The Jeep World Longboard Championship hosted by Wanning will kick off tomorrow morning as a new swell is expected to arrive overnight.
Last year's winner Chelsea Williams (AUS) is the one to beat and after Claiming her maiden Title last year, but the fire is burning this year stronger than ever.
"Last year took a huge weight off my shoulders," Williams said. "I had been trying for nine years to get that World Title so it was amazing to finally get it. Now I'm back in Hainan and ready to go for it again."
Fresh off the best win of his career at the Taiwan Open of Surfing, Tony Silvagni (USA) will be looking to continue his good form at this event and put his name in the history books.
"Having a win at Jinzun Harbour has definitely given me confidence," Silvanti said. "I'm stoked to be back in Hainan, the people here are great, there is always excellent hospitality I just hope we get some sick waves like the last few years."
Brazil's Chloe Calmon (BRA) is back at Riyue Bay this year and has been working hard to put herself on top of the podium this year.
"I've been training hard," Calmon said. "it's so great to surf at this place with people like Chelsea (Williams) that I look up too. I know it will be hard to beat these girls but all I can do is give it my best."
Today saw the Jeep Asia Cup run in small but consistent waves at Riyue Bay that offered Asia's best longboarders an opportunity to show what they've got to the best in the world. Shohei Akimoto (JPN) won the Men's event while Hiroka Yoshikawa (JPN) took out the women's. The two highest finishing Chinese surfers have been offered wildcards into the World Longboard Championship a tradition WSL is very proud of.
In what will be her fourth wildcard entry into the World Longboard Championship, Youying Chou finished 3rd in the Jeep Asia Cup final. Chuo is a local favourite and will use her past experience in the event to take it to the world's best.
"I'm so excited," Chou said. "Last year I didn't do that well so to get the wildcard again is awesome. It was hard because the waves are slow today but it looks like it will be picking up in the next few days so I'm sure everyone will be ripping. I have so much fun with all these ladies so I can't wait for the championships to start."
Finishing in 3rd spot in the men's event was Toumei Chen. At age 40, the veteran will be competing in his third World Longboard Championship as a wildcard.
"I'm so happy," Chen said. "I'm 40 years old now so to get through and keep going is so good. Hopefully the swell builds tonight into tomorrow, so I can draw out some bigger turns. I can't wait to surf against the world's best again."
Day 1 of the Jeep World Longboard World Championship is set to get underway tomorrow morning at Riyue Bay with the forecast looking promising for the start of the event waiting period. All action will be live here at worldsurfleague.com and on the WSL App
Stage Set for World's best at Jeep World Longboard Championships
WSL
The Jeep World Longboard Championship hosted by Wanning will kick off tomorrow morning as a new swell is expected to arrive overnight.
Last year's winner Chelsea Williams (AUS) is the one to beat and after Claiming her maiden Title last year, but the fire is burning this year stronger than ever.
"Last year took a huge weight off my shoulders," Williams said. "I had been trying for nine years to get that World Title so it was amazing to finally get it. Now I'm back in Hainan and ready to go for it again."
Fresh off the best win of his career at the Taiwan Open of Surfing, Tony Silvagni (USA) will be looking to continue his good form at this event and put his name in the history books.
"Having a win at Jinzun Harbour has definitely given me confidence," Silvanti said. "I'm stoked to be back in Hainan, the people here are great, there is always excellent hospitality I just hope we get some sick waves like the last few years."
Brazil's Chloe Calmon (BRA) is back at Riyue Bay this year and has been working hard to put herself on top of the podium this year.
"I've been training hard," Calmon said. "it's so great to surf at this place with people like Chelsea (Williams) that I look up too. I know it will be hard to beat these girls but all I can do is give it my best."
Today saw the Jeep Asia Cup run in small but consistent waves at Riyue Bay that offered Asia's best longboarders an opportunity to show what they've got to the best in the world. Shohei Akimoto (JPN) won the Men's event while Hiroka Yoshikawa (JPN) took out the women's. The two highest finishing Chinese surfers have been offered wildcards into the World Longboard Championship a tradition WSL is very proud of.
In what will be her fourth wildcard entry into the World Longboard Championship, Youying Chou finished 3rd in the Jeep Asia Cup final. Chuo is a local favourite and will use her past experience in the event to take it to the world's best.
"I'm so excited," Chou said. "Last year I didn't do that well so to get the wildcard again is awesome. It was hard because the waves are slow today but it looks like it will be picking up in the next few days so I'm sure everyone will be ripping. I have so much fun with all these ladies so I can't wait for the championships to start."
Finishing in 3rd spot in the men's event was Toumei Chen. At age 40, the veteran will be competing in his third World Longboard Championship as a wildcard.
"I'm so happy," Chen said. "I'm 40 years old now so to get through and keep going is so good. Hopefully the swell builds tonight into tomorrow, so I can draw out some bigger turns. I can't wait to surf against the world's best again."
Day 1 of the Jeep World Longboard World Championship is set to get underway tomorrow morning at Riyue Bay with the forecast looking promising for the start of the event waiting period. All action will be live here at worldsurfleague.com and on the WSL App
Jeep World Longboard Championship, China
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Check out the world's best longboarders on Day 4 of the Jeep World Longboard Championships.
Peru's Piccolo Clemente beats Taylor Jensen in Final of Jeep World Longboard Championship.
The 17-year-old American wins her first World Longboard Title in China.
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