ASP 6-Star WQS Mens event
ASP 6-Star WQS Womens event

Pic: Daniel Ross : photo Kirstin Scholtz                         

This year sees South Africa's longest-running pro surfer event, Mr Price Pro, relocating to the picturesque town of Ballito on the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal - a first in the event's long history.  

The 6-Star WQS event and its new venue has sparked major excitement amongst South Africa’s foremost WQS campaigners. Travis Logie (Durban), 30, one of the most successful South African surfers on the international circuit as well as arguably the most consistent finisher at the Mr Price Pro, is in favour of the event moving to Ballito.

Logie said. “It’s a good time of year for waves on the North Coast and the surf should be fun.” An elite ASP World Tour competitor for four years from 2005 to 2008, Logie is back on the WQS this year where he is currently rated 9th and campaigning for a 2010 World Tour berth.

The opportunity to earn precious WQS ratings points at home makes the Mr Price Pro Ballito pivotal to his 2010 bid.  “The Mr Price Pro Ballito is a huge event for me and like any 6 Star being at home there is added incentive to do well. After finishing with a second place last year I think it’s time for a win.”

Brandon Jackson (Durban), 22, currently rated 21st on the ASP WQS is a former two-time winner of the Mr Price Pro Junior and is looking forward to making his mark in Ballito as he sets his sites on the main event. “I’m really excited, Ballito has the world’s best wave set-ups and if the land breezes are consistent there will be some amazing waves being ridden,” Jackson said. “With a mobile venue it’s definitely worth its 6-Star status.”

The excitement has spread beyond the sports professional body with local North Coast residents and business owners looking forward to hosting an international event of this calibre. Local North Coast surfer and surfboard shaper for over 20 years, Johno Hutchinson (Ballito), of Hutchinson Handcraft Surfboards, believes his hometown is a superb choice for a major international surfing event.

“Our waves are world class,” Hutchinson said. “We have various beaches all offering good surf under the right conditions. All are within walking distance and spectators will have excellent vantage points.”

Sponsoring numerous local talents including former South African Junior Champion Klee Strachan (Warner Beach), and Michael February (Kommetjie), Hutchinson has also shaped for pro surfers such as ASP World No 29 Greg Emslie (East London) and American Chris Ward and is adamant that the staging of a 6-Star WQS event in Ballito will be a boost to local business.

“Businesses will certainly do well during this period as it will draw out of town visitors to Ballito,” Hutchinson said. “ From watching on the internet, and the exposure that it offers worldwide, we will no doubt get more foreign tourists making Ballito a destination in the future, especially to surf. “

For live coverage & the latest updates, visit Mr Price Pro