Ryan Kainalo and Charli Hately Triumph at O’Neill SMTH Shapes Ballito Pro Junior
Brazil’s Ryan Kainalo and Australia’s Charli Hately emerged victorious at the World Surf League (WSL) O’Neill SMTH Shapes Ballito Pro Junior, Stop No. 3 of the Africa Junior Qualifying Series (JQS), after an action-packed day of competition on KwaZulu-Natal’s Dolphin Coast.
With clean, glassy two-to-three-foot waves providing perfect conditions, the international stars overcame a strong South African challenge to stand on top of the podium ahead of the upcoming Ballito Open and Ballito Pro events.
Kainalo Secures Historic Third Ballito Pro Junior Title
Ryan Kainalo continued his impressive record in Ballito by claiming his third O’Neill SMTH Shapes Ballito Pro Junior title, adding the 2026 victory to his previous triumphs in 2022 and 2023.
The men’s final delivered spectacular aerial surfing as Kainalo faced reigning 2025 WSL World Junior Champion Dane Henry of Australia. Both surfers pushed the limits with progressive aerial manoeuvres and powerful rail surfing, but Kainalo’s combination of explosive airs and strong turns earned him a winning heat total of 14.87 points.
“I’m really happy. I think the final was the best heat of the whole event. I tried to keep calm and just look for the good ones, try some airs and big turns, so I’m happy it worked out.”
said Kainalo
Kainalo will now shift his focus to the Ballito Open presented by O’Neill QS 2,000 before competing in the prestigious Ballito Pro Challenger Series.
Henry, despite finishing runner-up with 13.54 points, produced the standout performance of the event during the semifinals. He posted an outstanding 17.83-point heat total, highlighted by a near-perfect 9.83-point aerial ride, the highest single wave score of the competition.
Hately Opens Ballito Campaign with Victory
Seventeen-year-old Australian surfer Charli Hately made the perfect start to her Ballito campaign by winning the women’s title in dramatic fashion.
Returning after gaining experience in last year’s Challenger Series, Hately showcased exceptional wave selection and powerful backhand surfing throughout the event. In the final, she left her charge until the closing moments, needing one final scoring wave to overtake South Africa‘s Louise Lepront.
Using priority wisely, Hately attacked a steep section with confidence to earn the score she needed, finishing with 10.90 points to edge Lepront’s 9.83.
“I left it a bit late, but I got it done, so I’m really stoked. I’m happy to be back, I love it here.”
said Hately
South Africans Shine on Home Waves
Although international surfers claimed both titles, South Africa enjoyed an encouraging performance throughout the competition.
Louise Lepront reached her first-ever Ballito Pro Junior final after an impressive semifinal victory, earning second place and moving to the top of the WSL Africa Junior rankings heading into the next event.
Simon Winter also climbed to the No. 1 position in the men’s Africa Junior rankings after another consistent performance.
Several South Africans reached the latter stages of the competition, including Kieran Murphy, Ben Esterhuyse, Cooper Smith, Clay Turrell, Loghann Tilsley, Emily Jenkinson and Laura Raupp, highlighting the depth of local junior surfing talent.
Men’s Final Results
- Ryan Kainalo (BRA) – 14.87
- Dane Henry (AUS) – 13.54
- Kieran Murphy (RSA) – 6.20
- Rafael Barbosa (BRA) – 5.93
Women’s Final Results
- Charli Hately (AUS) – 10.90
- Louise Lepront (RSA) – 9.83
- Emily Jenkinson (RSA) – 6.83
- Laura Raupp (BRA) – 6.36
The O’Neill SMTH Shapes Ballito Pro Junior was supported by KwaDukuza Municipality, O’Neill, SMTH Shapes, Red Bull, SMG-YAMAHA and the North Coast Courier, setting the stage for another exciting week of World Surf League competition in Ballito.
