Back to Back in Ballito!

BALLITO IS BACK: Albeit with 'strict adherence' to Covid-19 protocols. Photo WSL / Janssen

The Ballito Pro presented by O’Neill - the world’s longest-running professional surfing event - will be the premier WSL event for South Africa and Africa in 2021. Titles in Men, Women and Juniors divisions will be decided at Willard Beach in KwaDukuza from 13-18 July. Warming up the big competition is the O’Neill Ballito South African Surfing Championships from 10-12 July and the SA Juniors from 7-9 the first event in line. A total of 96 men and women from eight districts will contest the SA Champs - the longest-running surfing event in Africa, and up there in the world for a national championship.

Within the ambit of the current global pandemic, the 52nd edition of the Ballito Pro will be a Qualifying Series (QS) 5,000 rated event. Athletes from all over Africa will participate including Morocco, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Namibia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe (Covid-19 travel restrictions dependent).

In addition to earning prize money, the 96-strong entry field provides local WSL Africa members with QS ranking points, and an opportunity (for the top five South Africans) to qualify for the Challenger Series campaign in 2022. The event retain its high season window within the South African school winter holidays.

MAGIC MOMENT: The event has seen some pretty sublime winter KZN conditions. Photo WSL

Competitors in the Ballito Women’s Pro presented by O’Neill QS1,000 will be awarded prize money and points on the WSL Africa regional rankings. Surfers in the U18 Division of the O’Neill SS Smth Shapes Rookie Junior Pro (JQS1,000) will be striving for the prestigious WSL title. These surfers will aim for a strong start to the season as a good result could see them competing in the WSL World Junior Championships at the end of 2021. The U12 to U16 surfers will compete in the event as part of the SA Surf Tour and will earn prize money and rating points for their efforts.

“As the KwaDukuza Municipality, we are very pleased to implement one of our key Tourism Recovery elements by supporting the retention of Ballito Pro presented by our partners O’Neill,” said Councillor Dolly Govender, Mayor of KwaDukuza, who said the event formed part of the 2020 KwaDukuza Socio-Economic Recovery Plan, and identified as a key component in the KwaDukuza digital destination marketing strategy to attract domestic and international tourism.

“The live streaming of this event locally and internationally will contribute immensely in reminding and keeping KwaDukuza Tourism Brand in the mind of would-be tourists,” Councillor Govender said, adding that the event would be delivered “strictly in line with the COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols, whilst ensuring that it remains one of the top five KZN prime sports tourism events.”

TWO EVENTS NOGAL: Ballito gets to host two of SA's most important events. Photo WSL

Sector Group Brand Director of O’Neill Paul Canning said they were honoured to be involved in the Ballito Pro again this year: “It has been an extremely tough two years for all competitive surfers and I am very excited to see such a prestigious and integral event on the South African Surfing calendar go ahead once again.”

WSL Africa Regional Manager Colin Fitch echoed Canning's sentiments, also saying that “South Africa’s young surfers are hungry to make an impact on the QS 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.”

Before the event, the prestigious Men’s and Women’s titles and the historic Presidents Cup are up for grabs at the SA Champs, which was first held in 1965 at Kommetjie, Cape Town. A handful of surfers from Durban, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth competed, with Natal winning the first event, while iconic Durban surfer George Thompson clinched the first of his four national titles.

SA CHAMPS RE-ENTRY: Tristan Roberts comes off the lip in the 2019 SA Champs. Photo SSA

Until 2001, KZN has dominated, winning the Presidents Cup 30 times, while Western Province has won it six times. In 2002, Border/Buffalo City won for the first time and have repeated this seven times. They are the current defending champions. Since 2002, KZN/eThekweni have won five more times while WP/Cape Town and EP/Nelson Mandela Bay have each won twice. KZN/Ugu have tasted victory once.

The SA Surfing Champs has been held at different locations each year: Durban, Cape Town, East London, J-Bay, Seals, St Mikes, Vic Bay, Mossels, Trafalgar and Richards Bay. This is a first for Ballito. Heather Clark of Ugu Surfriders has eight national women's titles. Greg Emslie of Buffalo City holds five men's titles. Most of South Africa’s top surfers have won at least once, notably except 1977 world champ Shaun Tomson and 1978 ISA world champ Ant Brodowicz.

Surfers in the 2021 event will compete in internal trials for selection to their district. Cape Town Surfriders, Cape Winelands Surfriders and Eden Surfriders represent the Western Cape, while Nelson Mandela Bay Surfriders and Buffalo City Surfriders represent the Eastern Cape. KZN will feature host district Ilembe Surfriders as well as eThekweni Surfriders and Ugu Surfriders. Surfing South Africa General Manager Robin de Kock said SSA was stoked to be associated with the Ballito Pro and proud to celebrate the 55th national championship in Ballito for the first time.

The Ballito Pro presented by O’Neill will continue to host developmental surf contests and invitational showcases to create a platform and opportunities for all communities. The competitions are part of a tailor-made festival programme, with music, arts, and recreational activities taking place.