Spectators were treated to a skating spectacle on Saturday, 29 June as the best of the best took to the Ballito Bowl to compete for the top prize. But it was Durban’s Khule Ngubane (30) who wowed the crowds at the 4th Ballito Skate Jam presented by Monster Energy & Volcom, taking home the Open’s and Best Trick titles for the day.

Ngubane took home R12 000 for his win and another R6 000 for Best Trick of the competition. Josh Beukes (Pretoria) won R6 000 for 2nd place with Kalvyn MacMillan (Durban) – winner of the 2021 and 2023 titles – taking home R4 000 for his 3rd place spot. The top three Groms – Ezra Vosloo (Ballito), Caitlin King (Durban), and Arthur Watson (Durban) - took home R5 000, R3 000, and R2 000 respectively, with the top 6 across the two categories taking home hampers from Etnies and Volcom.

Speaking after the event, professional skateboarder and World Cup Skateboarding Series competitor Khule Ngubane said: “I didn’t put any pressure on myself because skate bowl is not my strong suit, I usually skate ramps, so there were no expectations, it was just about fun for me. I didn’t think I was going to win. Best Trick I thought I would do well because I’m a versatile skateboarder so I was looking forward to that.”

The Durbanite, who represents Monster Energy, competes internationally but said he looks forward to this annual KZN competition: “Once a year I get to come to Ballito and it’s nice to have a local event. To come with that ‘W’ feels amazing! I’m humbled, this couldn’t have come at a better time as it’s got me focused on my bigger contests. A win is always a big motivator.”

Looking back, Ngubane – who comes from Chesterville originally - recalls his introduction to the sport at 11 years old when he saw Tony Hawk on TV, with a PlayStation game further inspiring his interest: “For my 12th birthday my grandpa – who’d never given me a gift – he asked me what I want and I said ‘a skateboard’. We were both December babies and he splurged R60 on a skateboard. I’ve skated hundreds of skateboards but you never forget that first one. There was something special about that moment.”

Ngubane describes skating as his way out of poverty, although it took dedication: “I walked to the Pavilion [skate part] and skated there. It taught me a work ethic, because I didn’t have money and I used to hide the fact that I skated from my family as skaters had a bad rep. So I’d sweep the skate park just so I could skate. By 15 I was a professional skateboarder and 15 years on, I’m at the top of my game.”

Never forgetting where he came from, Ngubane has established his NPO Back to the Roots which gives back to the community through skating and will be hosting local skating events when he returns from his European contests later in the year. In addition to his skating talent, he’s a hip-hop artist performing under the name KoolAir and will be releasing his album later in the year.

The Grom’s top competitor, Ezra Vosloo (11) commented: “Ever since I was a baby, we’ve had skateboards in the house, but I started skating a lot when I was about 7 years old. My favourite part about the Ballito Pro Skate Jam is having all the great skaters come to town and this year I had my family from overseas come to watch. My goal one day is to win the Open Division and maybe go to the Olympics. I’d also love to travel the world skating at lots of great parks.”

Markus Müseler from the event hosts, OSP Events Co. said: “Another amazing Bowl Jam this year, we saw the level of the contest and event really step up with the best in local skateboarding. The addition of LIVE BMX was exactly what was needed for the Ballito community seeing the crowds come out to support the Ballito Pro Skate Jam. A massive thanks to our partners and the Ballito Pro. The OSP team is looking forward to 2025!”

Paul Canning, O’Neill and Volcom Brand Director agreed, saying: “We were very stoked to be involved with Volcom and Etnies in the Ballito Bowl Skate Jam again this year. It is awesome to see the support of the event from both the local community and top skaters from around the country."

2024 Ballito Pro Skate Jam Results

Opens

Winner and Best Trick: Khule Ngubane

2nd Josh Beukes

3rd Kalvyn Mac Millan

4th Alan Marola

5th Puddy Zwenis

6th Ezra Vosloo

7th Byron Rhoda

8th Joshua van Zyl

Groms

Winner: Ezra Vosloo

2nd Caitlin King 

3rd Arthur Watson

4th Levi Vosloo

5th James Charlton-Jones

6th Adnir Tait

Thanks were extended to all the sponsors that made the event possible: Monster Energy, Volcom, Etnies, Remax, GroundSwell, and Ride up Movement.

2024 Ballito Pro Festival Lineup

The 2024 Ballito Skate Jam presented by Monster Energy & Volcom forms part of the epic Ballito Pro festival programme running KwaDukuza from 25 June to 8 July. Outside of the skating and surfing arenas, visitors are enjoying non-stop festival fun at the longest-running professional surfing event in the world. Some exciting 2024 festival elements include:

• Ballito Pro Music Concerts Presented by Corona
• Recreational Action
• Retail Delight with food, drinks, arts and crafts
• Kids’ Corner with face painting, sandcastle building, beach dashes, and Jive with Jen dance
• Battle of the DJs and After Dark programme
• Monster Energy Activation
• iLembe Surf Riders Fundraiser
• After Dark Programmes and Parties
• Painting on Purpose Art Activation
• Litter4Tokens Awareness Campaign and Beach

Following the 2024 theme, This is the Battlefield – Lena Inkundla Yempi, visitors will watch the best surfers battle it out in the longest-running professional surfing event while enjoying a host of top-class festival entertainment.

Don’t miss any of the action at the 2024 Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill Festival #thisisthebattlefield #lenainkudlayempi

Watch LIVE The Challenger Series will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, the free WSL app, and the WSL's YouTube channel. Also, check out more ways to watch from the WSL's broadcast partners.

To find out more about The Ballito Pro presented by O’Neill festival programme, visit:

• Website: www.theballitopro.com
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