
Surfing | O'Neill SMTH Shapes Rookie Rippers Kicks Off In Ballito
Matt Canning with a winning performance across two divisions © Tostee/Ballito Pro.
This popular contest starts two weeks of competition surfing in Ballito, around the Ballito Pro Festival.
The waves were small and highly contestable, and the event had a full entry list, so it was early into the water for Heat 1.

Small but highly contestable for Day One of the O'Neill SMTH Shapes Rookie Rippers
© Kody McGregor/Ballito Pro.
The first heat win in the first heat of the day, the U12 Boys Quarterfinal Heat 1, went to local surfer Tyler Balfour, who took out Slayde Shooter (St Francis Bay) and James Gunning (Ballito).
Jumping forward to U16 Boys Round One Heat Three, Matt Canning (Durban) put on an explosive performance to outpoint his competitors and took a comfortable win, advancing to the following round. Canning went on to do the double, winning his U18 Boys Round One Heat as well, with another inspired performance in the small conditions.


Outside of the surfing arena, there is still plenty of action happening with a full festival programme at the Ballito Pro Festival activities, events, and entertainment. More here - https://theballitopro.com/
The heats and schedule of the O'Neill SMTH Shapes Rookie Rippers can be viewed on Liveheats.
Wave scores and heat results will be published on www.liveheats.com/surfing as they are posted by the judges on both days of the competition. These can be accessed on any mobile device, laptop, tablet or PC
Surfing South Africa is the recognised governing body for Surfriding in South Africa. It is responsible for the activities of all its disciplines, such as surfing, longboarding, bodyboarding, kneeboarding, para surfing and SUP surfing. SSA is a member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), the African Surfing Confederation (ASC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA). More on Surfing South Africa here - SSA
Surfing, O'Neill SMTH Shapes Rookie Rippers, Ballito Pro Festival