Ballito event promises much
Eight of the top 32 surfers in the world will be plying their trade in Ballito at the Mr Price Pro from 1 to 7 July this year.
Prize money on offer will total R2.2 million, with the winner taking home a handsome R320 000.
South African, Jordy Smith, leads the star-studded field. He is currently ranked number two in the world and won this event back in 2010. His victory in 2010 saw him become the second South African to win the event. The Ballito victory also took him to number one in the world rankings.
Smith has had a superb 2013. Last week he won the Billabong Rio Pro in Brazil to go with his gold at the X-Games in the same city in April. World number 23, Glenn Hall, will be back to defend the title he won in Ballito last year. His victory in 2012 helped him to join the elites on the ASP World Championship Tour this year. Smith is one of 12 South Africans that will be on show at the event, which has become a truly international one with 19 countries represented including Hawaii, Brazil, the USA and New Zealand.
But, as usual, it’s not all about the surfing. Salt Rock will host a variety of music concerts and entertainment with over 20 bands on show, including the popular Lonehill Estate. There will also be extreme sports demonstrations, as well as a Food and Wine festival. There’s also plenty for the kids to do with face painting and sand castle building.
The surfers rank KwaDukuza as one of their favourite stops on the world tour. The event moved to Ballito in 2009 because of the superb wave conditions in the area. In 2011 the Mr Price Pro Ballito was upgraded to a Prime Status event with a purse of approximately R1.7 million and 6500 points on the ASP World Tour Rankings.
(File Photo:Kelly Cestari:Gallo Images)
- Peter van Onselen
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