- WSL / Kelly Cestari
- WSL / Kelly Cestari

Cape Town's biggest international surfing event, the Jordy Smith Cape Town Surf Propres. by O'Neill, has been moved to Melkbosstrand after authorities closed Big Bay at Blouberg, the original venue, due to damage caused by an earlier storm.

Another massive frontal system with near gale-force SW winds, huge waves exceeding 25-feet and a deluge of much needed rain, is predicted to reach the drought stricken Western Cape overnight on Wednesday and into Thursday, the opening day of the four-day event.

After being informed that Big Bay could not be used, organizers planned to run the event using a roving venue that took the competition to the best waves available each day at either Llandudno or Tableview. However, the forecasts have prompted them to look at Melkbos, five kilometers North of Big Bay and more sheltered from the elements, for the first two days.

The presence of Jordy Smith, the South African surfing icon and current world No.3, who is sponsoring the event in conjunction with O'Neill, is expected to attract huge interest from the surfing community and general public.

"I'm ecstatic to have such a diverse and massive field coming to the Jordy Smith Cape Town Surf Pro pres. by O'Neill," said Smith. "The locals get to pit their skills against internationals in home waters and the learning experience from this is invaluable. I'm also excited to showcase the beauty and perfect surf the Peninsula has to offer!"

The QS1,000 rated events for men and women, and JQS1,000 events for junior men and women have drawn massive fields, including more than 50 highly rated international surfers in the men's event. This prompted organizers to add an extra day to the three-day period.

The event is now scheduled to run from Thursday to Sunday, the 22-25 of June and offers a total prize-purse of R80,000. with the winners of the junior men and women earning 1,000 points on the WSL Africa regional rankings. This determines the annual regional champions and also counts towards the selection of representatives at the World Junior Championships in Australia this January.

The Jordy Smith Cape Town Surf Pro is proudly supported by O'Neill, City of Cape Town, Tsogo Sun, Skullcandy, El Jimador, Yesman, World Surf League, Surfing South Africa and Accelerate Sport.

World Surf League
Download it for free on the App store. Download it for free on Google Play.