Local surfers outclassed in Ballito Pro Juniors Series
The sun was out and the spectators were treated to some awesome surfing during the Billabong Junior Series, presented by BOS.
It was a tough few days on the job for our local surfers throughout the Billabong Junior Series, presented by BOS.
In the end, it was the youngest of the young who held up local hopes with only two of the Dolphin Coast’s junior surfers making it to the finals in any of the categories of this year’s competition – both surfing in the U12 category.
Julian Carbonel sailed through the first round in the U12 boys event, before going on to place second in his quarterfinal and picking it up a gear to finish on top of the pile in his semi.
Unfortunately things did not go as well in the final, as he fell out to end in fourth position, with the victory going to Ryan Kainalo (Brazil).
Also read: The sun rises on day one of the Ballito Pro Billabong juniors
In the U12 girls competition, Mayah Potgieter gave locals something to cheer about when she she won her first heat, before going on to win the bronze in her age group behind South Africans Anastasia Venter in second and Gabi Herbst in first.
The next best performances for locals came from Salt Rock’s Sophie Bell and Calvin Goor, who made it to their semis and quarterfinals respectively.
Another rising local star, Dominic Southwood looked strong in his first heat when he claimed the top score, however he fizzled in the next heat to drop out before the final.
The biggest bragging rights in this year’s series went to Japan’s Rio Waida who claimed first place in the open men’s category followed by South African Luke Slijpen.
In the women’s open SA was dominant, with Zoe Steyn victorious and Kirsty McGillivray in second place.
Durban based Luke Thompson kept KZN’s name up high by winning the U14 boys’ event, while Zoe Steyn added the U16 girls’ gold to her open women’s victory.
The record extending 21st edition of the worlds’ longest running series of events for surfers aged 18-and-under delivered peaky one meter waves and variable winds at Willard Beach.
The Ballito Pro excitement continues all through the week ahead, with world surfing’s big guns coming out to play as of tomorrow (Monday) morning as the QS 1000 Women’s Pro and the 50th edition of the QS10 000 Men’s Pro
Alongside the surfing, visitors will be spoiled for choice with non-stop activities providing even more entertainment throughout the Ballito festival site.
On Monday and Tuesday night Ballito Junction will host the Retro Jubilee Food & Drink festival: celebrity cooking competitions, fashion shows and live entertainment galore.
South Africa’s hottest musical acts appealing to all tastes – rock, pop, hip hop, kwaito, electro and dance – will be performing live on Salt Rock Beach on Thursday and Friday.
Beach and extreme sports, as well as quality retail and food stalls will captivate visitors during the day, every day, at this coastal holiday highlight.
Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 061 718 4438.
Please read our WhatsApp broadcast list disclaimer.
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
