This
year, the J-Bay Surf Festival, which took place from July 13 to 23, attracted a
record number of visitors, with surf and music fans streaming to Jeffreys Bay
in droves.
It
is estimated that about 50 000 people passed through the contest site, while 3 600
people attended the Parkoff Music Festival.
With
cars parked along the length of Da Gama Road every day, live music every
evening and crowds from morning to night, the Surf Festival brought an electric
buzz to the surf town of J-Bay.
The
Corona J-Bay Open contest days were well spaced out, allowing ample time for
visitors to browse the contest site in spectacular weather, enjoy other events
of the surf festival and spend a morning watching the rugby game between South
Africa and New Zealand.
Once
the swell arrived it was all systems go and Supertubes, also known as the
world’s best right-hand point break, lit up with long, perfectly reeling waves.
World champion Filipe Toledo and California’s Lakey Peterson delivered
mesmerising performances throughout the contest period, claiming the respective
titles of Corona Open J-Bay men’s and women’s champion.
Event
director, Ari Kraak said, “The feedback from the athletes is that this event is
the best stop on the calendar and was a step above the rest due to the locals
and the vibe.”
At
the Parkoff Music Festival, headliners GoodLuck, Desmond and the Tutus, Muzi,
Steven Sawyer and Jeremy Loops drew huge crowds and first-time act Muzi’s
lively performance was received with much enthusiasm by party goers.
Visitors
also enjoyed an exclusive premiere of African surf film Chasing the Unicorn and
a screening of Sweet Adventure, hosted by Wavescape South Africa.
One
of the biggest shore angling events in South Africa, the Winterskins Fishing
Competition, took place with great success.
The
J-Bay Surf Festival also saw the first ever ADCC Open held in Jeffreys Bay. The
event marked a milestone in the growth of submission grappling in South Africa
and drew 200 competitors from around the country.
The
J-Bay Wind Farm MTB Classic and Trail Run made its 2023 return at the J-Bay
Surf Festival, with over 500 participants enjoying a new route and throngs of
spectators showing up to support.
Jeffreys
Bay’s non-profit organisations will benefit significantly from the proceeds of
the VIP dinner and auction with R319 000 raised by auctioning an assortment of
pro surfer’s surfboards, signed competition vests and local artist’s paintings.
The
funds will go to J-Bay Surfing Foundation, Wavepoint Surf and J-Bay Recycling
Project, among other local organisations.
“We’re
especially thankful to the Kouga Municipality for their support in putting on
this event,” said Kraak.
“Next
year’s festival goers can expect more events, a beer garden and a full 10 day
festival, even if the Corona Open J-Bay wraps up early.”
Sponsors
for the J-Bay Surf Festival included, Dawn Patrol Wines, Tsitsikamma Falls
Adventure, Kalahari, Enricos Fishing Safari, Kakuli, J-bay Quad Biking, Papiesfontein Beach Horse Trails, J-bay Cycle Centre, Zebra Lodge, St Francis Links,
Billabong, Thule, Slaters Toy Magic, Execuspecs, Samuel Beck Hairdressing, The
Pottery, Jeffreys Bay Surf School, Salted Surf School, Crawfords Beach Lodge,
RVCA, The Store and FOX.
For more information
on the J-Bay Surf Festival visit their website on https://www.jbaysurffest.co.za/.
