JEFFREYS BAY, Eastern Cape, South Africa (Sunday, June 16, 2024) - The elite field of invitees arrived in Jeffreys Bay for the World Surf League (WSL) J-Bay Classic Presented by Corona Specialty, which runs from 17 June through 23 June, 2024. While the competition has been called off for tomorrow, the excitement and positive energy from competitors and fans filled the air at the official event opening.
"That grom in me is definitely bubbling, it's like surf royalty all around me," veteran competitor Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) said. "The most exciting thing is that we're always in competition mode, striving to be better and to be asked to just come and surf and put on a show, that means more than you think," Fitzgibbons said, who is currently sitting at no.3 on the Challenger Series rankings.
"It feels like we're being seen and it's a long body of work. It's been over 20 years since I picked up a board and these days I'd like to think of myself as a hybrid car model, so I do a little bit of the Tour, a little bit of the Challenger Series and then a Specialty. I'm very efficient and economical so I'll come wherever you want me!"
Stephanie Gilmore - WSL / Kody McGregor
World Champions Occhilupo, Gilmore and De Souza Excited to Return to J-Bay
The 8-time World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 1999 World Champion Mark ‘Occy' Occhilupo (AUS) and 2015 World Champion Adriano de Souza (BRA) return to J-Bay filled with excitement to surf Supertubes without the pressure of the World Tour on their shoulders.
"For me, J-Bay and Bells are the best waves in the world," Occhilupo said. "This wave has given me so much, thanks to Cheron Kraak who held the Country Feeling Classic in 1984 which I won. We were so looking forward to compete here back then. It's so good to be back, it feels really nice."
Gilmore, who won the Corona Open J-Bay in 2018, said she is a fan of all kinds of surfing. "I love watching all kinds of surfing whether it's in competition or free surfing," Gilmore said. "I'm just super excited to go out there and not feel the pressure of a normal contest and be out there to enjoy the ride. I'm so happy to be back, I really love this place."
Expecting his first son, De Souza recognises Jeffreys Bay as a special place for family. "First of all, happy Father's day," De Souza said. "This place is so family oriented, I always see beautiful families coming to watch this event. It's my dream to bring my own family to watch the event. The year I won J-Bay in 2012 was a very special year. The waves were incredible," De Souza reflected. "I created my whole technique out here, I've been coming here since I was a grom. Coming back here with all these stars, it's incredible."
Mark Occhilupo and Joshe Faulkner - WSL / Pierre Tostee
Three Teams Decided for Teams Division
In an exciting addition to the Specialty competition, there will be a Teams Division, where three teams of six surfers will get the lineup all to themselves to compete for the overall best team award. Team captains De Souza, Gilmore and Occy selected their teams through a random draw.
Team De Souza
Sage Erickson
Stevie Sawyer
Sierra Kerr
Travis Logie
Josh Kerr
Team Gilmore
Sally Fitzgibbons
James Ribbink
Sean Holmes
Michael February
Matt Wilkinson
Team Occy
Coco Ho
Joshe Faulkner
Sarah Baum
Frederico Morais
Luke Thompson
The next call for the competition will be on Monday, 17 June. 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, Surfing South Africa, Sealand, and Grit.