BRYAN & O’LEARY VICTORIOUS AT J-BAY
USA’s Gabriela Bryan Shines & Connor O’Leary makes CT History at J-Bay
It was a dream day at Jeffreys Bay as Gabriela Bryan and Connor O’Leary took top honors at the Corona Cero Open J-Bay — Stop No. 10 on the 2025 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour.
With clean 4–6 foot lines peeling down Supertubes and a beach packed with surf fans, the world’s best absolutely went off. Aussies Molly Picklum and Yago Dora gave it everything and walked away with well-earned runner-up finishes — but the day belonged to Bryan and O’Leary.
Gabriela Bryan Grabs Her Third Win of the Season
Hawaii’s own Gabriela Bryan threw down in a nail-biter of a Final, taking out World No. 1 Molly Picklum by the slimmest of margins. That’s win No. 3 this year, and No. 4 in her CT career — not bad for a 23-year-old chasing a World Title.
Coming off a tough early-round loss in Brazil, Bryan made the long haul to South Africa early to dial in Supertubes — and it showed. “It still hasn’t sunk in,” she said after hoisting the trophy. “J-Bay’s one of my favorite waves ever. I came early, put in the work, and it paid off.”
In her run to the top, Bryan took out two-time World Champ Tyler Wright in the Quarters, then eliminated 2023 World Champ Caroline Marks in the Semis. She’s now locked in for the Lexus WSL Finals in Fiji.
“I missed the Final 5 by one heat last year,” Bryan said. “Now, with a full event to go, I’m headed back to Fiji to fight for a World Title. That’s wild. I’m just so, so stoked.”
Connor O’Leary Makes History at J-Bay
Japan’s Connor O’Leary came into South Africa still chasing his first career CT win — and left with a trophy, a perfect 10, and a rocket ride up the rankings.
O’Leary was unstoppable all Finals Day, throwing down a textbook backhand clinic in dreamy conditions. His flawless surfing earned the only 10-point ride of the event, knocking out three-time J-Bay champ Filipe Toledo in the Semis before out-surfing Brazil’s Yago Dora in the Final.
“I don’t even have words,” said O’Leary. “Doc Marsh told me it was coming this year — today all the stars aligned. I just wanted to throw down some of the best backhand surfing ever. To win in front of that crowd… I’m over the moon.”
After overcoming Colapinto, O’Leary produced a flawless backhand attack to secure the event’s only 10-point ride in his semi-final victory over three-time J-Bay winner Filipe Toledo before capturing his first-ever Championship Tour title, courtesy of a 15.67 to 14.23 victory over Brazil’s Yago Dora.
It’s O’Leary’s first CT victory since joining the Tour in 2017, and it bumps him up to No. 11 in the rankings.
Molly Picklum Retains Yellow Jersey With Second Place At Corona Cero Open J-Bay
World No. 1 Molly Picklum may have come up just short in the Final, but she’s still wearing the Yellow Jersey heading into the last regular-season stop in Tahiti. She’ll be tough to beat at Teahupo’o, a wave where she’s proven she can handle serious power.
Having taken out 2023 World Champion Caroline Marks in the semi-finals, Bryan was full of confidence and took a narrow lead in the final with just 90 seconds left. Picklum waited for the ideal wave but eventually ran out of time as she slipped to a narrow 13.60 to 13.34 defeat.
“J-Bay’s such a unique wave,” said Picklum. “It’s all about timing. I pushed hard and I’m proud of how I surfed.”
Sponsors: Big thanks to Corona Cero, Kouga Municipality, Tsitsikamma Spring Water, Red Bull, YETI, Surfline, True Surf, and Sealand for making J-Bay one for the books.
For highlights, heat replays, and all the updates, head to WorldSurfLeague.com.
Up Next: Lexus Tahiti Pro Presented by I-SEA
The final regular-season event kicks off August 7–16, 2025, at the legendary Teahupo’o. With only a handful of Final 5 spots still open, every heat counts. Watch it LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com or on the free WSL app.
