JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla., USA (Sunday, November 10, 2024) - Today, Kirra Pinkerton (USA) claimed a major win at the World Surf League (WSL) U.S. Air Force Super Surf Pro presented by Jersey Mike's Subs, a North America and Hawaii/Tahiti Nui Qualifying Series (QS) 3000. Three-to-five foot, stormy conditions pushed contenders to bring their best with Pinkerton emerging victorious over Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) following a marathon Finals Day in Jacksonville Beach, Fla. This marks Pinkerton's first-ever Super Girl Surf Pro after a decade of competing in the event series.
Kirra Pinkerton Claims Maiden Super Girl Cape in Phenomenal Form
The Final featured two of Finals Day's standouts with Kirra Pinkerton (USA) and Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) facing off in front of a massive crowd. Pinkerton entered the Final after making history in her Semifinal, posting the first-ever perfect 10-point ride (out of a possible 10) in Super Girl Surf Pro's Jacksonville Beach event and astounding 19.83 (out of a possible 20) heat total.
Pinkerton's form continued into the Final, taking an early 11.17 combination over Demplfe-Olin to start their duel. The San Clemente, California competitor, Pinkerton, kept pushing and upped Demfple-Olin's requirement to a 7.53 before finding a gem to unleash her powerful backhand attack under priority to post an excellent 8.00 for a 14.50 heat total. With her back against the wall, Dempfle-Olin fought back on her forehand attack but was unable to find her 8.97 requirement before time expired and Pinkerton claimed a long-awaited, first Super Girl Surf Pro win.
"This is an event I'd come watch as a little kid and my dad signed me up when I was 11 years old. It was my first QS and I just feel like it's been a long time coming and I'm very thankful," said Pinkerton. "I just honestly feel relief. When you know what it's like to lose so many times that when you win you just want it to keep going. It's been amazing spending time with all the groms."
"To all the girls out there, there's going to be a lot weight on your shoulders sometimes but if you have fun it's the only way you can have success in life. I feel like that's where the success came from this week because I had a lot of fun. Thank you to everyone here and thank you to Jacksonville."
An incredible showing from Pinkerton throughout the event culminated in a stellar Finals Day surge. Pinkerton bested Puerto Rico's Havanna Cabrero (PUR) in the Round of 16 before putting on a showcase in a Quarterfinal battle with Reid Van Wagoner (USA). The perennial QS threat, Pinkerton, then faced 2023 victor and fellow event standout Keala Tomoda-Bannert (HAW) where she posted a near-perfect 19.83 heat total and the first 10-point ride in the Jacksonville Beach edition of the Super Girl Surf Pro.
The win catapults Pinkerton back to No. 1 on the rankings heading into the halfway point of the 2024/2025 as she looks to requalify for the Challenger Series.
Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) looked unstoppable heading into the Final in Jacksonville Beach. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Sanoa Dempfle-Olin Surges to First Major QS Final for Runner-up Finish
After making an appearance the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) continues to show her capabilities in the jersey and stormed through Finals Day. Dempfle-Olin overcame Barbados' QS veteran Chelsea Roett (BRB) before a buzzer-beating victory in the Quarterfinals against Florida's Kylie Pulcini (USA). Then, a clash with former CT competitor Chelsea Tuach (BRB) in the Semifinals awaited as Dempfle-Olin unleashed one of the highest heat totals of the event with a 16.10.
"Being a part of the Super Girl is so special. Getting to surf against all the amazing girls and also all the energy of the little girls is special," said Dempfle-Olin. "I made it a goal this year to make it into a Final of a QS 3000 or 5000 this year so I'm really happy to do that. Making the Final you want to get the cape and the win but it was special to share that heat with Kirra - she was ripping all event. I'm excited for the next events and heading into World Juniors will be great going somewhere new in the Philippines and I'm really looking forward to that."
Now, Dempfle-Olin looks to finish the year strong after multiple Finals appearances already to start the QS season and prepares WSL World Junior Championships.
Chelsea Tuach (BRB) snapped her streak of Quarterfinal appearances at the Super Girl Surf Pro with a brilliant showing. - WSL / Jason Wagoner
Chelsea Tuach and Keala Tomoda-Bannert Earn Notable Semifinals to Start 2024/2025 Mid-season Surge
Barbados' first-ever CT qualifier Chelsea Tuach (BRB) established herself on Finals Day in an opening Round of 16 heat clash over Vaihitimahana Inso (HAW). Tuach continued her form through a decisive Semifinal against another Hawaii/Tahiti Nui standout Eweleiula Wong (HAW) before a back-and-forth battle with eventual runner-up, Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN). Tuach broke her Quarterfinal curse at the Super Girl Surf Pro but fell to an in-form Dempfle-Olin.
Keala Tomoda-Bannert (HAW) nearly went back-to-back and finished with a Semifinal result. - WSL / Jason Wagoner
The 2023 event victor Keala Tomoda-Bannert (HAW) decimated her return to Finals Day with an excellent 8.83, in the Round of 16 against Alana Lopez (USA). Tomoda-Bannert then carried that momentum into more success in the Quarterfinals over rising talent Zoey Kaina (USA) before squaring off with fellow event standout Pinkerton.
The next WSL North America QS event will be the Pacifico Cerritos Surf Open QS 1000 beginning November 20 through 23.
The next Hawaii/Tahiti Nui QS event will be The Hawaiian Islands HIC Haleiwa Pro QS 1000 beginning November 25 through December 7.