It was confirmed last week that Jeffreys Bay will not host a World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour stop in 2026. The long-running Corona Open JBay — a fixture on the global professional surfing calendar and an anchor of the Eastern Cape’s winter season — has been removed from the tour schedule due to funding shortfalls, with the event shifting to Raglan in New Zealand for this year’s tour.
For locals, competitors, and fans, the announcement landed hard. The Corona Open has drawn elite talent from around the world to Supertubes for decades and helped put Jeffreys Bay on the map as one of the world’s premier pointbreaks.
Beyond the surf, the loss represents a significant economic hit. The event traditionally boosts tourism, supports local accommodation providers, restaurants, shops and vendors, and fills a mid-year gap in the town’s calendar when winter trade is otherwise quiet.
Surfing South Africa and community leaders have expressed their disappointment, stressing the importance of keeping South Africa and the African continent represented on the world stage. Efforts are underway to engage with stakeholders and explore future options that could see the event, or a similar international surf competition, return to Jeffreys Bay in the coming seasons.
Until then, the absence of the WCT stop will be felt not just on the waves but in the local economy and community rhythm that have long revolved around the J-Bay surf classic.
See Brad Peen’s take on the fiasco
Read more: The Maldives Gets the Memo on Why We Travel
More reading: Kouga Municipality Launches Weekly Fire Safety Spotlight – another proactive step to support community safety
Read more: A Real Water Squeeze Is Coming for St Francis Bay and Greater Kouga – No water pistols please
Recent Comments