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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/.
