Great line-up for surf pro

PERFECT surf conditions, warm winter days and a relaxed coastal vibe are setting the scene for another fantastic Ballito Pro presented by Billabong at Willard Beach, KwaDukuza from 22 June to 3 July.

This year the annual event promises an even bigger and better line-up for holidaymakers and residents alike with extreme sports, cook-offs, a surf film premiere, beach sports, top quality music and, of course, international-level surfing sure to satisfy all tastes.

“We are very excited to be introducing the inaugural Fire Up your Stoke evening on Wednesday 29 June. This will be a night of food and wine offering a fun family evening with fantastic cooking competitions, entertainment as well as wine and whiskey tasting,” said event co-ordinator, Collette Bundy.

The cooking competitions will be divided into several categories, including Mini Cooks, where three to six-year-old children can create sweet treats and the Fine Young Cooks where seven to 12-year-olds will assemble and cook their own kebab recipes. The Ballito Grill Champs will involve 10 amateur teams competing in a braai cook-off, while the Battle of the Ballito Burger will see local restaurants selling their best burgers while garnering support for the winning spot. Anyone wanting to enter one of the contests can do so by emailing fireupyourstoke@gmail.com

The evening will also involve live music, dance and fashion entertainment as well as an exclusive film premiere. Billabong Team Rider and Big Wave surfer, Matt Bromley, is launching his new movie ‘Risky Business’. The surf film, shot by New Zealand filmmaker Guy Mac, focuses on Bromley chasing down the wildest and most beautiful waves in some of the world’s top surfing spots.

In addition to the high level surfing action taking place throughout The Ballito Pro presented by Billabong, world ranked extreme motorcyclists, Bruce and Brent le Riche, will be providing some awe-inspiring sporting action from Thursday 30 June and Sunday 3 July. The two will perform a range of spectacular stunts on a specially made rig consisting of ramps, walls, steps and other death-defying obstacles. Monster’s mini skate ramps will also provide much enjoyment for young skate enthusiasts.

Thrill-seekers will be attracted to the Mamba Skate Park, organised by the Peg Lunar Projects in collaboration with Red Bull, being held on Thursday 30 June. Set within a jungle, visitors and skaters will be transported to a surreal racetrack which will offer skaters a new experience of technical racing and spectators some non-stop entertainment along with music, food and drinks. The top prize is R2 000 cash as well as a host of Peg products. Entrance is R30 for riders, R20 for spectators with registrations at www.mambaskate.com

Visitors to this year’s festival can look forward to three nights of musical entertainment at the Five Star Ballito Pro free Music Concerts powered by 5FM from Thursday 30 June to Saturday 2 July.

At Willard Beach there will be a number of events for all ages. Children will be kept occupied at Kiddies Corner with face painting, water balls, sandcastle building contests and a Kiddies Beach dash. For the older crowds, the Beach Festival offers beach soccer, Learn to Surf and volleyball. The Retail Area will ensure visitors are kept enthralled with daily live entertainment, daily fashion shows, dance displays, a food court, cider garden, arts and crafts as well as a number of other exhibitions and stalls.