OCEANSIDE, Calif., USA (Sunday, September 22, 2024) - Today, Eden Walla (USA) claimed a massive win at the World Surf League (WSL) Nissan Super Girl Surf Pro presented by CELSIUS, a women's Qualifying Series (QS) 3,000 event, in Oceanside, California. Challenging conditions leveled the playing field for the youth to shine in the youngest Final in Super Girl Surf Pro history between Walla and Kiara Goold (PYF) with Walla keeping the event win in Southern California. Walla's, 15, victory marks the youngest Super Girl Surf Pro in event history.
The Nissan Super Girl Surf Pro title returns to San Clemente courtesy of Eden Walla (USA) after Sawyer Lindblad's victory in 2022. Now, Walla boasts the title of youngest Super Girl Surf Pro victor at age 15 in her first-ever QS Final appearance. The win also catapults Walla to No. 1 in the North America region leaving Oceanside.
"It means so much to me. I've been watching this event for so long and thank you to all my friends for supporting me, they're the best," said Walla. "I just trie to channel all my energy that I had today into that last heat and I'm stoked. Thank you to everyone watching me and supporting me, my sponsors and my friends. Always have faith in yourself and always believe in yourself, and always have fun."
The Final kicked off in a flurry with an exchange between Walla and Kiara Goold (PYF) with Walla's backhand garnering a 6.17 (out of a possible 10) to Goold's 4.17. Walla, 15, stayed busy and found herself into an afternoon gem to unleash more of her sharp, backhand attack and accrued a 7.33 to take a commanding lead over the 14-year-old Tahitian. The ocean didn't provide any significant opportunities until the dying minutes when Goold was able to strike and posted a 6.67 to give herself a chance to claim a win. But, Oceanside's lineup didn't deliver the sections needed on her last wave as the horn sound, crowning Walla the 2024 event winner.
A brilliant run from Walla included blitzing through Finals Day, beginning in the Round of 16 against growing QS threat Sara Freyre(USA). The 15-year-old then took that confidence forward to eliminate an in-form Bailey Turner (USA) in their Quarterfinal bout. But, all eyes were on the Semifinal battle between Walla and event standout Ruby Stringfellow (USA). Stringfellow's quick start put Walla behind before Walla was able to surmount fellow teenage sensation Stringfellow and enter her first major QS Final.
Kiara Goold Notches First QS Final, Youngest Super Girl Final in Event History
A tough Finals Day draw awaited Tahiti's newest QS addition of Goold and the 14-year-old rose to the occasion. Goold overtook reigning Hawaii/Tahiti Nui QS Regional victor Keala Tomoda-Bannert (HAW) before taking on, pre-Super Girl Surf Pro, Regional No. 1 Vaihitimahana Inso (HAW) in their Semifinal bout. Goold got the best of Inso in tough conditions before then taking on 2024 Challenger Series contender Eweleiula Wong (HAW) where she once again emerged victorious for her first-ever QS Final and now resides atop the Hawaii/Tahiti Nui rankings.
"It's super cool this being my first QS ever and I'm super proud of myself because I tried to make a big maneuver going for an air," said Goold. "Even though I didn't land it was still really fun and I'm stoked to the make the Final. I want to say thank you to all my friends and family back home in Tahiti cheering me on. I'm really happy to represent the surfing community and island of Tahiti.".
Next Generation Seize the Day in Oceanside
With this year marking the youngest Final in event history, notable Semifinalist included teenage sensations Ruby Stringfellow (USA) in her first-ever WSL event and already proven QS threat Eweleiula Wong (HAW).
The next generation took over Oceanside throughout the weekend with Stringfellow making her WSL debut in phenomenal form. The 13-year-old, originally from Maui, Hawaii, and now residing in Southern California, Stringfellow, blistered through Finals Day in great form. Stringfellow eliminated QS veteran Leilani McGonagle (CRC) in their Round of 16 bout before taking over her Quarterfinal heat against reigning Super Girl Surf Pro victor Alyssa Spencer (USA). But, Stringfellow fell just short of a first Final appearance against eventual winner Eden Walla (USA).
Eweleiula Wong (HAW) takes major momentum into the upcoming Challenger Series event in Portugal after a Semifinal finish. - WSL / Kurt Steinmetz
Wong continues to show she's a proven QS threat at only 19 and surged toward another Super Girl Surf Pro Semifinal - her second-consecutive Super Girl Surf Pro including Jacksonville. Wong's prowess in the jersey has taken her to two Challenger Series seasons, 2023 and 2024, and made her moves starting in the Round of 16 over North America No. 1 Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN), before overtaking Maddie Storrer (USA) in the Quarterfinals. Ultimately falling to eventual runner-up, Goold, Wong now prepares for her Challenger Series return at the EDP Ericeira Pro.
Hawaii's Moana Jones Wong (HAW) and Skai Suitt (HAW) earned the Super Girl Surf Pro Team Event win. - WSL / Kurt Steinmetz
Moana Jones Wong, Skai Suitt Win Specialty Super Girl Pro Team Event
A specialty Super Girl Pro Team Event brought back some of the event's iconic names including Brianna Cope (HAW), Anastasia Ashley (USA) and Moana Jones Wong(HAW) alongside the sport's emerging talents such as Skai Suitt (HAW), Sofia Gamboa (USA), Zoe Chait (USA), Daya McCart (USA), and Malia Lima (HAW). It was the best of three in a Round Robin format with the cumulative heat total taking the win.
Jones Wong joined Suitt in a powerhouse team that overcame an early deficit and answered in powerful form to eventually take the win and leave Oceanside with some hardware.
The North America 2024/2025 QS season continues at the men's Surf Open Acapulco beginning October 15 through 17 at Playa Revolcadero, Acapulco, Mexico.
Nissan Super Girl Surf Pro Final Results:
1 - Eden Walla (USA) 13.00 3,000 points
2 - Kiara Goold (PYF) 11.77 2,340 points
Nissan Super Girl Surf Pro Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Eden Walla (USA) 12.70 DEF. Ruby Stringfellow (USA) 10.37
HEAT 2: Kiara Goold (PYF) 10.40 DEF. Eweleiula Wong (HAW) 5.47
Nissan Super Girl Surf Pro Quarterfinal Results:
HEAT 1: Eden Walla (USA) 12.17 DEF. Bailey Turner (USA) 4.50
HEAT 2: Ruby Stringfellow (USA) 14.23 DEF. Alyssa Spencer (USA) 11.83
HEAT 3: Eweleiula Wong (HAW) 10.67 DEF. Maddie Storrer (USA) 7.17
HEAT 4: Kiara Goold (PYF) 10.00 DEF. Vaihitimahana Inso (HAW) 3.87
Nissan Super Girl Surf Pro Round of 16 Results:
HEAT 1: Bailey Turner (USA) 10.43 DEF. Talia Swindal (USA) 9.83
HEAT 2: Eden Walla (USA) 10.43 DEF. Sara Freyre (USA) 3.60
HEAT 3: Ruby Stringfellow (USA) 13.74 DEF. Leilani McGonagle (CRC) 8.50
HEAT 4: Alyssa Spencer (USA) 18.00 DEF. Mathea Dempfle-Olin (CAN) 3.93
HEAT 5: Maddie Storrer (USA) 9.40 DEF. Vela Mattive (USA) 5.93
HEAT 6: Eweleiula Wong (HAW) 10.04 DEF. Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) 8.20
HEAT 7: Kiara Goold (PYF) 11.50 DEF. Keala Tomoda-Bannert (HAW) 5.74
HEAT 8: Vaihitimahana Inso (HAW) 11.66 DEF. Lilie Kulber (USA) 6.07
*The event is supported by Nissan, in conjunction with its California Nissan Dealers, CELSIUS, the U.S. Air Force, Jersey Mike's Subs, Verizon, Visit Oceanside, Fiji Airways, Golden Road Brewing, Logitech G, the Mission Pacific Hotel, Essence Cosmetics, Owala, Clean Reserve, Funkaway, Raising Cane's, Perfect Hydration, Pura Vida, Frontwave Credit Union, ROAR Organic, Blenders Eyewear, Vive Organic, Mad Hippie, Waterloo Sparking Water, and the U.S. Marines.