BALLITO, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Friday, June 30, 2023) - Over 150 competitors have arrived on the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa for the Ballito Pro presented by O'Neill, Stop No.3 on the World Surf League (WSL) Challenger Series (CS). The surfers enjoyed more than a month's break since the last event in Sydney, Australia and they will be itching to get started. The competition window for the Ballito Pro opens Sunday, July 2 and runs through July 9.
The Ballito Pro celebrates its 54th edition in 2023 and in its rich history has seen unforgettable surfing performances by the likes of Championship Tour (CT) stars Connor O'Leary (AUS), Rio Waida (IDN), Jordy Smith (RSA) and Molly Picklum (AUS). Alongside the surfing action, supporters can enjoy the best in entertainment, retail, and beachside fun, with this year's festival programme centred on sustainability, inclusivity, and growth, following the theme Konke KuLuhlaza - Everything is Blue.
Challenger Series Rankings Update For The Ballito Pro presented by O'Neill
Top Seeds Look To Carry Momentum Into Second Half Of The Year
It's a tight race in the Men's Challenger Series with an incredibly competitive field, but a shake-up in the rankings is inevitable. The top three are all in the draw, Australia's Jacob Wilcox, Imaikalani deVault (HAW) and Samuel Pupo (BRA). Pupo and Cole Houshmand (USA) claimed Challenger Series glory when they won the first two CS events, the Gold Coast Pro and Sydney Surf Pro respectively. Rounding out the Top 10 includes former Championship Tour surfers Frederico Morais (POR), Jadson Andre (BRA) and Morgan Cibilic (AUS) all vying for requalification to join the world's elite on the CT.
Isabella Nichols - WSL / Matt Dunbar
In the Women's division, the heat is on with Australia's India Robinson, Sally Fitzgibbons and Isabella Nichols. Nichols and Fitzgibbons dropped off the Championship Tour this year after not making the Mid-season Cut, but has brought a renewed determination to the Challenger Series and had to battle each other in the Final of the Sydney Surf Pro, with Nichols taking the win. India Robinson won the first Challenger Series event at the Gold Coast Pro and with a 3rd at Sydney, she's holding on to the no.1 spot on the rankings.
Alyssa Spencer (USA) has already been settling in comfortably in Ballito, competing in the O'Neill SMTH Shapes Rookie Rippers Junior Qualifying Series 1,000 earlier in the week. Spencer is tied at 5th in the rankings with Teresa Bonvalot (POR) and they are close on the heels of the young star from California, Sawyer Lindblad (USA).
Adin Masencamp - WSL / Alan van Gysen
Adin Masencamp and Sarah Baum Lead Local Charge
Challenger Series contender Adin Masencamp (RSA) is the highest-ranked South African in the Men's division, currently in 17th on the rankings. In his second year competing on the Challenger Series, Masencamp already brought more experience and maturity to his 2023 campaign and a big result in Ballito could be the breakthrough he needs to crack the Top 10.
South Africa's Sarah Baum is sitting at 8th on the rankings and with the Ballito Pro being somewhat of a homecoming for Baum, she'll relish the opportunity for a solid result to move up to the Top 5.
The Ballito Pro pres. by O'Neill is proudly supported by O'Neill, KwaDukuza Municipality, Surfing South Africa, SMG Rocks, Monster Energy, North Coast Courier, Coco de Mer and Fiamma Grill.