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Day four Longboard World Champs round up.
England Skindog through to round four, Englands Ben Howey and Irelands Tom Breen through to rep 5.
Englands Emily Currie and Irelands Bea Greenberg through to womens rep 3.
Beautiful, clean four-to-six foot lines of swell set the stage for an incredible day of longboard surfing that saw high-profile match-ups deliver a full day of exciting action at Surf City El Salvador’s El Sunzal. Main Event Round 3 was completed in both men’s and women’s divisions, while women’s Repechage Rounds 2 and 3 and men’s Repechage Rounds 3 and 4 were also held.
Four teams maintain their status on top of the rankings, each with four surfers still in the draw. France, Brazil and the Philippines are tied with Japan, who has the strongest advantage as the only nation with all four surfers continuing in the Main Event.
he heat of the event so far featured 2023 Bronze Medalist Edouard Delpero (FRA), 2019 Gold Medalist Benoit ‘Piccolo’ Clemente (PER) and WSL Longboard Tour standout Declan Wyton (AUS). The surfers capitalized on the incredible morning conditions, showcasing an impressive range of rail and nose work. The heat totals from all three were amongst the highest of the event so far, with each posting scores well into the excellent range, including the highest single wave score of the event so far (9.23) and highest heat total (17.40) from heat winner Delpero. After a long wait on the sand for final scores, Wyton advanced in second, just 0.03 ahead of Clemente, who was relegated to repechage.
Delpero was able to find his event-high score on the second wave of a set, directly behind Wyton, who took the first wave, in a tense final exchange that left Clemente sitting alone in the lineup with over two minutes left on the clock.
“It was supposed to be a hard heat for sure on paper, but in the water I really know Declan and Piccolo well and I know what they are able to do on the waves,” Delpero said. “I got lucky on the last exchange that flipped to me in a really good position. I knew there was a second one, I was just trying to see what Declan would do and let him make his choice and then when he started paddling I knew there was something bigger behind and hopefully not a third one, you know, just to make sure you close the heat like this. Then when I saw the wave I knew there was a potential line so I’m stoked to surf it through and make the score.”
Multiple strong heats filled out the rest of men’s Main Event Round 3, with highlights coming from Japan’s Kai Hamase and Taka Inoue, along with Kaniela Stewart (HAW), 2023 Copper Medalist Rogelio Esquievel Jr (PHI), and 2010 World Champion Rodrigo Sphaier (BRA).
A challenging bump arrived during the women’s Main Event Round 3 heats, making it hard to find high scores. For the most part experience paid off as 2013 Open Junior Gold Medalist Honolua Blomfield (HAW), 2023 Silver Medalist Maria Fernanda Reyes (PER), 2013 Silver Medalist Rachael Tilly (USA) and 2018 Copper Medalist Natsumi Taoka (JPN) each took heat wins. The exception was back-to-back defending champion Alice Le Moigne (FRA), who was sent to repechage after a strong performance from Sive Jarrard (ASA) saw Le Moigne knocked into third place after the buzzer by Reyes and Jarrard.
Blomfield, the three-time WSL Longboard Champion, found the best of the day, expertly navigating the conditions to earn an 8.00, the highest single wave score for the women, as well as the highest heat total, 12.83.
“I feel like I definitely tend to deal with conditions like these at home,” Blomfield said. “I’ve had to just go for it a lot of my life at Pipeline, for instance, or Pupukea, the big sandbars. I try to go out as big as possible, so I’m used to the bump and backwash. But that was a challenge out there I’ve got to say. I love (competing in the ISA). I think it’s a really cool aspect of team surfing, we don’t get that most of the year. I got the call and I was like, ‘Oh my god, yes, I’ll go, of course.’”
Blomfield’s teammate Kelis Kaleopa’a was the first to be eliminated from the exceptionally strong Team Hawaii. The 2023 WSL World Title runner-up, Kaleopa’a was knocked out in the first heat of the day along with Germany’s Mascha Trietsch by veteran Filipino competitor Daisy Valdez and Mexico’s 16-year-old rising star Coral Bonilla. Bonilla styled her way across the first ride of the day, a large set wave that delivered her multiple critical nose-ride sections to earn a 7.33. Valdez also found a solid set wave, earning an even better 7.40 to take the heat win, the pair moving into Repechage Round 4.
Santiago 2023 Pan American Games Bronze Medalist Lia Diaz (CRC) also found a critical heat win to continue in repechage, as did Emily Currie (ENG) and Anne Albers (NED).
Competition will continue Wednesday April 24 at 7 a.m. local time El Salvador live on isasurf.org.
ONZA! – February in Mexico
Late at night, locals whisper through smoke about the Onza. They share stories of brothers, cousins, friends whose friends, cousins, brothers have seen it. The mythical big cat, prowling alone under the moon, leaving just enough of a trace to stoke the lore. This film follows the tracks of another cat in Mexico. Mikey February.
Surfing Mikey February.
Film and edit Kevin Jansen.
Music
“Kulani Kulani”
Written by Eric Gezani Kobane
Performed by Penny Penny
Onshore Luxury & Offshore Adventure with Global Surf, Maldives
Whether you’re eager to stand on a board for the first time or keen to elevate your surfing these guys will take you to paradise for a surf experience that you won’t forget. You can choose between the exclusive charm of a luxury resort or the thrilling adventure of being out on a surf yacht in the tropical waters and navigating untouched surf spots.
The Maldives is a mosaic of over 1,000 islands across 20+ atolls, creating the ultimate surf playground. Famed breaks in the Malé atolls to secret spots further afield, Global Surf’s charters offer a blend of both long surf sessions balanced out with plenty of time to relax and enjoy the surroundings.
The Surf and Your Guides:
This tropical paradise, scattered across the Indian Ocean, opens up a range of surf spots suitable for all levels, gentle rollers for beginners to challenging barrels for advanced surfers. With the surf season stretching from March to October, surfers can enjoy consistent swells and the warm, clear waters that make the Maldives an ideal spot for both surfing and water based activities. Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced surfer, the Maldives promises every surfer a slice of heaven.
Global Surf commits to your surf progress with daily analysis, professional photography, and evening video feedback sessions. All tailored to enhance your skills, ensuring each wave you catch is better than the last.
The Community:
The Global Surf Team pride themselves on community and building friendships that last longer than your trip. Together you will enjoy healthy and freshly prepared food to keep you well fuelled, you’ll share waves, relax with a yoga practice, rejuvenate in an ice bath, and hang out with peaceful serene views. At Global Surf, you become part of a community that loves surfing, values health, and enjoys discovering new places.
Onshore & Offshore Accommodation:
Your trip to the Maldives could be either on the sand or floating on the ocean surrounded by tropical waters. Global Surf’s live-aboard fleet hosts a luxury stay with each cabin designed to be a cosy retreat for relaxation and privacy complimented by spacious communal areas that encourage shared guest experiences. Either way comfort is their priority.
For those who prefer to have their feet firmly on the sand there’s private and luxurious surf resort options where you have access to the Maldives’ most coveted surf spots. Your accommodation is situated at the waters edge with panoramic views of the Indian ocean.
Beyond the waves, these resorts offer a myriad of leisure activities. Whether it’s snorkelling in the clear waters filled with marine life, participating in cultural tours to nearby islands, or simply lounging around for sunset, your time onshore promises as much adventure and relaxation as your time in the water.
2024 Para Surfing Roadshow Launches!
Para Surfing Roadshow will be a travelling around England, delivering 6 roadshow stops, for people with a physical disability or visual impairment to try Para Surfing.
Ever wanted to try surfing?
Now is your chance with the Surfing England Para Surfing Roadshow.
With para surfing potentially being included in the 2028 LA Paralympics, there’s never been a better time to have a go at this exciting sport.
We are so stoked to launch the Para Surfing Roadshow and to have Saltrock onboard as our headline supporter.
“We’re honoured to be supporting such an important roadshow in the Surfing England calendar; helping people with disabilities give adaptive surfing a go and highlighting the pathway for those who want to take it further. Surfing is part of our brand DNA, and to help this side of it grow, we hope will bring smiles to a lot more faces.”
Head of Brand, Marie Clarke
Come along to a free taster day where you will join a session led by current Team England coaches and athletes who recently placed 4th at the World Para Surfing Championships.
No previous experience required and all equipment (including wetsuits) will be provided.
locations and dates:
Sunday 12th May – Bude, North Cornwall
Wednesday 29th May – South Shields, Tyne and Wear
Friday 31st May – Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Thursday 4th July – The Wave, Bristol
Sunday 4th August – Croyde, North Devon
Sunday 15th September – Bournemouth, Dorset
Timings:
We will be at the beach all day, so you are welcome to come along from about 9am. We will run up to 3 sessions throughout the day depending on numbers.
Sessions will run at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Please arrive 1 hour before your session for an introduction and so that you can get kitted up in your wetsuit. Sessions will be 90 minutes long, which will include around 60 minutes in the water.
You can specify on the sign up form which time would work best for you. In advance you will be allocated a session before the day so you can plan accordingly. You can arrive early and stay to watch other sessions if you want to make the most of the whole day, but the volunteers and coaches will only be available to assist you during your allocated session.
Beach facilities:
All locations will have parking, toilets and changing areas available for you. These vary by location. We will send more details, including a specific meeting point nearer the time so that you can plan your day accordingly.
Beaches can be quite difficult to navigate particularly if you have a mobility device such as a wheelchair. We will do our best to make the day as accessible as possible and will provide beach wheelchairs to give access onto the beach and into the water.
If you need assistance with any personal care needs such as getting changed into a wetsuit, please bring someone with you.
Equipment:
You do not need any specific equipment for the day, but please make sure to have swimwear to wear under a wetsuit. If you have your own wetsuit, feel free to bring that to wear.
We will provide boards, buoyancy aids/life jackets (as needed), helmets (as needed), rash vests, beach wheelchairs and surfboards.
There will not be a hoist available to transfer you into the beach wheelchair but there will be coaches and volunteers around to help lift you as needed.
What to bring:
Please make sure to bring swimwear, a towel and warm clothes for when you finish your session. Please also remember to bring water and snacks to keep you fuelled throughout the day. It is likely you will be quite tired after you finish your session.
If it’s a sunny day, remember to bring suncream and a hat. Ideally make sure you have waterproof suncream for your face during the session.
Don’t forget to bring any medication that you require or may need throughout the day.
CLASSIFICATIONS
The ISA currently has 9 different classifications for para surfing. The description of each classification is below. Please specify on the sign up form which classification you think you fit in to. This will give us a better idea of the needs of participants for the day. If you decide to progress to competing in para surfing in the future, you would need to get officially classified by the ISA. If this is something you would be interested in, we can give you more information during the taster day.
Para Surfing Sport Classifications
Para SurfingStand 1 – Any surfer who rides a wave in a standing position with an upper limb amputation or congenital or impairment equivalent or short stature.
Para Surfing Stand 2 – Any surfer who rides a wave in a standing position with a below the knee amputation or congenital or impairment equivalent, or leg length difference.
Para Surfing Stand 3 – Any surfer who rides a wave in a standing position with an above the knee amputation or both lower extremity amputations or congenital or impairment equivalent.
Para Surfing Kneel – Any surfer who rides a wave in a kneeling or sitting without paddle position with an above the knee amputation or both lower limb amputations or congenital or impairment equivalent.
Para Surfing Sit – Any surfer who rides the wave in a sitting position that does NOT require assistance paddling into a wave and getting back on the board safely.
Para Surfing Prone 1 – Any surfer who rides the wave in a prone position that does NOT require assistance paddling into a wave and getting back on the board safely.
Para Surfing Prone 2 – Any surfer who rides the wave in a prone position that DOES require assistance in the water, paddling into a wave, and getting back on the board safely.
Para Surfing Vision Impairment 1 – Any surfer who rides a wave in a standing position with IBSA classification Level B1.
Para Surfing Vision Impairment 2 – Any surfer who rides a wave in a standing position with IBSA classification Level B2 and Level B3.
Nazare Girl power
There’s a pretty talented crew of women chasing Nazares giant peak. Meet three of them; Katie McConnell, Michaela Fregonese and Polly Ralda.
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