Category: Covid-19

With the new Omnicron variant driving a fourth wave of Covid-19 infections, concerns have been raised about health and safety and public events. Fortunately, event organisers of the 2021 Ballito Pro presented by O’Neill have implemented a stringent Covid-19 safety programme to protect contestants and visitors. This will allow the KwaDukuza event to go ahead as scheduled from 9 to 19 December.

“In planning for The Ballito Pro, our Covid-19 safety programme has taken into account the potential of a fourth wave, as well as the restrictions for higher lockdown levels,” explained event organiser, Collette Bundy. “The safety of festival-goers and competitors is a priority and everything is being done to minimise the risk of transmission at the event. We will constantly monitor the situation and adhere to changing regulations as they arise.”

All athletes, staff and officials at The Ballito Pro are required to provide Covid-19 documents on arrival at the event.

• Vaccinated individuals must show proof of full vaccination.
• Unvaccinated individuals must show proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours or a negative antigen test within 48 hours.

Forming part of the safety programme is The Ballito Pro Covid-19 Safety Campaign and Vaccination Site. This is being run in partnership with IPSS Medical, We Thrive as well as the Department of Health. Organisers will have a designated Covid-19 Testing Site at the event entrance where they will conduct Covid-19 PCR and antigen tests. This ensures compliance with the Surfing South Africa and Department of Sport and Recreation’s regulations for hosting the event.

The awareness and safety campaign includes a Vaccination and Testing Site at Willard Beach from 9 to 19 December for event goers. People can book via the Thrive website (www.wethrive.co.za) for vaccination instore at Thrive Ballito from 1pm to 5pm. Alternatively, the Thrive and Dept of Health nurses will vaccinate at the Ballito Pro Vaccination stand.

In addition to this, the Covid-19 safety programme ensures strict regulations are adhered to. This includes mandatory mask wearing for on the contest site and in public; regular sanitising with stations set up throughout the event; physical distancing and the prohibition of sharing of wetsuits, wax or other items – among others.

After Covid-19-related delays, organisers of the 2021 Ballito Pro are excited to announce the official dates for the highly-anticipated Ballito Pro presented by O’Neill surf and festival programme, based at Willard Beach in KwaDukuza. From 9 to 19 December, visitors will get the chance to watch world-class surfing action and enjoy a full line-up of festival fun as the Ballito Pro gets underway in December – for the first time ever!

“KwaDukuza Municipality is very pleased to implement one of our key tourism recovery elements this summer by supporting the Ballito Pro presented by our partners O’Neill,” said Executive Director – Economic Development & Planning of KwaDukuza, Mr Sikhumbuzo Hlongwane. “The adopted 2020 KwaDukuza Socio-economic Recovery Plan identified this event as the launching pad for our digital destination marketing strategy focused on attracting domestic and international tourism.”

He encouraged the private sector partners and tourism establishments to embrace the event which is set to follow strict Covid-19 health and safety protocols: “We hope to retain this as one of the top five sports tourism events in KwaZulu-Natal. We’d like to thank our sponsors and partners for continued support and resources, and we look forward to hosting the prestigious 55th Surfing South Africa Championships for the first time in KwaDukuza.”

Brand Director Paul Canning of Sector Group, said: “On behalf of O’Neill, we are honoured to be involved in the Ballito Pro again this year. It has been a tough two years for all competitive surfers and I am excited to see such a prestigious and integral event on the South African Surfing calendar go ahead once again. I would also like to extend a huge thank you to the KwaDukuza Municipality for their continued support of the Ballito Pro and surfing in South Africa.”

The Ballito Pro 2021 is centred around ongoing surfing contests; the professional World Surf League’s Men, Women’s and Junior contests, as well as the O’Neill Ballito South African Surfing Championships – being hosted in Ballito for the first time in history. And while the surfers battle it out on the waves, festival-goers can enjoy a variety of recreational activities and retail options suited to all ages.

WSL Africa Regional Manager Colin Fitch concurred, saying they’re looking forward to hosting this world-class event: “South Africa’s young surfers are hungry to make an impact on the Qualifying Series and a good result at this prestigious event could catapult you into the big league. Our sincere thanks and praise to the KwaDukuza Municipality, the sponsors and all the residents of Ballito for welcoming us back to their wonderful town and magnificent beaches.”

Robin de Kock, General Manager of Surfing South Africa said they’re excited to be associated with the Ballito Pro in the form of its annual Surfing South Africa Championships: “The 55th edition of this iconic event is particularly important as it determines the South African Men and Women’s Champions and decides which district will take home the coveted President’s Cup. We are grateful to the KwaDukuza Municipality for putting their faith in us and we are confident that the athletes will embrace the opportunity to sample Ballito’s famous surf.”

Ballito Pro 2021 Festival Programme 

Extreme sports and beach action at Willard Beach

·       The Ballito Pro Skate Competition presented by Volcom & Fallen Footwear on Thursday, 16 December

·        Free sunrise yoga and pilates

·        Beach volleyball

·        Daily fashion shows, beach mania and dance displays

·        Virgin Active Summer Pop Up

·        All Good Natural Holdings Beach Pop Up

·        Hollywood Bets Pop Up

Retail delight at Willard Beach daily 9am to 5pm

·        Food court and cider garden

·        Arts n crafts and exhibitions

·        Surfboard displays and shaping

·        Oakley and other pop ups

·        Virtual reality rides including Santa & Surf

Mike’s Kitchen Kids Zone at Willard Beach

·        Face painting, water balls, sandcastle building, beach dash and activations

·        Lots of fun competitions and giveaways

After Dark Programmes with live entertainment

·        Yami’s Unplugged

·        Miss Mikes Junior Pageant on Thursday, 16 December

·        Ballito Village Sunset Festival

·        Gidela Lounge and Shisanyama

·        Ballito Village Sundowner Festival 5pm to 11pm daily

Ballito Pro Environmental Awareness Campaign and Programme

Sarah Ferguson, the founder of Breath Conservation, renowned Channel swimmer, world record holder, and silver license swimming coach will run environmental awareness campaigns and activations from 15 to 17 December. This will include a guided marine walk and pop-up snorkel day. Bins will also be strategically located at the event for the Slip Slop campaign.

Ballito Pro Covid-19 Safety Campaign and Vaccination Site

The Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill in partnership with IPSS Medical and We Thrive is running a Covid-19 Safety Awareness Campaign which will include a Vaccination and Testing Site at Willard Beach from 9 to 19 December for event goers.

People can book via the Thrive website (www.wethrive.co.za) for vaccination instore at Thrive Ballito from 1pm to 5pm. Atlernatively, the Thrive Nurse will vaccinate at the Ballito Pro Thrive stand from 8am to 1pm. Walk-ins will be accepted, but bookings will take preference.

IPSS Medical will also have a designated Covid-19 Testing Site at the event entrance where they will conduct Covid-19 PCR and antigen tests.

*Please note that in line with Covid-19 regulations, media will be required to book dates and time slots in advance for the Ballito Pro. To book, contact media@oliviajones.co.za.

The Ballito Pro presented presented by O’Neill will broadcast the event in partnership with DSTV People’s Weather channel 180 / Openview Channel 115, and Ballito TV.

The continued COVID-19 pandemic entering its third wave in South Africa brings with it further restrictions and limitations, which subsequently affect large gatherings such as sporting and lifestyle events. As a result of the adjusted Level 2 lockdown measures announced by the President of South Africa on Sunday 30 May 2021, the Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill scheduled for July 2021 is postponed to early December 2021.

After discussions and consultation with the KwaDukuza Municipality, the World Surf League (WSL) and Surfing South Africa (SSA) have elected to follow an abundance of caution approach and prioritise public health and safety and have made the difficult decision to move the event out of the high-risk window of the impending COVID-19 third wave. This will prevent the possibility of creating “super spreader” circumstances and bringing risk to lives at large.

“KwaDukuza Municipality in consultation with various partners, taking into account the COVID-19 third wave projections by experts who advise our government, have agreed to postpone the 2021 Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill to a later date. This postponement has been done as part of responsible and responsive governance, which puts public health first. The new dates will be announced after we have surpassed the third wave. We appreciate the support and enthusiasm that has been shown by our partners, the tourism sector and our community since our announcement of the return of the Ballito Pro,” said Cllr. D Govender, Mayor of KwaDukuza.

“We are understandably disappointed to postpone the event, but it is our sincere belief that this decision is in the best interests of the competitors, officials, staff and fans. We do however look forward to hosting the event over the rescheduled dates in December,” said Paul Canning, Brand Director of O’Neill, Sector Group.

“Due to the constantly evolving situation with COVID-19, the safety of our athletes, event staff, and fans remain paramount. We stand by the decision from KwaDukuza Municipality and organisers of the Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill to postpone the event until December. We look forward to returning to the shores of Ballito,” said Colin Fitch, WSL Africa Regional Manager.

“Surfing South Africa supports the decision of the KwaDukuza Municipality and the organisers of the 2021 Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill Sporting and Lifestyle Festival to postpone the events to later in the year. We acknowledge that this decision has been taken with the safety of the public and the participants in mind. We look forward to being part of the programme later this year,” said Robin De Kock, SSA General Manager.

The Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill, the world’s longest-running professional surfing event, will become the premier event for South Africa and the African continent on the World Surf League (WSL) and Surfing South Africa (SSA) calendar for 2021, showcasing the best Men, Women and Juniors surfing at Willard Beach in KwaDukuza.

We extend our appreciation and support to our partners, athletes, local business and the broader community, at this time and will update with more details on the rescheduled event to be held at the end of the year.

For more information, visit:
Website: www.theballitopro.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theballitopro/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheBallitoPro
Instagram: www.instagram.com/TheBallitoPro
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Snapchat: Username – TheBallitoPro