Steve Starr
- Former winners Filipe Toledo (+600) and Ethan Ewing (+600) are among the favorites in the men’s competition
- Carissa Moore (+350) is first women’s surfer this year to clinch a spot in the 2023 Rip Curl WSL Finals
- The Corona Open J-Bay 2023 will take place at Jeffreys Bay, South Africa from July 13 to 22, 2023
Jeffery’s Bay is known for two things – having the best right-hand point break on the planet… and attacks from Great White Sharks. It’s possible we’ll see both when the greatest surfers on the planet hit South Africa for event number 9 of 11 on the 2023 World Surf League’s Championship Tour.
Which surfers will win the competition on the men’s and women’s sides? Before we examine the odds, check out all the Sports & Competitions to bet on in 2023. Here’s also where you can see the latest Sports Betting Odds & Picks.
J-Bay 2023 – Men’s Winner
| Surfer |  |  |  |
| Ethan Ewing | +600 | +600 | +600 |
| Filipe Toledo | +600 | +600 | +600 |
| Gabriel Medina | +600 | +600 | +600 |
| John John Florence | +600 | +600 | +600 |
| Jack Robinson | +700 | +700 | +700 |
| Griffin Colapinto | +800 | +800 | +800 |
| Jordy Smith | +1000 | +1000 | +1000 |
| Italo Ferreira | +1200 | +1200 | +1200 |
| Joao Chianca | +1600 | +1600 | +1600 |
| Kanoa Igarashi | +1600 | +1600 | +1600 |
| Yago Dora | +1600 | +1600 | +1600 |
| Matthew McGillivray | +3300 | +3300 | +3300 |
| Barron Mamiya | +4000 | +4000 | +4000 |
| Caio Ibelli | +4000 | +4000 | +4000 |
| Connor O'Leary | +4000 | +4000 | +4000 |
| Kelly Slater | +4000 | +4000 | +4000 |
Toledo and Ewing among favorites
Filipe Toledo (+600) is a co-favorite at the Corona Open J-Bay 2023, an event he won in both 2017 and 2018. The 28-year-old Brazilian will hit the South African waters wearing the coveted Yellow Leaders Jersey after his win at the Surf City El Salvador Pro in June. He also captured the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach earlier in the season. Sitting just ahead of Griffin Colapinto with 44,980 points, the reigning world champion can become the first man to clinch a spot in the WSL Final 5.
Sitting in third in the standings, Ethan Ewing (+600) is looking to defend his title at J-Bay. In addition to capturing the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach in April, the 24-year-old Australian has four other top-five finishes in 2023.
At last year's #CoronaOpenJBay, we saw #EthanEwing break through for the first Championship Tour victory of his career! 🏆
Watch his return to South Africa, July 13-22 on https://t.co/ie0ZfMVLPY. @corona pic.twitter.com/TtJeJ2V9Oc
— World Surf League (@wsl) July 7, 2023
What to look our for at J-Bay
As the ninth stop on the Men’s Surfing Championship Tour, Jeffreys Bay is on South Africa’s Eastern Cape coastline. The point break can provide rides well-over a half-mile in length. It’s why the location is beloved by legendary surfers such as Kelly Slater, who lists it as one of his favorite waves in the world. Mick Fanning may disagree, however. He was famously attacked by a Great White Shark during the final of the event in 2015. A surfer was also mauled at J-Bay in early May.
Still, surfers keep coming back for the best right-hander on earth. With only two events left to clinch a spot in the WSL Final 5, look for competitors to bring their creative bests.
J-Bay 2023 – Women’s Winner
| Surfer | | | |
| Carissa Moore | +350 | +350 | +350 |
| Tyler Wright | +400 | +400 | +400 |
| Caroline Marks | +650 | +650 | +650 |
| Caitlin Simmers | +700 | +700 | +700 |
| Stephanie Gilmore | +700 | +700 | +700 |
| Tatiana Weston-Webb | +700 | +700 | +700 |
| Molly Picklum | +800 | +800 | +800 |
| Lakey Peterson | +1200 | +1200 | +1200 |
| Bettylou Sakura Johnson | +1600 | +1600 | +1600 |
| Gabriela Bryan | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
| Johanne Defay | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
| Sarah Baum | +3300 | +3300 | +3300 |
Carissa Moore vs Tyler Wright
Carissa Moore (+350) and Tyler Wright (+400) have already clinched their spots in the WSL Final 5, but three more are up for grabs. Caroline Marks (+650) took home a victory at the Surf City El Salvador Pro and has placed in the top-3 in the past four tour events. Just behind her in the standings is Molly Picklum (+800), who has finished fifth in six of eight competitions this year.
Caitlin Simmers (+700) rounds out the top-five following her triumph at VIVO Rio Pro. While it was her second win of 2023, she’s a far more inconsistent rider with four 9th-place finishes. Reigning J-Bay champ Tatiana Weston-Webb (+700) is currently tied for sixth with Stephanie Gilmore (+700). Both desperately need to come away with a win in South Africa.
Carissa Moore “Violated and Disrespected” by Airport TSA https://t.co/5n46SPyEjm pic.twitter.com/TBDCTobqTG
— Gerald Thermos (@GeraldThermos) July 3, 2023
Best Bets
While Moore and Wright are difficult to wager against, we’ll ride with the red-hot Caroline Marks (+650) in the women’s event.
On the men’s side, how about Yago Dora (+1600)? The 27-year-old Brazilian is coming off a win at the VIVO Rio Pro. He also made it all the way to the semi-finals in South Africa last year, before losing to eventual champion Ethan Ewing.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
