HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., USA (Friday, July 28, 2023) - The World Surf League (WSL) Wallex US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico, Stop No. 4 of the 2023 Challenger Series, and the Huntington Beach Longboard Classic, Stop No. 1 of the 2023 Longboard Tour will commence tomorrow at the Huntington Beach Pier. The stakes are high as the top Challenger Series contenders will be hoping to inch closer toward qualification for the 2024 Championship Tour (CT). The Huntington Beach Longboard Classic marks the first opportunity for the world's best competitive longboarders to earn points toward a World Title.
The road to CT qualification continues here at the iconic Huntington Beach Pier as emerging talents clash with proven veterans. All will be fighting for a chance to add their names to surfing history. Only three events remain to earn points toward qualifying for the 2024 CT, and the Wallex US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico is one of the ultimate tests to perform under pressure.
The women's Round of 48 features Southern California's own Bella Kenworthy (USA) (Heat 4), Ella McCaffray (USA) (Heat 6), and Kirra Pinkerton (USA) (Heat 8). Kenworthy will square off in an international bout featuring Natasha Van Greunen (RSA), Puamakamae DeSoto (HAW), and Sophia Medina (BRA). Both McCaffray and Pinkerton will look to overcome international contenders of their own for a chance to join the top seeds in the Round of 32.
Former CT competitor Isabella Nichols (AUS) (Heat 8) heads into Huntington Beach as the current No. 1 woman on the Challenger Series. She will make her Round of 32 debut alongside fellow former CT competitor Nikki Van Dijk (AUS). Southern California's qualification threats Alyssa Spencer (USA) (Heat 7) and Sawyer Lindblad (USA) (Heat 3) are currently ranked No. 6 and No. 7, respectively. They will headline the Round of 32 alongside former CT athletes Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) (Heat 5), Luana Silva (BRA) (Heat 4), Macy Callaghan (AUS) (Heat 2), and more emerging threats.
A formidable men's field kicks off with the Round of 80. Southern California's own Nolan Rapoza and Taj Lindblad will take to the water in Heats 2 and 3, respectively. Rapoza will face dangerous competitor Josh Burke (BRB) while Lindblad will be up against the likes of former CT competitor Ian Gouveia (BRA).
Current Challenger Series rankings leader Cole Houshmand (USA) is hoping to win the US Open Title in front of his home crowd. This will be no easy task as Houshmand must first overcome former CT competitor Lucca Mesinas(PER) and New Zealand's rising star Te Kehukehu Butler in the Round of 64, Heat 3.
Also headlining the event is reigning World Champion, and current World No. 1, Filipe Toledo (BRA) (Heat 8) who will make his debut in Heat 8 of the Round of 64. Two-time US Open of Surfing victor Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) (Heat 16), and current World No. 9 Leonardo Fioravanti (ITL) (Heat 9) also are sure to play spoiler in this event.
The hunt for a WSL Longboard World Title ensues with the world's best competitive longboarders returning to action and kickstarting their hunt for a 2023 World Title.
Three-time WSL Longboard World Champion Honolua Blomfield (HAW) headlines the Opening Round in Heat 1 against North America's Season Wildcard Liv Stokes (CAN) and Longboard Tour veteran Maria Fernanda Reyes (PER). Defending event winner and 2022 World Title Runner-Up Kelis Kaleopa'a (HAW) is looking for back-to-back event wins here in Huntington and will surf in Heat 3 of the Opening Round.
Kaleopa'a will have to face the likes of reigning WSL Longboard Champion Soleil Errico (USA) (Heat 4), Longboard Tour veteran Chloe Calmon (BRA) (Heat 5), former WSL Longboard Champion Rachael Tilly (USA) (Heat 7), and more along the way to defend her event Title.
2022 WSL Longboard Tour standout Ben Skinner (GBR) will start the men's Huntington Beach Longboard Classic in the Opening Round, Heat 1. He will face Australian duo Max Weston and Ben Considine. An all-American affair awaits in Opening Round, Heat 4, featuring three-time WSL Longboard Champion and defending event victor Taylor Jensen, 2022/23 North America Regional Longboard Champion Richie Cravey, and event alternate Troy Mothershead, who replaces reigning WSL Longboard Champion Harrison Roach (AUS).
World Title Runner-Up Kaniela Stewart (HAW) (Heat 4) looks for unfinished business in Huntington Beach after losing to Jensen in the event Final last year. He will face fellow standouts Kai Sallas (HAW) (Heat 5), former WSL Longboard Champion Steven Sawyer(RSA) (Heat 6), Southern California's Kevin Skvarna (Heat 8), and many more.
The SAMBAZON Dawn Patrol begins tomorrow, Saturday, July 29, at 7:35 a.m. PT.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
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Watch LIVE: Wallex US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico The Wallex US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico holds a competition window Saturday, July 29, through Sunday, August 6, 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.
*The Wallex US Open of Surfing presented by Pacifico is proudly supported by Wallex.US, Pacifico, Cup Noodles, Hurley, 805 Beer, Red Bull, Sambazon, Shiseido, Surfshark, YETI, Aloha Collection, Aventon E-Bikes, Board & Brew, Boxed Water, Deville Canned Cocktails, Feelgoodz, Flexfit, Fuji Film, Huntington Surf & Sport, Jack's Surfboards, Nixon Watches, Pura Vida, Ralphs, Tractor Beverage Company, USAF 330th Special Warfare, Visit Huntington Beach, William Grant & Sons, Professional Teqball, Tractor Soda, Victoria White, and Youtheory.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.