Over the decades J-Bay has been approached in all kinds of different ways. The fabled point’s stretched-out walls lend themselves to a multitude of interpretations. Perhaps the natural inclination is to hit the throttle and high-line through a maximum number of sections, but the best surfing at J-Bay finds a harmony between manoeuvres and down-the-line trajectory. Speed management and timing have always been crucial components of any J-Bay act. The wave has a way of making surfers look totally out of rhythm if they pick the wrong line or misread the cues for acceleration and deceleration. In a few days time it will be up to the judges to apply a point-score to the J-Bay, CT jam. In the meantime enjoy a look back at some of the most celebrated J-Bay attacks and contemplate the line you’d aim to draw and the board you’d like to ride on your own J-Bay jaunt.
1.Terry Fitzgerald 1975: The Sultan of Speed combines high-line drive with swooping fifty yard bottom turns and power fades on on a lengthy wing-swallow single fin.
2. Shaun Tomson 1977: Shaun’s ‘low sprawling attack’ mixes front-foot tube mastery with theatrical soul-arches and sublime, single-fin carves.
3. Tom Curren 1992: Tom Curren’s famous first wave showcases a surfer with an uncanny ability to find instant synergy with a new spot. Still one of the best waves ever captured on film. (1:43 it kicks in)
4. Occy Circa 1999: Charismatic body torque, power carves and perfect pacing helped Occy prove that goofy footers could bathe in J-Bay glory too.
5. Kelly 2005: Kelly loose-limbed on longer equipment making the board look like an extension of his body and mind at J-Bay.
6: Andy Irons 2005: Blow the tail, bury the rail and bring some punk attitude to dirty up the perfect right. (Just click on the grey and watch Andy have his way with J-Bay)
7. Parko 2009: Parko reminds us that sometimes it’s all about letting the wave do the work and drawing a continuous line without a single hitch.
8. Derek Hynd 2011: An unhinged melody as Derek Hynd ditches the fins and takes us for a spin.
9. Filipe Toledo 2017: Toledo redefines the J-Bay approach with a single, soaring ride.
10. Medina and Italo 2019: The Brazilian duo reclaim J-Bay for the goofies with quad-flexing, backside fury in solid J-Bay.
11. Mikey February 2022: Mikey February flowing like melted better on a twin fin.
