.png){kind=logo}
When you visit our website, we store cookies on your browser to collect information. The information collected might relate to you, your preferences or your device, and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to and to provide a more personalized web experience. However, you can choose not to allow certain types of cookies, which may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings according to your preference.
These cookies are essential to enable user movement across our website and for providing access to features such as your profile. These cookies cannot be disabled. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information and cannot be used for marketing purposes.
These cookies allow us to analyze visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site and enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers, such as Google Analytics, whose services we have added to our pages. Information collected through these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly and/or we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts or content. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
These cookies are set by a range of social media services that we have added to the site to enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They are capable of tracking your browser across other sites and building up a profile of your interests. This may impact the content and messages you see on other websites you visit. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to use or see these sharing tools.
Cloud 9 Starts to Fire Up as Men's Field Narrows at 2024 Siargao International Surfing Cup QS 5000
WSL
CLOUD 9, Siargao, Philippines (Monday, October 28, 2024) - Conditions continued to clean up throughout day three of the World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) Siargao International Surfing Cup QS 5000, allowing for the full men's Round of 96 to be completed. The initial two-to-three-foot swell grew to include four-foot sets, with some exceptional barrels on offer at Cloud 9, the Philippines' premier surf break.
Taking full advantage of the conditions, reigning Australian U/18 National Champion Eden Hasson (AUS) blitzed his second-ever heat in an international QS. The 18-year-old opened the final heat of the day by driving deep in the barrel and toying with the foamball, to post the highest single wave score of the event, a near-perfect 9.10 (out of a possible 10). Backing it up with a 7.17 for another stylish barrel, the Port Stephens surfer collected an excellent 16.27 (out of a possible 20) heat total, also the highest of the event so far.
Two elder statesmen of Asian surfing, Putra Hermawan (INA) and Piso Alcala (PHL), proved their years of experience to be highly effective. Both former event winners, the two surfers in their 30's posted some of the highest numbers of the day for clean, deep barrels. Hermawan earned a pair of 6's, including one of the day's best scores, a 6.77. Surfing in the following heat, Alcala came close to the Indonesian's number after speedily driving through a deep barrel to collect a 6.67 of his own and advance through his second heat of the event.
"Actually, I don't really surf in these kinds of conditions because it's too windy," Alcala said. "Normally, I surf when it's a good wind and not too strong like that. I'm so excited to be in this event. And yeah, stoked to make it through this heat."
Progressing alongside Alcala was fellow local, Troy Espejon (PHL), who picked up a 6.47 for a super-deep backhand barrel. A number of other locals, Pj Alipayo (PHL), Eduardo Alciso (PHL), Jayuard Alciso (PHL) and Toby Espejon (PHL), also moved into the Round of 64 with impressive barrel-riding of their own.
Olympians Reo Inaba (JPN) and Billy Stairmand (NZL) both had solid starts to their campaigns, as they look to gain their positions back on the Challenger Series. With the majority of their focus for the past couple seasons on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Inaba and Stairmand both need the valuable points on offer from the event in order to climb the rankings. It's the first time either surfer has visited the Philippines, and they are appreciative of the experience.
"It's kind of been pumping," Stairmand said. "I went for a free surf, got a couple this morning. It just kind of stopped as soon as the comp started. But I felt good that I adapted on my feet and went to turns. I think I surfed a pretty good heat. This wave is so much fun. This is my first time here, so I'm really enjoying the Philippines. This wave is just epic. Hopefully we get some stand-up barrels."
The ocean turned on for Heat 12 of the round, with Tane Dobbyn (AUS), Joshua Stretton (AUS), Yuji Mori (JPN) and Ben Lorentson (AUS) trading tubes. Dobbyn and Stretton found the best of it, earning scores of 9.07 and 8.50, respectively. Their numbers currently sit as two of the four highest scores of the event. Dobbyn's was undoubtedly the biggest wave caught so far in competition, and he navigated it perfectly. Meanwhile, Stretton emerged from a smaller, but extended barrel. Mori picked up a 7.33 of his own, nearly matching his performance on day one, but was unable to find a backup strong enough to advance, with Dobbyn and Stretton taking the two top spots to continue in the event.
"I was kind of tripping when I was catching the wave," Dobbyn said. "I thought I was way too deep. I just took off and, yeah, came out and I was stoked. I just held on, hoped for the best. First time here, so sick, good food, and everyone's so friendly."
The 2024 Siargao International Surfing Cup QS 5000 will run at Cloud 9 in the Philippines from October 26 to November 4, 2024.
Australia/Oceania
Check out all the highlights from the Final Day of competition at Cape Woolamai, Bass Coast Shire, Phillip Island. - Men Pro Jnr RD64,
Tully Wylie and Oceanna Rogers Finish Runners Up -- Ellie Harrison and Kyan Falvey Win Phillip Island Pro Junior -- APAC Challenger Series
Australia / Oceania WSL Longboard Tour Regional Qualifiers Decided as Australia's Max Weston Goes Back-to-Back in Noosa
Check out all the highlights from Day 5 of competition at Cape Woolamai, Bass Coast Shire, Phillip Island. - Men Pro Jnr RD64, Hts
APAC's 2025 Challenger Series Qualifiers Almost Decided at Season Finale -- Event Semifinalists Decided on Day 5 at Cape Woolamai as
News
Tyler Wright showcased her experience and adaptability in the opening round, navigating shifting tides and tough competition to secure a
Lakey Peterson grinds past 2x El Salvador champ and event wildcard to notch a heat-high 7.00 and push the envelope into the Round of 16 on
The reoccurring CT mainstay Bettylou Sakura Johnson toppled a stacked heat with current World No. 1 Caitlin Simmers and wildcard, recently
Leonardo Fioravanti continues with his strong start to the 2025 CT, notching another heat win in the Opening Round of the Surf City El
A 14.87 heat total was more than enough to send the 2022 event victor Griffin Colapinto in the Round of 32 over fellow San Clemente