PISMO BEACH, Calif., USA (Sunday, November 17, 2024)- Today, Malia Ilagan (USA) and Cole Robbins (USA) claimed wins at the 2024 Surfing For Hope Longboard Classic, a men's and women's Longboard Qualifying Series 1000, after dominant showings throughout their respective Finals Day surges. Former WSL Longboard Tour competitors Liv Stokes (CAN) and Jack Van Wagoner (USA) exemplified poise all their own to earn valuable runner-up finishes as they both look to return among the world's best in 2025. A beautiful Pismo Beach backdrop provided clean, two-to-three-foot conditions until afternoon winds challenged competitors to crown the event victors and get a head start on the 2024/2025 season.
Malia Ilagan Wins Maiden WSL Event in Stunning Form
The women's Final comprised of proven WSL Longboard Tour competitors Kaitlin Mikkelsen (USA), Liv Stokes (CAN) and 2004 World Longboard Champion Summer Romero (USA), taking on emerging talent Malia Ilagan (USA). The four got to work right away, with Ilagan's 7.00 (out of a possible 10) taking an early lead over Mikkelsen, with Stokes and Romero looking to make their moves. Mikkelsen then found a solid backup to put herself back into first at the halfway mark, right before Ilagan showed her footwork and time on the nose to regain the lead. But, Ilagan wasn't done there and found a nose ride in a critical section before showcasing more footwork toward an excellent 8.00.
Stokes wasn't to be left out, posting a 7.30 to push Mikkelsen to third, but Ilagan's work was done and the 17-year-old claimed her first WSL victory with a 15.00 (out of a possible 20) heat total.
"I've never mad a Final before and the closest I got was Virginia Beach last year. I'm just full of joy and it's been a fun time," said Ilagan. "The waves were super fun and everyone was ripping. And with Cole winning we ride the same boards so it's a special moment for us. Making the Tour has been a dream of mine just like everyone here and we're all trying to qualify so I'm just happy to go to Virginia with more momentum than I had last year. Thank you to everyone here supporting me, this place is amazing."
Ilagan found her form on Finals Day early, notching an immaculate 16.50 heat total in her Semifinal after advancing behind Reid Van Wagoner (USA) in their Quarterfinal bout. Now, Ilagan sits at No. 1 on the rankings as she looks to qualify for the 2025 WSL Longboard Tour.
Cole Robbins Shows Elite Form for Victory after Dominant Finals Day Showing
Similar to the women's Final, the men featured some of the WSL Longboard Tour's former elite, Cole Robbins (USA) and Jack Van Wagoner (USA), up against Uruguay's perennial threat Julian Schweizer (URY) and event standout Kai McPhillips (USA). Robbins' incredible nose rides and powerful carves set the tone for Finals Day, and he opened with an impressive 7.50 to take control of the Final early. But, Van Wagoner's 6.25 and Schweizer's 5.50 kept them in the affair. However, Robbins put the pressure on, accruing a 6.85, and began to pull away from his opponents before an exchange between all three yielded nothing of consequence. With priority, Robbins locked into an afternoon gem once more, posting an excellent 8.00 and a commanding lead.
With time winding down, no major opportunities provided competitors with excellent scoring potential of their own and Robbins emerged victorious.
"I can't even remember the last time I won an event and there's just so many emotions right now, I'm just so happy and so excited," said Robbins. "It was a blast all day. Everyone was surfing so good and I knew anyone could win that Final. It just came down to picking the right waves and capitalizing and I was lucky to get into some good ones."
"This was special since we ride the same model and I tip my hat to her, she's an incredible surfer. She's definitely going to make a big impact on the Tour when she gets on it. This gives me confidence going into Virginia Beach and hopefully get back on Tour going for World Titles which is what I've been trying to do for years."
Robbins' stunning Finals Day form notched an event-best, 17.25 heat total in the Quarterfinals before claiming another impressive Semifinal victory. After spending nearly a decade among the world's best, Robbins now looks to requalify and continue his hunt for a maiden World Title.
Former WSL Longboard Tour competitor Liv Stokes (USA) surged toward the Final in excellent form. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Liv Stokes and Jack Van Wagoner Earn Runner-up, Inch Closer to Longboard Tour Requalification
Former WSL Longboard Tour competitor Liv Stokes(CAN) held firm with an advancing position in both the Quarterfinals and Semifinals, besting Southern California threats Reid Van Wagoner (USA) and Avalon Gall (USA) in their Semifinal clash behind an in-form, eventual winner, Ilagan. Stokes now prepares for the Steel Pier Classic in Virginia Beach, Virg., where she claimed her maiden WSL win in 2023.
"This is great for my confidence to make another Final. I was on Tour in 2023 and it was such amazing experience and I'm stoked to give myself another chance at getting back there," said Stokes. "It's been so fun competing this weekend and I'm looking forward to the rest of the season. That was my first major at Virginia Beach and that was such a turning point in my career."
2023 event victor Jack Van Wagoner (USA) nearly completed back-to-back victories. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Defending event victor Jack Van Wagoner (USA) pushed his way through Finals Day in defiant form, earning key scores when needed most. A recent WSL Longboard Tour rookie, and reigning North America Longboard Regional victor, Van Wagoner looks to keep his momentum back into Virginia Beach for an opportunity to rejoin the world's best.
"These are definitely good points going into the second event. I'll just have to keep that momentum but I'm stoked, the waves were good all day and Cole was just unstoppable," said Van Wagoner. "I wasn't thinking about my year on the Longboard Tour too much coming in and thinking of what I'm doing in the moment. It was great experience and now I've been surfing against these guys so much that I just want to go in it wanting to win instead of being stunned by them."
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