The Surf Abu Dhabi Pro, Stop No. 2 on the 2025 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), is ON. Starting today through February 16, the world’s best surfers will make history by competing in the first CT event to take place in the Middle East. The competition will kick off at 7:00 a.m. GMT+4, with the men’s Qualifying Round and men’s Elimination Round to follow. The competition’s unique format and advanced wave technology will come to life to test the best and see who will claim victory at the first Surf Abu Dhabi Pro.
Following stellar performances at Pipeline, the world’s best will look to continue their successes in Abu Dhabi. The first heat of the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro will see 2025 CT Rookie Edgard Groggia (BRA) take on Lexus Pipe Pro Quarterfinalist Jake Marshall (USA) and CT veteran Connor O’Leary (JPN). In 2018, 2021, and 2023, O’Leary competed in the Surf Ranch Pro CT events and will look to use the experience in Abu Dhabi
The event wildcards will pose a threat, including Olympic Gold Medalist Kauli Vaast (FRA) and reigning World Junior Champion Bronson Meydi (INA). Both will compete for the first time in Kelly Slater Wave Co technology. In heat 5, Vaast will face 2023 Surf Ranch Pro Winner Griffin Colapinto (USA) and Imaikalani deVault (HAW). This will be 20-year-old Meydi’s first CT event, and he will have to challenge 2024 ranked World No. 2 and 2019 World Champion Italo Ferreira (BRA) and CT Rookie Joel Vaughan (AUS) in Heat 6.
Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) will round out the Qualifying Round in Heat 12 against Joao Chianca (BRA) and Liam O’Brien (AUS). Boukhiam was one of the first surfers to experience Surf Abu Dhabi but has yet to compete in the technology. Both Chianca and O’Brien have previously competed at the Surf Ranch, and Chianca made it to the Quarterfinals in 2023.
