Ben Larg is poised to grasp the professional surfing career he had always dreamt of. But just days after signing contracts with Red Bull and O’Neill he is victim to an unprovoked assault, derailing his career. The 18-year-old Scottish big wave surfer faces injuries, failed surgeries and self-doubt as he navigates the road to adulthood and battles to regain his place in one of the world’s most deadly arena’s. More than an action sports documentary, this is a coming-of-age story, exploring themes of psychological recovery, the modern day pressures of social media and the persistence to achieve a dream when the odds are stacked against you.

Raised on an Isolated Scottish island with a population of 600, Ben did the unthinkable and  became Scotland’s first professional surfer. This year he took it another step and became youngest surfer to compete the WSL Tow Surf Challenge. Not only that he secured third place over some of the best in the world.

We believe this is truly, a one of a kind surf documentary, with themes relatable to those within and outwith the surfing world. We discuss localism openly with input from top names Nic Von Rupp and Andrew Cotton and see the pressures of the action sports, paying respect to the grit of young athletes today.

Beyond the Island – Exclusive Preview Screenings 26th & 27th of April at Lost Shore Surf Resort

Gabriela Bryan (HAW) and Jordy Smith (RSA) won the Surf City El Salvador Pro, Stop No. 4 of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT). Bryan claimed victory over CT veteran Isabella Nichols (AUS), while Smith secured his seventh CT win against fellow South African Matthew McGillivray (RSA). Today’s finalist fought through longer lulls and capitalized on four-to-six-foot sets at Punta Roca, also known as La Punta or Punta Chilama. 

Bryan’s Redemption Run To Victory, Now Jumps To World No. 2

Gabriela Bryan (HAW) secured back-to-back Surf City El Salvador Finals appearances and the second CT victory of her career. 2022 Rookie of the Year Bryan continues to establish herself among the world’s best. Her first win at the 2024 Western Australia Margaret River Pro and recent runner-up finish at the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal put her on the list of contenders to watch. The now 23-year-old moves into the World No. 2 spot on the rankings in search of making her maiden Final 5. 

“That was such an insane rollercoaster Final,” said Bryan. “I made some mistakes, but I was just thinking, ‘Please give me one more wave, and I won’t mess it up.’ I’m feeling so good. I’ve had an amazing time in El Salvador, and I love it here. Right-hand point breaks are my favorite, and this is one of the best in the world. Getting to compete at it is amazing, and the crew I’m surrounded with is the best. Everyone back at home supporting me, I love you guys, and thank you El Salvador for the best time.”

The opening exchange in the first five minutes of the Final provided an open wall for Bryan to open up on her aggressive forehand and post a 6.50 (out of a possible 10). Isabella Nichols (AUS) was right behind her on a solid Punta Roca set of her own to blast multiple forehand gauges and searing carves to post a 6.57. 

Bryan’s backup was enough to hold her lead over Nichols before an exchange provided Nichols an opportunity to strike back. A disastrous board buckle for Bryan forced her to change out boards as Nichols’ score dropped, and it was enough to take the Australian to the lead. Punta Roca delivered another pristine set for both competitors to attack once more, and Bryan took full advantage of the gem presented to her, belting multiple power gauges to post a 7.83 and overtake the lead. The ocean played in Bryan’s favor as a final lull didn’t provide any more opportunities before the final horn sounded.

In a rematch of their 2024 Surf City El Salvador Pro Semifinal Bryan eliminated reigning World Champion Caity Simmers (USA) again to advance to the Final. Simmers opened her matchup with Bryan with the highest score of the heat and later found herself on one of the biggest sets of the day. Bryan’s power surfing prevailed over the reigning World Champion. 

Nichols Earns First Finals Appearance of 2025

Isabella Nichols (AUS) has had mixed results to start her fourth year on Tour. Nichols battled through every heat to earn her first Finals appearance of the season. Nichols’ previous Finals appearance was her win at the 2022 Margaret River Pro, where she defeated today’s event winner and then Rookie Gabriela Bryan (HAW). Throughout the 2025 El Salvador Pro, Nichols’s success has proven to be bittersweet as she had to miss her twin sister’s wedding. Today, Nichols defeated Molly Picklum (AUS) to ignite her push to the Final. She will look to continue her momentum into the Aussie Treble as she is now ranked World No. 7. 

“I love coming back here. The people are amazing, and the waves are beautiful,” said Nichols. “ It’s just an incredible part of the world, and I just have so many people to thank. Especially my family for understanding that this is part of the job, and I was there in spirit. It’s been super worthwhile, and it’s been such a great week.”

Smith Prevails in All-South African Final to Earn Seventh CT Win

Jordy Smith’s (RSA) remarkable career spans 18 years among the world’s best on the CT, and now he has earned his seventh career CT victory over fellow South African Matthew McGillivray— a historic, all-South African final in the modern era. The 37-year-old’s impactful career includes multiple wins at right-hand point breaks, with two victories at his home break of Jeffreys Bay, Bells Beach, and now El Salvador’s Punta Roca. Smith now sits at No. 5 on the rankings, and looks to maintain his pace toward entering another World Title race.

In the Final, the first exchange came only moments after the horn sounded, and Smith wasted no time showcasing his powerful form to post a 7.33 (out of a possible 10) over McGillivray, who fell on his opening maneuver. Smith backed up his strong start and held a commanding lead heading into the back half of the Final. McGillivray was able to respond and get in the heat with a 5.00, but as time dwindled, Smith found another Punta Roca wall that allowed him to showcase more of his powerful style and post a 6.93 to take even more control and ultimately the victory.

“I think just for South Africa in general, this means a lot. I can’t believe it, to be honest,” said Smith. “If I could dedicate this to two people. My wife, and all the wives and husbands who let us do this, it means the world to me. And to my father. I wanted to ride my father’s board in this Final and win on it, and to do it is incredible. I just kept telling myself you can do it, you’re going to do it. It’s just four more waves, and you’re going to do it. It’s just so hard to take it all, it’s been so long. And I’m just happy to do it with another fellow South African. I can’t say enough good words about Matthew [McGillivray]. He’s a long-time friend and to share a Final with him is really, really special.”

McGillivray Earns First Career CT Final to Rise 14 Spots to World No. 13

Today, Matthew McGillivray (RSA) earned his first career Final since joining the Tour in 2021. The 28-year-old moved up 14 spots, and is now ranked World No. 13 heading into the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach. 

McGillivray had a quick start in his Semifinal match against Crosby Colapinto (USA) with an 8.17 (out of a possible 10). In the final minutes, Colapinto had a chance to elevate his score when he found himself getting barrelled three times on one wave, but McGillivray’s heat total put him in a position to still need a second score.

“I love it here in El Salvador. I love right-hand point breaks, and it’s been a fun event,” McGillivray said. “Thanks to everyone for the support, and it’s been so good to be here. It’s been a long event and I can’t believe I’m in the Final. I’ve just been trying to surf smart heats and be selective and do my best surfing. I think I still have more to give, and I think everyone feels that way, and hopefully, that can come out now.”

Ferreira, Dora, and Ewing Clear Mid-season Cut Heading to Aussie Treble

An incredible week of high-performance showdowns and world-class surfing from current World No. 1 Italo Ferreira (BRA), No. 2 Ethan Ewing (AUS), and No. 3  Yago Dora (BRA) pushed them through a blistering week of competition. Their respective Quarterfinal finishes were enough to secure them into the second half of the season and clear of the Mid-season Cut in hopes of finishing in the Top 5 for their opportunity at the 2025 World Title.

For highlights from the 2025 Surf City El Salvador Pro, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com. 

Surf City El Salvador Pro Women’s Final Results:
1 – Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 14.33
2 – Isabella Nichols (AUS) 11.74

Surf City El Salvador Pro Men’s Final Results:
1 – Jordy Smith (RSA) 14.26
2 – Matthew McGillivray (RSA) 9.33

Surf City El Salvador Pro Women’s Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 10.16 DEF. Caitlin Simmers (USA) 9.67
HEAT 2: Isabella Nichols (AUS) 13.33 DEF. Molly Picklum (AUS) 8.27

Surf City El Salvador Pro Men’s Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Matthew McGillivray (RSA) 13.84 DEF. Crosby Colapinto (USA) 9.50
HEAT 2: Jordy Smith (RSA) 15.67 DEF. Cole Houshmand (USA) 10.00

As winter winds down, Britt Merrick and CI’s global team manager Brent Power recap how the last thing they expected was a late season run of swell in our backyard. Winter is a welcome time of year for Britt and the CI team to work on new testing new designs, so having another crack was a bonus.

As luck would have it, some great surfers were in town like Mikey February, Barron Mamiya, Tomas Hermes, Bella Kenworthy, Talia Swindal and Dane Gudauskas—along with local usual suspects like Bobby Martinez, Parker Coffin, Eithan Osborne, Kilian Garland and Josiah Amico.

Filmed by Sean Lesh
Edit by Ryan Perry