Opener

Filmed on a single day during the recent Summer swell madness, ‘Opener’ features some of the North Coast elite getting their El Nino reps in. Featuring Reubyn & Joss Ash, Miles Lee-Hargreaves & Barnaby Cox mixing it up with local regulars.

Super Sunday in Hossegor

Sunday the 13th of August 2023 (yesterday), another crazy day of incredible tubes in Hossegor in the month of August ! Not the usual conditions for the middle of summer season, perfect tubes in board shorts, regrets to those who chose to travel to the other side of the world to score. Charly Quivront, Marco Mignot, Gatien Delahaye and Didier Piter were on the spot”.

Epic surfing for the final day at Boardmasters

The Qualifying Series (QS) 1,000 Animal Pro and Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) 1,000 Reef Longboard Pro crowned their 2023 winners in three-to-five foot surf at Fistral beach to wrap the surfing events at Boardmasters.

The final day of competition resumed around lunchtime and ran through the four categories’ Semifinals on the incoming tide with continued solid conditions and a lot of energy in the lineup. By the time the Finals came around, the tide had come right up into the heart of Fistral giving the crowds an excellent point of view from the Boardmasters beach bar to witness all the action.

Hopkins Continues to Write Boardmasters’ History, Claims First-Ever Three-Peat
In a battle of epic proportions with British rising star Alys Barton (GBR), the reigning European Champion Yolanda Hopkins (POR) managed to fend off her opponent to claim the first-ever three-peat at the Animal Pro today. Although the Portuguese started the Final with a dominant combination of two waves, Barton came back in the fight with an excellent 8.83 (out of a possible 10), the highest single score of the entire event, but unfortunately could not find a back-up score and had to settle for second.

Hopkins adds a third consecutive win at Fistral after 2019 and 2022, her career-fifth win on the QS and takes an early lead in the race for the 2023-2024 European title and qualification for the Challenger Series (CS).

“I love coming here to Fistral, it’s always such a good vibe!” Hopkins said. “It’s lovely to do a hat trick! I loved the waves we got and I’m stoked I got some good scores and some good poundings. I’ve got family here that I don’t visit often so I look forward to spending time with loved ones and taking a good rest now.”

Odriozola Claims Career-First QS Win at Boardmasters
In a somewhat slow Final, Kai Odriozola (ESP) and Ido Arkin (ISR) fought in a wave-starved heat and tried to milk every opportunity. Both surfers were unsuccessful on aerial maneuvers on their first few attempts, and eventually it was the basque surfer Odriozola who found the best scoring opportunity in the tricky lineup.

The young San Sebastian surfer appeared in his second Final of a QS and this time managed to convert for a first win on the professional tour at only 17 years old.

“I’m super stoked to take my first win on the QS today,” Odriozola stated. “We’ve had a little bit of everything this week and it was good to compete in challenging conditions. I’m not looking too far ahead, I haven’t set crazy goals for this season so I’m just going to try to keep my momentum and enjoy the next few events. My brother and I almost made the Final together so hopefully we get to do that in another event!”

Lemoigne Continues to Dominate at Fistral, Adds Fifth Boardmasters Win
The former runner-up in the world, Alice Lemoigne (FRA) continued to demonstrate her superiority in the Cornish waters as she absolutely dominated the Reef Longboard Pro women’s Final with an excellent 8.67 amongst her counting scores. Her opponents Zoe Grospiron (FRA), Emily Currie (GBR) and Carlota Jauregui (ESP) were never really in a position to threaten the French for the win and Lemoigne added another impressive line to her resume.

The Reunion Island native became the first surfer to claim five victories at Boardmasters, but only briefly enjoyed the standalone record as she was joined in the last heat of the day by Edouard Delpero who equaled the feat. This result marks Lemoigne’s 10th victory on the professional longboard tours.

“We didn’t really know what to expect with this forecast but it turns out we had really enjoyable conditions so I’m stoked to get the win today,” Lemoigne said. “I love coming back here every year and it feels like Fistral is returning the love to me so I’m very happy. The longboard tour is really cool at the moment and I’m super stoked to be a part of it. I hope I can qualify for the finals at Malibu again this year.”

Delpero Atop Podium at Boardmasters Once More, Grabs Own Fifth Win
The French surfer from Biarritz, Edouard Delpero (FRA) also managed to claim a fifth win on the Cornish coast, defeating compatriot Martin Coret (REU) as well as Jon Garmendia (ESP) and Ignacio Pignataro (URY) in the event’s Final.

In a friendly battle with his own brother for the most wins on tour, Edouard went one better than Antoine, both surfers having won four times before today at Fistral. This marks Edouard’s 12th professional win to date.

“I’m beyond just happy with this win and it means a lot to me,” an emotional Delpero stated. “I have faced many challenges in the last couple of years with injuries, travel issues and some difficult results so I’m stoked to get the win today and it gives me a good confidence boost ahead of the next event at Bells Beach coming up.”

Highest wave score Alys Barton 8.83

Mystic Junior Open

Under 18 men
1. Jay Phipps
2. Elliot Barton
3. Elie Perrin Davies
4 Craig McLachlan

Under 18 women
1 Belle Betteridge
2. Georgie May Hicks
3. Lola Mitchell
4. Haryln Sykes

REEF LONGBOARD PRO MEN’S FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Edouard Delpero (FRA) 15.84
2 – Martin Coret (REU) 13.76
3 – Jon Garmendia Gonzalez (EUK) 12.13
4 – Ignacio Pignataro (URY) 9.60
5 = Ben Skinner, Arthur Randall,

REEF LONGBOARD PRO WOMEN’S FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Alice Lemoigne (FRA) 13.80
2 – Emily Currie (GBR) 10.74
3 – Zoe Grospiron (FRA) 8.70
4 – Carlota Jauregui (ESP) 4.74
5= Beth Leighfield, Thilde Rasmussen

ANIMAL PRO MEN’S FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Kai Odriozola (ESP) 10.83
2 – Ido Arkin (ISR) 8.56
3 = Luke Dillon, Hans Odriozola
5= Patrick Langdon-Dark, Renan Grainville, Markel Vizcarguenaga, Nicolas Paulet

ANIMAL PRO WOMEN’S FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Yolanda Hopkins (POR) 13.40
2 – Alys Barton (GBR) 12.36

Final day set in chunky surf

The QS1,000 Animal Pro resumed today in big, chunky surf at Fistral to decide the event’s Semifinalists for a Sunday finish at Boardmasters Open. Competitors had to contend with double-overhead sets and a lot of moving white water and rose to the challenge as they eyed a spot into the event’s final rounds.
With conditions wild and unruly, surfers’ fitness and seamanship were tested and the most experienced competitors came out victorious in most heats throughout the day.

In the women’s field, British rising talent Alys Barton (GBR) will face Camilla Kemp (DEU) in the next round. The two-time defending winner Yolanda Hopkins (POR) kept her hopes for a three-peat alive advancing into the Semis as well where she’ll square off with Rachel Presti (DEU).

The men’s Animal Pro will have a younger field fighting for the win on Sunday with Hans Odriozola (ESP) taking on Ido Arkin (ISR) in the opening Semifinal. Newquay local Luke Dillon (GBR) put on a fantastic display in the Quarters and will continue to represent his local town up against Kai Odriozola (ESP) in the second Semifinal. One thing is for certain there will be a new victor at Fistral when the event wraps as former winners have all been dispatched in previous rounds.

Sunday will also see the completion of the Reef Longboard Pro in which six more British surfers will try to go all the way on home turf. With big waves on offer on Sunday still, local legend Ben Skinner (GBR) will be the crowd favorite to take it all out at Fistral.

The last winner in a professional event at Fistral (WSL and former ASP) hailing from Great Britain was Russel Winter (GBR) back in 2002.

Busy Day in the Fistral Lineup, Boardmasters Open Races through Longboard and Shortboard Rounds

The day started with the opening rounds of the Reef Longboard Pro and ran all the way through the Quarterfinals before moving into the Animal Pro QS competition once again.

nternational Talent and Rising Star Dominate Women’s Longboarding
Four-time winner at Boardmasters, Alice Lemoigne (FRA) dominated the opening day of competition and proved she will once again be hard to beat in the Cornish waters. The former runner-up in the world easily navigated the slightly wind-affected building rights and lefts of Fistral to post big numbers in her two heats.

The biggest surprise came from Canary Island resident Ginger Caimi (ITA) who, at only 11 years old, beat some of the event’s favorites to claim a spot into the Semifinals. The light goofy foot showed great potential with beautiful nose rides both on the lefts and rights today.

Beth Leighfield (GBR), Izzy Henshall (GBR) and Emily Currie (GBR) will represent the host country in the Semis.

Brits Catch Hot Start in the Men’s Reef Longboard Pro
Local hero Ben Skinner (GBR), Adam Griffiths (GBR) and Arthur Randell (GBR) all posted convincing performances in the Quarters and will be the crowds’ favorites when the event resumes for the finals over the weekend.

The reigning European Title winner Nicolas Andrade (ESP) and previous 4-time event victor Edouard Delpero (FRA) will be fighting to get back on top of the podium as well.

The QS1,000 Animal Pro also continued later today with the men’s Round of 32 and the women’s Round of 16 as the swell continued to build throughout the afternoon on a sunny Friday in Newquay.

The next call will be held Saturday, August 12th, 2023 at 12 p.m BST.

Boardmasters Open surfing events are scheduled from August 9-13, 2023 at Fistral Beach, Cornwall – England and registrations are now open. For all results, photos, video highlights and press releases, log on to worldsurfleague.com.
Boardmasters Open surfing events including the QS 1,000 Animal Mens and Womens Pro, the LQS 1,000 Reef Longboard Pro and the Mystic Junior Open are supported by Rubicon RAW Energy, FULFIL, Animal, Reef, Mystic as well as media partners Carve and SurfGirl.

UPCOMING REEF LONGBOARD PRO MEN’S SEMIFINALS MATCHUPS:
SF1: Arthur Randell (GBR), Nicolas Andrade (ESP), Jon Garmendia Gonzalez (EUK), Ignacio Pignataro (URY)
SF2: Ben Skinner (GBR), Adam Griffiths (GBR), Edouard Delpero (FRA), Martin Coret (REU)

UPCOMING REEF LONGBOARD PRO WOMEN’S SEMIFINALS MATCHUPS:
SF1: Alice Lemoigne (FRA), Zoe Grospiron (FRA), Ginger Caimi (CNY), Beth Leighfield (GBR)
SF2: Carlota Jauregui (ESP), Izzy Henshall (GBR), Emily Currie (GBR), Thilde Rasmussen (DNK)

The first competitors for the Four Season Champions Trophy announced!

The Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy returns with an all-star cast to Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa from 21-28 August 2023, when surfing royalty will battle it out for USD 25,000 and bragging rights at the world’s most luxurious surfing event.

With six of the world best surfers competing on twin fins, single fins and thrusters and competition times staggered dependant on age, the event is not only the world’s most luxurious but it’s most unique. Held at the challenging and consistent reef breaks around Kuda Huraa.

After 11-time world champion Kelly Slater beat his Momentum Generation peers in last year’s event, the first Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy competitor announcement for 2023 is 2015 WSL world champion Adriano de Souza, who will be flying the flag for Brazil in his first ever appearance at the event.

“I’m very excited to be invited,” said Adriano. “It’s always been a dream to take part in this event after seeing the legends who have competed in the past. Most of them are my good friends! I’m thrilled to be representing Brazil and have already started working with my shaper to create some special boards!”

As well as the 2015 title, Adriano claimed seven Championship Tour events in his career, including victories at Pipeline and Bells, and was also crowned World Junior Champion in 2003.

Competing alongside Adriano will be Hawaiian superstar siblings Mason and Coco Ho. Mason, who has long been one of the world’s favourite free surfers – as well as Rip Curl teammate Mick Fanning’s regular travel partner on the Search – has proved his competitive mettle at the highest level on a number of occasions as a wildcard on the Championship Tour, including a famous victory over Adriano at Bells. He is already looking forward to the chance to square off on array of alternative surfboards.

“Competing in the Champions Trophy is an awesome opportunity!” said Mason, famed for riding a wide variety of surfboards. “It’s a really cool event format with an incredible history of past champions. It would be such an honour to get my name on that list!”

A ten-year veteran of the Championship Tour, Coco will relish the opportunity to compete against her brother and the rest of the field in the Surfing Champions Trophy, in waves that play perfectly to her strengths.

The second half of the draw is to be announced closer to the event, with two additional international competitors and one Maldivian wildcard. Not only will the field duke it out for prize money and prestige, but they will be indulging in all that Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa has to offer throughout the event window.

Stay tuned for more updates as the world’s most luxurious surfing event readies to launch its eleventh edition this August.

To catch all the exhilarating action, surf fans can book the Surf & Spa package, available for the entire month of August. The offer includes a session for two with expert Tropicsurf coaches, a two-for-one offer at The Island Spa, 15 percent off non-suite rooms, in-villa welcome refreshments, round-trip airport transfers, and daily buffet breakfast at Café Huraa. To reserve your stay in this surfer’s paradise, book online, email: [email protected] or call the central reservations department of Four Seasons Resorts Maldives at tel: (960) 66 00 888.