Jordy Smith is the name on everybody’s lips this week as the Championship Tour touches down in South Africa. He wears the yellow jersey leading in his home event, and he holds the weight of 63 million compatriots on his shoulders. Smith starts as one of the favorites WSL J-Bay Open pre-event odds as the tour rolls into town for the first time since 2023. The venue, Supertubes Beach, is only 30 minutes up the coast from Cape St. Francis Bay, the home of the famed “Bruce’s Beauties Wave.”
Go beyond just supporting the WSL Corona Cero Open J-Bay – check out our partner sportsbooks to get valuable promotions and place your WSL bets. Whether you are backing your favorite surfer or looking for an underdog, our partners offer competitive odds, special playing boosts, and promos designed for surfing fans.
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The quaint resort town of Jeffreys Bay springs to life this July with the return of the Corona Cero Open. WSL skipped the venue last year in a compacted calendar to accommodate the Olympics. Nine days are reserved for surfing, starting on Friday, July 11, and running until Sunday, July 20. You can watch live on WSL.com or discover the latest results and matchups on the dedicated event page.
2025 WSL J-Bay Open Odds
Event Winner – Men’s
Jordy Smith grew up in the neighboring province of KwaZulu-Natal, but he’s well familiar with the Supertubes break, prevailing here in 2010 and 2011. The South African is enjoying his best season of the decade so far, registering two victories and entering the round of 16 or better in every event since Abu Dhabi. Griffin Colapinto has found his way onto our radar after contesting two finals in his previous three events, coming off second-best on both occasions.
Brazilian Filipe Toledo took top honors in this event in 2023 and is back to defend his crown, despite a tough campaign. He drops in with a single win under the board and consecutive round of 16 exits. His compatriot, Italo Ferreira, is another contestant to watch in the men’s bracket, as he starts as the second-highest ranked male in the Championship. However, his progress has slowed dramatically after a ferocious start to the season, which included two finals and a win in his first three events.
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Surfer
Odds
Payout on $20
Ethan Ewing
+531
$126.20
Italo Ferreira
+555
$131.00
Filipe Toledo
+593
$138.60
Jack Robinson
+611
$142.20
Jordy Smith
+639
$147.80
Yago Dora
+694
$158.80
Griffin Colapinto
+790
$178.00
Kanoa Igarashi
+1011
$222.20
Leonardo Fioravanti
+1078
$235.60
Joao Chianca
+1255
$271.00
Matthew McGillivray
+2363
$492.60
Barron Mamiya
+3497
$719.40
Connor O'Leary
+3688
$757.60
Cole Houshmand
+4032
$826.40
Crosby Colapinto
+4286
$877.20
Marco Mignot
+4662
$952.40
Rio Waida
+4900
$1000.00
Miguel Pupo
+6073
$1234.60
Seth Moniz
+6352
$1290.40
Jake Marshall
+7307
$1481.40
Alan Cleland
+7307
$1481.40
Alejo Muniz
+7307
$1481.40
Joel Vaughan
+7307
$1481.40
Luke Thompson
+7307
$1481.40
Expert Pick: Men
His current form, coupled with knowledge of this break and a home-crowd advantage, makes Jordy Smith the easy expert pick for J-Bay. The local starts at +639, possibly paying out $147.80 for a $20 bet.
Men’s H2H Odds
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Matchup
Moneyline
Payout on $20
Ethan Ewing
-119
$36.81
Italo Ferreira
-111
$38.02
Filipe Toledo
-118
$36.95
Jack Robinson
-113
$37.70
Jordy Smith
-124
$36.13
Yago Dora
-107
$38.69
Men’s Opening Round Heat Odds
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Heats
Moneyline
Payout on $20
Italo Ferreira
-154
$32.99
Seth Moniz
+277
$75.40
Jake Marshall
+338
$87.60
Joel Vaughan
+373
$94.60
Alejo Muniz
+287
$77.40
Kanoa Igarashi
-170
$31.76
Yago Dora
+105
$41.00
Connor O'Leary
+260
$72.00
Matthew McGillivray
+199
$59.80
Jordy Smith
-158
$32.66
Luke Thompson
+514
$122.80
Crosby Colapinto
+208
$61.60
Ethan Ewing
-130
$35.38
Marco Mignot
+246
$69.20
Cole Houshmand
+308
$81.60
Leonardo Fioravanti
+158
$51.60
Rio Waida
+301
$80.20
Griffin Colapinto
+116
$43.20
Jack Robinson
+100
$40.00
Miguel Pupo
+384
$96.80
Joao Chianca
+153
$50.60
Alan Cleland
+398
$99.60
Barron Mamiya
+234
$66.80
Filipe Toledo
-150
$33.33
Event Winner – Women’s
Lakey Peterson touches down in the Eastern Cape, searching for her first triumph since her last visit to the Rainbow Nation. She starts in her best form of the season, progressing beyond the round of 16 in her last three starts, with one semi-final appearance. Peterson beat Molly Picklum for the trophy here in 2023, but the Aussie is in far better form this year. She collected her maiden victory of the year in Rio at the back end of June and has remained consistent throughout 2025, making the semifinals or better in all but three events.
Gabriela Bryan wore the yellow jersey leading into Brazil, but a quarterfinal defeat to Arena Rodriguez dropped her into second. Despite the mishap, the Hawaiian is tied with her countryperson, Bettylou Sakura Johnson, for the most wins in the women’s Championship with two. Johnson also battled in Rio de Janeiro, but she’s in form, winning in 505 of her previous four appearances.
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Surfer
Odds
Payout on $20
Caitlin Simmers
+316
$83.20
Molly Picklum
+378
$95.60
Tyler Wright
+519
$123.80
Caroline Marks
+534
$126.80
Gabriela Bryan
+541
$128.20
Lakey Peterson
+853
$190.60
Bettylou Sakura Johnson
+1144
$248.80
Isabella Nichols
+2079
$435.80
Luana Silva
+2425
$505.00
Sarah Baum
+3590
$738.00
Francisca Veselko
+3590
$738.00
Expert Pick
Molly Picklum wins the race to wear our expert pick tag in J-Bay, after a consistent season. Her confidence is high after her win in South America, and she has unfinished business in J-Bay, after losing in the final her last time out. The Australian paddles out at +378, potentially paying out $95.60 if you wager $20.
Women’s H2H Odds
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Heats
Moneyline
Payout on $20
Caroline Marks
-115
$37.39
Gabriela Bryan
-115
$37.39
Molly Picklum
-143
$33.99
Tyler Wright
+108
$41.60
Women’s Opening Round Heat Odds
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Heats
Moneyline
Payout on $20
Bettylou Sakura Johnson
-115
$37.39
Luana Silva
+274
$74.80
Isabella Nichols
+237
$67.40
Gabriela Bryan
+123
$44.60
Tyler Wright
+103
$40.60
Francisca Veselko
+527
$125.40
Lakey Peterson
+241
$68.20
Caitlin Simmers
+112
$42.40
Caroline Marks
+198
$59.60
Where to Bet on WSL
Jordy Smith is the in-form surfer on the men’s Championship Tour, but can he live up to the expectations set by his home crowd this weekend? Will we see the local win his third WSL title at Supertubes, or will the week end in heartbreak for the South African?
How Can I Verify if WSL Betting is Legal in My State?
Refer to your sportsbook’s eligibility requirements, terms, and conditions, or contact your state’s gaming commission to verify your state’s WSL betting legality. Most licensed betting platforms restrict access in prohibited states, saving you from the long confirmation process.
Which Sportsbooks Offer WSL Betting?
For the best WSL betting experience, select reputable, regulated sportsbooks like Fanduel, DraftKings, CaesarsSportsbook, and BetMGM. Check event schedules and relevant offers ahead of every WSL competition. Use Underdog Fantasy for Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) gaming.
What is the Current Legal Status of Betting on the World Surf League in the US?
The legal status of WSL betting differs from state to state. The lifting of the federal sports betting ban in 2018 (by the Supreme Court) gave states the independence to legalize sports betting. WSL betting is mostly legal in states with regulated sports betting and licensed sportsbooks like Colorado and New Jersey. Check your sportsbooks and state-specific regulations to confirm availability.
What Are the Most Popular Types of Bets for WSL Events?
Common WSL betting options include outright winner bets, head-to-head matchups, and futures bets (predicting season champions). Most platforms also allow prop bets—for example, you can predict the highest wave score in a competition.
Do Sportsbooks Offer Live Betting for WSL?
Yes. Betting platforms like FanDuel and BetMGM have live betting options. Their users can place bets during the WSL competition. For example, bettors can predict the next wave score, who will win the ongoing heat, or whether a competitor will achieve a given aggregate. Note that not all events may qualify for live betting. Check out your sportsbook live betting section for more.
Can I Bet on WSL Events Even If My State Doesn’t Allow Sports Betting?
Consider Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) if your state does not allow sports betting. Unlike traditional betting, DFS falls under a different regulatory framework, making it legal in several jurisdictions. DFS platforms like Underground Fantasy and DraftKings DFS are common in states where sports betting is illegal.
Please refer to Affiliated Operators’ T&C. Void where prohibited. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Italo Ferreira suffered a deep laceration to his right knee two days before the El Salvador Pro during a freesurf session at Sunzal and required eight stitches after what he described on Instagram as an incident in which ‘another surfer ran right over me.’ Local reports said he was struck by a novice longboarder while surfing with his wife, Sofia Larocca. Wozzle said he was medicated, reported being pain-free and remains under observation.
Ferreira, the World Surf League (WSL) tour rankings leader, Olympic gold medalist and former world champion, is seeded into heat nine of round two at the El Salvador Pro, which is set to begin Friday at Punta Roca. Heat nine will pair him with the winner of the Ramzi Boukhiam vs. Matt McGillivray matchup, according to the heat draw. He has not officially withdrawn, but the timing of the sutured knee gives him little time to recover and could force a short-notice pullout — which would join Jordy Smith as an already withdrawn competitor. Organizers, medical staff and Ferreira’s team will reassess his fitness ahead of the event.
Veteran surfers aged 30 and older delivered early-season comebacks on the WSL Championship Tour, reshaping the standings. Eight-time world champion Steph Gilmore returned after a two-year break. After losing opening heats at Bells and Margaret River and questioning her ability to win, she chose Snapper Rocks to prove herself and won the Gold Coast Pro at her home break. The victory was her 34th career CT win and moved her up from last place to seventh in the rankings while eliminating several top opponents.
Lakey Peterson reinforced the veterans’ resurgence by winning the Margaret River Pro, beating Erin Brooks and competitors including Caroline Marks. Peterson’s win, plus two fifth-place finishes, leaves her tied for second overall. Many rookies have underperformed so far, with Nadia Erostarbe cited as an exception.
The Gold Coast Pro was held at Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast and the men’s title went to Ethan Ewing, who defeated Connor O’Leary for his third CT win. After the Australian leg, Luana Silva is wearing the women’s yellow jersey, with Gabriela Bryan, Lakey Peterson, Molly Picklum and Caity Simmers rounding out the women’s top five. Gabriel Medina holds the men’s yellow jersey, trailed in the top five by George Pittar, Miguel Pupo, Ethan Ewing and Samuel Pupo.
Inertia framed the Snapper Rocks results as early momentum shifts that set the stage for the debut New Zealand Pro in Raglan, scheduled for May 15–25.
The World Surf League (WSL) awarded Kauai-based Tatiana Weston‑Webb (BRA) a wildcard to the VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Cero, which is scheduled to run June 19–27 at Praia de Itaúna in Saquarema. The Rio appearance will be Weston‑Webb’s first competition since the birth of her daughter, Bia, and follows a midseason withdrawal in 2025 for mental health reasons and a later pregnancy announcement; she last surfed at Saquarema while pregnant.
Weston‑Webb said the comeback will be emotional with Bia by her side and that motherhood has given her greater emotional strength, maturity and gratitude. She said she intends to compete “in a lighter way” while maintaining her intensity and desire to win. The wildcard gives her a competitive opportunity and a first step toward her stated goal of returning to the Championship Tour in 2026, while reconnecting with Brazilian fans at a familiar venue. Ivan Martinho, President of WSL Latin America, said her bond with Praia de Itaúna and its spectators will make the return memorable and called the selection meaningful for local supporters.
Bells rang loudly in Victoria on the last stop of the WSL Championship Tour thanks to the Australian duo of Isabella Nichols and Jack Robinson who both claimed their first victory of the season. Now, the WSL continues its run down under at the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro in Queensland for the first time since …
Best Bets: WSL J-Bay Open Pre-Event Odds Analysis 2025
Jordy Smith is the name on everybody’s lips this week as the Championship Tour touches down in South Africa. He wears the yellow jersey leading in his home event, and he holds the weight of 63 million compatriots on his shoulders. Smith starts as one of the favorites WSL J-Bay Open pre-event odds as the tour rolls into town for the first time since 2023. The venue, Supertubes Beach, is only 30 minutes up the coast from Cape St. Francis Bay, the home of the famed “Bruce’s Beauties Wave.”
Go beyond just supporting the WSL Corona Cero Open J-Bay – check out our partner sportsbooks to get valuable promotions and place your WSL bets. Whether you are backing your favorite surfer or looking for an underdog, our partners offer competitive odds, special playing boosts, and promos designed for surfing fans.
Schedule and How to Watch WSL J-Bay Open
The quaint resort town of Jeffreys Bay springs to life this July with the return of the Corona Cero Open. WSL skipped the venue last year in a compacted calendar to accommodate the Olympics. Nine days are reserved for surfing, starting on Friday, July 11, and running until Sunday, July 20. You can watch live on WSL.com or discover the latest results and matchups on the dedicated event page.
2025 WSL J-Bay Open Odds
Event Winner – Men’s
Jordy Smith grew up in the neighboring province of KwaZulu-Natal, but he’s well familiar with the Supertubes break, prevailing here in 2010 and 2011. The South African is enjoying his best season of the decade so far, registering two victories and entering the round of 16 or better in every event since Abu Dhabi. Griffin Colapinto has found his way onto our radar after contesting two finals in his previous three events, coming off second-best on both occasions.
Brazilian Filipe Toledo took top honors in this event in 2023 and is back to defend his crown, despite a tough campaign. He drops in with a single win under the board and consecutive round of 16 exits. His compatriot, Italo Ferreira, is another contestant to watch in the men’s bracket, as he starts as the second-highest ranked male in the Championship. However, his progress has slowed dramatically after a ferocious start to the season, which included two finals and a win in his first three events.
swipe to see more
Expert Pick: Men
His current form, coupled with knowledge of this break and a home-crowd advantage, makes Jordy Smith the easy expert pick for J-Bay. The local starts at +639, possibly paying out $147.80 for a $20 bet.
Men’s H2H Odds
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Men’s Opening Round Heat Odds
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Event Winner – Women’s
Lakey Peterson touches down in the Eastern Cape, searching for her first triumph since her last visit to the Rainbow Nation. She starts in her best form of the season, progressing beyond the round of 16 in her last three starts, with one semi-final appearance. Peterson beat Molly Picklum for the trophy here in 2023, but the Aussie is in far better form this year. She collected her maiden victory of the year in Rio at the back end of June and has remained consistent throughout 2025, making the semifinals or better in all but three events.
Gabriela Bryan wore the yellow jersey leading into Brazil, but a quarterfinal defeat to Arena Rodriguez dropped her into second. Despite the mishap, the Hawaiian is tied with her countryperson, Bettylou Sakura Johnson, for the most wins in the women’s Championship with two. Johnson also battled in Rio de Janeiro, but she’s in form, winning in 505 of her previous four appearances.
swipe to see more
Expert Pick
Molly Picklum wins the race to wear our expert pick tag in J-Bay, after a consistent season. Her confidence is high after her win in South America, and she has unfinished business in J-Bay, after losing in the final her last time out. The Australian paddles out at +378, potentially paying out $95.60 if you wager $20.
Women’s H2H Odds
swipe to see more
Women’s Opening Round Heat Odds
swipe to see more
Where to Bet on WSL
Jordy Smith is the in-form surfer on the men’s Championship Tour, but can he live up to the expectations set by his home crowd this weekend? Will we see the local win his third WSL title at Supertubes, or will the week end in heartbreak for the South African?
Place your bets with our partner sportsbooks and check out our WSL Betting Guide if you’re new to the tour.
And remember, bet smart, have fun, and enjoy every wave.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Refer to your sportsbook’s eligibility requirements, terms, and conditions, or contact your state’s gaming commission to verify your state’s WSL betting legality. Most licensed betting platforms restrict access in prohibited states, saving you from the long confirmation process.
For the best WSL betting experience, select reputable, regulated sportsbooks like Fanduel, DraftKings, Caesars Sportsbook, and BetMGM. Check event schedules and relevant offers ahead of every WSL competition. Use Underdog Fantasy for Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) gaming.
The legal status of WSL betting differs from state to state. The lifting of the federal sports betting ban in 2018 (by the Supreme Court) gave states the independence to legalize sports betting. WSL betting is mostly legal in states with regulated sports betting and licensed sportsbooks like Colorado and New Jersey. Check your sportsbooks and state-specific regulations to confirm availability.
Common WSL betting options include outright winner bets, head-to-head matchups, and futures bets (predicting season champions). Most platforms also allow prop bets—for example, you can predict the highest wave score in a competition.
Yes. Betting platforms like FanDuel and BetMGM have live betting options. Their users can place bets during the WSL competition. For example, bettors can predict the next wave score, who will win the ongoing heat, or whether a competitor will achieve a given aggregate. Note that not all events may qualify for live betting. Check out your sportsbook live betting section for more.
Consider Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) if your state does not allow sports betting. Unlike traditional betting, DFS falls under a different regulatory framework, making it legal in several jurisdictions. DFS platforms like Underground Fantasy and DraftKings DFS are common in states where sports betting is illegal.
Please refer to Affiliated Operators’ T&C. Void where prohibited. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Related Posts
Sutured knee could force late withdrawal for WSL leader Ferreira
Italo Ferreira suffered a deep laceration to his right knee two days before the El Salvador Pro during a freesurf session at Sunzal and required eight stitches after what he described on Instagram as an incident in which ‘another surfer ran right over me.’ Local reports said he was struck by a novice longboarder while surfing with his wife, Sofia Larocca. Wozzle said he was medicated, reported being pain-free and remains under observation.
Ferreira, the World Surf League (WSL) tour rankings leader, Olympic gold medalist and former world champion, is seeded into heat nine of round two at the El Salvador Pro, which is set to begin Friday at Punta Roca. Heat nine will pair him with the winner of the Ramzi Boukhiam vs. Matt McGillivray matchup, according to the heat draw. He has not officially withdrawn, but the timing of the sutured knee gives him little time to recover and could force a short-notice pullout — which would join Jordy Smith as an already withdrawn competitor. Organizers, medical staff and Ferreira’s team will reassess his fitness ahead of the event.
Steph Gilmore Wins Gold Coast Pro at Snapper, Rises to 7th
Veteran surfers aged 30 and older delivered early-season comebacks on the WSL Championship Tour, reshaping the standings. Eight-time world champion Steph Gilmore returned after a two-year break. After losing opening heats at Bells and Margaret River and questioning her ability to win, she chose Snapper Rocks to prove herself and won the Gold Coast Pro at her home break. The victory was her 34th career CT win and moved her up from last place to seventh in the rankings while eliminating several top opponents.
Lakey Peterson reinforced the veterans’ resurgence by winning the Margaret River Pro, beating Erin Brooks and competitors including Caroline Marks. Peterson’s win, plus two fifth-place finishes, leaves her tied for second overall. Many rookies have underperformed so far, with Nadia Erostarbe cited as an exception.
The Gold Coast Pro was held at Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast and the men’s title went to Ethan Ewing, who defeated Connor O’Leary for his third CT win. After the Australian leg, Luana Silva is wearing the women’s yellow jersey, with Gabriela Bryan, Lakey Peterson, Molly Picklum and Caity Simmers rounding out the women’s top five. Gabriel Medina holds the men’s yellow jersey, trailed in the top five by George Pittar, Miguel Pupo, Ethan Ewing and Samuel Pupo.
Inertia framed the Snapper Rocks results as early momentum shifts that set the stage for the debut New Zealand Pro in Raglan, scheduled for May 15–25.
WSL grants Tatiana Weston-Webb wildcard for VIVO Rio Pro return
The World Surf League (WSL) awarded Kauai-based Tatiana Weston‑Webb (BRA) a wildcard to the VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Cero, which is scheduled to run June 19–27 at Praia de Itaúna in Saquarema. The Rio appearance will be Weston‑Webb’s first competition since the birth of her daughter, Bia, and follows a midseason withdrawal in 2025 for mental health reasons and a later pregnancy announcement; she last surfed at Saquarema while pregnant.
Weston‑Webb said the comeback will be emotional with Bia by her side and that motherhood has given her greater emotional strength, maturity and gratitude. She said she intends to compete “in a lighter way” while maintaining her intensity and desire to win. The wildcard gives her a competitive opportunity and a first step toward her stated goal of returning to the Championship Tour in 2026, while reconnecting with Brazilian fans at a familiar venue. Ivan Martinho, President of WSL Latin America, said her bond with Praia de Itaúna and its spectators will make the return memorable and called the selection meaningful for local supporters.
Best Bets: WSL Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro Pre-Event Odds Analysis 2025
Bells rang loudly in Victoria on the last stop of the WSL Championship Tour thanks to the Australian duo of Isabella Nichols and Jack Robinson who both claimed their first victory of the season. Now, the WSL continues its run down under at the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro in Queensland for the first time since …