PUNTA ROCA, La Libertad, El Salvador (Thursday, June 8, 2023) - The waiting period for the Surf City El Salvador Pro Presented by Corona, Stop No. 7 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2023 Championship Tour (CT) opens tomorrow. This is the second edition of the CT event in El Salvador and will once again host the world's best surfers at the famed right-hand pointbreak of Punta Roca, also known as La Punta or Punta Chilama. The Surf City El Salvador Pro holds an event window from Friday, June 9 to Sunday, June 18, 2023.
Critical Points on Offer in El Salvador for WSL Final 5 and Provisional Olympic Qualification
An all-important Stop No. 7 will play a pivotal role as only four events remain for competitors to kick their surfing into high gear and clinch spots within the WSL Final 5. The Surf City El Salvador Pro will also build campaigns for athletes hoping to provisionally qualify for the Olympic Games Paris 2024. There are currently ten men's and four women's spots still up for grabs.
Current World No. 1s Griffin Colapinto (USA) and Carissa Moore (HAW) are coming to El Salvador fresh off their wins at the Surf Ranch Pro. They will now take on event wildcards Bryan Perez (SLV) and Leilani McGonagle (CRC) in their respective Opening Round matchups.
"First off I'm really excited to be back here it's such a beautiful place," said Moore. "The field of women and the talent right now is incredible, everyone is super competitive. I have my work cut out for me if I want to get three event wins in a row. I'm focused on trying to figure out the wave, enjoying my time here as much as possible, and surfing at my best."
Defending event winner and eight-time World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) is currently ranked seventh on the rankings. She is hoping this event will be the turning point for her season again this year. Two-time World Champion John John Florence (HAW) is also currently sitting at No. 7 on the rankings. He is still looking for his first event win of the season to boost him into the Top 5, and it could be here in El Salvador.
Event Wildcards Leilani McGonagle and Bryan Perez Ready to Represent Central America
One of Costa Rica's standouts, Leilani McGonagle (CRC), will have the opportunity to showcase her abilities against the world's best as the women's event wildcard for the Surf City El Salvador Pro. McGonagle is a multiple Qualifying Series (QS) event victor, and her career continues to show potential. Her powerful backhand will make her one to watch on the pristine right-hand break of Punta Roca. This event will be the first CT appearance of her career.
"I'm really grateful for this opportunity it's been a big dream of mine to be part of his field since I was ten," said McGonagle. "I've looked up to Carissa and the other girls and I've been excited to one day surf against them. I'm super excited for that day to maybe come tomorrow."
El Salvador's own Bryan Perez (SLV) will return as the men's event wildcard for a second-consecutive year. Perez is a Punta Roca local and is hoping to provide another stunning performance for his home country. The El Salvadorian is ready to give the world's best surfers a taste of Central America's potential here at his home break during the Surf City El Salvador Pro.
"This event is super special. I competed here last year and this time is another chance for me to show my surfing on this wave where I grew up," said Perez. "It's super special for me to see how the athletes surf this wave. Yesterday was firing and the next couple of days look like they are going to be better."
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
World Surf League Launches "Speak Up for the Ocean" Campaign on World Ocean Day
This World Ocean Day and every day, the WSL and its WSL One Ocean initiative are committed to protecting and preserving our one ocean for generations to come.
To celebrate World Ocean Day on June 8, WSL One Ocean is launching its "Speak Up for the Ocean" campaign. This campaign asks fans to share their stories and sustainability initiatives through social media with the hashtag #WSLOneOcean. The WSL will use its platform to amplify the voices of people around the world who are taking action to protect our ocean and encourage others to do the same, with the goal of building a community of surfers, fans, and ocean lovers around the world who are aligned with protecting our one ocean
To learn more, please visit WSLOneOcean.org.
Surf City El Salvador Pro Women's Opening Round Matchups:
Heat 1: Caroline Marks (USA) vs. Caitlin Simmers (USA) vs. Gabriela Bryan (HAW)
Heat 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Leilani McGonagle (CRC)
Heat 3: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Johanne Defay (FRA)
Heat 4: Molly Picklum (AUS) vs. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) vs. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW)
Surf City El Salvador Pro Men's Opening Round Matchups:
Heat 1: Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs. Matthew McGillivray (RSA) vs. Kelly Slater (USA)
Heat 2: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Ian Gentil (HAW)
Heat 3: Joao Chianca (BRA) vs. Jordy Smith (RSA) vs. Seth Moniz (HAW)
Heat 4: Griffin Colapinto (USA). vs. Callum Robson (AUS) vs. Bryan Perez (SLV)
Heat 5: Jack Robinson (AUS) vs. Connor O'Leary (AUS) vs. Rio Waida (INA)
Heat 6: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Liam O'Brien (AUS)
Heat 7: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) vs. Barron Mamiya (HAW)
Heat 8: Ryan Callinan (AUS) vs. Yago Dora (BRA) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN)
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
Watch LIVE
The Surf City El Salvador Pro Presented by Corona holds a competition window Friday, June 9 through Sunday, June 18, 2023. Once called ON, the competition will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL's YouTube channel, and the free WSL app. Check out more ways to watch from the WSL's broadcast partners. For fans watching in Brazil, coverage of the competition's Quarterfinals and beyond will continue exclusively on WorldSurfLeague.com and SporTV.
The Surf City El Salvador Pro Presented by Corona is proudly supported by Surf City, Corona, Shiseido, Red Bull, YETI, Surfline, True Surf, and Tokash.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.