Kelly Slater J-Bay

Eleven-time world champion Kelly Slater missed the World Surf League tour’s mid-season cut in a blow that could spell the end of his career. Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.

The GOAT is back! Kelly Slater returns to J-Bay to take on Jordy Smith

The world’s premier surfers have descended on Jeffreys Bay in the Eastern Cape for the WSL Corona Open J-Bay – including Kelly Slater.

Kelly Slater J-Bay

Eleven-time world champion Kelly Slater missed the World Surf League tour’s mid-season cut in a blow that could spell the end of his career. Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.

Thirty-six of the world’s premier surfers have descended on Jeffreys Bay in the Eastern Cape for the WSL Corona Open J-Bay starting on Tuesday, 12 July.

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This year’s event will run from 12-21 July with excellent waves predicted throughout for the 24-man and 12-women strong fields.

Surfing GOAT Kelly Slater returns to South Africa at age 50 to take on the young pretenders, including South Africa’s Jordy Smith.

Kelly Slater is a 4-time winner at J-Bay

Slater is an 11-time world champion and four-time winner at J-Bay in 1996, 2003, 2005 and 2008, while Smith tasted success in 2010 and 2011.

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Slater has been drawn in the eighth and final heat on Tuesday, alongside Brazilian Miguel Pupo and Australian Connor O’Leary.

Jordy Smith, meanwhile, will take part in Heat 2 with Brazilian duo Italo Ferreira and Yago Dora.

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There will be three other South Africans in the main men’s draw, namely Matthew McGillivray, Luke Thompson and Joshe Faulkner.

There will be no local representation in the women’s field.

Follow the action LIVE below!