The inaugural O’Neill SMTH Shapes Pro Junior will kick off the festival program for the 2019 Ballito Pro pres. By O’Neill from 27-29 June and is a collaboration between global wetsuit and apparel giant O’Neill and former World Junior Champion and two-time Ballito Pro winner Jordy Smith, who is always keen to support opportunities for the country’s junior surfers.

“I’m really stoked to be promoting my new surfboard brand, SMTH Shapes, at Ballito in June,” said Smith, the current World No. 3. “This is a perfect partnership with my sponsor O’Neill.”

<p “>The event will enable South Africa’s top 18-and-under men and women to meet, mingle and compete against their international peers. Competitors earn prize-money and rankings points that count towards the prized annual WSL Africa Junior titles and the selection of the regional squad invited to the WSL World Junior Championships in December.

“We’re honoured to have SMTH Shapes come on board with the Pro Junior,” said Paul Canning, O’Neill South Africa Brand Director. “Jordy is such a great ambassador for South African surfing and is always amazing with all the kids, so we welcome this partnership.”