JEFFREYS BAY, Eastern Cape, South Africa (Thursday, June 13, 2024) - The World Surf League (WSL) J-Bay Classic Presented by Corona Specialty Event competition window opens tomorrow, June 14 and runs through June 23, 2024 at Supertubes, Jeffreys Bay. The quaint surf town of J-Bay is buzzing with excitement to welcome the invited athletes to their shores, which include World Champions Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Mark ‘Occy' Occhilupo (AUS), and Adriano de Souza (BRA).
Joining the exclusive invitee list will be South Africa's Michael February, a former WSL Championship Tour (CT) surfer. Regarded as one of the most stylish surfers in the lineup, February is excited to be part of the J-Bay Classic.
"To have the chance to surf J-Bay with just a few people out is something you never get, so that's very special," February said. "The invite list and the format is very exciting, to be able to have these legends in town and surf alongside them is rad, but then also to surf on different boards and see other people surf different boards will be very cool."
baum - WSL
Local Trials Competition To Kickstart Event
The J-Bay Classic presented by Corona Trials will start tomorrow, featuring 22 men and 8 women from Africa. The winners of the trials competition, one male and one female, will be awarded a slot into the main event. Local invitees include WSL Africa's top surfers on the Challenger Series, Sarah Baum and Jordy Maree, Moroccan surfing champion Aboubakar Bouaouda and Mozambique's Sung Min Cho. In a vote put to the public on social media, former professional surfer and surfing coach Shane Thorne was voted as the favorite to receive a slot into the trials competition.
Jeffreys Bay Crowds - WSL / Beatriz Ryder
J-Bay Surf Fest To Keep Crowds Entertained
The J-Bay Surf Fest is running alongside the WSL J-Bay Classic presented by Corona from June 14 to 23 and will keep the fans and holiday visitors entertained with music, comedy, film and food. The Park Off Music Festival starts this weekend with local artists Max Hurrel, Chunda Munki and Majozi on stage. South African comedian Rob van Vuuren brings his alter-ego ‘Namaste Bae' to J-Bay on June 20. The party continues next weekend with Dean Fuel, Desmond and the Tutus and Sun-El Musician.
**WSL J-Bay Classic Invitees**
Final competitor lists subject to change*
Women's Invitees:
Sage Erickson (USA)
Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
Coco Ho (HAW)
Sierra Kerr (AUS)
Men's Invitees:
Adriano De Souza (BRA)
Joshe Faulkner (RSA)
Michael February (RSA)
Sean Holmes (RSA)
Josh Kerr (AUS)
Travis Logie (RSA)
Frederico Morais (POR)
Mark Occhilupo (AUS)
James Ribbink (RSA)
Steven Sawyer (RSA)
Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
Local Trials Invitees
Women's Invitees:
Sarah Baum (RSA)
Sophie Bell (RSA)
Louise Lepront (RSA)
Sarah Scott (RSA)
Zoe Steyn (RSA)
Natasha van Greunen (RSA)
Jessie van Niekerk (RSA)
Faye Zoetmulder (RSA)
Men's Invitees:
Aboubakar Bouaouda (MAR)
Eli Beukes (RSA)
Sung Min Cho (RSA)
Mitch du Preez (RSA)
Chad du Toit (RSA)
Max Elkington (RSA)
Daniel Emslie (RSA)
Joshe Faulkner (RSA)
Tide-Lee Ireland (RSA)
Shaun Joubert (RSA)
Dylan Lightfoot (RSA)
Thomas Lindthorst (RSA)
Surprise Maphumulo (RSA)
Jordy Maree (RSA)
Adin Masencamp (RSA)
Remi Peterson (RSA)
Connor Slijpen (RSA)
Luke Slijpen (RSA)
Dale Staples (RSA)
Shane Sykes (RSA)
Luke Thompson (RSA)
Shane Thorne (RSA)
While there won't be a live broadcast, fans will be able to follow updates on the WSL J-Bay Classic presented by Corona on the @wsl and @jbayclassic social media channels and catch up on all the best highlights from the day on WorldSurfLeague.com.
The J-Bay Classic presented by Corona holds a competition window from Friday, June 14 through Sunday, June 23.
The J-Bay Classic presented by Corona is proudly supported by Corona, Kouga Municipality, Eastern Cape Provincial Government, House of Mandela, The Freedom Project, Red Bull, Sealand, and Grit.