Surfing | SA’s Jordy Smith hopes to retain WSL Championship lead ahead of J-Bay return

South African surfer Jordy Smith has claimed the top spot on the World Surf League (WSL) table after winning the Margaret River Pro in Australia and already has eyes on adding to his wins when the WSL returns to Jeffreys Bay in July.

Jordy Smith

The victory in Australia is the second of the season for the Durban-born Smith who claimed his first in 2025 at the Surf City El Salvador Pro in April. Smith is also currently the oldest on the WSL Championship Tour, but that hasn’t stopped him from being in the hunt for his first world championship title.

Smith, who is already looking forward to competing on home ground in July, says, “I feel great! I’ve still got to go to a few more events before J-Bay and perform there, but will hopefully be heading back to South Africa in the top 5. I’ve got a lot of confidence and want to perform my best in front of my family and friends in J-Bay and make South Africa proud.”

The next three stops of the Championship Tour have all previously been happy hunting grounds for Smith. First up is Trestles, California, where he won in 2014 and 2016, followed by Rio de Janeiro, which he won in 2013. The tour will then make its only stop in Africa, with the Corona Cero Open J-Bay from 11–20 July, where Smith has won on two previous occasions.

WSL’s Africa Media Manager Bianca van Aardt, says “It is phenomenal to have Jordy Smith as the world number one right now, following a second win of the season. It is so good to see the South African back on top and in the conversation for a world title, going into the next three events where he has won before. It’s going to be really exciting to see him at Supertubes in J-Bay, a wave where he really is the best and the man to beat. ”

Watch Jordy Smith in Action at WSL Margaret River Pro

Smith will face fierce competition in J-Bay, which returns to the Championship Tour calendar after a break in 2024 due to a scheduling clash with the Olympics. Hot on his heels are several former world champions, all eyeing a win at the iconic right-hand point break. Among them is 2019 champion Italo Ferreira, currently sitting second in the rankings with one victory to his name this season at the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro earlier this year.

GWM Aussie Treble Winners Jordy Smith of South Africa and Isabella Nichols of Australia at the Western Australia Margaret River Pro

Waves won’t be the only thing pumping in J-Bay this winter though, with the J-Bay Surf Festival set to deliver nearly two weeks of world class music, food, and family-friendly fun.

Once the surfing is done for the day, the action will get going for the party animals. The ParkOFF Music Festival this year features electrifying performances by top local and international artists including:

• Zakes Bantwini (Grammy-winning Afro-house maestro);
• Dino Moran (African house and techno pioneer);
• Dean Fuel and Niskerone (crowd-favourite electronic DJs);
• Plus Italy’s Tribal Need and other top local acts.

But it’s not only about the action on the water. Sports enthusiasts and adventure junkies alike are sure to love the other activities on offer:

• Mountain biking and trail running races for all levels (10–60 km routes for MTB, 5–10 km for trail runs);
• A high-stakes Jiu Jitsu tournament featuring the biggest prize pool in SA history;
• The popular J-Bay Skins Fishing Competition with prizes and bragging rights up for grabs.

This year’s event conveniently spans two weekends of the school holidays, making it easier than ever for families and festival goers to make the trip. With up to 70,000 visitors expected, locking in your travel plans now is key.

“We’re expecting the biggest crowd yet,” says organiser Ari Kraak. “The energy, the entertainment—it’s all dialled up this year. If you’re after a beach holiday with top class entertainment, then Jeffreys Bay is where you need to be. The ParkOFF Music Festival will see the likes of Zakes Bantwini and Italy's Tribal Need amongst other top local acts, keeping everyone dancing late into the night.”

To stay up to date on the tickets, make sure you follow the Park Off Music Festival on Instagram. Updates on the event line up for the J-Bay Surf Festival can be found on the Surf Festival’s Instagram.

Jeffreys Bay Tourism is excited to welcome visitors to the town and can be contacted for any accommodation enquiries or for more information about the area. They can be reached on WhatsApp via: 064 966 9933 or on email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

This Winter, ditch the cold, rainy days and head to South Africa’s Sunshine coast—because Jeffreys Bay is about to heat up. From 11–20 July, the normally laid-back surf town will become the epicentre of sizzling surf action, music, comedy, and family fun with the return of the Corona Cero Open J-Bay and the J-Bay Surf Festival.

After a break in 2024, due to a clash with the surf contest at the Paris Olympics, the World Surf League (WSL) is back!  The return marks the 10th stop on the Championship Tour and will feature the sport’s most elite athletes carving up the iconic Supertubes. All eyes will be on SA’s Jordy Smith, who currently sits at second in the WSL Men’s Rankings and is well-positioned to move up to first. But also in the lineup are the global greats such as Italo Ferreira, Filipe Toledo, Caitlin Simmers, Caroline Marks and others.

WSL Media Manager Bianca van Aardt says J-Bay offers so much more than a world-class wave and incredible surf action, making it the perfect family holiday destination.  “It's so exciting to have the WSL Championship Tour back in J-Bay. The world's best surfers are back at the world's best right hand point break and this town really comes alive during this time. There’s a feast of entertainment and activities to suit a range of interests. It really is the place to be this July,” she adds.