We’re now just a handful of days away from the 2016 Ballito Pro presented by Billabong that runs from June 27 – 3 July at Willard Beach in Ballito. Previously known as the Gunston 500 and Mr. Price Pro, the Ballito Pro 2016 will mark the 48th edition of the world’s longest running professional surfing event and to say it is highly-anticipated would be an understatement.
Boasting a prize-purse of US $260 000 (about R4 million), of which US $40 000 and a massive 10,000 points on the QS leaderboard goes to the winner. More than 150 local and international surfers will make the trip to KZN’s Dolphin Coast, looking to win as many heats as possible in the QS 10,000 Ballito Pro and earn maximum points towards next year’s Dream Tour.
For local competitors, home break knowledge and crowd support may just be that little edge they need to get the result that is going to change their year. The winner of the all South African, 32-man Ballito Pro Trials, which will be run on Sunday June 26 at Willard Beach, will earn themself a spot in the main event to compete against some of the world’s best surfers.
The Monster Energy Expression Session presented by Zigzag will run between the Semifinals and Final. The top nine South African surfers, including the trialists, who make it the furthest in the 2016 Ballito Pro will earn their spot in the showdown, along with one local wildcard. These surfers will be putting it all on the line during a 30 minute super session where the surfer who throws down the most progressive maneuver will take home R30,000.
Highlights from the 2015 Monster Energy Expression Session
Zigzag presents the Monster Energy Wave of the Week, where the surfer with the best wave over the course of the 2016 Ballito Pro will win R20,000. Last year, Michael Rodrigues (BRA) recorded the only perfect 10-point ride during round two of the Ballito Pro and took home the prize.
This year Billabong are taking their Junior Series to Ballito, with the first event taking place just in advance of the Ballito Pro from the 23rd-25th of June 2016. The event will be held over three days of the four day waiting period. Top Juniors from around the country will be competing for the win at Willard Beach, as well as the opportunity to take part in the Ballito Pro main event.
While the surfers ride the waves, the Ballito Pro Festival is set to turn up the heat in KwaDukuza by offering the best in beach, sports and retail entertainment and the Ballito Pro Music Concerts, powered by 5FM, will bring some of South Africa’s most talented music acts to the stage in Salt Rock.
Our South African QS warriors have had another journey around the sun, a thousand more waves under the belt and although our Saffa representation was non existent on finals day in 2015, we’re hoping for a Ballito pro champ from the homeland this year. So, if you’re in KZN this winter, cruise on down to Willard Beach in Ballito between June 22 – 3 July and go watch our continent’s best shred in the flesh and take on some of the world’s best surfers in local waters.
Visit The Ballito Pro website HERE
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Final day highlights of the 2015 Ballito Pro
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