The stage is set for top seeds to emerge at the World Surf League (WSL) BTMI Barbados Surf Pro, a men's and women's Qualifying Series (QS) 5,000, and Live Like Zander Junior Pro Presented by Diamonds International. A blistering day featured the men's QS Round of 96 and women's QS Round of 48 in three-to-four-foot wind swell to provide more moments of brilliance. Now, early contenders will face North America's premier contenders with 2025 Challenger Series and World Junior Championships qualification scenarios ready to unfold.
Sebastian Williams Steals the Show a 9.50 in His Soup Bowl Debut
The first-ever Soup Bowl wave in competition for Sebastian Williams went near-perfect with an outstanding 9.50 (out of a possible 10) and finished with a 15.27 heat total (out of a possible 20). Williams' progression and flair are known around the world with previous showings in the Red Bull Airborne, but put his power on the rail on full display. Now, Williams joins fellow Mexican contender Rey Hernandez into the Round of 64 with big heat wins and looks to make a surge toward Challenger Series qualification.
"I was very happy to start my heat like that. I've been watching the waves a lot and just focusing my energy on finding the rhythm with the waves," Williams said. "I got very lucky to start the heat like that. Strategy, I was wanting to start the heat off strong with two good maneuvers no less and it worked out. It's my first time here and I'm loving it. The people are friendly, the waves are great and it's so good here."
Rachel Aguero Kicks Off Women's QS in Impressive Form
Costa Rica's success carried over from the men's QS featuring Andreas Schneider straight to women's as Rachel Aguero showcased her backhand attack. Aguero's mid-heat surge pushed her to a solid 7.50 to kickstart the women's Round of 48 and catapulted herself to the top-seeded Round of 32.
"I feel super happy to make my first heat and be here in Barbados," Aguero said. "It's such a good place and I love it. I was watching the waves with my coach and he told me to just catch two good waves. So that's what I did and I'm stoked it worked out. I surfed Brandends yesterday and it was so fun and I'm loving my time here."
Titus Santucci Strikes Excellence in Barbados Surf Pro Return
A breakthrough showing from Titus Kaimana Santucci pushed the Californian to one of the day's best single-wave scores of an 8.17. The emerging talent, Santucci, looks to close out the season with a massive result in both the BTMI Barbados Surf Pro and Live Like Zander Junior Pro this week to rattle the rankings.
"I'm feeling good. It's always good to get the first round jitters out after you've traveled so far," Santucci said. "This wave has a lot more power compared to home. We have kind of a similar wave that has a bowl to it at Swamis but I like the power here better. It was firing in that heat. There's those little moments where it feels so good and then can be so different."
Mia Calderon Holds it Down in Caribbean Waters
A strong showing from Puerto Rico's Mia Calderon pushed her to the Round of 32 with a 12.50 heat total. Calderon's powerful forehand laced a 6.50 to take over her debut and represent for the Caribbean near home. Now, top seeds await and Calderon looks ready for the challenge.
"I was going to say the hardest part at the start of the heat was finding waves but I got two good ones," Calderon said. "At the end I think keeping priority and calming down a bit after I got those two good waves. The waves are very similar to my favorite wave at home called Middles."
Plus, Avery McDonald and Ella McCaffray held firm for big Round of 48 heat wins to join the Round of 32 contingent.
Excellent showcases from Rafael Pereira, Laird Lavik and Max Beach also put their names on the watch list among the Round of 64 standouts. Plus, Barbados' Caleb Rapson and Tommaso Layson also won their respective Round of 96 heats alongside an in-form Andreas Schneider, Rey Hernandez, Gabriel Arturo Vargas, Parker Cohn, Kai Gale Grani, William Hedleston, Will Deane, and Reed Platenius.
"[Brad] Gerlach always says that, ‘Make it' and when I made it I just said thank you Zander," Beach said in honor of Venezia. "Without that 8-point ride I wouldn't have made that heat. Zander and I always competed around the world really and he was a great person. Him and his dad were always positive people with smiles on their faces. I miss him dearly but I know he's watching over us."
Event organizers will reconvene at 7:30 a.m. ET to determine a possible 8:00 a.m. ET start.
Day 1: Dominant Displays Set the Standard
The race for 2025 World Surf League (WSL) North America's Challenger Series and World Junior Championships qualifiers kicked off at the famed Soup Bowl. The BTMI Barbados Surf Pro, a men's and women's Qualifying Series (QS) 5,000, and Live Like Zander Junior Pro in Loving Memory of Zander Venezia Presented by Diamonds International early contenders emerged in three-to-four-foot wind swell that tested their abilities and patience. Men's QS Round of 116 and Round of 116 alongside men's Live Like Zander Junior Pro Round of 56 and 48 unraveled with a showcase of progression and power.
Barbados' own Tommayso Layson Laces Excellent Start at Home
One of Barbados' prominent rising talents, Tommaso Layson, laid down the hammer in his QS start and posted an excellent 8.00 (out of a possible 10). Layson's timing and knowledge of Soup Bowl's lineup prevailed to notch a 14.73 (out of a possible 20) heat total to win the heat alongside fellow Barbadian Caleb Rapson. Plus, Layson's performance in the Live Like Zander Junior Pro Round of 48 earned him a bonus heat win on opening day.
Now, the rising Barbadian talent prepares for the Round of 96 and top-seeded Pro Junior Round of 32.
"That 8-point ride actually came under everyone. I think I had priority but it wasn't a set just a medium-sized one," Layson said. "I was so stoked to see that one coming in. I knew that I needed a score and it just lined up perfectly. Soup Bowl is my favorite wave and it's my home break. I just want to say thank you to all my family in Italy and all my friends and family here in Barbados."
Costa Rica's Andreas Schneider Smashes WSL Debut
Andreas Schneider took control on opening day, winning both his Round of 116 and Round of 112 battles. The 23-year-old Costa Rican Schneider made his WSL debut before posting a solid 7.17 in the Round of 112 to surge toward the Round of 96.
"I'm feeling good. Waves are a bit difficult still but I dropped a couple scores and I'm onto the next round so I'm happy," Schneider said. "It got a little bit better in my second heat with some more water. There were more walls and more options to work with. Still a bit grindy out there but there's still some fun ones to find and I'm stoked to get a few."
Remy Armstrong rounded out a solid showing from early QS contenders. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Also earning breakthrough Round of 112 wins, Remy Armstrong, Timothy Simmers, Gabriel Arturo Vargas, Jonny Herrouin, Sage Katz, and Romeo Stone are set for their Round of 96 bouts.
Sage Katz Strikes on Soup Bowl Gem in Live Like Zander Opener
The North America World Junior Championships contenders took on Soup Bowl as the men's Round of 56 and 48 ensued. Only the Top 2 will secure their place and every heat matters.
A brilliant display of backhand power from Sage Katz tipped the scale to the first excellent score of opening day - posting an 8.33. Katz's 14.63 heat total held as the best performance in the Round of 56 and Round of 48 after the Puerto Rican advanced through to the Round of 32. Now, Katz prepares to take on North America's top seeds for a chance at the Quarterfinals.
"I'm super grateful to be here and competing. The waves are super fun and I'm close to home too," Katz said. "I got kind of lucky. It looked a little weird at first but then it bowled up nicely so I'm stoked. I don't really have an advantage here I feel but we have similar waves so it feels like home. Low tide has been a little easier finding the good waves so I'm just figuring it all out."
Afternoon Magic from Baylor White and Eeli Timperi Provide Showcase
The best was saved for last as Eeli Timperi a 15.74 heat total in the Round of 48, Heat 8 to wrap opening day proceedings. Timperi's electric forehand overpowered the afternoon conditions to post an excellent 8.07 on his victory lap in as he made an early statement to his contenders.
"There's a few waves out there but they're kind of hard to find and I had a shocker at the start, but happy to wrap it up at the end," Timperi said. "That 8.07 was a bit of a smaller wave and didn't think it was going to be that good but it had a good bowl on it. I was looking for the better ones and find a longer one a bit deeper."
Baylor White found his form early to advance through the Round of 56 before unleashing an impeccable backhand display at Soup Bowl to post an 8.17 in his Round of 48 heat win. This marks White's second-ever WSL event as he looks to find his footing among North America's elite and take some confidence into the Round of 32.
"That thing was sick and I was stoked to finally get a wave that lined up and gave me three turns. It was really tricky out there so I'm stoked," White said. "The biggest key is wave selection. If you get the right ones you really have a nice wall to work with so I was stoked I was able to find two waves and stoked on that heat."
A solid showing from current North America Pro Junior No. 2 Rex Hennings, Kepa Mendia, Adam Bartlett, and Beckham McCart.
Watch Live
The BTMI Barbados Surf Pro and Live Like Zander Junior Pro hold a competition window beginning March 24 through 30 at Soup Bowl, Bathsheba, Barbados. Once called ON, the event will be broadcast on www.WorldSurfLeague.com, the free WSL App, and WSL Youtube channel.