ASP Returns to Jeffreys Bay
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.
Comments
So just four days ago the ASP issued a press release stating that Bali was on the calendar, and there was no mention of J-Bay.
Seems a lot can happen in four days.
Would have preferred Rio or Portugal got the heave before Keramas but hey........ so stoked to hear Jeffrey's is back!
And, the absence of Billabong as a sponsor is interesting (as is the absence of any J Bay sponsor right now), given Bong's long history with the event. This could have been a easy vehicle to pitch a triumphant return to South Africa for both the ASP and Billabong.
It's not like Billabong don't have a competitive surfing presence there - just a week and a half ago, Jeffreys Bay hosted the 2014 Billabong South African Interclub Championships.
That being said, Billabong currently sponsor more Men's WT events than any other surf brand (Billabong = 3, Quiksilver = 2, Rip Curl = 2, Hurley = 1) so it's understandable that they couldn't justify a fourth event.
Where's Bali on the list? Has there been mention anywhere of its removal from the tour? (I havent seen any).
This feels like a bait and switch move by the ASP. Great to have J-Bay back but a shame to have lost Keramas.
From the press release above: "Jeffreys Bay ... will replace Bali on the 2014 schedule".
So who's bankrolling J-Bay?
They mention the local community....what? are they going to fund it with sausage sizzles and biltong sales on the Point?
SURELY the idea of giving Rio the boot and keeping Keramas had to have been tossed up.
It could of opened up a chance for Billabong to put on J bay.
What are the ASP thinking getting rid of Bali? That was probably the stand out event for performance surfing last year IMO.
Rio is an utter shite wave but the economics must be hard for the ASP to ignore:
I can see your point there Stu, but what about the part where the surfers are supposed to surf the best waves in the world?
Are your seriously doubting JBay as one of the best waves in the world? hahaha
IF you read my earlier comments you would see I was doubting Rio, NOT J bay.
Good.
Maybe they don't wanna upset the Brazilian poo man style crew
I don't agree with it but I can see where they're coming from. Also, I've noticed the ASP has dropped the 'best surfers, best waves' byline. Guess it was a bit hard to live up to with all the changes in recent years.
Yeah they seem to have removed all public reference of that phrase. Interestingly, it hasn't been removed from their email footer yet though (see excerpt below).
ASP International149 Bay Street
Santa Monica, CA
90405 USA
ASPWorldTour.com
"World's best surfers, world's best waves..."
Actually, the ASP may have removed it from their marketing brochure but this exact phrase was used in the Samsung press release late last week:
"We are honored to have Samsung partner with us to celebrate the world’s best surfers in the world’s best waves".
I'm sure it's been conspiciously absent over the last few years though.
Great to see J-bay back like pipe etc it should always be a must have event but sucks to see keramas out.
Crazy not to have an event in Indo as Indo has arguably the most consistent perfect waves in the world and is quite politically stable these days.
I still think Lakey peak would be a perfect venue, consistent right and left rippable but still plenty of barrels, good viewing from tower for media etc, plenty of accommodation and the place is already crowded so nothing to ruin, fit it in early season when winds are light but still a great wave even with a little cross-shore wind breaks all tides.
G-lad comp in 90s was good but there is already enough full on left barrels on the tour.
The Rio thing is a total joke and an insult to pro surfing and as we know all about money a brazzo market.
I think its the best news I've heard this off season! I love Jbay and its a great viewing platform for webcasts. I cant wait to see jordy set it alight. I really hope he gets a title this year. I think (crystal ball) the big players at Bells will be the ones to watch here.
I agree the best waves in the world (note I didn't say planet as it would sound like Martin 'best waves, fastest surfer, biggest tool, blah, blah, blah... planet Potter) don't get a gig and the worst do. Figure that one, even the Brazilians agree they have shite waves that is why they crowd out everywhere else.
Urgh Rio was horrible, was almost on par with the aus open conditions.. shitty beach break with little to no consistent shape. Definitely should've dropped Rio and kept Keramas and Jbay. The Oakley Pro was an amazing comp. Fast hollow section followed by a perfect close-out ramp. IDEAL!
What it does seem to mean is that Oakley has withdrawn as a CT sponsor after one season. Given that they are pretty financial, that's a loss. Lot of unsponsored comps on the schedule now.
Seeing that the Oakley Pro Bali (2013) was an 'upgrade' from the Oakley World Junior Championships (2010-2012), I wonder if they'll return back to the Pro Junior circuit? At the moment there's no sign of Oakley on the ASP Men's Junior Tour page.
It is all and ONLY about the money now a days... Rio and Supertubos are hardly the best waves in the world, Rio is inconsistent and on a big day just seems like a massive closeout while Supertubos is too short, seems like a take off, barrel and then you're on the sand. Think someone should trying take the ASP to court for false acclaim ("World's best surfers, world's best waves..."), they will probably have the money to defend themselves and win the case haha.
Also, Margaret River, any good in April? Will it show off for the touring surfers? Wanting to see some 8-10ft+ bombs being smashed.
Brazil is all about the market, everyone knows the ASP are being hypocritical regarding best waves blah blah blah. Brazil would go nuts if there was no tour event. Finally sanity has prevailed and J-Bay is Back.
not sad to see keramas go at all. it's a sick wave. great surfing…
but the whole rich white party bogan playground set up there with the 5-star eyesore resort just made me repeatedly puke up a little in my mouth…
I know bali is already fucked in that respect… but it still shat me...
Yes did feel a bit weird. I was in Bali last year when the comp was on and some friends went along to check it out but it didn't appeal to me. Too much us rich whities taken over the place. I am not sure how Luke Egan can keep a straight face about this type of development (I think he is an investor). Personally I don't go to Bali for the 5 star, I go to try and experience all of it - the good, bad and ugly. Despite the development and crowds at Ulu's it still has a fun vibe as it is the locals who have developed it. Even Bells is nothing like that it is just a like going to see a game of footy very Aussie and therefore authentic.
Got that kinda vibe of the Keramas comp just from the webcast.
It was good though to see a few local wild cards get to have a few heats against the pros, and was also good to see one of the commentators could speak a bit of bahasa indonesia when he interviewed a local surfer (Putri from memory) after his heat against Kelly.
BTW. Is it just me or does Margaret River also seem like an odd comp?
Never surfed it, but doesn't look to have much to offer for a pro comp (sections or barrels)
Also three comps in OZ is getting a little greedy.
What Margies has going for it is the potential for very big waves - but really, it's far from the jewel in the crown there. I'd love to see a CT at North Point. That would be worth watching.
Yeah a mobile comp in the Margs area would be unreal. Because even if North Point is firing they'll still be relegated to either Margs Main Break or The Box (which I don't think is a very good competition wave).
So many good options to pick and choose from around there, and long range forecast reliability is pretty good in this neck of the woods, so it'd be easy to plan accordingly
The box was pretty legit when they ran the IBA (Lids) comp there. Sick airs in the end section and good barrels.
The new location Mobile South Coast (N-wedge last year) is prolly better. Shit for standups tho.
Gas chambers is also good if margs is mobile
Rio has good waves just not used for the iba comp ftr.
I disagree. The Box - whilst throwing an amazing barrel - is too short to be a suitable competition wave.
I watched the IBA event and got bored really quickly, as every wave was ridden the same - take off, one deep barrel and then a big boost on the end section. Repeat and rinse.
Surfers wouldn't be able to capitalise on the end section in the same way bodyboarders can, so it'd essentially just be one deep barrel per ride, which would tire the viewer very quickly (remember, the business model here is to create compelling sports TV content).
At least Keramas offers several barrel sections, plus a reasonable length of ride with plenty of open face for good rail turns, as well as an air section at the end when the devil wind predictably kicked in every day around 10am.
The other bonus with Keramas is that the viewing is incredible on the beach (for spectators) and is super easy to broadcast as the wave is very close to shore (fast and easy to interview surfers post-heat etc). Plus numerous other factors.
On the other hand, The Box is 800m out to sea and judges would need to be in the boat (didn't the IBA judges crack the shits after geting sea sick during The Box event?).
This is probably 90% of competive bodyboarding to be honest. The intesting part is the move selection on the end section and the barrel obviously.
I'm not sure the ride profile is significantly diffrent to chopes or pipe to be honest.
I'm possibly in the minority but as as a wave has no (consistent) big airs / no tube time I switch the broadcast off.
I will give you the point on it being less than practical however.
And Keremas, while a great wave to surf, was limited, not the least from its propensity to be blown out by 10 in morning. For every heat there this year run in perfect conditions, there were four heats run in shite slop. Not the recipe for a great comp. J Bay is much more likely to deliver an epic event.
BTW, nice précis of ASP 2.0 on Surfline (including Lewisgate).
http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/a-week-before-the-wct-kicks-off-how-fa...
I just watched as much as I could take of the ASP Preview Show on Fuel. Occy, Barton Lynch, Layne Beachley and Sean Doherty doing that sit on a lounge and talk thing. Yep the sand is really good at Snapper, heard that five times, and guess what, there was controversy about Fanning's heat win at Pipe and who would have imagined that you need a different board for every break? Still people watch all sorts of crap so maybe it will work........but I don't think so.
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Good night sweet dreams!
If the Rio event was pulled there would be an uproar. The Brazzos already think they are discriminated against on the WCT and this would be fuel to the fire.
IMO I would rather see Keramas than Rio, but it won't happen.
Should never have brought Rio onto the tour in the first place! Crap wave, inco and money-fuelled, head up the coast to where Mick won his 2007 title and voila, you've got good Brasilian waves. But not even that wave or surrounding waves are world-class or the "best breaks in the world"....