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.
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
Organizers at the Margaret River Pro in Margaret River, Western Australia, said a solid swell filled Main Break, producing overhead to head-high, six- to eight-foot surf that enabled A-class power surfing. Judges rewarded aggressive approaches throughout the day, and photographers captured a pumping first day as athletes pushed for high-performance turns and committed maneuvers.
Officials ran 28 heats on day one: eight Women’s Round 1 heats, four Men’s Round 1 heats and 16 heats to finish Men’s Round 2. First call was set for 6:50 a.m. AWST Thursday, with a possible 7:05 a.m. start; the event runs through April 26.
The world’s best surfers have arrived for Stop No. 2 on the Championship Tour and as part of the GWM Aussie Treble, an early-season indicator of form. Kanoa Igarashi called the six- to eight-foot waves “so rippable,” likening Margarets at that size to a “big XL version of Lowers,” and said he struggled early but found his rhythm after the first 20 minutes. Organizers said coverage and heat running will depend on how the swell and local conditions evolve, with fans and media poised to follow a concentrated period of high-performance surfing over the coming days.
Wisconsin residents looking for a new, exciting, real-money gaming experience should try out World Surf League (WSL) Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) contests. Thanks to platforms like Underdog Fantasy, DFS contests are simpler, more accessible, entertaining, and easy to play. While Wisconsin also permits sports betting, it classifies DFS in its own category, subjecting it to different laws …
The World Surf League quietly sold its stake in Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch in Central California, several sources confirmed. The transaction was not publicly announced by the WSL or by Kelly Slater Wave Co., and the league did not respond to requests for comment. Kaniela Neves, president of the Surf Ranch, acknowledged the transaction and said the company had not yet formally released acquisition details. It remains unclear who now owns the Surf Ranch, although Los Angeles investor Joseph Self updated his LinkedIn profile to show a partnership beginning in February 2026.
The move followed the WSL’s hiring of CEO Ryan Crosby in 2024, under whom the league refocused on core surf audiences and adopted a revamped tour format. The prior era under Erik Logan emphasized non-endemic audiences and included a reality show.
The WSL shifted its wave-pool efforts to the Middle East, building Surf Abu Dhabi in 2024 and adding it to the Championship Tour in 2025 and 2026. That change signaled a move away from the Surf Ranch as the centerpiece of the league’s wave-pool activity.
Kelly Slater first revealed the Surf Ranch in December 2015 and the WSL majority-acquired the facility in May 2016. The venue hosted Championship Tour events in 2018, 2019, and 2021, and it has continued to operate commercially, reportedly renting for as much as $70,000 a day.
Eight Australians will compete on this year’s men’s World Surf League Championship Tour after five — George Pittar, Oscar Berry, Morgan Cibilic, Callum Robson and Liam O’Brien — secured qualification at the final Challenger Series event at Merewether Beach in Newcastle. For most it marks a return to the CT, with Oscar Berry’s finish described as a breakthrough; Levi Slawson and Dimitri Poulos also pushed close to qualification at Newcastle.
Australia has not produced a men’s world champion since Mick Fanning in 2013, and Brazilian surfers largely dominated men’s world surfing over the past decade, with Hawaiian John John Florence a notable exception. Organizers say the expanded Australian contingent brings proven firepower to the Tour even if not every qualifier is viewed as an outright title favorite, and combined with a revived full-year points system the influx of qualifiers could make the title race more open and increase expectations for an Australian resurgence. Liam O’Brien singled out Jack Robinson and Ethan Ewing as the Australians most likely to end the title drought under the revived system.
Liam O’Brien became the fifth Australian man to qualify through this season’s Challenger Series after a shaky Round of 64 heat that left him nervously awaiting his fate. He is preparing for his fifth full CT season and said he does not set “massive goals,” remaining unsure exactly what to expect from the upcoming year. O’Brien also released a 10-minute surf edit titled “Amalgam” that stitches together clips from South America, heavy slabs in Western Australia, footage from Cyclone Alfred and a solo run at XL Burleigh, spotlighting his precise forehand rail work and making a case that he can contend for and win CT events.
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
Officials run 28 heats as Margaret River swell hits
Organizers at the Margaret River Pro in Margaret River, Western Australia, said a solid swell filled Main Break, producing overhead to head-high, six- to eight-foot surf that enabled A-class power surfing. Judges rewarded aggressive approaches throughout the day, and photographers captured a pumping first day as athletes pushed for high-performance turns and committed maneuvers.
Officials ran 28 heats on day one: eight Women’s Round 1 heats, four Men’s Round 1 heats and 16 heats to finish Men’s Round 2. First call was set for 6:50 a.m. AWST Thursday, with a possible 7:05 a.m. start; the event runs through April 26.
The world’s best surfers have arrived for Stop No. 2 on the Championship Tour and as part of the GWM Aussie Treble, an early-season indicator of form. Kanoa Igarashi called the six- to eight-foot waves “so rippable,” likening Margarets at that size to a “big XL version of Lowers,” and said he struggled early but found his rhythm after the first 20 minutes. Organizers said coverage and heat running will depend on how the swell and local conditions evolve, with fans and media poised to follow a concentrated period of high-performance surfing over the coming days.
How to Play World Surf League DFS in Wisconsin
Wisconsin residents looking for a new, exciting, real-money gaming experience should try out World Surf League (WSL) Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) contests. Thanks to platforms like Underdog Fantasy, DFS contests are simpler, more accessible, entertaining, and easy to play. While Wisconsin also permits sports betting, it classifies DFS in its own category, subjecting it to different laws …
WSL Sells Stake in Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch
The World Surf League quietly sold its stake in Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch in Central California, several sources confirmed. The transaction was not publicly announced by the WSL or by Kelly Slater Wave Co., and the league did not respond to requests for comment. Kaniela Neves, president of the Surf Ranch, acknowledged the transaction and said the company had not yet formally released acquisition details. It remains unclear who now owns the Surf Ranch, although Los Angeles investor Joseph Self updated his LinkedIn profile to show a partnership beginning in February 2026.
The move followed the WSL’s hiring of CEO Ryan Crosby in 2024, under whom the league refocused on core surf audiences and adopted a revamped tour format. The prior era under Erik Logan emphasized non-endemic audiences and included a reality show.
The WSL shifted its wave-pool efforts to the Middle East, building Surf Abu Dhabi in 2024 and adding it to the Championship Tour in 2025 and 2026. That change signaled a move away from the Surf Ranch as the centerpiece of the league’s wave-pool activity.
Kelly Slater first revealed the Surf Ranch in December 2015 and the WSL majority-acquired the facility in May 2016. The venue hosted Championship Tour events in 2018, 2019, and 2021, and it has continued to operate commercially, reportedly renting for as much as $70,000 a day.
Revived points system, eight Aussies lift Robinson, Ewing
Eight Australians will compete on this year’s men’s World Surf League Championship Tour after five — George Pittar, Oscar Berry, Morgan Cibilic, Callum Robson and Liam O’Brien — secured qualification at the final Challenger Series event at Merewether Beach in Newcastle. For most it marks a return to the CT, with Oscar Berry’s finish described as a breakthrough; Levi Slawson and Dimitri Poulos also pushed close to qualification at Newcastle.
Australia has not produced a men’s world champion since Mick Fanning in 2013, and Brazilian surfers largely dominated men’s world surfing over the past decade, with Hawaiian John John Florence a notable exception. Organizers say the expanded Australian contingent brings proven firepower to the Tour even if not every qualifier is viewed as an outright title favorite, and combined with a revived full-year points system the influx of qualifiers could make the title race more open and increase expectations for an Australian resurgence. Liam O’Brien singled out Jack Robinson and Ethan Ewing as the Australians most likely to end the title drought under the revived system.
Liam O’Brien became the fifth Australian man to qualify through this season’s Challenger Series after a shaky Round of 64 heat that left him nervously awaiting his fate. He is preparing for his fifth full CT season and said he does not set “massive goals,” remaining unsure exactly what to expect from the upcoming year. O’Brien also released a 10-minute surf edit titled “Amalgam” that stitches together clips from South America, heavy slabs in Western Australia, footage from Cyclone Alfred and a solo run at XL Burleigh, spotlighting his precise forehand rail work and making a case that he can contend for and win CT events.