Oftentimes, when browsing images to use in a contest recap, it’s relatively simple to identify the best shots from the event. There are always a few that stand out. This was not the case with the inaugural J-Bay Classic, which concluded on June 22. A scroll through the WSL’s page revealed dozens of feature-worthy photos of full-throttle rail gauges and pristine lines pouring into Jeffreys Bay.
After a week of highlights, two winners were decided in their respective finals: Frederico Morais and Sarah Baum. Baum’s performance was one for the books as she had surfed her way into the event by winning the local trials, then went on and won the whole damn thing. She’s the first South African woman to win an event in J-Bay since Shavonne Hill in 1987.
In the final against former CT veteran Sally Fitzgibbons, Baum waited patiently throughout the slow heat, bagging an 8 on her backhand and then stomping a hectic end section for a 6.27 and a win. It was an emotional trip through the rocks.
“I can’t even believe what just happened,” Baum said. “As soon as I made that wave, all the emotions came flowing, uncontrollable. I don’t usually claim waves, but I claimed that wave. I could hear everyone on the beach blowing up, I even had goosebumps on my head.”
Photo: Kody McGregor/WSL
Morais, meanwhile, got past Mikey February, arguably the standout of the event, in an even slower men’s final. The 32-year-old Portuguese regular-foot showed his CT experience by cleaving back-to-back waves for a 6.00 and a 6.83, leaving February out the back waiting for a bomb that didn’t show.
“J-Bay is not a place, it’s an emotion,” Morais said. “It’s the best wave in the world. J-Bay has always been kind to me, the wave, the people, I love it here. It was a super special week with a bit of competition, a bit of free surfing, it’s just what I was looking for.
“Surfing with some of the most iconic surfers in the world, from young to old generations, we all surfed together,” he continued. “It was my first time surfing a twinny too! It was just a beautiful week and to come up with the win against Michael February, one of the most stylish surfers in the world, was just so special.”
Photo: Pierre Tostee/WSL
Speaking of style, all invitees got good waves during the event, but Stephanie Gilmore and Josh Kerr were among the most consistent. Gilmore brought her enviable ease, flying down flawless J-Bay walls on a Ryan Burch twin. And Kerr’s twin fin power display was a joy to behold, but he wasn’t only drawing horizontal lines. In his semifinal against Morais, Kerr whipped out his trusty club sandwich, a sort of layback-grab-rail rotation he’s been doing for over a decade. In the end, Morais edged him out with 0.16 points.
Photo: Kody McGregor/WSL
With the intergenerational mix of aging legends, freakish freesurfers and world champions, this event proved a real gem for the WSL as it highlighted different boards, styles and age groups at one of the best surf venues on the planet. There’s so much talent and storyline just begging to be shown. However, if the league runs this again next year, it deserves to be on a live broadcast.
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