Press Release: Kalvyn MacMillan, Janine Louw, and Ezra Vosloo take top titles in the Ballito Pro Skate Jam contest

Jul 6, 2023 | Bowl Skating, Community, Creativity, Culture, DIY skateparks, Events, Girls Skating, Press Release, Ramp skateboarding, Skateboarding, Skateboarding contests, womens skateboarding

Open winner Kalvyn MacMillan, lofty frontside air.

In what was by far the biggest, most hotly contested Ballito Pro Skate Jam to date, Kalvyn MacMillan (35) put on the winning display of intense bowl skateboarding, earning first-place in the Men’s Division. Capetonian Janine Louw (24) relished her first visit to the region by showing off some impressive skills and winning the Women’s Division, while local skater Ezra Vosloo took first prize in the U16 Boy’s Division.

Words by Ballito Pro PR. Photos by Eric Palmer.

Hosted at the Ballito Bowl in KwaDukuza on Saturday, 1 July, the 2023 Ballito Pro Skate Jam, in partnership with Hot Wheels, welcomed some of the country’s best skateboarders in what is now a regular feature on The Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill Festival calendar.

“We’d like to extend huge congratulations to all this year’s Ballito Pro Skate Jam winners, and to all the 2023 contestants who put on an unbelievably impressive performance,” said event organiser Markus Müseler of Old School Productions. “This is the third edition of the Ballito Pro Skate Jam, and the support of our sponsors and the high standard of South African skating has seen this become one of the dominant skating events on the calendar. We’re looking forward to growing this even further next year.”

“This was definitely the biggest bowl contest they’ve had, with guys coming from Joburg, Cape Town, and all around South Africa so the competition was a lot tougher – the bar was raised on all platforms and guys came out swinging! It was really fun, very challenging but that’s what you want. ”– Open Winner Kalvyn MacMillan.

Umhlanga’s Kalvyn MacMillan is no stranger to the Ballito Pro Skate Jam, having won the 2021 edition and placed second last year. Though he fell early in his first two attempts, he stuck all of his tricks clean in his third and final run.

All the happy finalists.

Kalvyn extended his thanks to all the sponsors for making the event such a success: “We’re always happy to have this contest, it was an all-around good day and I’m really looking forward to next year.”

Cape Town’s Janine Louw flew out to experience the Durban skate scene and the Ballito Pro Skate Jam for the first time.

“The Ballito Pro is such a prestigious event that has significantly contributed to the local community and the South African surf and skate scene. Its recent addition, the Ballito Bowl Skate Competition, holds immense potential to further this legacy,” said Louw.

“The Ballito Pro is such a prestigious event that has significantly contributed to the local community and the South African surf and skate scene. Its recent addition, the Ballito Bowl Skate Competition, holds immense potential to further this legacy.” – Women’s winner Janine Louw.

Janine is one of the female skateboarders who has been championing the growth and recognition of female skaters as athletes, but believes there is still some way to go in reaching equal status. She hopes that, through this win, she can inspire incoming female athletes to join the sport.

“We must strive to create an environment where talent, regardless of gender, is recognised, celebrated, and rewarded equally,” she said.

Women’s winner Janine Louw.

Winner of the U16 Boy’s Division, Ezra Vosloo (12) described the event simply as “the best day of the year!”

Speaking after the event, Ezra’s dad, Brode, said the youngster’s goal was to win the U16 event and re-qualify for the Open event, but he enjoyed some great competition along the way.

“It’s great to see skaters like Warrick Edgar from the Western Cape coming up to compete,” said Brode. “There aren’t many skate competitions in the year, so there’s a lot of pressure on the one event to attain your goals. We live in Ballito very near the bowl so Ezra’s there most afternoons!”

Results

Open Men’s Division

1: Kalvyn MacMillan

2: Khule Ngubane

3: Damian Bramley

Women’s Division

1: Janine Louw

2: Bexx Sneddon

U16 Boy’s Division

1: Ezra Vosloo

2: Warrick Edgar

3: Caleb Ambrose