Mundakas first powerful swell of Autumn
Incredible start to the season in Mundaka, with the first powerful swell although with very variable wind and moments of storm, but where Mundaka once again demonstrated all its power.
Classic Malibu Longboard Championships.
• Soleil Errico Wins Second World Title, While Harrison Roach Claims Maiden World Title
• Kaniela Stewart’s World Title Hopes Fall Short by Narrow Margin
• Sophia Culhane Causes Big Upset In Dramatic Conclusion to 2022 WSL Longboard Tour Season
• 2023 WSL Longboard Tour Schedule Announced
• More Available at WorldSurfLeague.com
Soleil Errico (USA) and Harrison Roach (AUS) won the 2022 Longboard World Titles at the Cuervo Classic Malibu Longboard Championship Presented by O’Neill, the third and final stop on the 2022 World Surf League (WSL) Longboard Tour, in world-class, three-to-four foot conditions at First Point in Malibu, Calif. Errico claimed her second World Title at her home break, while Roach claimed his maiden World Title.
Malibu’s Soleil Errico Claims Second World Title at Home
Today, Errico got to celebrate her second World Title alongside family and friends at the wave that helped shape her as a surfer. She got off to a quick start in her Finals matchup against an in-form Sophia Culhane (HAW), dropping a 6.83 (out of possible 10) in the opening minutes. A solid set offered a huge opportunity for both competitors with Culhane earning a 5.67 and Errico an excellent 8.67. A brilliant exchange between the two world-class competitors then saw Errico’s footwork and transitions lead to an 8.10 as Culhane’s 7.33 kept her out of a combination situation, but Errico’s finishing 8.37 secured her win and the World Title.
“I’ve been visualizing this for the last three months,” said Errico. “Winning on my home turf couldn’t be any better and I’m just so happy that all the dedication and sacrifice I’ve put into this paid off. I’m so thankful for the friends and family I have, my dad, my mom, CJ Nelson. I’m just so thankful for everyone who has supported me through the last couple days, and I’m just so happy.”
Errico’s immaculate Finals Day run began with arguably the heat of the 2022 Longboard Tour season, with Errico taking on reigning event winner Alice Lemoigne (FRA). Both surfers turned in excellent 16-point-plus heat totals (out of possible 20), and traded off as the heat leader multiple times. Needing a 7.70 (out of a possible 10) in the final minutes, Errico was able to take the win with a 7.80, landing herself a spot in the Semifinals.
Errico’s momentum was unstoppable, carrying it into a critical Semifinal heat against event dark-horse Mason Schremmer (USA), where she accrued yet another excellent heat total of 17.57 before the decisive Final against Culhane.
Australia’s Harrison Roach Claims Maiden World Title
Australia’s Harrison Roach came into the 2022 World Title race with the goal to surpass last season’s runner-up finish. He showed every sign of accomplishing this over the two event days at Malibu, culminating in the Final against World No. 2 Kaniela Stewart (HAW).
The men’s Final unraveled with Stewart accruing a 6.33 to get an early start against Roach. The Australian fired back with an excellent 8.83 to briefly take the lead before Stewart found a quick backup, notching a brilliant 7.67 and pushing his lead. Just shy of the 20-minute mark, a crucial exchange witnessed Roach find a gem opportunity to once again regain the lead posting a 6.77 as Stewart’s 7.57 fell short of the new, near-excellent 7.94 requirement.
“I’m very happy, I got close last year and I realised at that point how much it takes to get here again,” said Roach. “I just put my head down, (and) made it count. I would’ve loved to have not fallen on that second good one, I left the door open for Kani (Stewart) there and he got close. When the beach commentator announced it I thought he had the score. It’s a relief for me. Longboarding didn’t have a platform like this and it was a different style of surfing, so I’m really fortunate to be here.”
Roach’s road to the World Title began with overcoming multiple event threats including three-time WSL Longboard Champion Taylor Jensen (USA) in dominant fashion, accruing the event’s highest single-scoring wave, a 9.17, and highest heat total of an 18.17 (out of possible 20), in their Semifinal bout. Roach also had to overcome an in-form Cole Robbins (USA) with a buzzer-beater in the Quarterfinals after a Round of 16, back-and-forth battle with former WSL Longboard Champion Steven Sawyer (RSA).
The Australian made his big return to competing in 2019 as the WSL Longboard Tour made its transition and had one goal in his mind, claim a World Title. Seen as one of the sport’s top-tier competitors from a young age, Roach’s persistence and undeniable talent helped pave the way to where he is today and made his dream a realisation.
Kaniela Stewart’s Maiden World Title Hopes Fall Short By Narrow Margin
The 2022 World No. 2 Stewart started his Finals Day campaign with an impeccable performance, taking out fellow Hawaii surfer Keoki Saguibo. The 21-year-old kept his world-class form intact heading into a high-stakes Quarterfinal against Longboard Tour veteran, Tony Silvagni (USA). Silvagni pushed Stewart to the limits and left him needing an excellent score, which he achieved with under five-minutes to go. The ocean provided for Stewart once again in a Semifinal clash with event standout Declan Wyton (AUS), and with one-minute remaining he earned an 8.07 to make his appearance in the Finals.
“It was so much fun to be out there, Harrison (Roach) was killing it,” said Stewart. “There was waves, and it was so fun to be surfing with one other guy out at Malibu. It’s perfect out there and we had a good time. I’m ready for next year, just come back stronger, get back to training and watch some videos, and just try to get better.”
Sophia Culhane Leads Day of Upsets For a Dramatic Conclusion to 2022 WSL Longboard Tour Season
A history-making run for World Title longshot Culhane came to fruition after she had two incredible performances, beginning with a Quarterfinal dual against three-time WSL Champion Honolua Blomfield (HAW). Culhane left Blomfield in need of an excellent 8.10 as time expired, eliminating the former rankings leader. She then went on to overtake another World Title threat, Kelis Kaleopa’a (HAW), in the Semifinals with an awe-inspiring display of style and flow.
The Top 8 men and Top 8 women on the rankings following the Cuervo Classic Malibu Longboard Championship will now prepare for the 2023 WSL Longboard Tour season, which was announced following the event’s conclusion.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
Cuervo Classic Malibu Longboard Championship Women’s Finals Results:
1 – Soleil Errico (USA) 17.04
2 – Sophia Culhane (HAW) 13.00
Cuervo Classic Malibu Longboard Championship Men’s Finals Results:
1 – Harrison Roach (AUS) 15.93
2 – Kaniela Stewart (HAW) 15.57
Cuervo Classic Malibu Longboard Championship Women’s Semifinals Results:
HEAT 1: Soleil Errico (USA) 17.57 DEF. Mason Schremmer (USA) 12.43
HEAT 2: Sophia Culhane (HAW) 14.00 DEF. Kelis Kaleopaa (HAW) 13.46
Cuervo Classic Malibu Longboard Championship Semifinal Results:
Heat 1: Harrison Roach (AUS) 18.57 DEF. Taylor Jensen (USA) 16.50
Heat 2: Kaniela Stewart (HAW) 13.90 DEF. Declan Wyton (AUS) 13.27
Cuervo Classic Malibu Longboard Championship Women’s Quarterfinals Results:
Heat 1: Soleil Errico (USA) 16.53 DEF. Alice Lemoigne (FRA) 16.43
Heat 2: Mason Schremmer (USA) 16.00 DEF. Chloe Calmon (BRA) 12.60
Heat 3: Sophia Culhane (HAW) 15.27 DEF. Honolua Blomfield (HAW) 13.23
Heat 4: Kelis Kaleopaa (HAW) 14.07 DEF. Rachael Tilly (USA) 12.57
Cuervo Classic Malibu Longboard Championship Round Quarterfinal Results:
Heat 1: Taylor Jensen (USA) 15.06 DEF. Kai Sallas (HAW) 8.87
Heat 2: Harrison Roach (AUS) 15.10 DEF. Cole Robbins (USA) 14.17
Heat 3: Kaniela Stewart (HAW) 17.74 DEF. Tony Silvagni (USA) 15.90
Heat 4: Declan Wyton (AUS) 16.36 DEF. Ben Skinner (GBR) 15.60
Cuervo Classic Malibu Longboard Championship Round of 16 Results:
Heat 1: Taylor Jensen (USA) 14.23 DEF. Edouard Delpero (FRA) 13.50
Heat 2: Kai Sallas (HAW) 14.03 DEF. Kaimana Takayama (USA) 13.97
Heat 3: Harrison Roach (AUS) 15.23 DEF. Steven Sawyer (ZAF) 14.54
Heat 4: Cole Robbins (USA) 13.10 DEF. Justin Quintal (USA) 10.36
Heat 5: Kaniela Stewart (HAW) 13.34 DEF. Keoki Saguibo (HAW) 12.00
Heat 6: Tony Silvagni (USA) 13.00 DEF. Taka Inoue (JPN) 11.97
Heat 7: Ben Skinner (GBR) 14.90 DEF. Tosh Tudor (USA) 10.43
Heat 8: Declan Wyton (AUS) 12.10 DEF. Kevin Skvarna (USA) 11.23
For highlights from the 2022 Cuervo Classic Malibu Longboard
Championship, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
Wild dreams – The Sumbawa part
Wild Dreams is the story of an adventure between dreamy landscapes, endless waves and extreme heat… After few good trips in Indonesia when he was young, Kyllian Guerin returns for a month chasing every swell coming. Surrounded by some of his best friends, his main goal is to find the biggest and the most perfect barrel among these thousand islands…
Hossegor Hose Down
After a shy month of September, October is off to a promising start down at Hossegor! Monday was as expected with some solid tubes on offer. The lucky few made the most of it, featuring Jeremy Flores, Marc Lacomare, Benjamin Sanchis, Tikanui Smith, Jonathan Gonzales, Alex Broustau, Paul Bayle, Remi Arauzo, Thomas Tribout and Zeke.
Musique : FM Attack & Vandal Moon – Séance –
WSL Cuervo Classic kicks off at the ‘Bu. Showdown in rising swell set for Wednesday.
MALIBU, Calif., USA (Tuesday, October 4, 2022) – Finals Day is set at the Cuervo Classic Malibu Longboard Championship Presented by O’Neill, the third and final stop on the 2022 World Surf League (WSL) Longboard Tour after a full day of competition.
The current rankings’ leaders were able to hold off their opponents, but several big upsets ensued and sent big names into the dreaded Elimination Round. With the swell and pressure building into Wednesday the stage is set for a finals day showdown. The Final Day of the Cuervo Classic Malibu Longboard Championship will start today at 7:35 a.m. PDT.
Rankings’ Leaders Shine in Seeding Round Debuts
Current World No. 1 Kaniela Stewart (HAW) demonstrated that he is up for the task of holding off his opponents as he earned an excellent 8.00 (out of a possible 10) debut score in his chase for a maiden World Title. Stewart’s effortless approach of beautiful noserides, footwork, and railwork garnered him the day’s best 8.67 and 16.87 (out of a possible 20) heat total against former WSL Longboard Champion Steven Sawyer (RSA) and fellow World Title contender Kaimana Takayama (USA).
“It feels super good to be back here at Malibu,” said Stewart. “The waves are fun, a little slow, but as they pick up it’ll get super fun. I’ve been training a bunch at DNA Performance with Bryce and working on a bunch of cardio, strength endurance, and fatigue. Just making sure that I’m on for this contest. With the right waves, I feel like I have a chance at winning it.”
Fellow World No. 1, and reigning WSL Longboard World Champion, Honolua Blomfield (HAW) put on a world-class showcase of her own to debut. Blomfield’s undeniable style on the nose and seamless transitions garnered her a 14.10 two-wave total in the Seeding Round before another 16.47 heat total in the Round of 16. The 23-year-old inches closer to pushing her own piece of history further, as she chases her fourth World Title.
“The whole heat I felt like I was just catching waves and having a blast,” said Blomfield. “I borrowed my friend’s board and liked it so much she sold it to me (laughs). I love the board I’m on, and the waves are so fun, and I’m very excited for tomorrow.”
Blomfield’s fellow World Title contender Kelis Kaleopa’a (HAW) also shined in both of her opening day heats as she styled her way directly into Round 3. Kaleopa’a is in her second consecutive World Title race and is looking for redemption and to take home her first World Title.
Current World No. 2’s Harrison Roach (AUS) and Taylor Jensen (USA) both earned their respective spots into Finals Day after masterful Seeding Round performances. A last-minute opportunity for Roach gave him the edge for the win in a nail-biting affair featuring 2019 WSL Longboard Champion Justin Quintal (USA) and Hawaii’s Keoki Saguibo.
“I knew that when waves like that come through they’re really worthwhile and to make the most out of them,” said Roach. “I was riding one of my models last year, and I felt like I was surfing my best but couldn’t get out of the high seven-point-ride range. They were looking for more hang-tens, and so I changed my equipment to give them that.”
World Title contenders, former WSL Longboard Champions, Rachael Tilly(USA) and Soleil Errico (USA) both advanced in brilliant form. Malibu’s own, Errico, kicked off her morning with a big heat win before matching up with Maria Fernanda Reyes (PER) in their duel as the Californian posted a jaw-dropping 16.90 heat total (out of a possible 20), including a day’s best 8.67 (out of a possible 10).
“After twenty minutes of not getting a wave I was just thinking, ‘This is not happening right now,” said Errico. “I just needed an opportunity and then, thank God, a couple of sets came in. In my heart I knew they were going to come, every other heat had sets prior. It was super stressful, but I made it out. I do feel pressure, but it’s also very exciting because everyone I love is here.”
Prominent World Title contender Ben Skinner (GBR) also debuted with an excellent 8.00, with WSL Longboard Tour newcomer Tosh Tudor (USA) advancing over veteran Tony Silvagni (USA). Tudor showed full control while perched on the nose through critical sections of the wave and now looks to find his way to the Final here at Malibu.
Kai Sallas (HAW) also kept on pace to continue his search for a maiden World Title with a clutch debut win. A heart-racing moment for World Title contender Chloe Calmon (BRA) nearly witnessed the multiple Title runner-up face elimination, but a critical 7.10 turned the tide for her in the dying minutes against an in-form Sally Cohen (HAW).
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