South Africa’s top surfer, Jordy Smith, returns to familiar waves, chasing world title dreams at the Corona Cero Open in Jeffreys Bay.
Jeffreys Bay, South Africa (10 July 2025) – Currently on a wave of momentum is South African surf icon, Jordy Smith. As the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour makes a splash in Jeffreys Bay (J-Bay) from 11-20 July. Coming from the back of two victories in 2025, Jordy looks to tighten his grip on the top spot and edge him closer to his long-awaited world title.
The highly anticipated event returns to the WSL calendar after a one-year break due to a scheduling clash with the 2024 Olympics, and is expected to draw massive crowds and global attention. No surprise given Jeffreys Bay’s popularity as one of the best right-hand point breaks in the world.
At 37, Jordy is proving that age has no limit when going after your dreams. This is evident as he is currently enjoying one of his most impressive seasons of his career. The Durban-born surfer claimed wins in El Salvador and Australia, propelling him to top the Championship rankings. He will be set apart from the other participants wearing a yellow jersey, which is reserved for the current leader.
Smith will compete in Heat 4 against American Crosby Colapinto, whom he beat in Australia’s semi-finals.
“Coming home is the best part of my entire year,” Jordy shared. “The fact that I get to be with my family in J-Bay during the event makes it really special. It is my favourite event of the year. To come in wearing the yellow jersey is epic. It is a testament to a lot of hard work and sacrifice this year and we’ll just keep going for it!”
The Corona Cero Open J-Bay will be welcoming over 70,000 visitors. The event is the only African stop on the Championship Tour and the 10th of 11 events in the 2025 season. Talk about a perfect storm filled with local pride. It features the 24 men and 12 women, including Eastern Cape local Matthew McGillivray, who is up against Smith’s championship rival Yago Dora and Connor O’Leary in Heat 3.
Despite the stakes being so high, Jordy says surfing at home brings him a sense of calm.
“There is not a lot of pressure when I come home because it feels like I am just surfing in front of my friends and family, people I have been around my whole life. So very low pressure.”
WSL Media Manager Bianca van Aardt expressed her excitement.
“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, it’s the place to be this July.”
With only one event left after J-Bay, the Lexus Tahiti Pro in August, the pressure will be mounting as the top five surfers after Tahiti will advance to the finals in Cloudbreak, Fiji, where he will look to be crowned champion!
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