Jeffreys Bay, a small town on South Africa’s Eastern Cape known for its world-class surf breaks, will not feature on the World Surf League’s (WSL) 2026 Championship Tour, marking a significant shift for the community that has long hosted one of the sport’s premier events. The decision to exclude Jeffreys Bay from the 12-stop global tour was announced in January, with WSL citing financial considerations as the primary reason.
Jeffreys Bay, often called J-Bay by locals and surfing enthusiasts, has for years drawn top international surfers and visitors every July, generating substantial economic benefits for the town of approximately 30,000 residents. The event typically boosts local businesses, including surf schools, equipment rentals, accommodations, and restaurants, by attracting crowds that fill the town’s hospitality sector and inject millions into the regional economy. Jacqui Bursey, a 55-year-old surf school and shop manager, described the loss as a “big financial loss for all the small businesses in Jeffreys Bay.”
The municipality, governed by the Democratic Alliance, South Africa’s second-largest political party, estimates the absence of the competition could cost the local economy about 150 million rand (approximately $8 million). Deputy Mayor Timothy Jantjes expressed the community’s disappointment, noting unresolved issues involving the national sports ministry that contributed to the situation but declined to provide specific details. Jantjes affirmed the municipality’s intent to support the WSL and its hope to welcome the tour back in future years.
Returning to the tour in favor of Jeffreys Bay is New Zealand’s Raglan, the WSL’s other marquee location known for its renowned waves. While the league acknowledged Jeffreys Bay’s standing as one of the best waves globally, it emphasized that insufficient financial backing made the event unfeasible for 2026. WSL representatives indicated a willingness to explore possibilities for reinstating Jeffreys Bay on the schedule.
J-Bay’s appeal lies in its iconic Supertubes break, prized by surfers for offering long rides and barrel waves that are among the finest in Africa. The spot’s surfing legacy dates to the late 1960s, when pioneers like Mike Ginsberg experienced the area as an untouched natural stretch without any development. Ginsberg, 78, recalled camping in the sand dunes and enjoying the waves in relative isolation.
International surfing enthusiast Florian Petersin, a German national who now owns property in Cape Town, also highlighted Jeffreys Bay as a favored winter destination during Europe’s colder months, underscoring its global draw for surfers seeking quality conditions year-round.
While the 2026 Championship Tour will proceed without this prominent South African stop, the community and surfing advocates remain hopeful that Jeffreys Bay will regain its status on the world stage in the near future.