J-Bay Surf: Ewing, Smith & Bryan Warmup – CT Action
J-Bay is Back: Championship Tour Returns to Jeffreys Bay with WSL Finals Spots on the Line
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the world’s best surfers have descended upon Jeffreys Bay,South Africa,for the Corona Cero Open J-Bay,marking a highly anticipated return to one of the most iconic waves on the Championship Tour. With WSL Finals spots still up for grabs, the pressure is on as competitors navigate the famed right-hand point break.
Jordy Smith’s Homecoming & Gabriela Bryan’s Momentum
Local hero Jordy Smith enters the competition wearing the coveted Yellow Jersey, a position he embraces with both excitement and a sense of calm. “More importantly for me, it’s a place to reconnect with old friends that I’ve grown up with my whole life,” Jordy said in a WSL news release. “There’s a lot less pressure I put on myself. I spend my entire off-season there, I have a house on the beach, so it’s a very cozy place for me, and I can surf with ease. To come in wearing the Yellow Jersey is epic. It’s testament to the hard work and sacrifices over the years,and we keep swinging and see how the rest of the year plays out.”
On the women’s side, Gabriela Bryan is looking to continue her impressive form. After a challenging result in Brazil, she’s emerged as a clear standout at J-Bay, despite limited contest experience at the wave (quarters in 2022 and 2023). Her exceptional power, demonstrated in two right-point event wins this season, makes her a strong favorite.
Waves are pumping,and the stakes are high – welcome back,J-Bay!
Corona Cero Open J-Bay Women’s Opening Round Matchups:
Heat 1: Bettylou sakura johnson (HAW) vs. Isabella Nichols (Aus) vs. Teresa Silva (BRA)
Heat 2: Molly Picklum (AUS) vs. erin Brooks (CAN) vs. Sarah Baum (RSA)
Heat 3: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) vs. Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Francisca Veselko (POR)
Heat 4: Caitlin Simmers (USA) vs. Caroline Marks (USA) vs. Lakey Peterson (USA)
Corona cero Open J-Bay Men’s opening Round Matchups:
Heat 1: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Jake Marshall (USA) vs.Seth Moniz (HAW)
heat 2: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) vs. Joel Vaughan (AUS) vs. Alejo Muniz (BRA)
Heat 3: Yago Dora (BRA) vs. Connor O’Leary (AUS) vs. Matthew McGillivray (RSA)
Heat 4: Jordy Smith (RSA) vs. Crosby Colapinto (USA) vs. Luke Thompson (RSA)
Heat 5: Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs. Cole Houshmand (USA) vs. Marco Mignot (FRA)
Heat 6: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) vs. Rio Waida (INA)
Heat 7: Jack Robinson (AUS) vs.Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. Joao Chianca (BRA)
Heat 8: Barron Mamiya (HAW) vs. Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Alan Cleland (MEX)
Want to get a closer look at the action? Check out the warmups from July 5 here and the highlights from July 6 here on the WSL’s channel.