Ballito Pro presented by Billabong
As the world’s longest running professional surfing event, the Ballito Pro presented by Billabong, will this year once again host the most exciting surfing and entertainment festival on the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal from June 29 to July 5.
In its 47th year, this event has grown from strength to strength since its inception in 1969 in Durban.
Surfwear manufacturer Billabong has stepped into the top sponsor role after Mr Price pulled out after last year’s event.
“We are extremely pleased to present the 2015 event to our international and domestic visitors. Together with our new partners, we aim to present a world class event,” said KwaDukuza municipality event co-ordinator Collette Bundy.
The Ballito Pro presented by Billabong honours the history of the event but welcomes you into the new era, version 20.15 and celebrates the #evolutionofepic hashtag.
Besides the world class surfing event, visitors will be treated to a beach festival like no other.
Beach-goers will experience extreme sports activities like Freestyle Motocross, a Monster Surf Expression Session and Monster Surf Movie Night powered by Zigzag.
Crowds will rock out to the always popular free music concerts presented by 5FM on Salt Rock beach from July 2-4, while the Coastal Living Bru Food and Wine Festival will run from June 30 to July 2 at La Montagne Hotel in Ballito, offering visitors some fine wining and dining.
The Ballito Pro will be stop number three of nine on the World Surf League’s (WSL) World Qualifying Series (WQS) tour and will award the winner 10 000 points on the WQS. The points can go a long way for surfers wanting to make it on the WSL’s World Championship Tour (WCT) the following year.
The top 96 ranked surfers will compete and the Pro Trials that will be held on Sunday, June 28 will also afford the opportunity to local surfers like Salt Rock’s Shane Sykes to earn a wildcard slot.
Durban’s Jordy Smith and winner of the event in 2010 is currently ranked number 14 on the WCT and has confirmed his attendance at this year’s competition. Ballito will without a doubt throw their support behind Smith to take the win.
“I’m super excited to come back home and compete. It’s my favourite time of year in KZN, so hopefully we get great waves!”
Surf fans will be excited to welcome back a women’s qualifying series event for the first time since 2009 when competition was called off due to the big swell conditions. South Africa’s top women’s surfer on the WQS, Tanika Hoffman said she can’t wait to surf in Ballito.
“I’m so excited to be competing in the Ballito Women’s Pro and it’s great for women’s surfing in South Africa to have a ‘QS event in our local waves,” said Hoffman.
“The event will be an excellent stepping stone for local up-and-coming girls to get valuable QS experience and points without having to travel too far!”
Organisers are holding thumbs for South Africa’s only female surfer on the WCT, Bianca Buitendag from Vic Bay, Western Cape, to compete in home surf.
Buitendag placed runner-up in the Oi Rio Pro in Brazil recently, sitting at number nine on the world rankings.
