JEFFREYS BAY, Eastern Cape, South Africa (Thursday, July 13, 2023) – The Corona Open J-Bay, Stop No. 9 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2023 Championship Tour (CT), launched today in good three-to-four foot waves and light winds to complete the Men’s Opening Round of competition on the first day of the event’s window period.

The world’s best surfers launched their penultimate effort of the regular season in South Africa with long, perfectly peeling walls and put on an exciting show with power surfing and radical maneuvers both in and above the lip.

World’s Best Dominate in Men’s Opening Round

A winner and three-time runner-up this season on tour, Griffin Colapinto (USA) continued to show an incredible run of form in his opening heat at J-Bay. The Californian started with a classic approach on the wave face on his first wave for a 7.67 (out of a possible 10) and launched into a massive straight air for an excellent 8.50 later in the heat to post a convincing win into the Round of 16.

“It’s a beautiful morning and there’s a really good turnout, a lot of people came out and it seems to be getting bigger and bigger every year,” Colapinto said. “Coming back from Brazil I went all in on my preparation and tried to do everything I could to make sure I’m ready. I’ve done this my whole life and at this point I feel like I’ve learned every lesson in the book so there’s no need to overthink things, I just need to let things happen.”

The current World No.1 Filipe Toledo (BRA) came out victorious in an epic clash with Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) and local wildcard Adin Masencamp (RSA). Winner twice in the past on the long rights of Jeffreys Bay, the Brazilian showed confidence in his approach as he waited a long time for his first wave but made sure to convert with powerful rail surfing in the lip to distance himself from his opponents.

“It’s pretty slow but when the wave comes it’s perfect,” Toledo said. “I knew I’d have opportunities so I stayed patient and it paid off. I felt at my 100% in that heat, no pain, no bubbles or lack of confidence so it felt really good.”

Former World Champs Go Above The Lip To Score Big

Former World Champions Italo Ferreira (BRA), John John Florence (HAW) and Gabriel Medina (BRA) were also standouts in the air. Ferreira and Florence went on a nail-biting matchup, eventually going Florence’s way for a spot into the Round of 16. All three surfers currently sitting outside the Top 5, need a big result in the last two events of the regular season for a chance to fight for the ultimate crown at the Rip Curl WSL Finals later this year.

“It feels great to be back here and surf nice clean walls before the wind came up,” Medina said. “The forecast looks pretty good so I’m excited to surf this event. When I picture surfing it’s someone on waves like this, it’s just too perfect. ”

Brazil’s Joao Chianca (BRA) and Yago Dora (BRA) also made their way into the Round of 16 with wins in their debut performance in this event. Dora turned the heat with seconds on the clock with an insane backhand rotation landed perfectly for a near-perfect 9.27.

“That was a short wave so I needed something special to get a big score,” Dora explained. “I’m really glad I made that, I landed on the flats and rode out perfectly, I’m thankful for the opportunity to get that ramp.”

Out of the current WSL Top 5, only World No.3 Ethan Ewing (AUS) failed to advance in first out of the Opening Round and will need to battle it out in the Elimination Round when the event resumes.

Rookie Waida Nails First Visit to J-Bay

Indonesia’s first surfer on tour Rio Waida (INA) has been turning heads in his first season and continued to do so today as he dispatched Ewing and tour veteran Caio Ibelli (BRA) in the Opening Round. The feisty regular foot was extremely patient in the lineup but once up on the board, his energy was transparent as he posted a 7.50 and 6.60 on his only two waves ridden.

“I almost started to rush and catch small waves because Ethan was getting scores,” Waida said. “But I stayed patient and I thought for sure one more set would come. I’m really grateful it did and stoked that I won that heat. The waves were really fun, a little bit slow but super fun. I’ve been working on my technique and tried to apply it today in the lineup.”

South Africans Struggle to Find Rhythm on Home Turf

Event wildcard Adin Masencamp (RSA), J-Bay local Matthew McGillivray (RSA) and tour standout Jordy Smith (RSA) all failed to advance in first and will have to battle it out in the Elimination Round when the event continues. McGillivray came only .34 short of an advancing spot in his battle with Medina.

They will face Ethan Ewing (AUS), Barron Mamiya (HAW) and Caio Ibelli (BRA) respectively in their next heat to keep their campaign alive in their home country.

Onshore winds picked up just before the last heat of the round, forcing event officials to call the competition off for the rest of the day. The next call will be on Friday, July 14 at 7:45 a.m. GMT+2 for a possible 8:05 a.m. start.

For more information please visit WorldSurfLeague.com

Perfect Waves and Pressure Await the Corona Open J-Bay Thursday July 13-Sat 22nd

Competition Window Opens Tomorrow (tonight in Hawaii!) at Corona Open J-Bay

• Current No. 1s Filipe Toledo and Carissa Moore Eager to Lock in Top Spots for WSL Finals
• Jordy Smith and Matthew McGillivray Ready to Compete in Front of Home Crowd
• Wildcards Prepare for Championship Tour Debut

JEFFREYS BAY, Eastern Cape, South Africa (Wednesday, July 12, 2022) – The window for the Corona Open J-Bay, Stop No. 9 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2023 Championship Tour (CT),  will open tomorrow, Thursday, July 13, and holds through Saturday, July 22, 2023. The world-renowned point break of Jeffreys Bay is a blank canvas for the world’s best surfers to draw creative lines. Over the years this event has witnessed multiple perfect 10-point rides, iconic matchups, and historic wins.

This year’s event not only has World Title implications but Olympic qualification on the line. Depending on their performances, it is possible for several competitors to provisionally qualify for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at J-Bay.

Filipe Toledo and Carissa Moore Eager to Lock in Top Spot for Finals

Current World No. 1s Carissa Moore (HAW) and Filipe Toledo (BRA) are hoping to maintain their positions at the top of the rankings by finding success here at J-Bay. Both have won this event in the past, Moore in 2019, and Toledo in 2017 and 2018. The two entered the Rip Curl WSL Finals as the top seed last year and are close to doing so again this year with only two events left.

“I say this every year, but I’m really happy to be back in J-Bay,” Toledo said. “J-Bay is a special place and I’m definitely in a great place right now, mentally and professionally. I’m looking forward to another good result here and clinch that spot in the Final 5.”

Moore has already clinched her spot in the WSL Final 5 which means she is guaranteed a shot at her sixth World Title. She will first surf in the women’s Opening Round, Heat 2, against Lakey Peterson (USA) and wildcard Sarah Baum (RSA).

“It definitely takes a little bit of pressure off, but I think there’s still work to do,” Moore said. “I’m so happy to be back in J-Bay, it’s definitely one of my favourite stops on tour. I want to perform my best and put on a good show here, so that’s the focus.”

Jordy Smith and Matthew McGillivray Ready to Compete in Front of Home Crowd

South Africa’s Jordy Smith and Matthew McGillivray are ready to enjoy competing at home after traveling all around the world. Tour veteran Smith has earned two event wins here, both over a decade ago. From experience and local knowledge, he knows what it takes to win at J-Bay and is guaranteed to be a threat.

“Every year, every day requires different tactics to be able to win,” Smith said. “I’m not in the best position to go for the Final 5 so there’s no pressure. I feel really relaxed and good. Hopefully, we get a couple of waves and then I think I have a high chance.”

Smith and McGillivray are seeking their first event wins of the year and hope it will be in front of their home crowd. Smith is currently ranked No. 16 and McGillivray sits right below him at No. 18 on the rankings. McGillivray will make his first appearance in Heat 7 of the men’s Opening Round and Smith in Heat 8.

“This is my favorite time of year,” McGillivray said. “It’s definitely an advantage to compete at your home break. You don’t have to stress about testing different boards or trying to find the lineup. It’s so good to sleep in my own bed and spend time with the family. I want to make the most of this opportunity, it’s really special.”

Wildcards Prepare for Championship Tour Debut

Event wildcards Sarah Baum (RSA) and Adin Masencamp (RSA) enter J-Bay as the top-ranked athletes from Africa on the Challenger Series. This will be the first time either of them has competed in a CT event and it happens to be right at home. Baum and Masencamp will have the difficult task of going up against current world No. 1s Moore and Toledo in their respective Opening Round matchups.

“In a way, there’s no pressure as I’m not trying to gain any rankings points from this event,” Baum said. “I still have a lot of personal goals in this event and I want to showcase some of my best surfing in the best waves in the world. To have this opportunity and be around family and friends is very special and I’m really excited.”

• Fresh and Familiar Faces Hold Top Five Spots Going Into J-Bay (12 hours ahead)
• WSL One Ocean and Partners Host Cleanup, Environmental Education, and Surf Therapy Session Ahead of Corona Open J-Bay

JEFFREYS BAY, Eastern Cape, South Africa (Tuesday, July 11, 2022) – The Corona Open J-Bay, Stop No. 9 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2023 Championship Tour (CT), will be all about perfect waves and the high-pressure scenarios of clinching a spot in the WSL Final 5. The event holds a competition window from Thursday, July 13, through Saturday, July 22, 2023.

Time is running out for the contenders to rise up the rankings as only two events remain ahead of the Rip Curl WSL Finals. A changing of the guard is evident as new names fill in the Top 5 spots. The long, fast wave of Jeffreys Bay will be a test of stamina and performance and could shake up the rankings once again.

Fresh and Familiar Faces Hold Top Five Spots Going into J-Bay

Going into J-Bay, the current Top 5 men and women consist of new contenders and familiar faces. Reigning World Champion and current World No. 1 Filipe Toledo (BRA), and defending event winner Ethan Ewing (AUS) made the Final 5 last year and are close to doing so again.

After his first career CT event win in Brazil, Yago Dora (BRA) climbed all the way up to No. 5 on the rankings and is now in World Title contention. Joao Chianca (BRA) has been having a breakthrough year and is currently sitting at No. 4. This will be his first CT event at J-Bay.

After making three-consecutive Final appearances, Griffin Colapinto (USA) had an early round loss in Brazil, which moved him to second on the rankings. With two events left before the Rip Curl WSL Finals, he is within reach of clinching a spot in the WSL Final 5 for the first time. Colapinto will first be up against Liam O’Brien (AUS) and 11-time World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) in Heat 3 of the men’s Opening Round.

“I feel like my surfing suits J-Bay really well so I’m super excited,” said Colapinto. “I’ve grown up on right-hand point breaks. So from surfing a lot of similar waves, I feel like J-Bay is one of my strong suits. I’m just enjoying all the moments and hopefully, I do well.”

Five-time World Champion and current World No. 1 Carissa Moore (HAW) is the only woman in the current Top 5 who has participated in the Rip Curl WSL Finals. Two-Time World Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) sits closely behind her in second place. This is the first time Wright has been in World Title contention in the last five years. Rising stars Caroline Marks (USA), Molly Picklum (AUS), and Caitlin Simmers (USA), make up 3rd, 4th, and 5th on the rankings, respectively.

At the beginning of the season, Simmer’s goal was to make the Mid-season Cut. She is now in the Top 5 after winning her second CT event of the season in Brazil and could have a shot at a World Title. This will be her maiden CT event at J-Bay. She will make her debut in the first heat of the women’s Opening Round alongside Picklum and Gabriela Bryan (HAW).

“It feels good to be in the Top 5 and have some more confidence going into this event, I kind of needed it,” said Simmers. “It takes a lot to never be home but it’s rewarding when you do well. I just want to do some high-lines and enjoy it. I’ve seen a lot of good waves there, the place looks super insane. Hopefully, we get good waves. I’m looking forward to it.”

WSL One Ocean and Partners Host Cleanup, Environmental Education, and Surf Therapy Session Ahead of Corona Open J-Bay

For the Corona Open J-Bay, WSL teamed up with WSL PURE grantee JBay Surf Alliance and Sentinel Ocean Alliance for a beach cleanup, environmental education, and surf therapy session. The J-Bay Surf Alliance is a collaborative program working towards creating a cleaner, more positive future by combining mental health support, physical activity, and environmental stewardship. With the support of the grant from WSL PURE, JBay Surf Alliance is creating a powerful synergy that promotes healing, empowers communities, and safeguards precious coastal treasures for future generations.

For more information about WSL One Ocean, please visit WSLOneOcean.org.