After a break in 2024, due to a clash with the surf contest at the Paris Olympics, the World Surf League (WSL) Tour will be back with some exciting and competitive action.
The competition will feature the sport’s most elite athletes carving up the iconic Supertubes from July 11-20 in Jeffreys Bay.
All eyes will be on SA’s Jordy Smith, who is second on the WSL Men’s Rankings and is well-positioned to move up to first.
WSL media manager Bianca van Aardt said avid surf lovers could expect some exciting action at the 10th stop of the World Surf League Championship Tour.
Also in the line-up are global greats such as Italo Ferreira, Filipe Toledo, Caitlin Simmers, Caroline Marks, and others
“The World Surf League Championships Tour is back this year in Jeffreys Bay,” Van Aardt said.
“Last year, it was off the calendar because of the Olympics.
“The top 22 men on the WSL Championships Tour rankings and the top 10 women will be surfing at J-Bay this year.
“J-Bay is regarded as one of the world’s great right-hand point break waves, and so it always delivers in terms of quality and great waves for the best surfers in the world to showcase their skills.
“Supertubes is not an easy wave to surf, it’s really fast and it can be quite hectic, but these surfers absolutely shine in this wave, it just offers the perfect canvas for them to do really big turns.
“People like Filipe Toledo, who has won in J-Bay before, has shown how you can surf this race completely differently and go to the air. So, it’s a really exciting tour stop for the surfers.
“The surfers say it’s one of their favourite stops on the tour, so everyone is really happy to come down to Jeffreys Bay and surf Supertubes, because it’s just a world-class wave and we get to see the best surfers in the world do their thing right in front of us.
“There is so much more happening alongside the event.
“So, it’s not just surfing that people can enjoy. They get to meet and greet their favourite surfers and just really have a fun time at the beach.
“There is so much happening alongside the surfing, with the festival in the evenings with music and food stalls, so there is really something for everyone.”
The ParkOFF Music Festival will feature electrifying performances by top local and international artists, including Zakes Bantwini (Grammy-winning Afro-house maestro), Dino Moran (African house and techno pioneer), Dean Fuel and Niskerone (crowd-favourite electronic DJs), plus Italy’s Tribal Need and other top local acts.
Comedy Night will deliver laughs with SA’s sharpest comedic talent.
There will be some mountain biking and trail running races for all levels (10-60km routes for MTB, 5-10 km for trail runs) and a high-stakes Jiu Jitsu tournament featuring the biggest prize pool in SA history.
There is also the popular J-Bay Skins Fishing Competition with prizes and bragging rights up for grabs.
“People must make a plan to come down to J-Bay, we really want to see people on the beach. Also, they must support Jordy Smith, who is our top local SA on the tour.
“It’s really exciting to have him at the top of his game after 18 years on tour, and he has won in J-Bay twice before.
“So, it would be really good to have the local crowds support our local boy on the water,” Van Aardt said.
The Herald
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