project Event.
For more information visit theballitopro.com, like ‘The Ballito Pro’ on Facebook and follow @theballitopro on Twitter.
The Ballito Pro presented by Billabong kicked off on Sunday, 28 June and is the world’s longest professional surfing event, and the continent’s biggest beach festival. The festival runs until July 5. The world class surfing and lifestyle event attracts over 100 000 visitors to the summery shores of Willard’s beach in KwaDukuza and this year, together with a host of exciting new partners, promises to deliver even more fun in the sun. Bigger and better in every respect the expanded festival boasts a range of fun-filled activities for the whole family, the return of the women’s surfing competition and of course, the opportunity to watch the world’s best surfers in action.
Coastal Living Bru Food and Wine Exhibition (June 30- July 2) returns to La Montagne Resort for three nights of fine wining and dining and quality fashion and lifestyle entertainment. The popular culinary event boasts plenty of foodie experiences including the Fine Young Cooks Awards, a wine auction and a flavoursome artisanal food and beverage market. The popular cooking competition, the ‘Fleur du Cap So You Think You Can Cook Ballito Style’, adds a new element into the mix this year with entrants pairing wines with the meals they cook from mystery box ingredients. Expert judges Joani Mitchell, Genee’ Griffiths and Andrew Draper will decide which pro and amateur chef takes home the grand prize.