Pictured From L-R: Mark Occhilupo (AUS), Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Joshe Faulkner (RSA), Michael February (RSA), Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) and Adriano de Souza (BRA) are some of the invitees that will compete at the J-Bay Classic presented by Corona. Credit: © WSL / Tostee
The elite field of some of the top world and South African surfer invitees have arrived in Jeffreys Bay for the World Surf League (WSL) J-Bay Classic Presented by Corona Specialty event, which runs from 17 June through 23 June 2024.
The 8-time World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 1999 World Champion Mark ‘Occy’ Occhilupo (AUS) and 2015 World Champion Adriano de Souza (BRA) have returned to J-Bay filled with excitement to surf Supertubes without the pressure of the World Tour on their shoulders.
At a special ceremony for the special invitees in Jeffreys Bay yesterday evening, 16 June, World Champions Stephanie Gilmore, Sally Fitzgibbons , De Souza and Occy were welcomed and commented on their return to a JBay and their participation the JBay Classic event. While the competition has been called off for tomorrow, the excitement and positive energy from competitors and fans filled the air at the official event opening.
“For me, J-Bay and Bells are the best waves in the world,” Occhilupo said. “This wave has given me so much, thanks to Cheron Kraak who held the Country Feeling Classic in 1984 which I won. We were so looking forward to compete here back then. It’s so good to be back, it feels really nice.”
Veteran competitor Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) said: “That grom in me is definitely bubbling, it’s like surf royalty all around me,” “The most exciting thing is that we’re always in competition mode, striving to be better and to be asked to just come and surf and put on a show, that means more than you think,” Fitzgibbons said, who is currently third on the Challenger Series rankings.
“It feels like we’re being seen and it’s a long body of work. It’s been over 20 years since I picked up a board and these days I’d like to think of myself as a hybrid car model, so I do a little bit of the Tour, a little bit of the Challenger Series and then a Specialty. I’m very efficient and economical so I’ll come wherever you want me!”
Pictured: Mark Occhilupo (AUS) and Joshe Faulkner (RSA) share a fist bump as they will surf on the same team at the J-Bay Classic presented by Corona. Credit: © WSL / Tostee
Gilmore, who won the Corona Open J-Bay in 2018, said she is a fan of all kinds of surfing. “I love watching all kinds of surfing whether it’s in competition or free surfing,” Gilmore said. “I’m just super excited to go out there and not feel the pressure of a normal contest and be out there to enjoy the ride. I’m so happy to be back, I really love this place.”
Expecting his first son, De Souza recognises Jeffreys Bay as a special place for family. “First of all, happy Father’s day,” De Souza said. “This place is so family oriented, I always see beautiful families coming to watch this event.
“It’s my dream to bring my own family to watch the event. The year I won J-Bay in 2012 was a very special year. The waves were incredible,” De Souza reflected. “I created my whole technique out here, I’ve been coming here since I was a grom. Coming back here with all these stars, it’s incredible.”
