The International Sporting Arena turns to Jeffreys Bay during July 2019 for the Corona JBay Open, stop over No 6 on the World Surf League Circuit. Looking at the Top 40 surfers, only one South African, Jordy Smith, features. With two 3 rd’s and a 17th so far this year, Jordy currently ranks 6th.

While Local JBay Winterfest Organisers are punting Jordy Smith as top contender for the JBay Open 2019, one wonders why only one South African features in the top 40 of WSL Men’s Championship tour and only 2 in the Men’s Qualifying Series, in the form of Matthew McGillivray (rank 33) and Adin Masencamp (rank 38)

The question to be asked then: Why do we only have 3 South African Surfers in the top 90 world surfers? We have a world class right hand break in JBay, one of the WSL stop overs, great surfing spots off Durban and the Natal Coastline as well as the Cape Region, with plenty talent and experience.  Where are we going wrong when 6 Countries have more surfers in the Top 40 than SA?

Current Breakdown by Country:

Brazil 13
Australia 12
USA 4
Hawaii 4
France 3
NZ 2
Japan 1
Italy 1
Indonesia 1
South Africa 1