Growing up on Quobba Station, home to one of the best waves on Australia’s west coast, Imogen started surfing in her mid-teens alongside her father and three brothers. With a surfing style learned at The Bluff, a steep, fast and powerful left hander, Imogen quickly showed signs of surfing greatness. Her fearless nature and sheer determination has since led her to surf some of the heaviest barrels that Australia’s coastline has to offer.
At home. 📸 @markdeboerlloyd
The hopes of the great Welsh nation and indeed the British Isles were set alight on Instagram and Twitter as they announced Swanseas Patrick Langdon Dark had qualified for the WSL 2022 Challenger series, the second of three competitive tiers that provides the qualification route to the World Tour.
The offending post
Unfortunately after some digging it appears someone had let the work experience in charge of announcements and Pat who had finished 13th was not hopping on a plane to the Goldy.
The 2022 WSL Challenger Series will feature 96-man and 64-woman fields, drawn from the seven WSL Regional Qualifying Series around the world.
CS surfers will compete for a chance to advance to the elite WSL CT in 2023, with surfers counting their best five of eight results on the Challenger Series in hopes of finishing in the Top 10 men’s and Top 5 women’s spots by the end of the season.
The WSL press release does not have him down. But got to be a good shout for wildcard hey WSL??!!
WSL announced qualifiers via press release last night.
Europe
Maxime Huscenot
Gatien Delahaye
Ramzi Boukhiam
Adur Amatriain
Jorgann Couzinet
Gaspard Larsonneur
Tristan Guilbaud
Timothee Bisso
Justin Becret
Vasco Ribeiro
Teresa Bonvalot
Mafalda Lopes
Francisca Veselko
Nadia Erostarbe
Pauline Ado
Garazi Sanchez-Ortun
Vahine Fierro
The 2022 WSL CS will consist of eight events, beginning at Snapper Rocks on Australia’s Gold Coast, Australia from May 7 – 15 and concluding in Haleiwa, Hawai’i, from November 26 – December 7.
The 2022 WSL Challenger Series Schedule*
Gold Coast, Australia – May 7 – 15
Manly, Australia – May 17 – 24
Ballito, South Africa – July 20 – 27
Huntington Beach, USA – July 30 – August 7
Ericeira, Portugal – October 1 – 9
Landes, France – October 15 – 23
Piha, New Zealand – November 5 – 13
Haleiwa, Hawai’i – November 26 – December 7
Scottish Junior Surf Team from Mal Anderson on Vimeo.
The Scottish Junior Surf team has groms from all over Scotland. They have all qualified for the team through their results at the Scottish national junior surf championships and since then have been training hard to showcase Scotlands best junior surfers at EursoSurf Junior 2022.
The team will travel to Santa Cruz in Portugal 14th July with their coach, assistant coach, manager and videographer. The opening ceremony on the 15th will be an amazing experience with everyone in kilts and waving the Scottish flag. Then the competition starts on the Saturday for the next 8 days where they will proudly represent Scotland. They will be surfing in the Under 18 and Under 16 boys, Under 18 and Under 16 girls, Longboard boys and longboard girls.
The surfers are Craig McLachlan (North Shore Surf Club), Ebon Parkin (Belhaven Surf Club), Olivia Mackay (North Shore Surf Club), Nadia Murray (North Shore Surf Club), Finn Clark (Edinburgh and Borders Surf Club), Israel Noble (Broch Surf Club), Fraser Brown (Moray Firth Surf Riders), Lola Mitchell (Broch Surf Club), Annie Herd (Edinburgh and Borders Surf Club) and Callie Cruickshank (Broch Surf Club).
This will be an amazing opportunity for the Scottish team but they need your help. There is no funding available so all expenses need to be met through fundraising, donations, sponsors and parents. Please support us by buying a reward or donation. Thank you so much!
Check out the Crowdfunder here
MARGARET RIVER, AUSTRALIA – MAY 4: Isabella Nichols of Australia and Jack Robinson of Australia after surfing in the Final at the Margaret River Pro on May 4, 2022 at Margaret River, Australia. (Photo by Matt Dunbar/World Surf League)
Isabella Nichols and Jack Robinson won the Margaret River Pro, the fifth and final stop before the Mid-season Cut on the WSL 2022 Championship Tour in the eight-to-ten foot waves at Main Break.
Nichols’ win not only marked her maiden CT victory, but saved her position to continue through the back half of the 2022 CT following the Mid-season Cut. Robinson had secured his place on above the cut following the previous event, and had his sights on winning the trophy in his hometown. His victory is the first Margaret River CT win by a Western Australian since Dave Macaulay in 1989.
MARGARET RIVER, AUSTRALIA – MAY 4: Isabella Nichols of Australia after winning in the Final at the Margaret River Pro on May 4, 2022 at Margaret River, Australia. (Photo by Matt Dunbar/World Surf League)
Coming into the Final Day of competition at the Margaret River Pro, Isabella Nichols (AUS) sat in 12th position on the rankings and below the Mid-season Cut line. To move above the cut and keep her spot on Tour, the equation was simple: Win the event. In her second year on the CT and having only one CT Finals appearance under her belt, taking a win at the elite level would be no easy feat, but the Sunshine Coaster dug deep to overcome local hero Bronte Macaulay (AUS) in the Semifinals and rookie Gabriela Bryan (HAW) in the Final.
The final saw a back and forth battle between Nichols and Bryan, but in the end it was the smooth frontside of Nichols that saw her claim her maiden CT victory, and save her spot on the elite level. Nichols will now head to the Quiksilver Pro G-Land sitting in the fourth position on the rankings.
“This moment doesn’t even feel real at the moment,” Nichols said. “I’ve dreamt about this my whole life and I feel like this is going to take a while to sink in. There is no better feeling than this in the whole world. I just came to this event, and as corny as it sounds, I just had fun. It was just yesterday I was thinking about falling off Tour,, and now, it’s all about the WSL Final 5, the goals have changed. I just want to thank friends, family, fans, and sponsors, this is just amazing.”
Jack Robinson Wins Big at Home, Finds First Margaret River Event Win by a West Australian Since Dave Macaulay in 1989
MARGARET RIVER, AUSTRALIA – MAY 4: The lineup during the Round of 16 at the Margaret River Pro on May 4, 2022 at Margaret River, Australia. (Photo by Aaron Hughes/World Surf League)
MARGARET RIVER, AUSTRALIA – MAY 4: Isabella Nichols of Australia surfs in Heat 2 of the Semifinals at the Margaret River Pro on May 4, 2022 at Margaret River, Australia. (Photo by Matt Dunbar/World Surf League)
For the first time in over 30 years, a West Australian has claimed victory at the Margaret River Pro as Jack Robinson defeated event favorite John John Florence (HAW). Coming off an equal third-place finish at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, Robinson came into his home event with one thing on his mind, victory. Today, on a massive day of competition, Robertson overcame Barron Mamiya (HAW), Jordy Smith (ZAF), and form-surfer Ethan Ewing (AUS) to matchup with event favorite Florence in the Final. In the last heat of the event, Robinson went big, posting a 16.24 two-wave combination for an impressive combination of rail and aerial surfing to claim his second CT victory in only his second year on Tour. With this hometown win Robinson rockets to third place on the rankings ahead of G-Land, an event he will be fancied to go deep into the draw at.
“Man this is amazing because I’ve had so many rounds so close here so for it to all come together feels too good,” Robinson said. “I feel so connected with this place, especially with all the support from the people here, my family and my wife Julia, Matt Bemrose, Leandro Dora, everyone, you know who you are. I haven’t been home for so long and this was a short trip back so I’m glad to make the most of it and be back here on the land and respect the place. I’ve just been trying to channel the energy and stay level the whole way through. There can be so many ups and downs so I just wanted to stay level this week. It was really special to share a heat with John, we haven’t gone man-on-man before but he always brings the best out of me so it was nice to have that moment with him. It’s a long road so I just want to enjoy this for now and shift my focus to G-Land after I’ve enjoyed this.”
MARGARET RIVER, AUSTRALIA – MAY 4: Jack Robinson of Australia surfs in Heat 2 of the Semifinals at the Margaret River Pro on May 4, 2022 at Margaret River, Australia. (Photo by Matt Dunbar/World Surf League)
Hawaii’s Florence and Bryan Land Runner-up Finishes in the West
It was a big day of competition for the men, who surfed the Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Final in an epic end for the 2022 Margaret River Pro. Florence progressed to the Quarterfinals after Kolohe Andino (USA) withdrew due to illness. The Round of 16 also saw Matthew McGillivray (ZAF) continue his winning streak, taking down Samuel Pupo (BRA) in the second heat of the day. The heat win put McGillivray above the Mid-season Cut line, allowing him to keep his spot on the CT moving into the second half of the year. With McGillivray taking the last place inside the Top 22, Australian CT veteran Owen Wright (AUS) has missed the cut and will now focus his attention on the Challenger Series for the remainder of the year.
Florence dominated in Heat 1 of the men’s semifinals against McGillivray, scoring a 9.47 wave (out of a possible 10) to solidify his position in the Final. While Margaret River local Robinson was able to secure his position in the final with a score of 16.24 (out of a possible 20) against Ethan Ewing (AUS).
The women’s Semifinals started with a bang in Heat 1 Bryan and Courtney Conlogue (USA) who were both right next to the Mid-season Cut line coming into Margaret River. Bryan was quick to set herself up with a strong wave and was followed by a procession of above midrange scoring waves by both surfers. Bryan’s last-minute 8.73 (out of a possible 10) wave was enough to win the heat and progress her into her very first Final, ahead of the two-time World Title runner-up.
MARGARET RIVER, AUSTRALIA – MAY 4: Isabella Nichols of Australia surfs in Heat 2 of the Semifinals at the Margaret River Pro on May 4, 2022 at Margaret River, Australia. (Photo by Matt Dunbar/World Surf League)
CT Competitors Locked Following Mid-season Cut
The new Mid-season Cut has now reduced the CT fields to the Top 22 men and Top 10 women. These top surfers will continue through the back-half of the CT in an effort to make the WSL Final 5 and compete in the Rip Curl WSL Finals. They have also all confirmed their places for the 2023 CT season.
Those who did not make the cut will need to compete on the 2022 Challenger Series in order to qualify for the 2023 CT. The eight-stop Challenger Series kicks off at Snapper Rocks at the Boost Mobile Gold Coast Pro presented by Rip Curl with promising swell on the way for the event window opening May 7, 2022.
Women’s CT: Made the Cut
Carissa Moore (HAW)
Brisa Hennessy (CRI)
Tyler Wright (AUS)
Lakey Peterson (USA)
Johanne Defay (FRA)
Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
Courtney Conlogue (USA)
Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA)
Gabriela Bryan (HAW)
Isabella Nichols (AUS)
Women’s CT: Missed the Cut
Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW)
Luana Silva (HAW)
Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
Molly Picklum (AUS)
India Robinson (AUS)
Bronte Macaulay (AUS)
Malia Manuel (HAW)
Caroline Marks (USA)
Men’s CT: Made the Cut
Filipe Toledo (BRA)
Kanoa Igarashi (JPN)
John John Florence (HAW)
Kelly Slater (USA)
Barron Mamiya (HAW)
Italo Ferreira (BRA)
Caio Ibelli (BRA)
Ethan Ewing (AUS)
Miguel Pupo (BRA)
Seth Moniz (HAW)
Callum Robson (AUS)
Griffin Colapinto (USA)
Jack Robinson (AUS)
Kolohe Andino (USA)
Samuel Pupo (BRA)
Jordy Smith (ZAF)
Nat Young (USA)
Connor O’Leary (AUS)
Jake Marshall (USA)
Jackson Baker (AUS)
Jadson Andre (BRA)
Matthew McGillivray (ZAF)
Men’s CT: Missed the Cut
Morgan Cibilic (AUS)
Imaikalani deVault (HAW)
Conner Coffin (USA)
Joao Chianca (BRA)
Ezekiel Lau (HAW)
Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)
Frederico Morais (PRT)
Ryan Callinan (AUS)
Lucca Mesinas (PER)
Deivid Silva (BRA)
Owen Wright (AUS)
One men’s and one women’s season wildcard, as well as one men’s and one women’s wildcard per event, will join the CT field in the second half of the season. Gabriel Medina (BRA) was announced as the men’s WSL season wildcard, while the women’s WSL season wildcard will be announced by May 9, 2022. Event wildcards will be determined ahead of each upcoming CT event.
Margaret River Pro Women’s Final Results:
1 – Isabella Nichols (AUS) 12.94
2 – Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 10.00
Margaret River Pro Women’s Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 15.73 DEF. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 15.43
HEAT 2: Isabella Nichols (AUS) 15.93 DEF. Bronte Macaulay (AUS) 11.34
Margaret River Pro Men’s Final Results:
1 – Jack Robinson (AUS) 16.24
2 – John John Florence (HAW) 15.60
Margaret River Pro Men’s Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: John John Florence (HAW) 18.90 DEF. Matthew McGillivray (ZAF) 11.94
HEAT 2: Jack Robinson (AUS) 16.27 DEF. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 14.53
Margaret River Pro Men’s Quarterfinal Results:
HEAT 1: John John Florence (HAW) 17.50 DEF. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 17.16
HEAT 2: Matthew McGillivray (ZAF) 15.87 DEF. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 14.67
HEAT 3: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 15.70 DEF. Nat Young (USA) 12.40
HEAT 4: Jack Robinson (AUS) 14.40 DEF. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 11.00
Margaret River Pro Men’s Round of 16 Results:
HEAT 1: John John Florence (HAW) DEF. Kolohe Andino (USA)
HEAT 2: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 9.87 DEF. Callum Robson (AUS) 7.57
HEAT 3: Matthew McGillivray (ZAF) 14.50 DEF. Samuel Pupo (BRA) 10.74
HEAT 4: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 15.83 DEF. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 8.83
HEAT 5: Nat Young (USA) 15.66 DEF. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 15.63
HEAT 6: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 16.43 DEF. Caio Ibelli (BRA) 14.03
HEAT 7: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 13.24 DEF. Jadson Andre (BRA) 12.26
HEAT 8: Jack Robinson (AUS) 16.06 DEF. Barron Mamiya (HAW) 15.93
The WSL Acknowledges the Wadandi people as the Traditional Owners of the Margaret River region and thank them for welcoming us to their Boodja (Country). We pay our respects to the Wadandi community and their Elders past and present. The WSL is committed to ongoing learning about local history, culture, and language of Wadandi Boodjar (Saltwater People’s Country). They have asked all of us to walk together softly on county and respect the ocean and waterways. We wish to also extend this Acknowledgement and respect to other First Nations Peoples who join us in person and online.
Perranzabuloe (Perranporth, Cornwall) Parish have posted on social media asking foil boarders to use areas designated of kite and windsurfers after receiving after surfers contacted them with safety concerns.
“Foil Surfboards – The Parish Council have received several concerns from surfers regarding the use of foil boards in the line-up at Perranporth Beach. To keep everyone safe, it has been recommended that any surfers wishing to use a foil surfboard, do so in the designated area for wind and kite surfers (see picture). Please could the surfing community can spread the word. Laura (Admin Officer)”
If you are interested in learning to foil we contacted some of the Uk’s top surfes/foilers to ask them how they learned, and for top tips. You can read that here
Justine Dupont enjoys Tahitian perfection
