The sandbank at VVF in Capbreton turned on, producing perfect waves and a dream session. Offshore winds, sunshine, and a solid crew of surfers set the scene. Among them were Jeremy Flores, Crosby Colapinto, Kauli Vaast, Joan Duru, and Leo Fioravanti. With solid pits on tap and an amazing vibe, it was a classic, epic day of surf in Southwest France.
Frontrunners Further Defined on Day 4 of the 2025 ISA World Para Surfing Championship
Former Champions Alana Nichols (USA) and Guillaume Colin (FRA) Assert Their Presence in Sit Division
15-Year-Old Newcomer Davi Lima (BRA) Brings a Strong Challenge in Event Debut
Event Veteran Hannah Dines (ENG) Delivers a Statement With First-Ever Heat Win
Beautiful, clean conditions set the stage for day 4 of the 2025 ISA World Para Surfing Championship (WPSC). Groomed, two-to-three-foot swell lined the north side of Oceanside pier for the opening rounds of the final two divisions to run, along with Main Round 2 in seven further divisions.
Three-time World Champion Alana Nichols (USA) opened with a solid performance in women’s Sit, setting herself back atop the classification that she has maintained a strong presence in throughout the event’s history. Last year, Nichols was defeated by her good friend, Cass Eckroth (USA), in the Final. This year, the 42-year-old multiple-time Paralympic medalist is ready to reclaim the crown.
“I have had the wonderful opportunity of winning a few of these titles,” Nichols said. “I did, however, lose the title last year to one of my good friends and like a mentee of mine. And, you know, it just is such a great reminder. Like, you’re never done. You’re only as good as your last wave. So I’m just out there trying to better myself as a surfer. And whatever happens in the end is how it shakes out.”
In 2024, Guillaume Colin (FRA) broke through for his first gold medal after two previous appearances in the men’s Sit Final, including a silver medal in 2022. This year, the 41-year-old set himself straight at the top of the pack, posting a 7.50 and 6.00 for a 13.50 heat total. Two-time World Champion Jeff Munson (USA) ranked second as he looks to claim his first gold medal since 2020.
Alelí Medina (PUR) improved her scores with a near-perfect 9.50 in women’s Visual Impairment (VI) 2. The 16-year-old three-time World Champion unleashed two powerful wraps on a pier bowl right to earn the massive number before adding a 7.50 to further improve her scoreline. Medina’s excellent 17.00 heat total increased her lead over fellow three-time gold medalist Melissa Reid (ENG), who also upped her numbers on the scoreboard with a 6.00 added to her existing 7.17.
Men’s VI 2 held a similarly close battle between two former champions, as two-time World Champion Roy Calderon (CRC) and defending champion, Pierrot Gagliano (FRA) added to their scoreline. Calderon attacked the lip on his forehand to collect an 8.83, before adding a 7.93 for an excellent 16.76 heat total, replacing both of his scoring waves from Round 1. Gagliano also improved with an 8.23, but it was the Costa Rican who entered the Final atop the leaderboard, looking to win the gold medal once again after finishing runner-up for the past two years running.
“I saw it was a good peak, and my coach, Alejandro, was saying, ‘Roy, go, go, go,'” Calderon said. “So I caught it and tried the maneuvers in the critical section. I had so much speed and was feeling so good. And yeah, it came through as a good score. I love representing Costa Rica in the World Surf Championships and I love competing in California.”
In the Prone divisions, the leaderboard remained largely unchanged, though many athletes improved their scorelines. One major mover was 2022 Men’s Prone 1 World Champion Casey Proud (HAW), who jumped from 11th into 5th. He now sits just behind three fellow former World Champions, Kai Colless (AUS), Joel Taylor (AUS), and Bruno Hansen(DEN), as well as Cleuson Soares (BRA).
Event Veteran Hannah Dines (ENG) Delivers a Statement With First-Ever Heat Win
After five years of competing in the event, Hannah Dines (ENG) finally broke through for her first heat win in women’s Prone 2. Dines powered down the line on an exceptionally long left, keeping tight in the pocket the whole way, to earn an 8.00. Sharing the heat with 2023 World Champion Sarah Almagro (ESP), who posted an 8.17 of her own, the 2021 copper medalist backed up her score with a 6.00 to deliver her 14.00 heat total in a statement performance. With defending champion Jocelyn Neumueller (AUS) not present, the race for gold is wide open.
“That wave just felt so powerful and gnarly,” Dines said. “This is my first ever heat win. I’ve done this five years in a row. Sarah Almagro comes to fight, right? And her mum said, ‘Jocelyn [Neumueller]’s, the GOAT, there’s nobody here for Sarah to fight.’ So I was like, come on, and I gave her that 8. So it feels victorious. Like, I don’t mind what happens next, it’s completely fulfilling. And I feel powerful, strong, like a ballerina, but also really fierce.”
5-Year-Old Newcomer Davi Lima (BRA) Brings a Strong Challenge in Event Debut
Antony Smyth (RSA) improved his position atop the men’s Stand 1 leaderboard after posting an 8.67. The two-time World Champion again faced strong competition from newcomer, Davi Lima (BRA), however, who posted an 8.67 of his own. Lima delivered multiple vertical hits on a speedy right headed straight for the pier to earn his high score. Prior to this event, the 15-year-old had never even left his home city of Natal, let alone the country, and he is excited to represent his nation on the global stage.
“I was a little apprehensive because the waves weren’t coming, but when I got the wave and I heard my team cheering on the beach I was so happy and it motivated me to keep going,” Lima said. “I’m very proud to be a part of Team Brazil. It’s my first time out of the country. It’s my first trip and I’m very proud and ready to rip.”
Rip Curl International GromSearch, covered by SunBum, powered by Citroën, crowns Australians Ocean Lancaster and Eliza Richardson
All roads led to Hossegor, and it was definitely worth the travel! Today, Wednesday, November 5th, two Australians claimed victory at the Rip Curl GromSearch International Finals: Ocean Lancaster (16) and Eliza Richardson (15), after two half-days of amazing and intense competition at Le Santocha surf spot in Capbreton, France.
The morning started with challenging conditions, yet still offered some super fun 5- to 6-foot waves. After a one-hour break, the spot delivered incredible finals in exciting conditions, with clean 6-foot offshore waves.
In the men’s final, Ocean Lancaster faced Brazilian Arthur Vilar (14) in an intense heat, where the young Brazilian certainly put the Australian under pressure and thrilled the crowd by riding two impressive barrels.
“I’m so tired from the non-stop paddling, I couldn’t hear any sound from the beach. I surfed as well as I could and I feel relieved,” Lancaster said after his final heat. “This is the win of my life for sure. I was actually competing in the international final a few years ago at Bells, that’s when Lukas (Skinner) won his first one, and I thought, oh my God, I wanna do that one day. So it was magical to come here. The rush of emotions was the best thing ever.”
About his opponent Arthur Vilar, he said: “That kid is crazy, his air game is ridiculous. I was looking, and there was like one minute to go, and he got that one, that closeout one, and yeah, he definitely had me on the ropes. What a final!”
During the women’s final, South African Emily Jenkinson (16) couldn’t find the barrels she usually rides to push herself into first place against the Australian, who had been super consistent throughout the competition.
Eliza Richardson said: “I’m so stoked! I was here at the Rip Curl GromSearch International Final in Indonesia last year because my sister was competing, but I had a broken ankle. It’s such a sick competition. One of my goals was to win it this year, so I’m super stoked to have done that.”
She added: “It got a bit tricky, a bit slow and hard to find waves, but I actually managed to get a couple. It’s massive! I’m so stoked. It’s my first international comp and I’m just beyond words! I was trying to find some closeouts so I could do just one big turn, and I managed to get a couple. It’s been absolutely pumping and I’m so happy. Emily is such a good surfer, and all the girls are!”
Other highlights of the day: Arthur Vilar posted the best score of the competition with a 9.33, landing an incredible air (a “Kerrupt Flip”) and pulling off a buzzer-beater to defeat Portuguese Jaime Veselko in the semi-final. He had already done another buzzer-beater the day before in the quarter-final, with an amazing air reverse at the last minute against Australian Locana Cullen.
During the one-hour break between the two girls’ semi-finals, the crowd enjoyed watching Rip Curl dream team Molly Picklum, Crosby Colapinto, Tom Curren, Tya Zebrowski, Lukas Skinner, Kyllian Guerin, and Justin Becret score fantastic waves right in front of them.
Over the two-day event, 2025 World Champion Molly Picklum took over commentary on the live webcast and interviewed the groms after their heats, alongside CT rider Crosby Colapinto, Lukas Skinner (2024 International Rip Curl GromSearch winner), legend Tom Curren, and French surfers Tya Zebrowski (who just qualified for the CT at only 14), Kyllian Guerin, and Justin Becret. The webcast was hosted by well-known WLS commentator Paul Evans.
Rip Curl International GromSearch is so much more than just a competition. Since 1999, the GromSearch series has been a launching pad for over 40,000 surfers aged 16 and under.
Past winners include WSL World Champions Caitlin Simmers, Caroline Marks, and Gabriel Medina. Other notable winners include Championship Tour surfers Erin Brooks, Brisa Hennessy, Samuel Pupo, Leonardo Fioravanti, Tatiana Weston-Webb, Owen Wright, and one of the most stylish free surfers on the planet, Mason Ho, among many other greats of the sport.
France saw the future of surfing today!
Rip Curl International GromSearch, presented by SunBum and Citroën, crowns Australians Ocean Lancaster and Eliza Richardson, and the GromSearch week continues in Hossegor with in-town activations and team surfer appearances until the end of the week.
Thank you to our sponsors: SunBum, Citroën, and FCS, and to our media partner Europe 2.
And it’s not over yet! The Rip Curl GromSearch week continues in Hossegor until Saturday, with in-town activations and meet-and-greets with Rip Curl team surfers.
FINALS RESULTS
U16 Boys
U16 Girls
A second consecutive day of firing waves provided another round of exciting action for day 3 of the 2025 ISA World Para Surfing Championship (WPSC). Three-to-five-foot peaks poured into the north side of the Oceanside pier, allowing Main Round 1 in five divisions to be completed, along with Round 2 of three divisions.
As the women’s Prone classifications debuted in the event, Sarah Almagro (ESP) opened with a bang, kicking off the first heat of Prone 2 with an 8.83. The 2023 World Champion and two-time silver medalist found long lefts to draw sweeping carves as she raced down the line. A second score of 7.17 provided Almagro with an excellent 16.00 heat total, placing the 25-year-old straight atop the leaderboard.
“The conditions were so nice, I really had a good time out there,” Almagro said. “We got two good lefts and I think we ripped it.”
In the same heat, Beatrice Duran (FRA) and Georgina Melatini (ARG) also delivered big performances to rank numbers two and three on the leaderboard, respectively. Meanwhile, Celine Rouillard (FRA) and Ashley Bunting (USA) claimed the following heats.
After a tough start in Round 1, defending men’s Stand 2 champion JP Veaudry (RSA) recalibrated his campaign. Veaudry posted the highest single wave score of his division, an 8.17, to get himself up into second on the leaderboard behind newcomer Morgan Galeffi(ITA), who also increased his scoreline today with a 7.33.
Elias ‘Figue’ Diel (BRA) and Kirk Watson (AUS) sent themselves straight to the top of the pack in men’s Visual Impairment 1. The former champions were able to deliver multiple open face turns and maintain the lead ahead of France’s two Thomas’, Thomas Da Silva(FRA) and Thomas Spetebroot (FRA).
In men’s Kneel, Dijackson Santos (BRA) was able to pierce the exceptionally strong lead of Dariel Melendez Davila (CRC). Santos added a 9.17 to an 8.67 from yesterday to take the pole position headed into the Semifinals.
USA Captain Jose Martinez (USA) Looks to Lead Team Back to Gold
Jose Martinez (USA) asserted his presence in this year’s Prone 2 leaderboard with a near-perfect 9.83. The 2021 World Champion was trailing after yesterday’s first round, but moved straight into second place with his performance today. Martinez drove through a deep bottom turn to critical top turn combo on a large set wave to earn his number, which was backed up with a 7.00 ride for an excellent 16.83 two-wave total. After two consecutive team silver medals, the USA captain is hoping to lead his team to their fourth gold medal.
“This year, all I’ve been trying to do, I want locals, I want pro surfers to look at us and say, that guy can surf,” Martinez said. “So all I’ve been working on is going top-to-bottom, spraying as much rooster tail off the top as I can, and continuously showing that we can control ourselves in the water. It’s a lot of pressure [to be team captain]. Last year, I was able to get my team into second place. I like to say when you nominate me as captain, we’re going to win it or I’m going to sink the ship and I’m going to let everybody out of it. So I’m hoping that this year we don’t have to sink the ship, we can get as close to that first place as possible.”
Martinez’s teammate Jesse Billauer (USA), the two-time World Champion, also improved his position with a pair of rides in the 7-point range earning progression to the Semifinals. Meanwhile, defending champion Freddy Marimon (COL) also grew his total to maintain the lead in Prone 2, adding an 8.67 to yesterday’s 9.90.
Marta Paço (POR) and Sarah Bettencourt (USA) Carry the Torch for Para Surfing’s Growth
Since 2021, Portugal’s Marta Paço (POR) has remained undefeated in women’s VI 2, claiming her fourth straight gold medal in 2024. Paço opened her campaign strong yet again, finding multiple long rides in Oceanside’s pier bowl, despite having no vision. Though she’s only 20, Paço is already an event veteran and has a strong appreciation for the WPSC and what it means for the community that she is so proud to be a part of.
“I’ve been surfing since I was 12-years-old, now I’m 20,” Paço said. “I grew up with it and it helps me so much physically, mentally, socially. I made so many amazing friends, especially here at this event, from all over the world. It is amazing for me as a person and for me as a surfer. It’s the major event in para surfing right now, so I think we need to value it and actually come and compete as seriously and as good as possible to make it grow and expand all over the world.”
Another four-time World Champion, Sarah Bettencourt (USA), opened strong in women’s Prone 1, earning an excellent 8.00 ride in her first heat of the event. The 42-year-old carried the sentiment of her younger counterpart.
“I do this for the generations coming behind me,” Bettencourt said. “I know we are going to make Paralympics. It’s going to happen at some point. So I want to pave the way and teach everyone coming behind me that they too can get out there and show the world how amazing surfing is and that truly anyone can surf.
“You might have to do it a little differently. You might kneel, you might stand, you might prone, you might be visually impaired, whatever, but anyone can surf. I’m doing it to show everyone who’s watching, get in the water, paddle out, and catch some waves because it is life-changing. It is healing. It’s magical. It’s super fun, but also you can compete and represent your country because it will be in the Paralympics one day.”
Charlie Crane’s travels from the brown water of North Devon to crystal clear Maldives… Film and edit Ben Hartley. Music: Lo vibe – a good man with a broken heart.
Since the Argentinian brothers Julian and Joaquin Azulay burst onto the big screen more than a decade ago, sharing big ideas and even bigger adventures, they’ve pushed the boundaries journeying to some of the planet’s least-explored locales, shining a spotlight on the often-fragile environments as they’ve gone. They have walked an inaccessible coastline in Patagonia, journeyed through the America’s on horseback and driven the length of Africa in a Unimog, but for their sixth expedition they are (quite literally) pushing the boat out even further – to the icy reaches of Antarctica.
Antarctica – Domain One has its UK Premiere as part of the 14th Edition London Surf / Film Festival on Friday 7th November. Multi award-winning filmmaker Joaquin Azulay will be there to present the film. Tickets available HERE:
Demi Taylor caught up with Joaquin to find out more about their latest adventure surfing the frigid fringes, surviving encounters with fur seals, icebergs and just how Kelly Slater cam to get involved with the project! .
You have had many adventures now – this seems your most epic. Why did you choose Antarctica?
JA – With our project Gauchos Del Mar we try to amplify the surfing frontiers in each expedition and Antarctica is one of the least explored places surf wise. Then we learned that scientists, NGOs and politicians are struggling to create more Marine Protected Areas there so it was the perfect fit for what we do. With the films we try to help out to amplify social, cultural and environmental causes, and try to make people get involved to create changes.
How long did the planning take and how did you assemble your team?
JA – The pre-production for the one month sailing expedition took +5 years and the post took 2 years or a bit longer. The expedition team was formed by Ezequiel Sundblad (captain), Santiago Sundblad (sailor), Marko Magister (DP), Sebastián Vereertbrugghen (camera and sound), Mike Veltman (camera and water shots), Julian and myself.
This film also leans into the environmental issues threatening this pristine environment. How did you decide who to focus on and which issues to cover?
JA – We tried to focus on the people that work for many years in this conservation cause. Sometimes this natural spaces do not have a major spotlight and they really need it. They need to be shown to bring awareness and protection.
With a previous film called Peninsula Mitre we showed a place that not many people knew but scientists, experts and professionals were working for many years before we did the film expedition. So the film ended up amplifying the work that others do and the necessity to protect this pristine area, we pushed a petition where more than 164.000 people signed, the local community got more involved and the politicians felt the pressure and understood the claim. Seven years later the area is protected forever.
This is the model we are trying to replicate with this film, but in a more complex situation as Antarctica is the only continent in the world that belongs to us all as humanity and is showcasing how the world is split in international policies and ideologies.
What was the most rewarding part of the trip and the most challenging part?
The most rewarding was able to go to Antarctica and visit this amazing continent. Then see what is going on there and last but not least being able to surf there. But hopefully the most regarding comes next and the film can help out a bit on the creation of this MPA.
And for sure they most challenging is to sail on those latitudes and support those storms, for sure the most intense we saw in our lives. Surf wise it is also very challenging because the weather windows are short and if you do not surf in the right moment, you might not surf again. It’s not easy at all to score in Antarctica.
The documentary is narrated by Kelly Slater. How did this come about?
We met Kelly in a previous trip in Africa and shared some days with him. Later on we contacted him again about this project and he got involved in the cause. He advocates for ocean health and protection. For us, we could not ask for anything else, to have him as the English narrator of the film is amazing. We come from Argentina, which is very far away and distant from the US industry and mainstream, and having him on board to put his voice for the cause we feel honored.
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The 14th Annual London Surf / Film Festival presented by Finisterre touches down 6-8 November at the iconic Riverside Studios, Hammersmith, London. The event brings to the UK the very best of international surf culture: showcasing 26 of the best very surf movies from across the globe including the cream of homegrown talent alongside a whole host of Q&A’s and a live podcast with Matt Barr from Looking Sideways, good times and more… you don’t want to miss this! Tickets & line up HERE:
