Men's Round of 64 Called ON at Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill

BALLITO, KwaDukuza, South Africa, Monday, July 13, 2026, - Day 2 at the 2026 World Surf League (WSL) Challenger Series (CS) Stop No. 1, the Ballito Pro Presented by O'Neill has been called ON in three-to-four-foot surf with light offshore wind. The men's Round of 64 will resume when competition starts, with Heat 3, at 7:05 a.m. GMT+2. The women's Round of 32 is on standby.

Vitor Ferreira (BRA) will be in Heat 3 of the men's Round of 64 when competition resumes at the Ballito Pro Presented by O'Neill today. Credit: WSL / Kody McGregor

When competition resumes with the men's Round of 64, Heat 3 will be an incredible matchup between former Championship Tour (CT) surfers Jacob Willcox (AUS) and Ian Gentil (HAW), and Challenger Series contenders Kei Kobayashi (JPN) and Vitor Ferreira (BRA). Ferreira had a clutch performance in the opening round and will no doubt be fueled to keep going in Ballito. 

Two fresh faces on the Challenger Series, Europe's rising stars Guilherme Ribeiro (POR) and Sean Gunning (ESP) will come up against CTer and former Ballito Pro winner Rio Waida (INA), and the veteran Michael Rodrigues (BRA) in Heat 4. 

Local favourite and 2025 Ballito Pro champion Luke Thompson (RSA) will surf in Heat 5 against a former Ballito Pro winner and CTer in Ian Gouveia (BRA), Mihimana Braye (PYF) and Keijiro Nishi (JPN).

The Ballito Pro presented by O'Neill is proudly supported by KwaDukuza Municipality, O'Neill, Corona Cero, Red Bull, SMG - YAMAHA and North Coast Courier.