Teresa Bonvalot and Cole Houshmand Crowned Champions at 2026 Ballito Pro
Teresa Bonvalot of Portugal and Cole Houshmand of the United States emerged victorious at the 2026 World Surf League (WSL) Challenger Series Stop No. 1, the Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill, after a spectacular week of world-class surfing on South Africa‘s KwaZulu-Natal coastline.
Perfect conditions throughout Finals Day provided the ideal stage for high-performance surfing as some of the world’s best competitors battled for the opening Challenger Series titles of the season. Bonvalot defeated fellow Portuguese surfer Francisca Veselko in the women’s final, while Houshmand overcame Brazil’s Weslley Dantas in a thrilling men’s showdown.
Bonvalot Makes Ballito Pro History
Teresa Bonvalot created history by becoming the first Portuguese woman to win the Ballito Pro in the event’s 57-year history. Her victory was made even more memorable as she faced close friend and compatriot Francisca Veselko in an all-Portuguese final.
The triumph marked an emotional return for Bonvalot, who recently recovered from surgery after complications caused by sea urchin spines in her foot. Surfing with confidence and composure, she delivered powerful backhand turns to claim her second Challenger Series title.
Bonvalot’s victory also places her at the top of the Challenger Series rankings heading into the next event, giving her a strong start in the race for Championship Tour qualification.
Despite falling short in the final, Veselko celebrated one of the biggest results of her career. The runner-up finish provides valuable momentum after a difficult Championship Tour campaign and strengthens her hopes of retaining her place among surfing’s elite.
Houshmand Returns to Winning Ways
Cole Houshmand returned to winning form by securing his second Ballito Pro title, adding to the championship he won in 2023.
After a challenging Championship Tour season, the Californian arrived in Ballito determined to rebuild his confidence. Throughout the week, Houshmand showcased powerful rail surfing before producing one of the standout moments of the event in the final.
Facing Brazil’s aerial specialist Weslley Dantas, Houshmand answered his opponent’s impressive air reverses with a spectacular straight air that earned an excellent 8.90, helping him seal the title with a combined score of 13.23.
Dantas also enjoyed the best Challenger Series result of his career, impressing spectators with a series of high-scoring aerial manoeuvres that highlighted his growing reputation as one of the tour’s most exciting surfers.
Strong Start to the Challenger Series
With the Ballito Pro complete, Bonvalot and Houshmand leave South Africa as the early leaders of the 2026 WSL Challenger Series standings.
Attention now shifts to the Lexus US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, California, where the world’s best surfers will continue their pursuit of qualification for the Championship Tour.
Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill 2026 Finals
Women’s Final
- 🥇 Teresa Bonvalot (Portugal) – 10.33
- 🥈 Francisca Veselko (Portugal) – 9.10
Men’s Final
- 🥇 Cole Houshmand (USA) – 13.23
- 🥈 Weslley Dantas (Brazil) – 12.53
The 2026 Ballito Pro once again showcased why it remains one of the premier events on the Challenger Series calendar, delivering exceptional waves, world-class performances, and an unforgettable start to the race for Championship Tour qualification.
