Vans Surf Open Acapulco Confirmed for Return to Men's QS Schedule

2014 Surf Open Acapulco Highlights

In the past, the Surf Open Acapulco has provided surfers with consistently fun waves, incredible weather, and a vibrant Mexican culture. After a year away from the schedule, the contest is back.

After a year's hiatus away from the tour, the World Surf League (WSL) is returning to the shores of Acapulco, Mexico for a Men's Qualifying Series (QS) 1000 event at the ever-consistent Revolcadero Beach. Running as a ASP 4 Star event from 2012-2014, the now Vans Surf Open Acapulco witnessed some of surfing's up-and-coming talent earn their maiden QS victories - including Tanner Hendrickson (HAW) in 2012, Wade Carmichael (AUS) in 2013, and Luke Davis (USA) in 2014. This event will provide an exquisite opportunity for Latin American and North American surfers to earn points within their region toward a WSL North American QS title while fending off international surfers who come from around the world to earn their respective points.

One of the local surfers is 17-year-old Jhony Corzo (MEX), who grew up on the beaches of Puerto Escondido within a passionate surfing family and has been prepping himself for a big aspirations ever since. Corzo has a history at Revocaldero Beach and knows that these types of events are vital to a young surfers career.

"I've been competing in this event the last 2 years and I was pretty young but got to gain a lot of experience surfing with a very talented field of surfers," Corzo said. "Competing in the WSL contests are very important for me because it challenges me to surf with athletes who are at a higher level than me and that pushes me to get better a lot faster. It also helps get points and try to ultimately start getting ready to qualify on the Dream Tour. A big influence for me to start surfing was that my whole family was into surfing and my dad started pushing me in to little waves until i started to look up to professionals surfers - knowing I wanted to be there one day."

Competing in the WSL contests are very important for me because it challenges me to surf with athletes who are at a higher level than me. It also helps to ultimately start getting ready to qualify on the Dream Tour.

The North America region is continuing to expand each year and with events such as these returning to the schedule, it is only helping further the careers of talented surfers like 2014 winner Luke Davis (USA). - WSL

Event Director Gustavo Duccini has been with this event through its beginnings in 2012, having Quiksilver as the initial sponsor before relying on the tourism board to help - something they were unable to do last year after successfully running in 2013 and 2014. But, Duccini did not let that discourage him and has brought this contest back to life with the help of major and local sponsors to revive it.

"Acapulco has a great coastline of nearly 40 miles with good beachbreak waves and since we started this contest we have helped motivate surfers to be professionals, and also encourage new beginners in the process," Duccini said. "I was the event director each year the QS was here, as well as 4 and 5 Star events at Puerto Escondido in 2009 and 2010 - we have a growing local surf market and will continue to grow it in the future. Because political problems, having no government sponsors, we couldn't run last year but with the return of Vans as a naming sponsor we are back. I ran QS events before in Mexico and its a long and hard history about trying to find sponsors - putting in money from my pocket and pushing the Mexican surf market and professional opportunities.

Because political problems, having no government sponsors, we couldn't run last year but with the return of Vans as a naming sponsor we are back. We have a growing local surf market and will continue to grow it in the future.

Wade Carmichael (AUS) earned his first win at the Surf Open Acapulco in 2013, will another rising star earn their first win here and add their name to the talented list? - WSL

For more information on the contest, visit Vans Surf Open Acapulco 2016