UK’s Alys Barton in action.
It was another cracking day of competition on Day 3 at the 2026 World Surf League (WSL) Challenger Series (CS) Stop No. 1, the Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill. Solid four-to-six-foot surf pulsed in the morning with glassy, offshore conditions, a dream-like start to the Challenger Series season. The women’s Round of 32 raised the level in the heaving conditions, and the men’s Round of 32 were chomping at the bit to get started, but the onshore pitched up in the early afternoon and the competition was called off after two heats of the men’s round.
Ariane Ochoa’s Decimating Backhand Plays Spoiler
The Basque Country’s Ariane Ochoa (EUK, above) delivered a devastating blow to Championship Tour (CT) surfer Isabella Nichols (AUS) when the goofy-footer posted an excellent 9.00 (out of a possible 10) for two massive turns on a glassy, double overhead wall. It’s the first time Ochoa makes it past the Round of 32 in Ballito, and she’s loving being back in one of her favourite countries.
“I’m super stoked, I love this country,” said Ochoa. “Every time I come here, I’m super happy. I had third priority, but I was more open and that’s when I found that wave. I knew the judges are looking for those big walls. I had two small scores so I knew I had to try and go big. The waves are so powerful, so you really need to hit it in the proper spot to be able to make the turn, so I was really happy to make it.”
Laura Raupp Shows Grit, Goes Excellent To Book Round of 16 Spot
Brazil’s Laura Raupp (BRA, above) put on a dominant performance in the pumping conditions, despite surfing with three stitches in her foot after an unfortunate meeting with her fins during a freesurf earlier this week. Raupp got to work and improved her score with every ride, closing out the heat with an excellent 8.10 to take the win over CT rookie Francisca Vesselko (POR).
“I couldn’t surf yesterday at all, so I’m glad I had the time to rest and recover,” said Raupp. “Today when I saw the waves I was really excited to surf. I had one wave this morning to try it out, and my foot wasn’t in pain so I knew I could push it. It was almost the same heat as last year with Francisca (Veselko) and Janire (Gonzalez Etxabarri), and I don’t know how I won again, but this time felt better because the waves were pumping.”
Sarah Baum Keeps Locals On The Edge Of Their Seats
A grueling heat with CT veteran Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), India Robinson (AUS), Sophia Medina (BRA) and Sarah Baum (RSA, above) had all the locals on the edge of their seats as the waves pumped and the women were exchanging incredible rides. A huge pod of dolphins joined the lineup, surfing a few waves when Fitzgibbons and Baum both got two solid waves. The scores dropped in the final minute, with Baum just getting the edge over Fitzgibbons, eliminating Robinson and Medina.
“I don’t think I have any nails left after that heat,” said Baum. “These second round heats are so gnarly and the girls are ripping. We all had scores so the situation was changing so many times. The surf is cooking so someone can drop a big score at any time. I’m just so happy with how I handled it mentally, I’m so stoked. Sally and I have had quite a few heats before and when she took off on that wave with the dolphins, it reminded me of a similar heat in J-Bay and for a second I forgot we’re in a heat, it was so sick to see that.”
Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill Women’s Round of 32 Results:
HEAT 1: Ariane Ochoa (EUK) 13.93 DEF. Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) 12.50, Daniella Rosas (PER) 12.17, Isabella Nichols (AUS) 11.00
HEAT 2: Sierra Kerr (AUS) 12.47 DEF. Eweleiula Wong (HAW) 9.50, Kirra Pinkerton (USA) 9.04, Sophie McCulloch (AUS) 8.97
HEAT 3: Laura Raupp (BRA) 15.77 DEF. Francisca Veselko (POR) 10.70, Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) 10.17, Alys Barton (GBR) 9.00
HEAT 4: Sarah Baum (RSA) 11.97 DEF. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 11.70, Sophia Medina (BRA) 11.67, India Robinson (AUS) 7.40
HEAT 5: Sol Aguirre (PER) 11.23 DEF. Bella Kenworthy (USA) 9.23, Isla Huppatz (AUS) 8.60, Anon Matsuoka (JPN) 7.50
HEAT 6: Ellie Harrison (AUS) 14.77 DEF. Leilani McGonagle (CRC) 11.60, Anat Lelior (ISR) 11.30, Tessa Thyssen (FRA) 5.06
HEAT 7: Eden Walla (USA) 12.66 DEF. Teresa Bonvalot (POR) 12.40, Nadia Erostarbe (ESP) 12.27, Minami Nonaka (JPN) 1.17
HEAT 8: Amuro Tsuzuki (JPN) 11.43 DEF. Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 10.20, Nanaho Tsuzuki (JPN) 7.43, Arena Rodriguez (PER) 6.50
Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill Women’s Round of 16 Matchups:
HEAT 1: Ariane Ochoa (EUK) vs. Eweleiula Wong (HAW)
HEAT 2: Sierra Kerr (AUS) vs. Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN)
HEAT 3: Laura Raupp (BRA) vs. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
HEAT 4: Sarah Baum (RSA) vs. Francisca Veselko (POR)
HEAT 5: Sol Aguirre (PER) vs. Leilani McGonagle (CRC)
HEAT 6: Ellie Harrison (AUS) vs. Bella Kenworthy (USA)
HEAT 7: Eden Walla (USA) vs. Brisa Hennessy (CRC)
HEAT 8: Amuro Tsuzuki (JPN) vs. Teresa Bonvalot (POR)
