11-time World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) will compete as a wildcard at the upcoming Outerknown Tahiti Pro Presented by I-SEA, Stop No. 7 of the 2026 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT). This year’s event will welcome the world’s best back to Teahupo’o, one of the world’s heaviest waves and hold a window from August 8 to 18, 2026.

Over three decades, surfing’s GOAT, Kelly Slater (USA), has dominated events all over the world, with Teahupo’o being one of his most iconic venues. Slater has claimed a record five event wins from seven Finals at the legendary wave and is still regarded as one of the best tube riders on the planet. He has delivered some of the most memorable performances in surfing history here, including two perfect heat totals (20) and an unforgettable 2014 semifinals against John John Florence (HAW), where both surfers posted 19.77 heat totals.

As the sustainable apparel brand he founded 11-years ago celebrates its anniversary by serving as the event’s title sponsor, the occasion will mark another meaningful chapter in Slater’s surfing career.

“I’m stoked to be in as a wildcard at Teahupo’o this year,” said Kelly Slater. “I’ve been recovering from hip surgery late last year and recently got back to surfing daily. I’m really looking forward to getting myself locked in before August comes around and hoping for great conditions in Tahiti to give us all a good challenge. No pressure for me coming into this one, but I also haven’t competed in quite a long time, so it’ll be fun to see how I go getting in the mix with everyone. If I can relax and just focus on what I know out there, I should have a good time.”

Eimeo Czermak and Kelia Gallina Win Tahiti Pro Trials at Teahupo’o For Spot in Main Event

Over the weekend, the Tahiti Trials were held at Teahupo’o, which saw over 36 of Tahiti’s best do battle for a spot in the main event. Teahupo’o turned on flawless conditions with super clean waves in the six-to-eight-foot-plus range for two days of competition, seeing epic performances from veterans and up-and-comers alike.

In the end, it was Kelia Gallina (PYF) who claimed a win in the women’s as well as Eimeo Czermak (PYF) in the men’s. For 13-year-old Gallina, it will be her second time competing as the local wildcard at her home event and with another year of honing her backside tube-riding skills at Teahupo’o, she’ll be one to watch when she takes on the world’s best this August.

"I'm so happy – I knew I could make it again this year,” Gallina said. “But nothing was certain; everyone is so good out there. I'm happy to join the CT again. Last year, at the main event, the waves were a bit too big for me, but I hope this year we'll get good waves again and I'm able to make a few heats."

Long considered one of the best of the young generation of Teahupo’o specialists, Eimeo Czermak (PYF) has been knocking on the door of a Trials win for the last few seasons and has finally broken through for a shot at the elite level. If the waves get into the eight-foot-plus range during this year's CT event, Czermak will be hard to stop when the world’s best come to compete at his home break.

“After the final, it was hard to wrap my head around the fact that I won,” Czermak said. “I've been wanting to join the CT event for a long time, since I was 19. I almost got in multiple times, and it's hard to be so close so many times and not make it, but I'm finally in and still can't believe it. I got hurt in the final and needed a few stitches and might have to check on my ankle, but all good, the event is in a month, and I'll be ready."

Outerknown Becomes Title Partner of Tahiti Event in 2026 

The WSL announced Outerknown as Title Partner and Official Merchandise Partner for the 2026 Outerknown Tahiti Pro Presented by I-SEA. Outerknown will produce the official apparel and event merchandise, which will include tees made from Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC®) cotton.

“Tahiti has been a place of deep inspiration and respect for Kelly, our team, and the surf community for decades,” said Dylan Slater, Outerknown CEO. “The people, the environment, the culture, and its unparalleled surf have built friendships, inspired product, and forged an enduring brand connection. So, it’s an absolute honor for Outerknown to partner with this iconic event. And to have our co-founder and 5x Tahiti Pro Champion, Kelly Slater, return to Teahupo’o as a wildcard and as we go into our 11th year in business, this moment feels even more special. We’re proud to partner with the WSL to bring the world’s best surfers to the world’s most exciting wave.”

Outerknown has previously partnered with the WSL for iconic events, including the Fiji Pro (2017-2019), Tahiti Pro (2022-2024), and Trestles Pro (2025). Outerknown creates premium products that deliver dependable performance in the world's most demanding conditions, including Kelly Slater’s signature Apex Evolution Trunks, made with NetPlus® recycled nylon fabric, crafted from reclaimed fishing nets, hooded shirts and rashguards, swimsuits, and versatile layers. Every piece is built with craftsmanship and lasting quality using materials like ROC and organic cotton, and recycled materials whenever possible.

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com. 

The World Surf League (WSL) announced the addition of Cloud 9, Siargao, Philippines, to the 2026 Championship Tour (CT) from October 31 to November 10. The Philippines Pro Presented by the Philippine Sports Commission has been upgraded from a QS 6,000 International to a CT stop for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

The WSL has added an additional location to the CT schedule for 2026 to ensure a minimum of 12 events can be delivered this season should the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro be unable to run as scheduled. This new event ensures that the WSL can protect the integrity of the new CT format and calendar.

“We’re excited to welcome the Philippines to the Tour thanks to the support of the Philippines Government,” said WSL CEO, Ryan Crosby. “Elevating Cloud 9 to CT status reflects both the quality of the wave and the strength of our partnership. It’s a deserving addition to the schedule that will challenge the world’s best surfers as the World Title race enters its final stages.”

Cloud 9 delivers a perfect right-hand tube offering CT surfers one of the best barrels in the world. Local wildcards will be awarded to the man and woman who win the exclusive Philippines Pro CT Trials event to be staged at Cloud 9 prior to the CT event. 



“Going to a new location is always exciting,” said Leonardo Fioravanti, current Men's CT World No. 1. “I've seen some footage of Cloud 9, and it looks like a really fun slab barrel into a big air. I am really excited being a regular footer and getting barreled on my forehand, which kind of only happens when we go to Pipe surfing Backdoor, so I think it's gonna be super super exciting.”




The Philippines has a strong track record of hosting elite professional surfing competitions. The Siargao International Surfing Cup, first staged in 1996, is the longest-running international surfing event in the Philippines and has featured on the WSL Qualifying Series since 2014. Alongside the CT event, the WSL is excited to announce a World Longboard Tour event in January 2027 at La Union, Philippines, cementing the Philippines as a global destination for all surfers.

Updated calendar for the remainder of the 2026 WSL Championship Tour:

Stop No. 7 - Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia: August 8 - 18
Stop No. 8 - Cloudbreak, Fiji: August 25 - September 4
Stop No. 9 - Lower Trestles, San Clemente, Calif., USA: September 11 - 20
Stop No. 10 - Peniche, Portugal: October 16 - 25
Stop No. 11 - Cloud 9, Siargao Island, Philippines: October 31 - November 10 *
Stop No. 12 - Surf Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE: November 25 - 29 *
Stop No. 13 - Banzai Pipeline, Hawaiʻi, USA: December 8 - 20 **

Events feature a reduced postseason field *

Full CT field rejoins to compete for qualification and Pipe Masters title **

SurfAid and Rip Curl are excited to announce the launch of the sixth annual Make A Wave challenge. Surfers worldwide are encouraged to surf every day in September to raise funds for SurfAid’s vital programs, improving access to healthcare, clean water, and food security in remote surf communities.

Since its inception in 2021, Make A Wave has united surfers from 28 countries, raising over $3.6 million for SurfAid — including a record-breaking $1.1 million raised last year alone. This remarkable effort has allowed SurfAid to positively impact tens of thousands of people in remote surf communities such as in Rote and the Mentawai islands, where access to basic services is limited.

Rip Curl continues to be a driving force behind this initiative, championing the challenge with their commitment to exploring and protecting the remote surf locations cherished by surfers. Notable Rip Curl team athletes joining in this year include Owen Wright, Stephanie Gilmore and Erin Brooks.

Reflecting on his previous experience, Make A Wave Ambassador Owen Wright said: "Participating in the Make A Wave challenge was an incredible experience. Knowing that each wave I caught helped families gain access to the things we take for granted like clean water made every session even more meaningful. I can’t wait to do it again this September.”

Participants in the Make A Wave challenge will receive fundraising tips, coaching, and opportunities to share their daily surf adventures on social media with the hashtag #MakeAWave. By sharing their journeys, surfers will become part of a global community dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the places they love to surf.

Freely Travel Insurance has returned as a Community Partner and are bringing back their beloved Freely Legends Club. Make A Wave participants in Australia and the United States who fundraise $120 in their local currency will have their fundraising matched with another $120 donated to their page thanks to Freely’s partner the Z Zurich Foundation. Freely will also reward these surfers with an exclusive 2026 Make A Wave x Freely rashie.

SurfAid CEO Anna Bowden expressed her excitement about this year’s challenge: "The generosity surfers showed last year by raising over $1 million was extraordinary. It proves that this community doesn't just love the ocean and surfing, they love the people who call these remote coastlines home. That's the spirit we're taking into September, and we can't wait to see what we can achieve this year."

Surfers of all ages and skill levels are invited to join the Make A Wave challenge, whether individually or as part of a team with friends, family, schoolmates, colleagues or surf clubs. This year also sees a return of the Surf School Showdown and Boardriders Bash, with custom leaderboards for these teams to compete with one another. Participants will also have the chance to win prizes from top surf and adventure brands, including Rip Curl, Boost Mobile, YETI, Creatures of Leisure, Perfect Wave Travel, Firewire and URBNSURF.

Sign up now at makeawave.co and challenge yourself to surf every day in September. Together, we can create a wave of impact for families in the heartlands of surfing.