DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA – May 18, 2025 — Rising surf star Louise Lepront added another victory to her growing list of achievements by winning the 2025 Sea Harvest SA Junior Open on Sunday at Dairy Beach in Durban.
Already a WSL Challenger Series qualifier and the reigning South African Open of Surfing champion, Lepront showcased her skill and consistency, securing the U18 title in commanding fashion.
The two-day event, held from May 17 to 18, featured a strong lineup of South Africa’s top junior surfers competing in U12, U14, U16, and U18 divisions. The contest took place between the piers at Dairy Beach, where ideal beach-break waves provided both left and right-handers for the competitors to demonstrate their talent.
Lepront’s toughest challenge came from her younger sister, Leah Lepront, who entered the U18 quarter-finals with the highest score of the round. Both sisters dominated their respective quarter- and semi-final heats. In the final, Louise took early control, scoring two strong rides in her first four waves. Her total score of 13.00 was enough to edge Leah, who earned 9.50, while Taylor Emslie finished third with 8.63.
Leah Lepront also shone in her primary division, taking first place in the U16 final. She narrowly outscored U14 standout Maya Malherbe, who finished second, followed by Max Kaufmann in third.
Malherbe had earlier dominated the U14 division, winning both her heats to claim the title ahead of Ella van der Made and Coco Clark. Van der Made, meanwhile, topped the U12 division with a strong score of 12.50, finishing ahead of Summer Harding and Lila Prinsloo.
Louise Lepront’s latest triumph caps off a stellar local season in which she also won the prestigious Royal St Andrews SA Open in April. She now heads into the first leg of the World Surf League Challenger Series in Australia with momentum and confidence.
2025 Sea Harvest SA Junior Open – Final Results
Dairy Beach, Durban | May 17–18, 2025
U18 Final
- Louise Lepront – 13.00
- Leah Lepront – 9.50
- Taylor Emslie – 8.63
U16 Final
- Leah Lepront – 9.54
- Maya Malherbe – 8.73
- Max Kaufmann – 6.43
U14 Final
- Maya Malherbe – 10.00
- Ella van der Made – 8.83
- Coco Clark – 5.74
U12 Final
- Ella van der Made – 12.50
- Summer Harding – 8.13
- Lila Prinsloo – 5.50