Ballito gears up for Pro

Ballito will once again play host to some of world’s best professional surfers when the ASP Prime Mr Price Pro Ballito returns to Willard Beach from June 30 to July 6.

This year’s event will see 96 surfers from 18 countries compete for a smooth R2.7 million cash prize and critical ratings points for those hoping to qualify for the elite ASP World Championship Tour in 2015.

Californian Dane Reynolds, widely regarded as the one of the world’s most exciting surfers, has also confirmed his entry. South African favourites Jordy Smith and Travis Logie will also feature in the star studded line-up again this year.

Many of South Africa’s up-and-coming stars such as Beyrick de Vries from Umhlanga, will be looking to make their mark.

At the media launch at The Boathouse last Friday, Mr Price events director Graham Daniel said that Ballito’s world-class waves made the town irresistible to the surfing elite.

Over 100 000 fans visited the festival in Ballito last year making the Mr Price Pro one of the biggest events in South Africa.

“The Mr Price Pro has been listed by South African Tourism as one of the top seven in the country in terms of economic impact,” said Daniel.

This puts the pro in the same league as the Dusi canoe marathon, the Midmar Mile, the Comrades marathon, the Two Ocean marathon and the Cape Epic and the Argus Cycle tour.

Building on last year’s successes, the free concerts will feature again this year, as well as the Coastal Living Bru exhibition. As an alternative to watching the surfers shred waves, you can watch extreme sports and beach sport and take part in a range of beach activities. The retail section and food and wine exhibition are another reason for you to visit the Pro.

Last year’s winner, Julian Wilson is the poster boy for this year’s event.

The RedCap Foundation has been selected as the event’s corporate social investment programme as they have been actively involved in KwaDukuza since 2010 with health and education programmes.