Basque Country’s Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri has won the World Surf League Qualifying Series 2,000 Ballito Open presented by Flojos in two-to-three foot surf at Ballito in KwaDukuza on Sunday, 29 June, 2025.
The Ballito Open, Stop No.2 on the regional Africa QS, is one of the biggest competitions in the region thanks to the deep international field it attracts as a warm-up event for the Challenger Series.
18-year-old Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) dominated the women’s Final from start to finish in emphatic fashion. Within the first few seconds of the buzzer sounding, she scored an excellent 8.83 (out of a possible 10) for a huge hit into a menacing closeout section, the highest single-wave score of the competition.
The 2024 European Junior champion quickly backed it up with another big turn for a 6.17 for a two-wave total of 15.00 (out of a possible 20) to put Olympian Teresa Bonvalot (POR) in a combination situation.
As the sun was setting, the scoring opportunities were few and far between for the remainder of the heat and Bonvalot couldn’t challenge Etxabarri for the win, settling for runner-up.
“I’m super happy and super tired,” said Etxabarri, who had to surf four heats on Sunday for the win.
“I’m so excited for the Challenger Series. I had no pressure for this competition. I was just surfing and trying to do my best, and I think that helped me to not think about how tired I was in the final!”
WSL Qualifying Series 2,000 Ballito Open Champion, Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri
Bonvalot stayed busy in her Semifinal against Kirra Pinkerton (USA), pushing hard on her backhand to go vertical in the closeout sections. The Portuguese Olympian impressed with a few aerial attempts, pushing the level of women’s surfing.
A relaxed competitor is a dangerous one, and Sarah Baum (RSA) has been lethal since competing back home.
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Baum, who won the first regional QS stop of the season last week, looked poised to make it back-to-back finals, but she was stopped in her tracks by Etxabarri in the Semifinals.
After the conclusion of Stop No.2 on the regional QS, South Africa’s Baum retains the top spot on the rankings as the focus shifts to Stop No.2 on the Challenger Series, the Ballito Pro presented by O’Neill, which holds a competition window from 30 June to 6 July.
Relive the Ballito Open presented by Flojos action on WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL YouTube and free WSL app.
The Ballito Open presented by Flojos is proudly supported by KwaDukuza Municipality, Flojos, Surfing South Africa, Corona Cero, Red Bull, SMG-Yamaha.
For more information visit WorldSurfLeague.com
Ballito Open presented by Flojos Women’s Final Results
1- Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) 15.00
2- Teresa Bonvalot (POR) 8.84
Ballito Open Women’s Semifinal Results
Heat 1: Teresa Bonvalot (POR) 12.17 Def. Kirra Pinkerton (USA) 6.73
Heat 2: Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) 13.90 Def. Sarah Baum (RSA) 12.67
Ballito Open Women’s Quarterfinal Results
Heat 1: Teresa Bonvalot (POR) 10.37 Def. Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) 8.33
Heat 2: Kirra Pinkerton (USA) 14.83 Def. Kana Nakashio (JPN) 10.40
Heat 3: Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) 11.67 Def. Mirai Ikeda (JPN) 8.67
Heat 4: Sarah Baum (RSA) 14.83 Def. Eweleiula Wong (HAW) 10.33
Original Copy: WSL Africa, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: The Basque Country’s Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri has won the World Surf League Qualifying Series 2,000 Ballito Open presented by Flojos in two-to-three foot surf at Ballito in KwaDukuza on Sunday, 29 June, 2025. All Photos: WSL / Kody McGregor
Photo 2 Caption: Etxabarri (right) dominated the Final from start to finish in emphatic fashion to beat Portugal’s Teresa Bonvalot for the title.
Photo 3 Caption: With the sun setting, scoring opportunities were few and far between for Bonvalot, who couldn’t challenge Etxabarri for the win.
Photo 4 Caption: South Africa’s Sarah Baum leads the regional rankings after her win at the WSL J-Bay Classic at the QS2000’s first stop last week.
Photo 5 Caption: “I’m super happy and super tired,” said Etxabarri, after surfing four heats on Sunday. “I’m so excited for the Challenger Series.”
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