The late great Andy Irons in action at J-Bay. Photo: ASP/Cestari

Ciao for now! Mick, Keramas. Photo: Hennings/Oakley

The all new Samsung Galaxy 2014 ASP World Tour just got better, but announcing that J-Bay will be back on the top tier of pro surfing after a two year hiatus. Whether or not the ASP top brass were responding to our article pleading for exactly thus, is unknown, but probable.

Obviously everyone on tour is pretty stoked, none more so than USA-based-Saffa and two time event champion Jordy Smith.

“Well it’s about damn time!” said Jordy. “I am really excited that the event is back on. It’s by far the best stop on the tour for quality of high performance surfing. It’s arguably the best righthand point in the world and deserves a spot on the WCT. I’m proud to be a South African and to have one of the ‘CT spots be in our backyard. It means a lot to our country and the town of Jeffreys Bay. I’m sure the people are going to be really happy to see the event return.”

Shot bru!

However it’s not all good news, as the reappearance of one revered world class righthander has sadly meant the disappearance of another, the Bali WCT event at Keramas. Oakley pulled out of sponsoring the event months back (due to the new ASP charging brands way more for title sponsorship of recent Tour additions compared with heritage events that have been going for ages (Bells, Snapper, France, etc etc) which are costing the big surf brands a relative pittance this year).

Alas, with no sponsor and a timetable clash, J-Bay won the arm wrestle. Are you stoked? Would you rather tune in to a webcast from the Eastern Cape or East Side Bali? Or perhaps you’re asking more pertinently, why can’t we have both?

Samsung Galaxy 2014 ASP World Championship Tour
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast: March 1 – 12, 2014
Margaret River Pro: April 2 – 13, 2014
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach: April 16 – 27, 2014
Billabong Rio Pro: May 7 – 18, 2014
Fiji Pro: June 1 – 13, 2014
J-Bay Open: July 10 – 20, 2014
Billabong Pro Tahiti: August 15 – 26, 2014
Hurley Pro at Trestles: September 9 – 20, 2014
Quiksilver Pro France: September 25 – October 6, 2014
Rip Curl Pro Portugal: October 12 – 23, 2014
Billabong Pipeline Masters: December 8 – 20, 2014