Malibu's Role in Longboarding's Bigger Picture

Despite North America's lack of events, its women surfers have reigned supreme the past two years as Tory Gilkerson (pictured) earned a World Title in 2016 and Rachael Tilly the year before in 2015. - WSL / Bennett

Past years have proven difficult for North American longboarders to find their way among the elite list of world's best on the Longboard Championship Tour (LCT) competing at World Longboard Championship events and vie for a World Title.

With this year's Miss & Mr Malibu Pro now added to the schedule that will take place November 3 through 5 at First Point, Surfrider Beach, Malibu, California, hopes for a new addition to both tours are in place. A few key points of interest are still being overlooked by the Commissioner's office, but one thing is certain -- the winners at First Point will be guaranteed a spot onto the 2018 LCT for a chance at becoming World Champion.

Cole Robbins, five-year LT competitor, will be another name qualifying hopefuls will have to contest against for a spot in 2018. - WSL

The 2017 LCT consisted of only those who previously qualified and stayed among the Top 16 through their ranking. 2015 offered a regional qualifier at Huntington Beach, won by Rachael Tilly, who qualified for the WLC event in China and earned her first-ever World Title just two months later, and two-time World Champ Taylor Jensen. But, after last year's absence, new opportunity has arisen for longboarders to seize a spot on the 2018 LCT.

It's already been a massive year for WSL longboard competitors with the inaugural Kumul PNG World Longboard Championships in Papua New Guinea -- giving the LCT a two-event tour in 2017. - WSL / Tim Hain

Here's a quick rundown of information surrounding this all-important event and what the LT encompasses:

Longboard Tours General Information

This was the first year WSL has run two longboard championship events with the first LCT event being held in Papua New Guinea earlier this year -- won by Taylor Jensen and Chloe Calmon. The second will be held in November in Taiwan.

WSL North America women longboarders that qualified for these events are: 2016 World Champion Tory Gilkerson, 2015 World Champion Rachael Tilly, 2011 World Champion Lindsay Steinriede, and Kaitlin Maguire.

Men: 2x World Champion (2011, 2012) Taylor Jensen, David Arganda, Cole Robbins, Tony Silvagni, and Kevin Skvarna.

Hawaii's Honolua Blomfield, recent Turtle Bay Resort Pro Longboard winner, will also be in attendance alongside a few more international competitors to really apply the pressure for coveted wins at Malibu. - WSL / Laurent Masurel

2018 LCT Formats

Eighteen women will make up the 2018 Women's LCT with the Top 8 re-qualifying and there will be a possibility of 24 (TBA by Commissioner's Office) men on the LCT next year with the Top 12 to 16 (also TBA) re-qualifying.

LQS Qualification

Women looking to qualify for the LCT each year must win their region, or, if the regional winner is already qualified, the next person in line to do so will qualify as only one from each region will earn a spot. One to two men (TBA) from each region will find their way alongside the elite ranks once the final decision is made from the Commissioner's Office on the final formats for next year's, and following years to come.

The Miss and Mr. Malibu Pro will run November 3 through 5 at First Point, Surfrider Beach, Malibu California.