South Africa’s Luke Thompson Wins Ballito Pro

South African Thompson & SpainS Erostarbe Claim Victories at Ballito Pro Challenger Series – Wildcard to J-Bay for Thompson!

Ballito, South Africa – July 7, 2025 – In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Luke thompson of South Africa and Nadia Erostarbe of Spain emerged victorious at the 2025 Ballito Pro Challenger Series, presented by O’Neill. Thompson’s win marks a significant moment for South African surfing, ending a nearly decade-long drought since Jordy Smith’s last final appearance in Ballito back in 2017. Erostarbe, meanwhile, secured her first career Challenger Series win, catapulting her up the rankings.

(Image: Luke Thompson – Pierre Tostee/World Surf League)

Thompson, a local talent who first gained recognition winning the Boys U14 division at the WSL Junior Series in Ballito in 2018, defeated former championship Tour rookie George Pittar in a closely contested final. “It feels like a dream and I’m just waiting to wake up,” an emotional Thompson shared after his win.”I’m so proud to be South African, the support on the beach has been amazing.” The victory earns Thompson a coveted wildcard slot into the upcoming J-Bay Championship Tour (CT) event,alongside fellow South African Matthew McGillivray,the two highest-ranked African surfers on the Challenger Series.

The final wasn’t without its challenges, with wave conditions proving difficult. Neither Thompson nor pittar managed to reach double-digit heat totals, but Thompson’s strategic wave selection, including a sneaky barrel ride, ultimately secured his win (9.33 to 9).

(Image: Nadia Erostarbe – Pierre Tostee/World Surf League)

On the women’s side, Nadia Erostarbe showcased impressive power and technique, defeating Yolanda Hopkins of Portugal in the final. Erostarbe,who has previously competed in five CT events as a replacement for Johanne Defay,dominated with her backside hooks and secured a total score of 12.80 to Hopkins’ 10.84. This win propels her 17 spots up the Challenger Series rankings to No. 4. “I don’t even have the words to describe what I’m feeling right now,” Erostarbe exclaimed, overwhelmed with emotion. “I’m so emotional right now, I have so many friends here, it’s amazing. The European storm is here, becuase we’re all doing so well.”

Key Takeaways:

Luke Thompson’s Breakthrough: A significant win for South African surfing, earning him a J-Bay CT wildcard.
Nadia Erostarbe’s First CS Victory:

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news, results, and highlights from the Ballito Pro 2024 event.">

Luke Thompson Wins Ballito Pro: A South African Triumph

Ballito Pro 2024: Key Highlights

South African surfer Luke Thompson has secured a momentous victory at the Ballito Pro presented by O’Neill,a World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) event. The competition, held at Willard Beach in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal, saw Thompson navigate challenging conditions and fierce competition to claim the coveted title. This win marks a important milestone in Thompson’s career and solidifies his position as a rising star in the world of professional surfing. The 2024 Ballito Pro attracted top surfers from around the globe, making Thompson’s achievement even more impressive.

Thompson’s Road to Victory

Thompson demonstrated remarkable skill and composure throughout the event. He consistently posted high scores, showcasing his powerful rail work and progressive maneuvers. His performance in the final against [opponent’s Name – *replace with actual opponent*] was notably noteworthy, with Thompson landing several critical waves to establish a commanding led. The final was characterized by [Describe wave conditions – *replace with actual conditions*], testing the surfers’ ability to adapt and perform under pressure. This victory builds on Thompson’s previous successes in regional WSL events.

Final Results & Standings

The Ballito Pro 2024 saw a thrilling conclusion with Thompson taking the top spot. Here’s a swift look at the final standings:

Rank	Surfer	Country	score
1st	Luke Thompson	South Africa	[Final Score – *replace with actual score*]
2nd	[Opponent’s Name]	[Opponent’s Country]	[Opponent’s Score – *replace with actual score*]
3rd	[Third Place Surfer]	[Third Place Country]	[Third Place score – *replace with actual score*]
4th	[Fourth Place Surfer]	[Fourth[Fourth