LOS ANGELES, California/USA (Monday, February 24, 2014) - The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is pleased to announce the return of South Africa’s Jeffreys Bay to the elite Samsung Galaxy World Championship Tour (WCT) schedule for the 2014 season.
Taking place from July 10 – 20, 2014, the J-Bay Open will serve as the 6th of 11 stops on the 2014 Samsung Galaxy ASP WCT schedule and has signed a three-year agreement to host the world’s best surfers from 2014 – 2016.
“It’s only fitting that one of the world’s premiere waves provides the canvas for the world’s premiere surfers again,” Paul Speaker, ASP CEO, said. “Jeffreys Bay has an incredible heritage with the sport and the local community have been instrumental in returning the ASP Top 34 to South Africa this season. We’re very thankful and we look forward to the 2014 installment of the event.”
The JBay Open enjoys the full support of the JBU Surf Club, the local City Council and Surfing South Africa and will be the major draw card of the JBay WinterFest taking place during the same time period.
"On behalf of the local surf community and the town of Jeffreys Bay, we would like to welcome ASP back to Jeffreys Bay, “ stated Koffie Jacobs Director of the JBay WinterFest and JBay OPEN event co ordinater. “We obviously believe there is no finer right hand point break in the world and ASP World Tour is not complete without Supertubes on the calendar."
“We are extremely pleased that the best surfers in the world will be back at Supertubes in Jeffreys Bay this July” said Johnny Bakker, Vice President of Surfing South Africa. “ SSA is proud to be working with the ASP, the local surfing community and the Kouga Municiaplity on the J Bay Open of Surfing.”
An elite ASP WCT venue from 1996 to 2011, Jeffreys Bay is universally-regarded as one of the best righthand pointbreaks on the planet and will replace Bali on the 2014 schedule.
“We were very fortunate to have brought the world’s best surfers to Bali in 2013 and Keramas delivered in amazing fashion for the event,” Kieren Perrow, ASP Commissioner, said. “However, the opportunity to bring the WCT back to South Africa made sense to us and we look forward to the Top 34 showcased on J-Bay’s world-class walls this July.”
Universally celebrated as one of the best waves on the planet, Jeffreys Bay has existed as a favorite tour stop for the world’s best surfers since its inception and it will add a welcome element to this season’s ASP World Title race.
“The fact that J-Bay is back on?! Well it's about damn time!” Jordy Smith, two-time event winner, said. “I am really excited that the event is back on. It's by far the best stop on the tour for quality of high performance surfing. It’s arguably the best righthand point in the world and deserves a spot on the WCT. I'm proud to be a South African and to have one of the ‘CT spots be in our backyard. It means a lot to our country and the town of Jeffreys Bay. I'm sure the people are going to be really happy to see the event return.”
“Such exciting news about going back to J-Bay,” Mick Fanning, reigning three-time ASP World Champion, said. “The wave is one of my all-time favorites and the place in general is awesome. The people, the animals, the whole area is one of my favorite places on Earth. Can't wait! “
2014 Samsung Galaxy ASP World Championship Tour –
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast: March 1 – 12, 2014
Margaret River Pro: April 2 – 13, 2014
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach: April 16 – 27, 2014
Billabong Rio Pro: May 7 – 18, 2014
Fiji Pro: June 1 – 13, 2014
J-Bay Open: July 10 – 20, 2014
Billabong Pro Tahiti: August 15 – 26, 2014
Hurley Pro at Trestles: September 9 – 20, 2014
Quiksilver Pro France: September 25 – October 6, 2014
Rip Curl Pro Portugal: October 12 – 23, 2014
Billabong Pipeline Masters: December 8 – 20, 2014
The first stop on the 2014 ASP World Championship Tour will be the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast from March 1 – 12.
