JEFFREYS BAY, Eastern Cape, South Africa (Tuesday, July 18, 2023) – The Corona Open J-Bay, Stop No. 9 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2023 Championship Tour (CT), has been called on in clean three-to-four foot surf that is expected to build throughout the day. The competition will start with the remaining two heats of the women’s Opening Round at 7:15 a.m. GMT +2. The men’s and women’s Elimination Rounds will follow.

“The waves are pumping, it’s an easy call this morning,” said WSL Tours and Competition’s Travis Logie. “We’re going to monitor the consistency in these first few heats to decide if we will do overlapping heats. Today and tomorrow looks like the best days in the window, so we’ll do our best to capitilise on it.”

Sitting just below the Top 5 is Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) who will face Caroline Marks (USA) and Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) in the last heat of the women’s Opening Round.

The first heat of the men’s Elimination Round will see the South African wildcard Adin Masencamp (RSA) up against defending event winner Ethan Ewing (AUS) for a spot in the Round of 16.

In Heat 3, Jack Robinson (AUS) will surf against 11-time World Champion Kelly Slater (USA). Robinson needs a solid result in J-Bay to keep his chances alive of making the Top 5.

For more information please visit WorldSurfLeague.com

• Women’s Competition Kicks Off At Corona Open J-Bay
• South African Wildcard Books Quarterfinal Berth
• Inconsistent, Slow Surf Forces Early End To Day Five after 2 heats
• Next Call: Tuesday, July 18 at 6:55 a.m. GMT +2 (7pm Monday HI time)
•  REWATCH HERE

JEFFREYS BAY, Eastern Cape, South Africa (Monday, July 17, 2023) – The Corona Open J-Bay, Stop No. 9 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2023 Championship Tour (CT), completed two heats of the Women’s Opening Round today in clean two-to-three foot waves at Supertubes.

After three consecutive lay days, the Women’s Opening Round was called on around midday in hopes of the swell picking up. It was a beautiful day with offshore conditions, but the sets were inconsistent and slow, forcing organisers to call the competition off for the day after completing two heats.

South African Wildcard Books Quarterfinal Berth

The crowds came out to support South African Sarah Baum (RSA) surfing in her first-ever CT event. Baum was awarded the wildcard entry as the highest-placed African female on the Challenger Series rankings. She had to contend with five-time World Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) and Lakey Petersen (USA), but a quick start gave her the upper hand and she held the lead for the entire heat with two mid-range scores. It was an agonisingly slow heat, with Moore and Petersen unable to lock in any decent rides and Baum booked herself a spot in the Quarterfinals.

“There was a lot of excitement going into this heat so I was just trying to contain myself,” Baum said. “It’s super tricky out there and these girls can get scores in like two seconds. There was a lot of time left so I really wanted to do the right things, the right move and I’m so stoked. A heat win like this just makes me believe in myself a lot more, I feel like I belong here and this is a huge confidence boost going into the next Challenger Series at the US Open and hopefully I’ll see you back here next year!”

Taking the first spot in the Quarterfinals was Gabriela Bryan (HAW), who was focused on getting the first score on the board to put Molly Picklum (AUS) and Caitlin Simmers (USA) under pressure. Bryan found the best wave of the day when she whipped out three quick turns for 7.00 points (out of a possible 10) and secured the win, with Simmers and Picklum unable to get another scoring ride.

“I went into that with a solid game plan and when it plays out like that, it feels really good,” Bryan reacted. “It’s super important to get this spot in the Quarters already and the waves are supposed to get much better. It’s the best feeling ever to skip the Elimination Round!”

The sets were few and far between, with long waiting periods between waves and organisers put the competition on hold for an hour after the second heat. After reviewing the conditions, the event was called off for the rest of the day. The next call will be on Tuesday, July 18 at 6:55 a.m. GMT +2.

For more information please visit WorldSurfLeague.com