Two inaugural event victors are set to be crowned at the World Surf League (WSL) La Marginal Surfing Pro, a men's and women's Qualifying Series (QS) 3000, after a marathon day of competition in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. Four-to-six foot, cleaner conditions provided the platform for high-performance showdowns. Men's Round of 32 and Round of 16 unfolded alongside women's Round of 16 and Quarterfinal battles unraveling to set up Finals Day draws.
From the Round of 64 to the Round of 16, Jett Schilling (USA) has impressed throughout the event. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Jett Schilling Sears into Head-to-Head Quarterfinal Battles
A tough year on the Challenger Series is now in the rearview for Jett Schilling (USA) as he surged into a Quarterfinal appearance at the La Marginal Surfing Pro. Schilling's explosive forehand garnered a 14.44 (out of a possible 20) heat total in the Round of 16 after advancing from a stout Round of 32 heat. Now, the San Clemente, Calif., competitor Schilling is ready for more as he prepares for a head-to-head dual with former Championship Tour (CT) competitor Carlos Munoz (CRC).
"It feels good to finally get going again make some heats. It's all-time in all-time waves, the conditions are just insane so I'm just grateful to be here with my friends and getting waves," said Schilling. "This place is amazing. I came here before this event to see this wave and everyone is really nice, there's plenty of waves, it's a great event."
Hayden Rodgers (USA) showed an array of power and explosive surfing to move into Finals Day. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Hayden Rodgers Taps into Next-Level Showing
Schilling's fellow San Clemente contender Hayden Rodgers unleashed his aerial antics for an excellent 8.83 (out of a possible 10) and soared into Finals Day. Rodgers continues to find his rhythm in competitive surfing and shows he's up to the task after advancing through the Round of 32 before a powerful Round of 16 win. Now, the 18-year-old prepares for his first major QS Finals Day showing with plenty of momentum.
"I'm just stoked to go left and this wave is perfect for ramps so it felt really good to land a big one," said Rodgers. "I feel like I haven't really done much so far and just made heats but I know this wave suits me pretty well so I was just waiting for that moment. It's amazing to get this far, I've never gone this deep in a QS and just feels like that hard work is reassured now."
Massive Round of 16 wins from former CT competitor, current North America No. 2, Lucca Mesinas and Taj Lindblad pushed them into Quarterfinal showings for an opportunity to contend for 3,000 points.
Leilani McGonagle (CRC) held firm and kept her momentum intact for a big Finals Day showing. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Leilani McGonagle Earns Back-to-Back QS 3000 Finals Day Showings
QS threat and multi-event victor Leilani McGonagle honed in on her competitive prowess to charge through her Round of 16 and Quarterfinal bouts, notching a big Quarterfinal victory. McGonagle's forehand is perfectly suited to El Rastrial's power as she overcame emerging talent Lanea Mons (USA) in their head-to-head Quarterfinal bout. Now, the Costa Rican prepares for her second-consecutive QS 3000 Finals Day with momentum in her favor.
"I'm just really happy to have an event with waves. Our last QS 3000 was really wave-starved so to be able to surf with some power, I feel the girls are really shining," said McGonagle. "The Challengers felt like a rough year for me and had a lot of really close heats. Just for the confidence, it's great to be doing well in a regional event, and I haven't won in a while, so I'd be really stoked to get this one under my belt."
Reid Van Wagoner (USA) surged through a marathon day to her first major QS Semifinal. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Reid Van Wagoner Stuns Major QS Threat for Semifinal Appearance
One of the major upsets of the day unfolded in women's Quarterfinal, Heat 2 featuring reigning North America QS Regional victor Zoe Benedetto and Reid Van Wagoner. Carlsbad, Calif., competitor Van Wagoner dismantled Benedetto in the trickier afternoon conditions to garner a 6.67 in her score line. This marks Van Wagoner's best-career showing as she looks surge into her first-ever QS Final.
"It's definitely a bit challenging and took awhile to paddle out in the beginning," said Van Wagoner. "But my whole thing is just to go out there surf, and have fun. I surfed my first heat and didn't do too well but I went back and watched the heat review, put myself in the right mindset."
Also earning major Quarterfinal victories, Olivia Storrer marched into the Semifinals alongside the Caribbean's own Chelsea Tuach and steamrolled their way into Finals Day for a chance at the inaugural La Marginal Surfing Pro.
Event organizers will reconvene at 7:00 a.m. AST for a possible 7:30 a.m. AST start.
Watch Live The La Marginal Surfing Pro competition window opens on Wednesday, October 30, and runs through Sunday, November 3, 2024. The competition will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app.
Day 3 Recap: Men and Women Contenders Over Storm Swell
The World Surf League (WSL) La Marginal Surfing Pro, a men's and women's Qualifying Series (QS) 3000, contenders took on continued pumping swell in Arecibo with five-to-seven foot, stormy conditions. Men's Round of 64, Heats 9 through 16, and women's Round of 32 witnessed top seeds continue to dominate the lineup with early event threats also making their moment count in scattered upsets.
Zoey Kaina (USA) continues to showcase her flair and all smiles after another heat win. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Zoey Kaina Taps into Excellence Over Top-Seeded Competitors
An unstoppable Zoey Kaina continued to show her flair and posted the day's best single-wave score of an excellent 8.83 (out of a possible 10). Kaina's dangerous forehand attack are catered to by El Rastrials powerful left handers and the emerging talent capitalized on her opportunities to earn a massive win with Zoe Benedetto advancing alongside Kaina.
"It feels good to keep making heats and it definitely brings the confidence," said Kaina. "I was happy to get a couple in the tricky conditions and drop a couple scores. I just want to keep doing better each heat and I'm stoked for the next one."
Kirra Pinkerton (USA) returned from the Challenger Series in powerful form. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Perennial North America Threat Kirra Pinkerton Strikes
Former WSL World Junior Champion, and recent Jack's Surfboards Pro QS 3000 victor, Kirra Pinkerton showed her ability to adapt as the storm intensified in her Round of 32 battle. Pinkerton garnered a 7.33 on her backhand attack to overtake the lead from Puerto Rico's own Havanna Cabrero and maintained the lead to notch her Round of 16 appearance alongside Cabrero.
"I'm glad to have made that heat with all this weather. I was actually supposed to come here a few times and the trips didn't work out so it's my first time here and I've been looking forward to it for a long time," said Pinkerton. "It's always nerve-racking in the first heat but I was glad to get a few waves since it's pretty tricky to figure out. I've been a little sick so I'm just happy to make that heat and be better for tomorrow."
Also earning brilliant Round of 32 wins, current North America No. 1 Eden Walla, QS veteran Leilani McGonagle, emerging threat Bailey Turner,
Lucca Mesinas Delivers Decimating Backhand Attack in Debut
Current North America No. 2, and former CT competitor, Lucca Mesinas stormed through his Round of 64 debut. Mesinas' elite backhand power separated himself from the pack on Day 3 with a 7.83 and 14.60 heat total. The Peruvian QS veteran, Mesinas, already has one QS 3000 victory to his name at the start of the season and now looks for more in Puerto Rico.
"It's been a long time waiting for my heat so I'm stoked to make it through the first heat. The waves are a little hard but stoked to make it," said Mesinas. "Tomorrow should be fun, should be a better and cleaner so hoping for that. I was trying to find the best waves to show my backhand so I was stoked to get a couple good waves in this heat."
Lucas Owston Returns to the QS In Solid Form, Round of 32 Bound
Oceanside, Calif., standout Lucas Owston opened his Puerto Rico debut with a clutch performance after opening with a 7.50. Owston held the advancing position above Cannon Carr, who posted an excellent 8.67, and found a last-minute opportunity to strike and overtake the lead from a pressing Kai Gale Grani. Owston remained in the lead until the final horn with Grani advancing into the Round of 32 and looks for a third-consecutive QS Final appearance in 2024/2025.
"That was a pretty wave. I didn't really expect it to be so walled up especially at the start of the heat and I was just so psyched to get it," said Owston. "It was super hard to find a backup just because it was so slow for about twelve minutes. Looking at the forecast this is the hardest day by far so just making it through that heat gives me some confidence." Also, Jabe Swierkocki, Sam Reidy, Hayden Rodgers, Eeli Timperi, Jake Davis, and Jhony Corzo all earned valuable heat wins to storm toward the Round of 32.
Event organizers will reconvene at 6:30 a.m. EDT to determine a possible 7:00 a.m. EST start.
Watch Live
The La Marginal Surfing Pro competition window opens on Wednesday, October 30, and runs through Sunday, November 3, 2024. The competition will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app.
Day 2 Recap: Pumping Swell Challenges North America Contingent
An intense day of competition unraveled at the World Surf League (WSL) La Marginal Surfing Pro, a men's and women's Qualifying Series (QS) 3000, with pumping swell arriving at El Rastrial. Five-to-seven-foot swell challenged the men's Round of 96 and Round of 64 contenders with moments of world-class surfing and powerful performances on display. Top seeds made their initial debuts with the Round of 96 and Round of 64, Heats 1 through 8, finishing in their entirety.
Kolohe Andino Brings World-Class Form to Puerto Rico
Kolohe Andino returned to competition in world-class fashion, posting a near-perfect 9.00 (out of a possible 10) in his Round of 64 debut. Andino continued to showcase his former Championship Tour (CT) level to earn the event's highest heat total so far of 15.33 (out of a possible 20). Now, the San Clemente, Calif., competitor looks to keep the momentum alive heading into more swell on the horizon.
"It was really exciting to get out there and have a bunch of opportunities so I'm stoked to get a big score," said Andino. "I was excited to look at the forecast and see all the swell that's coming for the big ramps and sections this wave has. It's amazing that Puerto Rico put this event on for us to come here and enjoy their home and surf their waves. And to also have a big event, it's really cool."
Alan Cleland (MEX) established himself as an event threat right away with a 15.00 heat total. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Alan Cleland starts Top Seeds Dominant Trend
Alan Cleland came within grasp of Championship Tour (CT) qualification and retained his spot on the Challenger Series for 2025. But, it didn't stop Cleland from coming to Puerto Rico and showcasing his surfing in a dominant debut. Cleland's backhand power earned an excellent 8.00 and 15.00 heat total in familiar waters after competing here earlier this year.
"I've been here a few times and it's always beautiful for an air ramp and it's just a perfect little left," said Cleland. "It's really cool now that we're here for this event and see it be almost a completely different wave with this swell to where it's a slab. You hope to get that wave in your heat, but sometimes you just get the job done. It's another great event to add to North America and I'm stoked to be here."
Carlos Munoz (CRC) showed he's up to the task after winning a stacked heat. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Carlos Munoz Stuns Proceedings and Jett Schilling Soars
A showstopper Round of 64 heat featuring 2022 World Title contender Kanoa Igarashi, former CT competitor Carlos Munoz, former CT qualification threat Brian Toth, and emerging talent Sage Guinaldo unfolded with Munoz stealing the show after progressing through his Round of 96 debut. Munoz's backhand power and aerial antics sent him surging into the Round of 32 alongside a disruptive Guinaldo who eliminated Igarashi and Toth.
"That was a really tough heat and I'm just happy to make it through. The waves were more challenging in that heat and I saw the guys doing airs before my heat so I just went for it," said Munoz. "I'm really stoked to keep going after surfing two heats today and get the rhythm going. Now I'm just going to prepare for tomorrow and give it everything again."
Jett Schilling returned to the QS in soaring form to notch a debut heat win in the Round of 64. Schilling's trying year on the Challenger Series reignited his spark to get back among the world's elite toward CT qualification. The reigning WSL World Junior Champion, Schilling, showed he's ready for the task at hand in the conditions on offer.
"It feels really good to make that heat after I haven't made one all year. I had a really tough year on the Challenger Series after being just two spots out of qualifying last year," said Schilling. "I didn't think I surfed a great heat just not picking the best waves but being able to do those airs helped so I'm stoked to get through that one. I love it here though, the waves are great and it's really fun place to have a contest."
Big showings from ,Kei Kobayashi, Luke Guinaldo, Dylan Hord, and John Mel also notched important Round of 64 heat wins to power into the Round of 32.
Plus, awaiting their Round of 64 matchups after earning Round of 96 victories, Braden Jones, Parker Cohn, Greyson Grant, Eeli Timperi, Titus Kaimana Santucci, Manuel Selman, William Hedleston, and Jhony Corzo look take on the remaining top seeds.
Event organizers will reconvene at 7:00 a.m. EST for a possible 7:30 a.m. EST start.
Watch Live
The La Marginal Surfing Pro competition window opens on Wednesday, October 30, and runs through Sunday, November 3, 2024. The competition will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app.
Day 1 Recap: Early Contenders Prove their Case on Opening Day
A historic opening day unfolded at the World Surf League (WSL) La Marginal Surfing Pro, a men's and women's Qualifying Series (QS) 3000, with Puerto Rico hosting its first QS competition since 2011. Two-to-four foot swell provided plenty of opportunity for early event contenders to shine with both men and women getting underway. Men's Round of 128 and women's Round of 48 finished in their entirety with intermittent squalls testing competitors.
Nadav Attar's Impressive Debut Goes Excellent
Nadav Attar's (ISR) late-heat antics sent him to the Round of 96 with a debut heat win in excellent form. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Rising talent Nadav Attar put on a clutch performance in the dying minutes to deliver the day's first excellent score of 8.33 (out of a possible 10) in his debut. Attar is no stranger to Puerto Rican waters and showed his ability to perform under pressure, delivering a 13.83 (out of a possible 20) heat total, as he looks for a major result.
"That heat was a blessing. I was losing and needed a big score and I always have faith that I was going to get it," said Attar. "I got a really good left and got three big maneuvers of it and I knew it was the score. I felt the energy of it and I'm really thankful. I was here last year and this place is paradise. It's a lot like home just more Caribbean and it's what we love."
Bryan Perez (SLV) showed he's more than capable of delivering a powerful backhand. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Former CT Wildcard Bryan Perez Pushes the Standard on Opening Day
Earlier this year Bryan Perez showed how dangerous he can be in the jersey, besting 2019 WSL Champion Italo Ferreira (BRA) at his home break as a Championship Tour (CT) wildcard. Now, Perez brings that bravado to the QS and unleashed an impressive 7.83 on his backhand attack. Though known for his explosive forehand on El Salvador's right hand point breaks, Perez returns to the QS after a brief hiatus in great form on the lefts of Puerto Rico.
"I love going left, it feels like something new with going right at home all the time," said Perez. "This wave is so fun and I love being back in Puerto Rico. I always have a great time here with all the good vibes and people. This is my first QS in a long time and I'm stoked to be back in the jersey."
Puerto Rico's Ricardo Delgado started strong in his first QS event since 2015 and earned a momentum building debut heat win. Delgado's backhand accrued a 6.33 to overtake the lead from California's Blaze Roche and held firm until the horn sounded.
Early heat wins for Gabriel Arturo Vargas, Lucas Cassity, Jairo Perez, Braden Jones, Elishama Beackford, Giorgio Gomez, Rey Hernandez, Dane Libby, Jake Dodson, Juliano Uzuelli, Eeli Timperi, Gabriel Griffin, and Yago Ramos sent them into the Round of 96 with plenty of steam.
Chelsea Tuach (BRB) felt right at home in the Caribbean and posted the day's best performance. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Chelsea Tuach sets the Scale in Dominant Form
Former CT competitor, Barbados' first-ever, and perennial Challenger Series threat Chelsea Tuach put on a clinic in her Round of 48 debut to set the tone in women's competition. Tuach's forehand went to work to post a 6.67 before unleashing her backhand power to earn the first excellent score of women's battles - an 8.00 and the day's best heat total of a 14.67 (out of a possible 20). Now, Tuach looks to continue building momentum into the top-seeded Round of 32.
"Today was tricky but even so there were some gems out there so I enjoyed myself," said Tuach. "It's great to be here. I didn't think I was going to be back here so soon so to have a QS here is amazing. Having this event in the Caribbean and near home is great and I'm looking forward to the week."
Bailey Turner (USA) upped the ante in her Round of 48 debut. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Bailey Turner Breaks Through, Makes Her Early Statement
Southern California's Bailey Turner looked well in her comfort zone after turning in a powerful showing including a 7.67. Turner's forehand attack and timing led to a 13.67 heat total that pushed the scale early for women's competition. Now, Turner prepares for the top-seeded, Round of 32 when competition resumes.
"It's so fun to have waves for a contest after a lot of the contests have been really small," said Turner. "This wave is so much fun and I'm so happy to be surfing it for an event. This is my first time here and I had no clue what to expect but it's amazing. There's a lot of good waves and I like that it's hot for the warm water."
Also notching big heat wins in their debuts, Zoey Kaina, Maddie Storrer, Taylor Stacy, Kylie Pulcini, Lilie Kulber, and Alana Lopez make their way into the Round of 32.
Event organizers will reconvene at 7:00 a.m. EST for a possible 7:30 a.m. EST start.
Watch Live
The La Marginal Surfing Pro competition window opens on Wednesday, October 30, and runs through Sunday, November 3, 2024. The competition will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app.