Surf City El Salvador ISA World Longboard Championship

Surf City El Salvador ISA World Longboard Championship

A significant increase in wave height showed a different face of El Sunzal today at the 2023 Surf City El Salvador ISA World Longboard Championship (WLC). Large lines of swell marched down the point to the delight of competitors. Women’s Main Round 2 was completed before the full Women’s Repechage Round 2 and Men’s Main Round 2.

The winningest surfer in ISA Longboarding history, two-time gold medalist Antoine Delpero (FRA), came out of semi-retirement for this year’s WLC to have the opportunity to surf on Team France with his brother, 2019 bronze medalist Edouard, for a third time.

Edouard Delpero, Team France Photo: Pablo Jimenez

Together, the brothers collected the first 9-point rides and subsequently the two highest heat totals of the event so far. Both used long nose-rides across large opening sections, combined with beautiful rail work to claim their huge scores. Edouard surfed just three waves in his heat, each of them earning 9-points or above.

The early success of the two, along with their teammates Alice Le Moigne and Zoe Grospiron, bodes well for the defending Team champions. “It’s a unique experience to surf with Antoine on the team, and Alice, it’s my second team with her and first time for Zoe,” Edouard said. “So, we have a super team, super chill and we have a good time together. It really creates a good motivation for us to put on good surfing.”

The second heat of Men’s Main Round 2 saw a fiery battle for first place between mentor and mentee, with Julian Schweizer (URU) defeating Benoit ‘Piccolo’ Clemente (PER). Both surfers progressed, but the moment was significant for Schweizer.

“I’m super stoked to surf with Piccolo,” Schweizer said. “He is actually my mentor. We always end up in heats together, but I’m stoked to get the win. This is the first time I’ve ever beaten him so this heat actually mattered a lot for me.”

The late afternoon men’s heats saw endless action with large scores for multiple surfers including Cole Robbins (USA), Carlos Bahia (BRA), Rogelio Esquieviel Jr. (PHI), Sebastián Cárdenas (PER), and brothers João and António Dantas (POR).

Maria Fernanda Reyes, Team Peru Photo: Pablo Franco

Maria Fernanda Reyes (PER) earned a silver medal in the Lima 2019 Pan American Games and is hoping to leave El Salvador as one of four women qualified for Santiago 2023. A great performance in Main Round 3 has kept her dreams alive, with a 7.83 single wave score and a 13.83 heat total ranking as the highest of the day for the women’s division.

“I’m super happy to make my heat, representing Peru one more time in this World Championship,” Reyes said. “I know that Longboarding is on its way to be in the Olympic Games so we have to show and demonstrate the highest level we have.”

American Samoa is appearing in its first ISA WLC courtesy of yet another set of siblings, the Jarrard family. Sisters Seva and Lucy won back-to-back heats in Women’s Repechage Round 2 today. The pair traveled to El Salvador along with their brother Ioane to compete, with parents Susanna and Lionel also joining to support.

Collecting one of the highest single wave scores of the day, Seva is loving the dynamic. “My family and I are super excited and so blessed too,” Seva said. “It’s super supportive. Not everyone gets to have this experience but since I get to experience it with my family it makes everything so much better. It kind of feels like I’ve already won just having them here.”

Competition will resume tomorrow at 7:30am CST with Men’s Main Round 4.

Legendary Surfer, Dane Kealoha Has Died

Legendary Surfer, Dane Kealoha Has Died

Sending positive thoughts to all those who knew him, shortly before the sad passing of Dane Kealoha, the 1977 World Champ Shaun Tomson shared these touching words and memories of his friend.

Tomson had this to say:

When I first met Dane back in 1976, he immediately became one of my favourite surfers – absolute raw power and foot to the floor attitude. No close together ballerina feet softness, but a powerful and beautiful classically pure Hawaiian style, charting back to the great Eddie Aikau.

Dane was on the cutting edge of progression – inventing the backside pig dog technique at Pipe and winning the Masters in 1983, and carving up Backdoor and Sunset with creativity and ferocity.

He was a truly gifted tube-rider, attacking the spinning tunnels with machismo, commitment and an attacking rhythm like a Hawaiian warrior going into battle.

At the dawn of pro surfing and the start of the twin fin era at the Stubbies event in Australia, I watched Dane catch a wave at high tide 2 foot Burleigh Heads. There was barely enough clearance between his twin fins and the rocks as he leapt to his feet and started to pump down the line – faster and faster like there was a turbo beneath his feet – I had never seen anyone generate that type of speed on such a small wave – in fact, on any wave.

I had won the World Title a few months before on my single fin and looked down at it – I knew it was instantly obsolete in small waves.

Dane was greatly loved in South Africa – he won the country’s biggest event, the Gunston 500 in 1979, in front of tens of thousands of cheering fans.

While all of us have had some challenges in life after surfing, I’m hoping Dane can power through this one.

When I close my eyes, I’ll always see that huge fire of aloha burning in that powerful Hawaiian physique.

Sending love and prayers to you warrior.

Naughty, Naughty, Heavy Localism Snapper Rocks

Naughty, Naughty, Heavy Localism Snapper Rocks

Snapper Rocks is not the easiest place to score a wave if you’re not a regular behind the rock. The last few weeks of good swell brought every surfers to Coolangatta trying to score the wave of their life. Many did and many got burnt by an accidental drop in. But there were a few locals who were just damn intent on taking any wave they wanted, even by force.

Seems Fishy, 5’5″ x 19 1/4

Seems Fishy, 5’5″ x 19 1/4

“A little Spark”
Episode 1 catches up with Matt, recounting the hazy history of the RNF’s humble inception, while shaping a 5’5” x 19 1/4” for Kolohe, who hurriedly hops down to Australia and promptly proceeds to put it to use, popping off in playful, punchy breach break, with youthful enthusiasm.

We skip over to Indo and catch up with Mason, happily hotdogging an unnamed left and then back home, to Hawaii, where he recklessly romps through anything and everything, all around the island. Jumping across to California, Griffin spends one full fall day, basking in the sunshine and golden glow of his home break, making a case that the RNF could conceivably be ridden as competitive contest equipment.

Finally, don’t skip the credits, as we stay with the Trestles theme and host a fish fest down at everyone’s favourite corner of cobblestone, featuring a classic collection of team riders, old and new.

“There was very little talk of fish in the surfing world. It was the fall of 94’ and there was a little blip of Tom Curren surfing in Long Island in New York on a kneeboard with a fish tail – there was a little spark. No one was making them at the time. Chris Ward was only 14 at the time but a religious Curren follower so he asked me ‘make me a fish’… I made a 5’5”x19 ¼ with the nose and tail the same 14 inches apart. I didn’t have much to go off, but I just fucking went for it. Then he took it to Hawaii with glass-ins and started ripping it.” – Matt Biolos

ISA World Longboard Championship

ISA World Longboard Championship

he long, clean 3-4 foot lines of El Sunzal were a warm greeting for competitors on the first morning of the 2023 Surf City El Salvador ISA World Longboard Championship (WLC). The event began with Men’s Main Round 1, while the first 8 heats of Women’s Main Round 1 rounded out the day.

All former men’s medalists in the draw managed to secure strong wins. Cole Robbins (USA), Benoit ‘Piccolo’ Clemente (PER), Antoine Delpero (FRA), Edouard Delpero (FRA) and Rodrigo Sphaier (BRA) each won their respective heats to progress in the Main Round.

Traditional stylists João Dantas (POR), Sam Christianson (RSA), Rogelio Esquievel Jr. (PHI) and Kai Hamase (JPN) also found heat wins with tight footwork and classic nose rides.

Carlos Bahia, Team Brazil Photo: Jersson Barboza

Carlos Bahia (BRA) used a series of searing dropknee cutbacks, combined with smooth hang-ten’s on the inside, to score a 7.67 on his first wave. Building from there with fast, critical nose rides on his second wave, Bahia collected the highest single wave score of the day (8.67) and the highest heat total of the day (16.34) with just two waves surfed.

Coming to El Salvador three or four times a year for the past nine years has clearly paid off for the veteran Brazilian competitor. “I want to thank all of the locals,” Bahia said. “I really appreciate the hospitality and how they welcome me with open arms. I love the point breaks here, especially El Sunzal. It’s the perfect wave for a single fin longboard.”

Familiar names were also successful in the Women’s division with Hiroka Yoshikawa (JPN) and Zoé Grospiron (FRA) setting the standard, along with 2018 silver medalist Chloe Calmon (BRA). Calmon posted the two highest single wave scores and the highest heat total of the day.

Sindy Portillo, Team El Salvador Photo: Jersson Barboza

The hopes of the El Salvador team were strengthened with Sindy Portillo (ESA) showing mastery of the nose to win her first heat. Arriving to huge support on the beach, the Las Flores local was ecstatic to be representing her country for the first time.

The prospect of the inclusion of longboarding in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games is exciting news to all competitors, especially the host nation whose National Olympic Committee President Armando Bruni was present. “It would be very exciting to represent El Salvador in the Olympics,” Portillo said. “It’s emotional in and out of the water because all Salvadorans are supporting us. And it’s really fun. I’m very happy.”

ISA President Fernando Aguerre said:

“What a great first day of competition. The amazing waves of Surf City El Salvador have delivered once again and the great tradition of longboard surfing is clearly stronger than ever. So many nations are competing in the WLC for the very first time and there is a record number of competitors.

“With the huge success of shortboard surfing in the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020, Los Angeles 2028 would be the ideal place for longboarding to debut.

“With surfing being the official sport of the state of California, I couldn’t think of a better place than Los Angeles for these athletes to display their talent and unique style on sport’s biggest stage.

“I can’t wait to see the exciting action continue tomorrow!”

Insane Chopes

Insane Chopes

Some crazy rides from Tahiti, French Polynesia. The southern Pacific really put on a show for Nate Florence and crew. Days after this session the Teahupo’o valley was hit with devastating floods, the cleanup in the aftermath will be a long one, If you’d like to help the Teahupo’o community, you can donate below. Full respect to all the surfers and support teams out there, let’s hope the local community get all the help they deserve.

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