HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., USA (Monday, October 21, 2024) - The World Surf League (WSL) North America Qualifying Series (QS) makes its highly-anticipated to mainland Mexico for the upcoming Pacifico Surf Open Cerritos and Pacifico Surf Open Puerto Escondido QS 1,000 events. The men contingent are set to take on a new venue in Cerritos, La Paz beginning November 20 through 23 before returning to the 2024/2025 season. Then, the 2025 Challenger Series qualification hopefuls head for Puerto Escondido beginning December 12 through 15. Also, Pacifico joins as the title sponsor and looks to provide a major push for sustainability in Mexico connecting through these events.
"We couldn't be happier to see these amazing events return to our Qualifying Series schedule," said North America Regional Manager Meg Bernardo. "Mexico has always provided great opportunities for the QS and the Championship Tour in years past, and to have our athletes at these venues is pivotal. We're looking forward to what the competitions bring and we're thankful for Pacifico and the Surf Open Series team providing these opportunities."
Pictured: A new venue awaits the men's QS contingent with Cerritos replacing the Surf Open Acapulco venue of Playa Revolcadero following heavy storms that forced event organizers to postpone. Credit: © WSL / Buitron
Inaugural Surf Open Cerritos QS Kicks Off Return to Mexico
The Pacifico Surf Open Series brings a new venue to offer QS competitors in La Paz at the beach break of Cerritos. Initially planned for Acapulco in October, Tropical Storm Jhon left the city flooded, and more weather impacted the area, so event organizers had to postpone the event until 2025. But Surf Open Series President Gustavo Duccini was able to align with the city of Cerritos, and now a new opportunity awaits to provide competitors in Mexico and the North America region with important points.
"We are thrilled to bring the Pacifico Surf Open to Cerritos this year in partnership with Boardwalk, the state surf association, and Baja California Sur's tourism department," said Duccini. "This collaboration strengthens our commitment to surfing in Mexico and allows us to integrate several sustainability initiatives, such as beach cleanups and promoting environmentally friendly practices throughout the event. Cerritos represents a new opportunity for competitors and a way to continue promoting a positive message in both sports and environmental efforts."
Famed Puerto Escondido Provides Heavy Water Test Once More
Throughout these events and continuing work between them, Pacifico's sustainability initiative will conduct numerous beach cleanups on multiple coastlines in mainland Mexico and provide sustainability education for those involved. This will include turning recycled material into trophies, event memorabilia, and more.
Later in the season, North America's QS contenders will return to one of the world's most iconic beach breaks in the world - Puerto Escondido. Known for producing some of the heaviest barrels in Central America, and around the world, Puerto Escondido's famed lineup last welcomed the QS contingent in 2019 as John Mel (USA) emerged victorious over fellow Southern Californian Jackson Butler (USA) in pumping conditions. This year, however, the women are set to make their QS debut at the world-famous lineup when competition begins December 12 through 15.
"Although we had to cancel the Acapulco event due to Tropical Storm Jhon, we are working hard to return soon to one of our most important venues for promoting surfing in Mexico," added Duccini. "In the meantime, we are excited to return to Puerto Escondido, an iconic surf destination where the waves continue to challenge the world's best surfers. We are also proud to have Cerveza Pacífico as the title sponsor of the entire series, as their brand perfectly embodies the lifestyle of enjoying the Pacific paradises of Mexico."
This marks a significant run of competitions returning to Mexico and during a year one of the country's own, Alan Cleland Jr. (MEX), is making history after winning the Lexus US Open of Surfing. A spark to Mexico's surfing community, now these two events return to sustain that momentum and bring some of the region's best to vie for 2025 Challenger Series points.
The Pacifico Surf Open Cerritos holds a competition beginning November 20 through 23 at Cerritos, La Paz, Mexico.
The Pacifico Surf Open Puerto Escondido holds a competition beginning December 12 through 15 at Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico.
For more information, please visit www.WorldSurfLeague.com.