The World Surfing Tour is in South Africa this week for the Jeffery's Bay Pro and the waiting period starts Wednesday at the famous right-hander.
As the tour enters into the half way mark of the year, there couldn't be a closer title race between the top five riders with Australia's Matt Wilkinson at the top of the rankings with the yellow leader’s jersey.
There's only a tiny 600 points between the top five which means this event will be crucial to the world title race.
Reigning World Champion John John Florence stormed away with the ratings in the Australian leg, but since the tour moved overseas and Florence had a couple of successive early exits, it has kept the race wide open with Jordy Smith, Adriano De Souza and Australia's Owen Wright all ready to pounce.
There's only a tiny 600 points between the top five which means this event will be crucial to the world title race.
- Joe Jordanoff
Matt Wilkinson was in a similar position last year but has learnt a lot in 12 months and the waves at J-Bay should suit his powerful backhand turns as he will look to consolidate more vital tours points.
The later part of the year tends not to favour the goofy footer but he has been training to improve those weakness's.
John John Florence will be looking to bounce back to form and would be the main threat with the tour finishing in his backyard of Hawaii so he would still be the favourite but then there's also Owen Wright who is coming back from injury and he is in an amazing position with the talent to match anyone in the water at any surf break.
One thing is for sure you can't afford to take your eyes off the 2017 men's World Championship Tour.
Forecast:
Thursday looks good with a large four-metre groundswell and south-west winds so there should be waves in the bay.
Friday should have light, variable offshore winds early with a 2.7-metre swell.
The weekend looks set to have westerly winds and a 1.5 metre swell rising to 2.7 metre on Sunday.
Hotspot: Tomorrow (Thursday) at Bunker Bay.
