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The World Surf League (WSL) has dropped Jeffreys Bay, South Africa's surfing mecca, from its 2026 Championship Tour due to financial reasons. The decision is expected to have a significant economic impact on the town, estimated at around R150 million.

Jacqui Bursey, 55, manager of a surf school and shop, said the loss would be a 'big financial loss for all the small businesses in Jeffreys Bay'. 'It is a big financial loss for all the small businesses in Jeffreys Bay,' Bursey said.

The town, with a population of 30 000, has been hosting the WSL event for years, drawing top surfers and boosting its economy. The WSL event, which usually takes place in July, attracts millions of dollars in revenue for the local businesses.

Mike Ginsberg, one of South Africa's surfing pioneers, remembered first seeing the spot in 1968, when it was still an undeveloped strip of wilderness. 'We heard rumours from our friends in Cape Town who had been here before and a couple of fishermen,' Ginsberg said. 'There were no houses then. We walked over the sand dunes and saw proper point break,' he said.

Another devotee is German national Florian Petersin, who has spent decades chasing surf around Europe's Atlantic coast and now owns an apartment in Cape Town. 'When we have European winter, it's also a bit too cold, so I come here,' Petersin said.

The WSL said the decision to drop Jeffreys Bay was based on financial reasons. 'Financial support isn't there to make it viable this year,' the WSL said in a statement. The WSL has announced that New Zealand's most famous wave at Raglan will replace Jeffreys Bay on the 12-stop tour.

J-Bay's Supertubes break can offer barrels and long rides that have earned it the reputation as one of Africa's best surf locations. 'We would like to have them back in the coming years,' said deputy mayor Timothy Jantjes. 'We will obviously do everything we can to support the WSL,' he said.

Economic Impact

The municipality is run by the Democratic Alliance, the country's second-largest political party. They estimated that the loss of the event would have an economic impact of around R150 million. 'It's undoubtedly one of the best waves in the world, and we will continue to explore ways to return in the future,' the WSL said in a statement.

Quotes

'We would like to have them back in the coming years. We will obviously do everything we can to support the WSL.'

  • Timothy Jantjes, deputy mayor of Jeffreys Bay.