JBay Winterfest: Corona Open JBay Surfing, Swimming, Music and Funduro

JBay Winterfest: Corona Open JBay Surfing, Swimming, Music and Funduro:

JBay Winterfest – Women’s competitor Bianca Buitendag Photo: © Kody McGregor

JBay Winterfest: Surfing, Swimming, Music and Funduro

JBay – The JBay Winterfest 2018 has had a busy few days, with a number of different events going down in and around the contest hub.

The Corona Open JBay Women’s event kicked off last week, with excellent surf at Supertubes following on from the men’s event. South African wildcard Bianca Buitendag did well to win her opening round heat and advance directly to the third round. Surprise eliminations from this event were Sally Fitzgibbons from Australia and Courtney Conlogue (USA). With good surf on track for JBay, the event will restart later in the week. For more go tohttp://www.worldsurfleague.com/events/2018/wct/2750/corona-open-j-bay-womens

The Cold Water Classic open water swim was a huge success this year, with the most entrants thus far in the event’s six-year history. With an air temperature of 19 C, conditions on land were a stark contrast to the icy water that awaited swimmers from all over South Africa who descended upon Jeffreys Bay to take part in the swim.

Only three swimmers entered the costume division of the triple mile, an official Robben Island crossing qualifying swim. Veteran PJ Duffy won the men’s section, while Megan Albertyn won the women’s division.

“What an awesome experience! I can’t believe I haven’t done the Cold Water Classic before – will definitely be back next year,” said Albertyn after her swim.

Jeffreys Bay swimmer JC Van Wyk won the double mile while Paige Black won the women’s section of the event.

East London swimmer Mbali Vellum in his first cold water swim had to tough it out to complete the double mile.

“The water was very very cold but I really wanted to finish the double mile,” said Mbali after his courageous swim.

Hannah Counihan from Port Elizabeth won the women’s mile while Peter Michaelides from Knysna won the men’s division. The winners each won a pair of Oakley sunglasses.

The triple mile wetsuit division was won by legendary waterman Kevin Richards while Jenny Potts won the women’s division. Gary Albertyn won the double mile and keeping it in the family, his daughter Kaitlyn won the women’s race. Michael Fairall and Suzie du Plessis won the mile wetsuit event.

The JBay Winterfest Funduro was yet another massive success, with 239 riders entered, the most so far in the history of the event. It was dry and dusty, but it was a great day for all competitors and spectators alike. A popular attraction this year was also the ‘kiddie’s track’, that saw good attendance by the youngsters. The obstacle course and double ramp saw some fun go down during the Expression Session, and a surprise steep hill climb proved exciting but a bit tricky for some of the riders.

The Funduro will be back next year, and promises to be bigger and more exciting than ever.