Women to compete at Jeffreys Bay after 18 year hiatus

The 2018 Women’s Championship tour will compete at Jeffreys Bay in South Africa for the first time in 18 years.

The Corona Open J Bay event was last held in 2000 with Hawaiian Megan Abubo taking the title.

A star-studded line up of Australians will take to the water including Stephanie Gilmore, Sally Fitzgibbons, Tyler Wright, Bronte Macaulay, Keely Andrew, Nikki Van Dijk and Macy Callaghan.

It will be the first time surfing the infamous wave for all 18 international surfers when the waiting period commences on Friday.

Gilmore says the wave at Jeffreys Bay is “everything”, and that it’s been love at first sight on her first trip to the South African spot.

“It’s one of the most spectacular places I’ve ever been,” she said.

“I’ve always heard that this wave is easy to surf but it’s hard to surf well, so I’m going to go out there and try to put something beautiful together.”

Gilmore, the world No 2, will look to take down tour leader Lakey Peterson when they compete in the coming weeks.