by SFT | Jun 26, 2025 | Seal Point Boardriders club, St Francis, Surf Editorial
BALLITO, KwaDukuza, South Africa (Thursday, June 26, 2025). Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) and Luke Tema (HAW) won the O’Neill SMTH Shapes Ballito Pro Junior today in pumping two-to-three foot surf and light offshore wind. It was an action-packed Finals Day that wrapped up stop No.3 of the World Surf League (WSL) Africa Junior Qualifying Series (JQS).
Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri Earns First Win in Ballito
Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) and Remi Fourie (RSA) got off to a quick start in the women’s Final, with Etxabarri locking in two mid-range scores to take the lead. Sophia Medina (BRA) found some open faces to work with, pushing Fourie down to third and Kiara Goold (PYF) struggling in fourth. The difficult conditions didn’t offer more scoring opportunities. Etxabarri got the win and Medina settling for runner-up.
“The waves in the Final were really difficult, but I managed to win it and I’m super happy,” said Etxabarri. “It’s a good warm-up, the QS will be another warm-up for the Challenger Series next week. Last year I got a really good result, so I’m excited to be back in Ballito.”
Medina, the 2022 runner-up at the Ballito Pro Junior, said the contest is a premium warm-up event for the Challenger Series.
“I’m grateful to be here,” said Medina. “It’s been fun. It’s such a good warm-up, the girls are ripping and I’m grateful to compete against such amazing women.”
In the women’s Semifinals, goofy-footer Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) found the best waves to hit her powerful backhand into the steeper sections. She advanced to the Final ahead of Remi Fourie (RSA).
The second Semifinal was stacked, with Challenger Series contender Sophia Medina (BRA) and Tahitian youngster Kiara Goold (PYF) booking their spot in the Final. Thus ousting last year’s runner up Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) and eThekwini Pro Junior winner Emily Jenkinson (RSA).
Luke Tema Makes Winning Debut in Ballito
Hawaiian youngster Luke Tema has been earning the highest heat total of every round of the men’s competition. Tema came up against top ranked South African juniors Connor Slijpen, Levi Epenetos and Josh Malherbe.
The waves picked up in the strong offshore and the judges rewarded the big, single maneuvers in the critical section. Tema earned a 6.67 for one huge hit on his backhand, with a backup of 5.33 for two big hits on his forehand, for a 12.00 heat total.
“I’m super stoked, it’s been so fun to get in some practice before the Challenger Series,” said Tema. “The waves got a little tricky in the final, but it’s been really fun. It’s crazy how high the level is in the Challenger, so I just got to keep doing that and more.”
Malherbe really left his best surfing for the Final, committing to a big closeout section for a 5.83 and trailing Tema in second place. The 17-year-old from Coffee Bay found another solid ride for two strong hits and riding it out for a 5.67. Sadly falling short of the win and setting for runner-up.
“I went into that knowing it’s going to be a hard final,” said Malherbe. “I gave it my all, so it feels great, I’m happy.”
In the men’s Semifinals, it was a see-saw battle between the two in-form surfers, Luke Tema (HAW) and Connor Sijpen (RSA). Tema relied on his aerial skills to punt a big frontside full rotations, going into the excellent range for an 8.17. Slijpen’s combination of powerful turns and airs saw him advancing in second.
In a tightly contested all-South African Semifinal, Cape Town’s Levi Epenetos took the win with Malherbe in second.
Connor Slijpen, Emily Jenkinson Top WSL Africa Junior Rankings
This wraps up Stop No.3 of the WSL Africa JQS season. Connor Slijpenand Emily Jenkinson holding onto the No.1 positions. Both Slijpen and Jenkinson won the previous stop, the eThekwini Surf Pro Junior in Durban last week.
The attention now shifts to the Ballito Open presented by Flojos Qualifying Series (QS) 1,000 that will run from June 27-29, 2025. The first call will be at 6:50 a.m. GMT+1.
Read more: O’Neill SMTH Shapes Rookie Rippers Crown Champions Across All Divisions
by SFT | Jun 26, 2025 | St Francis
The Foster Jol is back on Saturday, 5th July 2025 at Joe Fish Restaurant, Cape St. Francis Resort – and it promises to be an unforgettable evening of music, food, fun, and fundraising in support of FOSTER, our local initiative committed to protecting and preserving green spaces in our community.
Live Performances by:
- Ghostriders
- Ryan Oz & the Seals Garage Band
(Music begins at 6:00 PM)
Ticket Includes –
Adults (R300) – includes a hearty Harty Potjie dinner
Children (R150) – includes Burger & Chips A cash bar will be available throughout the evening.
Tickets are selling fast!
Secure yours online via Quicket or purchase directly at Cape St. Francis Resort.
Book here: https://qkt.io/vN228N
Join us for a meaningful evening of celebration, community spirit, and support for our local environment. We look forward to seeing you there!
Don’t miss out on prizes
- Prizes for Best Dressed (Wild West Theme) • A fabulous raffle to be won
The Foster Jol is back
Added Bonus
The Springboks vs Italy –game will be televised LIVE in the bar to FOSTER fans from 5:00 PM Enjoy the game with great company, rugby drinks specials, and complimentary halftime snacks:
Read more: Oyster Bay Sunrise – glorious image from the Clive Wright Photography archive
by SFT | Jun 26, 2025 | Financial Planning
What To Do In Sideways Markets
During market volatility, investors often focus on what they could be doing differently. This is simply human nature, as most people are loss-averse to some extent. Doing ‘something’ is sometimes easier than doing nothing when things are not going well. Take advice from the legend that is Jack Bogle, the father of indexing and founder of Vanguard:
Stay The Course
“Just stay the course. Don’t do something, just stand there.”
Bogle believed in strategic asset allocation (buy and hold), and time has corroborated this statement.
It is important to keep a sense of perspective and remember we have seen market volatility before. The tech crash of the early 2000s, the financial crisis of 2008 and beyond, and the recent pandemic have all impacted the markets.
What To Do In Sideways Markets
We have emerged from all these situations, with the market not only recovering but flourishing. The ups and downs create uncertainty, naturally, but this is how the market works.
Panic selling or buying “the latest” investment products is not the answer. Instead, we must remind ourselves that there is something to be said for conventional wisdom and doing what has always worked. This means owning the whole market, diversifying, and letting the portfolio do its thing.
Focus on Your Goals and Avoid the Noise
The purpose of a financial plan is to help you achieve financial independence via a road map or strategy. Above all, it should give you peace of mind. Investment growth and tax-efficiency play a part, but these are simply tools which serve a larger purpose.
Rather than thinking about the daily ups and downs in the market, consider your goals. What would you like to achieve, and what do you need to do to get there?
An investor focused on the present may panic when the market takes a downturn as all they see is a loss. An investor who is focused on their goals, on the other hand, is better equipped to take a long-term view.
The media is full of opinions on what you should buy and sell, and when. But this is simply a distraction. If you focus on the long-term and filter out the noise, you will have a better chance of achieving your goals.
Dirk Groeneveld, Certified Financial Planner.
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