Hurley Pro Sunset Beach

Hurley Pro Sunset Beach

• Rookie Ian Gentil Posts Highest Scores of the Day
• Brazilians Samuel Pupo, Yago Dora, and Gabriel Medina Dominate the Opening Round
• Current World No. 1 Jack Robinson Narrowly Escapes Elimination Round
• More Available at WorldSurfLeague.com 

The Hurley Pro Sunset Beach, the second stop on the World Surf League (WSL) 2023 Championship Tour (CT), saw the completion of the men’s Opening Round 1 and Elimination Round 2 in challenging conditions the North Shore’s iconic Sunset Beach. 

Rookie Ian Gentil Posts Highest Scores of the Day

Maui’s Ian Gentil (above) was calm and collected in his Elimination Round matchup after his Opening Round loss earlier in the day. Gentil showcased his signature power surfing, opening the heat with a 6.67 (out of possible 10). He then backed it up with a 5.50, putting himself comfortably in the lead over wildcard Keanu Asing (HAW) and Connor O’Leary (AUS). In the last minute of the heat, Gentil cemented his win by attacking a critical inside section and posting the highest score of the day, a 7.67, and earning the highest heat total of the day, a 14.34 (out of a possible 20).

“After the first heat, I went back to the apartment and actually watched the replay of that heat, and felt like I made that one, so maybe they just wanted to see me surf again [laughs],” said Gentil. “But, I had fun and didn’t really think too much of this morning, it was a close heat, and I just got back out there. I went a little bit smaller of a board just to deal with the chop and bump, so that was a good change. I’m probably going to be the most comfortable I’ll be all year on Tour here in Hawaii, so I’m enjoying it.”

Brazilians Samuel Pupo, Yago Dora (above), and Gabriel Medina Dominate the Opening Round

Brazil’s Yago Dora put on a show-stopping performance during the Opening Round in Heat 10. He utilized his explosive backhand to kick off his heat with a commendable 6.17. He then tracked down a left and demonstrated his aerial antics, throwing a frontside rotation to earn a 6.83. Dora ultimately took the heat win, with Callum Robson (AUS) advancing alongside him and Rio Waida being sent to the Elimination Round.

“This morning when I was surfing, I thought to myself, this is Sunset Beach, I have to ride a longer board and go right and do big turns,” said Dora. “But looking at it, this doesn’t feel like real Sunset Beach. It looks like a beach break out there, and I’m going to approach it like a beach break. But, I’m grateful to be doing the season from the start this year, and I really missed it when I was back home on the couch watching it, so it’s amazing.”

Tour newcomer and 2022 Rookie of the Year Samuel Pupo (BRA) earned his first CT heat win of 2023 in the opening heat of the day. Pupo commanded the lead for the entirety of the heat, leaving competitors Griffin Colapinto (USA) and Gentil fighting for second place. Colapinto’s critical turn under the lip was enough to earn him a 5.50 and take second place over Gentil. Pupo and Colapinto are now hoping to improve on their early Round of 32 losses from last year here at Sunset Beach.

Three-time World Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA, above) started his second event of the season in good form, winning his Opening Round matchup. Medina adapted brilliantly to the conditions, throwing vertical turns, holding his speed, and getting the heat win. Australia’s Ryan Callinan was able to maintain his lead over fellow Australian O’Leary by a narrow margin and advance alongside Medina. 

“That was fun, it’s not the Sunset Beach we know, but I’m happy to get a heat win and I just tried to catch waves,” said Medina. “Billy Kemper is a guy that knows this wave really well, and he told me to just catch waves. I don’t spend a lot of time here at Sunset Beach, so I asked him for some tips, and it worked out. Every time I’m in Hawaii, I pretty much use Tokoro surfboards. He’s a shaper I really like to use while I’m here, and I definitely feel more comfortable on his boards.”

Also notching an important Opening Round win and his milestone 100th CT event appearance was Tour veteran Kolohe Andino (USA). Andino’s top-scoring wave was one he found under priority, landing a throw-tail reverse to earn a 6.00. In the last seconds of the matchup, Jordy Smith (RSA) had one more opportunity to overtake Andino but came up short by just half a point. Andino and Smith advanced to the Round of 32, while current World No. 2 Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) was sent to the Elimination Round. 
After an Opening Round loss, current World No. 1 Jack Robinson (AUS) found himself in unfamiliar territory, surfing for survival in the first Elimination Round. Fellow Australian Baker looked comfortable under pressure and maintained the lead during the slow heat. At the halfway mark, Robinson was still without a score and facing potential elimination. But Robinson finally found his rhythm, earning a 5.67 and taking second place over wildcard Kai Lenny (HAW). 

In a shocking finish to Elimination Round, Heat 3 Ezekiel Lau (above) suffered an interference penalty on Waida in the dying seconds of the heat. The interference caused Lau’s top score to go to zero, dropping him from first place to third. With the new situation, Fioravanti took the heat win with Waida advancing in second and forcing Lau’s elimination.

The day’s action concluded with former Rookie of the Year Nat Young (USA) earning an important heat win over Matthew McGillivray (RSA) and Maxime Huscenot (FRA). Young posted a near-perfect 7.50, destroying the lip with his powerful backhand. McGillivray was happy to survive the Elimination Round and improve on his early loss at Pipeline last week, while rookie Huscenot was eliminated.

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Hurley Pro Sunset Beach Men’s Opening Round Results (Heats 9 – 12):
HEAT 9: Samuel Pupo (BRA) 10.66 DEF. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 9.10, Ian Gentil (HAW) 8.76
HEAT 10: Yago Dora (BRA) 13.00 DEF. Callum Robson (AUS) 5.43, Rio Waida (INA) 2.83
HEAT 11: Kolohe Andino (USA) 11.43 DEF. Jordy Smith (RSA) 10.94, Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 6.33
HEAT 12: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 11.67 DEF. Ryan Callinan (AUS) 9.87, Connor O’Leary (AUS) 9.33

Hurley Pro Sunset Beach Men’s Elimination Round Results:
HEAT 1: Jackson Baker (AUS) 9.77 DEF. Jack Robinson (AUS) 8.50, Kai Lenny (HAW) 8.00
HEAT 2: Ian Gentil (HAW) 14.34 DEF. Keanu Asing (HAW) 8.00, Connor O’Leary (AUS) 5.93
HEAT 3: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 9.87 DEF. Rio Waida (INA) 9.10, Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 5.93
HEAT 4: Nat Young (USA) 11.40 DEF. Matthew McGillivray (RSA) 9.63, Maxime Huscenot (FRA) 4.50

Hurley Pro Sunset Beach Men’s Round of 32 Matchups:
HEAT 1: Jack Robinson (AUS) vs. Carlos Munoz (CRC)
HEAT 2: Samuel Pupo (BRA) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)
HEAT 3: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Ian Gentil (HAW)
HEAT 4: Callum Robson (AUS) vs. Nat Young (USA)
HEAT 5: Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs. Keanu Asing (HAW)
HEAT 6: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Jake Marshall (USA)
HEAT 7: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Rio Waida (INA)
HEAT 8: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Liam O’Brien (AUS)
HEAT 9: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Eli Hanneman (HAW)
HEAT 10: Barron Mamiya (HAW) vs. Seth Moniz (HAW)
HEAT 11: Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. Kolohe Andino (USA)
HEAT 12: Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Ryan Callinan (AUS)
HEAT 13: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Michael Rodrigues (BRA)
HEAT 14: Yago Dora (BRA) vs. Joao Chianca (BRA)
HEAT 15: Jordy Smith (RSA) vs. Matthew McGillivray (RSA)
HEAT 16: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) vs. Jackson Baker (AUS)

Hurley Pro Sunset Beach Women’s Round of 16 Matchups:
HEAT 1: Brisa Hennessy (CRC) vs. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
HEAT 2: Molly Picklum (AUS) vs. Isabella Nichols (AUS)
HEAT 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Zoe McDougall (HAW)
HEAT 4: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Macy Callaghan (AUS)
HEAT 5: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Luana Silva (BRA)
HEAT 6: Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Gabriela Bryan (HAW)
HEAT 7: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) vs. Caitlin Simmers (USA)
HEAT 8: Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) vs. Caroline Marks (USA)

Xcel signs Sage Erickson

Xcel signs Sage Erickson

Xcel Wetsuits is pleased to announce the signing of world class professional surfer Sage Erickson to the brand. Sage will be the face of Xcel’s growing women’s business, and will help guide the direction of the women’s wetsuit line for future seasons.

“I have been a fan of Xcel forever” said Sage Erickson “their commitment to making the highest performing wetsuits is important to me as a professional surfer, and I am excited to help build out the Xcel women’s business.”

Said Courtney Kincaid, Xcel Wetsuits head of sales “We couldn’t be more excited to sign Sage to the Xcel family. She represents all of the things that make up our DNA; performance at the highest level, and a commitment to being a world class wetsuit for women and men.”

About Xcel Wetsuits
Ed D’Ascoli founded Xcel in 1982, working from the bedroom of his Sunset Beach house. D’Ascoli found no shortage of inspiration from the world-class performances on display at his doorstep; and the opportunity to create and to connect high-performance products with the athletes who demanded them was irresistible. Xcel’s passionate focus on product development would become the defining characteristic of the brand. Xcel has been voted Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) “Wetsuit of the Year” by its industry peers four times (2007, 2008, 2010, 2020).

French Exits

French Exits

Has there ever had a winter with this quality of waves, back to back swells in the Gulf of Gascogne much for to the joy of local surfers.

Toasted The Movie – Caity Simmers

Toasted The Movie – Caity Simmers

Edited and staring Caity Simmers herself, Toasted is 23 minutes of slay, swagger and progressive surfing at its finest. Pull in with Caity, alongside, Sierra Kerr, Bella Kenworthy, Molly Picklum, Timo Simmers, Mikey February, Tanner Gudaskas, Tex Mitchell, and Ian Crane.

Hurley Pro Sunset Beach

Hurley Pro Sunset Beach

• World Champions Gilmore and Moore Dominate Opening Rounds
• Women’s Elimination Round Narrows Field to Top 16
• 2022 World Title Contenders Return To Sunset Beach In Excellent Form
• More Available at WorldSurfLeague.com 

Hurley Pro Sunset Beach, the second stop on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), kicked off in sizeable-offshore conditions today at the North Shore’s famed Sunset Beach. The full day of competition saw the completion of the Women’s Opening Round and Elimination Round, as well as the first eight heats of the Men’s Opening Round. 

Experience reigned supreme as the women’s and men’s World Champions, and past event winners put on brilliant performances and won their Opening Round matchups. Current men’s World No. 1 Jack Robinson (AUS) faltered in his Opening Round heat and will have to surf for survival in the upcoming Elimination Round 2. Rankings’ leader Carissa Moore (HAW) sailed through her Opening Round heat, maintaining her winning form from her recent victory at Pipeline less than one week ago. 

World Champions Stephanie Gilmore and Carissa Moore Dominate Women’s Opening Round

Reigning eight-time World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) already has a better result than the first event of the season after winning her Opening Round heat. Gilmore looked poised and confident with her trademark carves on the large, powerful walls of Sunset Beach. Wildcard Zoe McDougall (HAW) also demonstrated her local knowledge, successfully navigating her home break and advancing to the Round of 16 alongside Gilmore. 

“I’m lucky on my forehand, and I can draw some really nice, long lines,” said Gilmore. “I’m on a 6’5” (board), so it’s probably bigger than what most of the girls are riding, and it feels good. To be honest, I was thinking I had such a poor performance here last year, so I feel like I’m just going out to try and redeem myself. You’re only as good as your last performance out here, so I just wanted to improve. Scraping into the Final 5 is probably not the smartest idea, so you have to be on the gas all the way from the start.”

Coming off her recent win at Pipeline, five-time World Champion Carissa Moore continued her momentum, winning her Opening Round heat and moving straight to the Round of 16. Moore also notched the highest score of the women’s Opening Round, a 6.83 (out of possible 10). 

“I’m very fortunate to live here on Oahu, and this is my backyard even though I’m from town,” said Moore. “We had a beautiful rainbow welcoming us all to Sunset this morning. There’s definitely a lot to improve on, so I’m going to work on that in the next heat. Everyone wants to get their warmup in, so I was out there really early to get my waves. It was good to have those two days to rest and spend time with family and friends. We did some WSL activations like Rising Tides, and I got a surf in here yesterday afternoon.”

Defending event winner Brisa Hennessy (CRC) was able to take down two tour veterans, Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) and Courtney Conlogue (USA) in their Opening Round matchup. Hennessy demonstrated control in the strong wind, driving several powerful turns to earn the heat win. 

Also notching important Opening Round heat wins and moving straight to the Round of 16 are Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW), Molly Picklum (AUS), and Macy Callaghan (AUS). 

Women’s Elimination Round Narrows the Field to Top 16

In the first upset of the event, Conlogue was eliminated by Australia’s Isabella Nichols and rookie Caitlin Simmers (USA, above). This is Conlogue’s second Elimination Round loss after also suffering an early exit at Pipeline. She will be feeling the pressure to earn a solid result at the next few events in order to make the Mid-Season Cut.

Former Rookie of the Year Gabriela Bryan (HAW) was sent to the Elimination Round after a close match with Lakey Peterson (USA) and Callaghan in the Opening Round. Bryan remained calm under pressure and was able to regain her rhythm and win her heat. Injury replacement Teresa Bonvalot (PRT) was not able to find waves with scoring potential, finishing the heat with a 0.77 (out of possible 20).

World Champions Slater, Toledo, and Florence Move Straight to Round of 32 

11-time World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) earned his first heat win here at Sunset Beach since the World Cup in 2019. The win comes as needed redemption, as Slater suffered an uncharacteristic Elimination Round loss here last year. 

“I actually would’ve gotten a pretty good score if I didn’t fall on the floater on the one wave, but the angle I had to take threw me off,” said Slater. “If it’s not a big one on the outside, you’re trying to get the turns done quick before the water gets deep and goes flat on the face. It looked like it might close out, so I was trying to fit it in, which is not really how you want to surf anyway. This year was way different [than my birthday last year], I just hung out at the house with my daughter and her husband Kalani, and it was just one of those nights where everyone was busy doing something.”

Current World Champion Filipe Toledo (BRA, above) stayed busy in his Opening Round heat but didn’t find a score of significance until the final minutes. With 10 minutes to go, he tracked down a solid Sunset wall and was able to earn an excellent 8.00 (out of a possible 10). He then backed it up with a 5.00 to take the heat win. Pipeline standout Liam O’Brien (AUS) advanced alongside Toledo as wildcard Kai Lenny (HAW) was sent to the Elimination Round. 

Two-time World Champion John John Florence (HAW, above) ended the day with fireworks as he threw down huge manoeuvres to earn an excellent 8.33 and a near-excellent 7.50 for the win. 

“The waves are actually really fun, it’s a fun size for Sunset, and when I was paddling out, I saw some really clean waves, so I was excited to get a lot of waves,” said Florence. “After the heat ended, I was kind of sad because I didn’t get a lot of waves. Joao (Chianca) and I had a couple of really good battles last year and some really fun heats, so coming out here. I didn’t really know what was going to happen, so I just focused on myself and was stoked to get some good waves.”

Men’s 2022 World Title Contenders Return To Sunset Beach In Excellent Form
Final 5 competitor Ethan Ewing (AUS) demonstrated his signature power surfing, throwing explosive, critical turns, and earning the highest single wave score of the day, a 9.00. Ewing had a solid Semifinal finish here at Sunset Beach last year but went down to fellow Final 5 competitor Kanoa Igarashi (JPN). The two may have to meet again as they both won their Opening Round Heats and will move straight into the Round of 32. 

“I think confidence is a huge part, this wave is really hard, and it’s different every time you go out there,” said Ewing. “But, I feel comfortable. I’ve surfed it a lot, and I just lucked into a really good wave. It had a really smooth face, and I just felt really good on it. It’s a huge confidence boost for sure, and I just really like this wave, just how challenging it is, and just want to keep the ball rolling.”

Igarashi (above), last year’s Hurley Pro Sunset Beach runner-up, earned the first excellent score of the event, an 8.17 in the first heat of the men’s Opening Round. Igarashi was in third place after a slow start, but in the last three minutes, he found a wave with opportunity and hammered two big turns. 

“I just wanted to find waves I would look for in the free surfs,” said Igarashi.” You’re kind of in the middle of the ocean, so it’s hard to strategize, and you have to adapt a lot. It’s weird how a 30-minute heat at Pipeline felt like ten minutes, and 30 minutes out here felt like an hour and a half. I realized I really don’t know Sunset that well (laughs). I didn’t really want that wave, but I needed a score. I realized I should’ve wanted it when I went because it was a really good wave.” 

Seth Moniz (HAW) also earned one of the excellent scores of the day, an 8.33 on his first wave of the event. Moniz found a Sunset Beach gem that opened up for him to disappear behind the curtain and re-emerge to finish with his forehand attack. With his excellent score and a backup of 3.80, he took the heat win over World Champion Italo Ferreira (BRA). Ferreira scraped by with the scores he needed to move onto the Round of 32, sending event wildcard Keanu Asing (HAW) into the Elimination Round. 

Tour newcomer Jake Marshall (USA, above) and event wildcard Eli Hanneman (HAW) were the clear underdogs coming up against current World No. 1 Jack Robinson (AUS) in Heat 5. Robinson found himself in the unfamiliar third position for the majority of the heat. With only five minutes left, he dropped a 7.33 and moved into second place. But, in the final seconds, Hanneman found a 5.17, pushing Robinson back into third. Robinson will now have to surf against Baker and Lenny in the dreaded Elimination Round. 

Defending event winner Barron Mamiya (HAW) is also off to a good start in his quest to uphold his title after an Opening Round win. Mamiya scored a near-excellent 7.17. Fellow Hawaiian Ezekiel Lau was not as lucky, ending the heat with two scores under one point and a ticket to Elimination Round 2. 

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Hurley Pro Sunset Beach Women’s Opening Round Results:
HEAT 1: Molly Picklum (AUS) 8.16 DEF. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 6.67, Teresa Bonvalot (POR) 0.67
HEAT 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 10.10 DEF. Zoe McDougall (HAW) 7.53, Isabella Nichols (AUS) 4.73
HEAT 3: Carissa Moore (HAW) 11.50 DEF. Luana Silva (BRA) 10.94, Caroline Marks (USA) 3.50
HEAT 4: Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 8.50 DEF. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 7.20, Courtney Conlogue (USA) 5.00
HEAT 5: Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 9.27 DEF. Tyler Wright (AUS) 8.16, Caitlin Simmers (USA) 7.84
HEAT 6: Macy Callaghan (AUS) 9.67 DEF. Lakey Peterson (USA) 8.30, Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 8.04

Hurley Pro Sunset Beach Women’s Elimination Round Results:
HEAT 1: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 11.67 DEF. Caroline Marks (USA) 7.64, Teresa Bonvalot (POR) 0.77
HEAT 2: Isabella Nichols (AUS) 9.77 DEF. Caitlin Simmers (USA) 9.16, Courtney Conlogue (USA) 6.00

Hurley Pro Sunset Beach Women’s Round of 16 Matchups:
HEAT 1: Brisa Hennessy (CRC) vs. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
HEAT 2: Molly Picklum (AUS) vs. Isabella Nichols (AUS)
HEAT 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Zoe McDougall (HAW)
HEAT 4: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Macy Callaghan (AUS)
HEAT 5: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Luana Silva (BRA)
HEAT 6: Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Gabriela Bryan (HAW)
HEAT 7: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) vs. Caitlin Simmers (USA)
HEAT 8: Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) vs. Caroline Marks (USA)

Hurley Pro Sunset Beach Men’s Opening Round Results (Heats 1 – 8):
HEAT 1: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 13.64 DEF. Michael Rodrigues (BRA) 11.47, Matthew McGillivray (RSA) 9.67
HEAT 2: Barron Mamiya (HAW) 10.17 DEF. Caio Ibelli (BRA) 9.73, Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 5.40
HEAT 3: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 12.43 DEF. Carlos Munoz (CRC) 8.30, Nat Young (USA) 7.77
HEAT 4: Seth Moniz (HAW) 12.13 DEF. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 10.53, Keanu Asing (HAW) 6.13
HEAT 5: Jake Marshall (USA) 11.83 DEF. Eli Hanneman (HAW) 11.07, Jack Robinson (AUS) 10.93
HEAT 6: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 13.00 DEF. Liam O’Brien (AUS) 9.17, Kai Lenny (HAW) 6.90
HEAT 7: Kelly Slater (USA) 9.70 DEF. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 7.60, Maxime Huscenot (FRA) 7.44
HEAT 8: John John Florence (HAW) 15.83 DEF. Joao Chianca (BRA) 13.64, Jackson Baker (AUS) 9.83

Hurley Pro Sunset Beach Men’s Opening Round Matchups (Heats 9 – 12):
HEAT 9: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Samuel Pupo (BRA) vs. Ian Gentil (HAW)
HEAT 10: Callum Robson (AUS) vs. Yago Dora (BRA) vs. Rio Waida (INA)
HEAT 11: Jordy Smith (RSA) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) vs. Kolohe Andino (USA)
HEAT 12: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Connor O’Leary (AUS) vs. Ryan Callinan (AUS)

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

A La Mal’z

A La Mal’z

The clip is 100% shot at home, which has offered us great waves and sun for weeks on end, it’s the best version of Brittany we’ve had for some time – Gaspard Larsonneur