Photo: WSL
The World Surf League returns to Jeffrey’s Bay on July 6th, utilizing a 12-day event window that closes on July 17th. The J-Bay Open represents the halfway point of the eleven-event, 2016 Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour.
Located in Kouga on the Eastern Cape of South Africa, Jeffery’s Bay is a right-hand point reef break that has the potential to produce a 300-meter freight trains of waves that consists of sections reverently known as Boneyards, Supertubes, and Impossibles.
The three-time event champion, Mick Fanning, is returning to J-Bay after 2015’s surreal mid-heat shark encounter, which forced WSL officials to cancel the final. Mick has sustained an ankle injury during a J-Bay warm up session, but expects to recover adequately enough to compete.
Kelly Slater, four-time event champion, is coming into Jeffrey’s seemingly back in top form after a recent scintillating semifinal finish at the Fiji Pro. Joel Parkinson won the J-Bay Open as a wildcard in 1999 and then again ten years later in 2009. Joel’s smooth stylistic approach suits J-Bay perfectly. Another two-time event champion and current world number 10, South African Jordy Smith, is looking to re-establish himself as a front-runner for the hotly contested 2016 title.
No goofy-foot surfer has stood victoriously atop the podium at the J-Bay Open. However, with Matt Wilkinson and Gabriel Medina in a tightening world title race we may see each of these two right-foot-forward surfers contending for the 2016 title.
Photo: Vissla
Event trials winner, Steven Sawyer, said, “I want to surf against Wilko. Everyone says ‘Wilko-J-Bay,’ ‘Wilko-J-Bay.’ And I’m not saying I wanna kick his ass, but I kinda do. Bring it on.” Steven Sawyer’s opportunity to “Bring it on” against Wilko, and Davey Cathels, will happen in heat six of the first round.
Former event champions include: 2015 final cancelled with points and winnings split between finalists Mick Fanning and Julian Wilson; 2014: Mick Fanning; 2011: Jordy Smith; 2010: Jordy Smith; 2009: Joel Parkinson; 2008: Kelly Slater; 2007: Taj Burrow; 2006: Mick Fanning; 2005: Kelly Slater; 2004: Andy Irons; 2003: Kelly Slater; 2002: Mick Fanning; 2001: Jake Paterson; 2000: Jake Paterson; 1999: Joel Parkinson; 1998: Michael Barry; 1996: Kelly Slater.
Surfline’s official event forecast: Current model guidance shows potential for a fun-size swell for the first day of the waiting period (Wednesday the 6th), fading for the back half of next week. A larger SW swell could move in for the weekend of the 9th-10th, although wind conditions may be problematic.
All the live and on demand action for the 2016 J-Bay Open can be viewed at WorldSurfLeague.com.
