Latest news with #BallitoProChallengerSeries
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Durban's Luke Thompson realises dream with Ballito Pro victory
South Africa's Luke Thompson won the The Ballito Pro – the world's longest-running professional surfing contest this past weekend. Photo: Luke Patterson Image: Luke Patterson Durbanite Luke Thompson fulfilled a childhood dream by winning the prestigious Ballito Pro Challenger Series event, held from 22 June and concluding this past weekend. The 21-year-old, who took up surfing at the age of 10, said it was only after progressing through the heat stages that he truly began to believe he could go all the way. 'The entire beach was going mad,' he said. 'It was definitely the proudest moment of my life so far.' After three years of hard work and relentless training to compete on the Challenger Series, Thompson finally captured his first tour win — and did so on home soil. The Ballito Pro is regarded as the world's oldest and longest-running professional surf event. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading With his maiden Challenger Series victory now under his belt, Thompson is aiming for a top ten finish in the global standings. The World Surf League (WSL) Challenger Series draws elite talent from Africa, Asia, Oceania, Europe, Tahiti Nui, North America and South America, all vying for international recognition and future qualification for the Championship Tour. Thompson's standout performance at Ballito marks a significant turning point in his young career and is likely to attract attention from global sponsors and brands. 'This was my first win on the Challenger Series — in fact, it was my first time even making the final,' he said. 'I've been competing at this event for three years but never made it past the round of 16. It's always been a dream of mine to win here because I basically grew up surfing this beach.
The Citizen
01-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Four South Africans remain in Ballito Pro title charge
All four seeded South African surfers remain in the hunt for the Ballito Pro Challenger Series title. Jeffrey's Bay's Matt McGillivray, Cape Town's Adin Masencamp and Luke Thompson and Sarah Baum from Durban are carrying the hopes of the host nation as they compete for glory over the next few days. McGillivray, Masencamp and Thompson all made it through the Round of 64 on Tuesday (July 1). There was some concern that McGillivray, a Championship Tour regular and recent Olympian, was going to be left behind in his heat after struggling to find a decent wave to couple with his opening 5.0 score. He showed up with three big turns on his final wave however, catapulting him into the safety of second place behind Australian Oscar Berry. Masencamp found the going easier in his earlier surf, delivering two rock solid scores of 7.67 and 6.47 to win the heat ahead of Japan's Hiroto Ohhara. Local hopeful Thompson, who was celebrating his birthday, could not have asked for a better present than a mostly stress-free heat win ahead of American Dimitri Poulos. All three men will be back in the Round of 32. South Coast surfer Luc Lepront was the only unseeded South African to make it through the initial men's Round of 80, but he was unfortunately knocked out at the next stage. Baum was given a bye through the women's Round of 64 by way of her seeding and will compete for the first time in the Round of 32. Follow the action live at Willard Beach or via Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Concerts, charity walks and clean-ups to look out for
Concerts, charity walks and clean-ups to look out for If you would like your event to feature in a future edition, please email details to nothando@ 28 June – Ballito Bowl Skate Jam from 2-6pm, with R30k in prize money on the line across Grom and Open divisions. Registration opens at 12pm. – The Tequila & Mexican Food Festival returns to the Manor House from 11am-8pm. Spoegwolf, Timo ODV and others to perform. Tickets starting at R300 from – Primo / Morrows Family 3km charity walk on Ballito promenade in aid of Westbrook Retirement Village at 7am. Starting point at Black Marlin restaurant. Have breakfast and coffee at Black Marlin for only R50 if you participate. – The crowning of Miss and Mr Durban at the Lyric Lounge Theatre at 12-4pm. Tickets are R200pp and half price for children. – Saturday Market at Odyssey Mall, enjoy local delicacies, music and stalls from 9am to 2pm. 29 June – Join Majozi for a heartfelt night of music and storytelling at The Lyric Theatre at 2pm. Tickets R180pp. – Beach clean-up at Zimbali long beach from 8-10am. Meet at Foch le Roux parking area. Bring own water bottle and gloves. 30 June – July 4 – Farming God's Way training at All Souls Anglican Church, Sheffield. R250 registration, 8.30am-4pm daily. Registration essential via inundo@ or 063 742 5575. 30 June – July 6 – The Ballito Pro Challenger Series main event at Willard Beach. 6am call onwards daily. 2 – 4 July – Free Ballito Pro music concerts from 5.30pm till late at Salt Rock main beach. More details at Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
