Young guns shine at Ballito Pro, attracting crowds to winter surf festival
Free music concerts and daily beach festivities made Ballito the place to be this holiday.
The Ballito Pro, presented by O’Neill, lived up to this year’s theme, “Lena Inkundla Yempi” – Zulu for “This is the battlefield” – with fierce competition and dramatic shifts in rankings.
Veteran surfers and young talent clashed like gladiators, creating an electrifying atmosphere as they vied for dominance.
In the women’s division, a wave of ambitious young surfers surged into the top ten Challenger Series ranking spots, overtaking seasoned competitors. The men’s division also saw unexpected early exits from top surfers, shaking up the leaderboard.
Though conditions weren’t quintessential Ballito, the consistent swell and peaky beach breaks offered ample opportunities for high-scoring manoeuvres. The Surfline forecast was spot on, pinpointing the best windows for action-packed heats.
Adding to the battlefield ambiance, surfers faced a variety of challenging conditions, from playful two-to-three-foot waves to formidable four-to-six-foot swells, combined with shifting onshore and offshore winds.
Those who adapted best thrived, advancing deeper into the competition.
The men’s final was a rollercoaster from the get-go. Nolan Rapoza (USA) initially led with two strong waves, but a slip cost him momentum. As the clock ticked down, Ian Gouveia (Brazil) executed a stunning 7.17 air and a follow-up slob grab worth 5.60, clinching the victory with a total score of 12.77 over 11.83.
Photo: Pierre Tostee/World Surf League.
This 10 000 point triumph marks Gouveia’s first Challenger Series win after a five-year absence from the elite Championship Tour, catapulting him to the top of the rankings and into the 2025 qualification spotlight.
In the women’s final, 17-year-old Bella Kenworthy (USA) triumphed over Tahitian standout Vahine Fierro (24), securing her first Challenger Series final win and propelling her to fourth place in the rankings.
This victory ushers in a new chapter for Kenworthy, positioning her in the Championship Tour qualification conversation.
Photo: Kody McGregor/World Surf League.
WSL Africa Regional director, Tasha Mentasti hailed the event as a massive success.
“The biggest beach festival in Africa not only showcased up and coming African champions but also highlighted the new generation of professional surfing athletes,” she said.
She also thanked the KwaDukuza municipality for their support.
“The investment and commitment to the sport of surfing from the KwaDukuza municipality has helped elevate surfing in Africa and I couldn’t be more proud of the team on the ground whose dedication to this 14-day beach festival created memories and career achievements that will never be forgotten.”
Broadcast commentator Paul Evans of the United Kingdom noted that the Ballito event was a blast for competitors and crowds alike.
“You guys in South Africa know how to have fun,” he said.
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