JBay – the Corona JBay Open, South Africa’s only World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) event is fast approaching, and the best competitive surfers in the world are starting to make their respective moves for the 2019 world title race. The Corona JBay Open is a pivotal event, coming in mid-way through the year-long tour, and a win in JBay could very easily set a competitor up for a world title going into the back half of the year.
Currently rated sixth on the Jeep Leaderboard – the rankings board for the Men’s Championship Tour – Durban-born Jordy Smith is looking like a very strong contender for a big result in JBay. Jordy has been in serious focus for 18 months now, working on fitness, diet and technique, in a serious bid for a world title, and his form is evident that he has what it takes to secure a win in JBay.
uMhlanga local and former Ballito Pro quarterfinalist Beyrick de Vries signing autographs for his fans
The Ballito Pro pres. by O’Neill will be an African surf adventure for surfers and spectators alike. The 51st edition of the world’s longest running professional surfing event will take place from 27 June to 7 July in Ballito, KwaDukuza on the east coast of South Africa.
“KwaDukuza Municipality is excited to welcome visitors to our region to enjoy the internationally renowned Ballito Pro,” said the Event Coordinator, Collette Bundy. “This year we welcome Sal Masekela, the son of legendary South African jazz musician Hugh Masekela, as the event’s official ambassador for a true African Surf Adventure.”
The Zigzag Durban Surf Pro, set to take place from 10-12 May, has been CANCELLED due to a sewage leak at the Durban Harbour.
The extent of the contamination poses a serious health risk and threat to the marine life alongside the marina and along the beachfront. The World Surf League (WSL), the global sanctioning body for professional surfing, and the organisers of the City Surf Series (CSS) took the decision to cancel the event for the safety of the surfers and event staff.
“It was not an easy call to make and we looked at many alternatives,” said Colin Fitch, WSL Africa Operations Manager. “We need to maintain the safety standards associated with an international sports event and we have the support of Surfing South Africa, the national surfing federation, on this call,”
“Our domestic tour is so important to us, our sponsors and especially our members but we will not take any chance with the future of our sport and organisation by not doing the right thing,” said Fitch.
Jordy Smith (Durban), the current World No. 3, will be promoting his new SMTH Shapes surfboard brand at the 2019 Ballito Pro pres. by O’Neill at Willard Beach in KwaDukuza in June. (Photo: (c) O’Neill / Wez Lewis)
Events: Men - Ballito Pro pres. by O’Neill (QS10,000) Women - Ballito Pro pres. by O’Neill (QS1,000) Juniors – O’Neill SMTH Shapes Junior Pro (JQS1,000) Venue: Willard Beach, Ballito, KwaDukuza, South Africa Dates: June 27 - 7 July, 2019
Matthew McGillivray (Jeffreys Bay) is the top seed for the Zigzag Durban Surf Pro starting in Durban on Friday, 10 May. (Photo: WSL / Thurtell)
South Africa’s top men and women surfers head to the warm waters of KwaZulu-Natal for the Zigzag Durban Surf Pro taking place from 10-12 May 2019. Stop no. 4 of 8 on the WSL Africa Tour and the third of four events in the City Surf Series (CSS), comprises World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 1,000 rated events for Men and Women and Junior Qualifying Series (JQS) 1,000 rated events for Men and Women aged 18-and-younger.
