Small surf puts J-Bay showcase on hold

The Corona Open J-Bay, stop No 6 on World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour, was called off on Wednesday and will not take place on Thursday due to small and inconsistent surf at Supertubes.

With favourable swell and winds projected for later in the week, the WSL commissioners will reconvene on Friday for the next call.

Jessi Miley-Dyer, WSL deputy commissioner, said: “I am pretty confident that it is going to be finals day, and I am going to be able to run everything.

“It looks really good, six-foot and offshore.

“It is potentially the best day we’ve seen so far at J-Bay, so I am excited.”

South African wildcard Bianca Buitendag from Victoria Bay will contest the first heat when competition resumes.

Buitendag caused an upset on the opening day of the Women’s Corona Open J-Bay when she outscored current WSL No 1 Lakey Peterson (USA) and Malia Manuel (Haw) to advance directly to Round 3.

Peterson subsequently eliminated WSL Africa women’s champion Nicole Pallet (La Lucia) in Round 2 to keep her hopes of a Jeffreys Bay title on track.

The Corona Open J-Bay will be broadcast live on the WSL’s Facebook page.

Also, check local listings for coverage from the WSL’s broadcast partners.

Surfline, forecast partner of the WSL, said generally small surf was expected through the first half of Thursday.

A medium to strong southwesterly swell was likely for Friday, with favourable winds expected.