Ocean Conservation Takes Centre Stage at the 56th Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill

 

Ocean Conservation Takes Centre Stage at the 56th Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill

 

With thousands of visitors heading to the beautiful beaches of KwaDukuza this winter for the Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill, ocean health forms a major focus for all stakeholders. That’s why there will be an ongoing Environmental Campaign running throughout the Ballito Pro, from 22 June to 6 July, ensuring the beaches and ocean remain protected now – and in the future.

 

“One of the main reasons the Ballito Pro is hosted in KwaDukuza on the KZN North Coast is the incredible beaches found here,”

explained Collette Bundy, The Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill Festival Organiser. 

“Without healthy oceans, there simply is no Ballito Pro. We are all responsible for the health and well-being of the beaches and ocean, which is why we’re calling on visitors and participants to support our Environmental Campaign running throughout the festival.”

 

 

Ballito Pro Environmental Campaign

 

Beach Activation: Litter4Tokens Nurdles Competition & Recycling Project

Running throughout the Ballito Pro at Willard Beach, the 2025 campaign includes a wide-ranging environmental programme, driven by Litter4Tokens, in partnership with Dolphin Coast Waste Management (DCWM), Ballito UIP, KwaDukuza Municipality (KDM), and others. This campaign is being sponsored by PETCO, the Presidential Stimulus Fund, and Brownie Points, ensuring impact at every level.

 

1.       Litter4Tokens Recycling Station

Located at the lifesaving hut at Willard Beach, this dedicated station will be manned by more than 20 trained collectors who will sort, weigh, and log all packaging and recycling data in real-time using the LitterHub app. Visitors are encouraged to support the recycling efforts by discarding in waste bins throughout the venue, all clearly marked for:

• Plastics (Types 1, 2, 4, 5)
• Glass
• Tin & cardboard
• Landfill (Styrofoam P6, LDPE 7, PVC 3, food waste)

The LitterHub app ensures real-time transparency by tracking:

• Waste volumes recycled
• Landfill avoidance
• CO₂ and methane emission reductions
• Community job creation
• Impact per packaging type

The long-term vision is to expand this model across all 20 World Surf League events globally, helping quantify and visualise circular economy results that benefit both people and planet.

 

2.       Educational Outreach

The on-site Recycling and Education Station will host live demonstrations, tutorials, and display real-time impact stats via the LitterHub platform. This outreach aims to increase awareness about waste separation, marine pollution, and how communities can support Material Recovery Facilities.

 

3.       Rebates and Sponsorship

Recycling rebates generated through the Ballito Pro will directly fund the collection of 1 000+ bags of ocean-bound waste from across KwaDukuza. Each bag is valued at R39, covering personal protective equipment, training, tools, and wages for waste collectors. Sponsors and partners can use the LitterHub or TrashTalk apps to support specific packaging recovery efforts, tracking transparent environmental, social, and governance outcomes.

 

4.       Mermaid Tear Catcher Competition

Beachgoers are invited to participate in the Mermaid Tear Catcher Competition, where they use specially designed Mermaid Tear Catcher sieves (which double as a Frisbee!) made from ocean-bound plastic to collect harmful nurdles from the sand. Nurdles are round microplastics used for creating plastic products. However, they closely resemble fish eggs and wreak havoc on marine ecosystems. Every nurdle collected goes into the Nurdle Bin for weighing and safe disposal. The cost is R50 each or R90 for two Mermaid Tear Catchers. All funds raised go directly towards conservation efforts, and collected data contributes to national research on nurdle pollution.

 

Prizes include:

• Eco-surfboard valued at R8 200
• Dining vouchers from Fiamma Grill, Concha Café, and Coco de Mer
• A two-night stay at The Cavern Resort & Spa in the Drakensberg
• Branded merchandise and more!

 

Fast Facts About Ballito Pro Conservation

In 2024:

• 694 bags of recycling collected
• 1,629kg of materials repurposed
• 3.56kg of nurdles removed (over 57,000 pieces)
• 2,481kg of CO₂ emissions avoided
• Only 472kg of material sent to landfill

 

Since 2015:

Litter4Tokens has prevented over 3.67 million bags of ocean-bound waste and empowered nearly 1 million South Africans. With each Ballito Pro, the organisation continues to lead the charge for cleaner oceans and stronger coastal communities.

 

WESSA’s Coastal Conservation Campaigns

Strengthening the environmental focus, WESSA (Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa) will be promoting its Blue Flag and Green Coast initiatives at the Ballito Pro.

 

• Blue Flag: Recognises beaches that meet world-class environmental and safety standards. KwaDukuza has two full Blue Flag beaches – Blythedale and Thompson’s Bay – and Salt Rock and Willard Beach are in review for 2025/26.

 

• Green Coast: Supports eco-tourism at ecologically sensitive beaches, with WESSA running campaigns like Stop the Strangle (ghost fishing and marine debris) and African Black Oystercatcher Monitoring (citizen science project tracking this near-threatened bird).

 

“Coastal conservation is a shared responsibility across state and civil society,”

 said Mike Denison, WESSA’s Senior Coastal Manager.

“Programmes like Blue Flag and Green Coast bring communities and municipalities together around a shared vision of protecting our marine environment.”

 

How to Get Involved in the Environmental Campaign

• Properly sort waste in the dedicated bins throughout the Ballito Pro.
• Volunteer at the Litter4Tokens tents.
• Join the Mermaid Tear Catcher competition (R50 or R90 for two) for a chance to win major  prizes.
• Support the 22 Litter4Tokens sites across South Africa that provide income to nearly 1 900  waste collectors.
• Sponsor specific packaging recovery efforts through the Litterhub or TrashTalk apps.
• Visit the litter 4 tokens website for more information.

 

The 2025 Ballito Pro Festival Lineup

There is a great festival line-up running alongside the world’s longest professional surfing event, The Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill. The 56th edition of this international surf and lifestyle festival is themed Sea-Sound-Waves to honour the unifying force of sport and music – the two pillars of The Ballito Pro. Don’t miss out on the action!

 

• Ballito Pro Music Concerts
• Sunset Sessions
• Battle of the DJs Competition
• Red Bull Activations
• Music & Instrument Programme
• After Dark Programmes and Parties
• iLembe Surf Development Fundraiser
• Beach Recreational Entertainment & Retail
• Workshops & Training Courses
• Coastal & Cultural Tourism Experience

 #seasoundwaves #ulwandle umsindo amagagasi