Surf City El Salvador Longboard Classic

Surf City El Salvador Longboard Classic

The world’s best longboarders are preparing for the penultimate stop on the 2023 World Surf League (WSL) Longboard Tour, the Surf City El Salvador Longboard Classic Presented by Corona. The event will decide who earns their place in the Longboard Championships Qualification and have a chance to compete for the 2023 World Title in Malibu. El Sunzal is a premier point break that will provide a great platform for world-class performances. The Surf City El Salvador Longboard Classic holds an event window from September 19 through September 25, 2023.

“We couldn’t be more excited to be heading back to El Salvador and have the opportunity to showcase the world’s best longboarders on a pristine point break at El Sunzal,” said Will Hayden-Smith, WSL Tours and Competition Senior Manager. “This event plays a pivotal role in determining who will be vying for a 2023 World Title. We can’t thank our hosts at the Corporacion Salvadoreña de Turismo enough for welcoming us back to watch those scenarios unfold."

This will be the WSL’s second event in El Salvador this year. Punta Roca hosted Stop No. 7 on the Championship Tour (CT) and now El Sunzal is ready to welcome the WSL Longboard Tour’s standout competitors. The rankings couldn’t be closer heading into the final stop of the WSL Longboard Tour regular season before the Championships. This event will be key in determining the Top 8 men and Top 8 women who will compete at the Original Sprout Malibu Longboard Championships Presented by Tractor Beverage Co. in October. Nearly all the competitors have an opportunity to earn their place in the World Title showdown.

Southern California’s Taylor Jensen (USA) heads to the Surf City El Salvador Longboard Classic ranked No. 1. He hopes to hold onto that position as he goes up against the likes of current No. 2, 2022 World Title runner-up Kaniela Stewart (HAW), recent Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic victor Kai Sallas (HAW), Australian upstart Declan Wyton (AUS), and a plethora of Longboard Tour veterans.

“It feels really good to be at No. 2 on the rankings, definitely a really comfortable spot to be in,” said Stewart. “Huntington was an event that I feel like would've been one of my lowest results. It changes every single heat, so I was just trying to do pretty good at that event. Going into Bells and El Salvador, they're right point breaks, and that's right down my alley."

Reigning WSL Longboard Champion Soleil Errico (USA) has already officially qualified for the Original Sprout Malibu Longboard Championships, and is looking to earn back-to-back World Titles. But, she will have to overcome three-time WSL Longboard Champion Honolua Blomfield (HAW), World Title threat Kelis Kaleopa’a (HAW), Longboard Tour veterans Alice Lemoigne (FRA) and Chloé Calmon (BRA), and more at El Sunzal to retain that No. 1 spot heading into her World Title defense.

Calmon is again back in the World Title fight after her Semifinal finish at Bells Beach.

“I'm really excited to be in El Salvador right now and to have Sunzal as one of the stops for our Tour,” said Calmon. “It's such a good longboard wave for long nose rides and also big turns. It's nice that we have world-class waves on Tour. I've been watching the shortboard Finals each year, and it's so exciting. It still hasn't sunk in that we're going to be facing those same scenarios. We still have one more big event here next week, so I'll be as present as I can, solidifying my rank and maybe trying to better my position."

Those sitting just outside the Longboard Championships qualification line are looking for their first big result of the 2023 season to take control of their own destiny.

Watch LIVE: Surf City El Salvador Longboard Classic Presented by Corona
The Surf City El Salvador Longboard Classic Presented by Corona will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL’s YouTube channel, and the free WSL app. Check out more ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners.

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Ulu Wedge With Mason

Ulu Wedge With Mason

On a very average day in Bali, Mason Ho hits one of his favourite waves near Uluwatu on a trusted Lost 1996 fish.

Filming: Rory Pringle.

5’5 x 19 1/4

5’5 x 19 1/4

Good ol’ fashioned surfing flicks, just for kicks, more from the Lost crew below.

And we are back!

After a lengthy, lazy…and somewhat hazy, break, we have returned. For two and a half months, we’ve made you wait, but to be brutally straight, it's really quite great.

Episode 6: Good ol’ fashioned surfing flicks, just for kicks.

The action starts back in Hawaii, with Ian Crane and The Cola Brothers thrashing about, out front, along the most famous stretch of sand and reef on Earth. Bouncing between Off The Wall, Backdoor and Pipe, Crane and the Brothers make everything feel fun, easy and all right. Hassling, hollering, hot dogging and even the odd tube hounding, in typical, windswept sloppy, powerful, pounding waves on the apex of the Seven Mile Miracle.

Cant get enough of Crane?

We feel the same.

He's good for the Brain!

Follow Ian as he heads back to Indonesia, for some truly Macking Mentawais.

Repeatedly rocking his tiny Ca_TwinPin into unpredictable, crazy caverns, making the menacing and difficult look almost easy and enjoyable, with his trademark brand of backhand sorcery.

Going full circle, we wind up back where we began, catching up with Griffin and Kolohe (with a cameo by Mason)  as they trade off beautiful Backdoor barrels, over reef and a bit of sand. Presented in mind massaging slow motion, allowing us to absorb the minutia of movements required to deftly navigate technical tubes. A relaxing romp, for our weary minds.

Don't forget the Credits, with all sorts of fun, including Crane and Rasta Rob‘s Hawaii house fun, Griff n little Luke Lopez at Lowers and other tidy tid-bits.

Finally, once and for all, stick around for the bonus section...

The obligatory “Girls On Film!”

…No. It’s not a bikini contest.

Saudade – Victor Bernardo.

Saudade – Victor Bernardo.

Album surf presents,  “SAUDADE” a short film featuring Victor Bernardo. An untranslatable, positive feeling of missing home and family, which reminds him of where he came from and what brought him here. Surfing in his backyard, on the coast of Brazil.

Music "Shev Aba" by Awa Du É

Direction and Images Davi Realle and Rafaski

Editor Bruno Carreiro

A Wave Set Studio production

Mighty Marks and Holy Toledo

Mighty Marks and Holy Toledo

Caroline Marks (USA) and Filipe Toledo (BRA) won the 2023 World Surf League (WSL) World Titles at the third-annual Rip Curl WSL Finals in solid four-to-six foot (1.2 - 1.8 meter) conditions. Five-time WSL Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) and back-to-back World Title contender Ethan Ewing (AUS) claimed runner-up finishes after battling their way past several elite competitors. 

Marks Overtakes Moore in World-Class Title Match for Maiden World Title 
Marks, 21, entered her first Rip Curl WSL Finals as the No. 3 seed and left as the 2023 Surfing World Champion. She is the first person to win a World Tile for mainland USA since Lisa Andersen (USA) in 1997. This also marks the first women’s goofy-footed surfer to claim a World Title since Chelsea Georgenson (AUS) in 2005. The Floridian (now California resident) felt at home at Lower Trestles. She left a resounding impression with multiple excellent scores and near-perfection throughout the day en route to her maiden World Title. Marks had a terrific 2023 CT season, winning events in El Salvador and Tahiti. Today's brilliant performance also confirmed her provisional qualification for the Olympic Games Paris 2024. 

“It’s just so inspiring to have my name up on that list,” said Marks. “This has just been a goal of mine. World Champion, it’s crazy. I went through a weird one last year, and I was doubting myself. This just feels so good. I really don’t know what to say, I’ve been really emotional this year. This feels like a lot of emotion.”

Marks’ backhand attack was undeniable from her Match 2 debut all the way to the Title Match against Carissa Moore (HAW). Marks dominated Title Match 1, earning an excellent 8.67 (out of a possible 10) and pushing Moore into a combination situation. Moore was able to break the combination, but Marks answered right back with another excellent 8.43 to extend her lead until the end of the heat.

After a slow start to Title Match 2, Marks unleashed multiple critical maneuvers again to earn a 7.00. She then backed it up with an impressive 7.60 that all but sealed her maiden World Title. Moore was left chasing a score as time expired. 

“Big ups to Carissa (Moore),” said Marks. “She’s been a massive inspiration to me growing up my whole life. She’s had a stellar year, and it was kinda a dream of mine to be in the Final with her. I just had a great board, and I have a lot of good family and friends here. I really feel the support, and that goes a long way, so I was just in my flow today. Just had a special day with the ocean, so wow, it feels so good.”

Toledo Goes Back-To-Back in Dominant Form, Makes History For Brazil 

Toledo, 28, earned his second-consecutive World Title today, once again proving himself as the competitor to beat. He is now the first competitor to earn back-to-back World Titles since John John Florence (HAW) in 2016 and 2017. Toledo entered the Rip Curl WSL Finals as the No. 1 seed. The Ubatuba, Brazil competitor was unstoppable in the 2023 CT season, accruing wins at Sunset Beach, El Salvador, and J-Bay. 

“It’s so hard to put into words what it took for me to be here right now,” said Toledo. “So much sacrifice. A lot of sacrifice, to be honest. Seven years ago, I had my first kid. I wasn’t at home too much to be there with my wife. Neither was I there for Koa as well. I knew in the long run, this was going to pay off. This is a dream come true. I don’t think there’s ever been a Brazilian that won back-to-back. We like to make history. I’m super thankful to God. He blessed me all the way here. It was not easy.”

Toledo and Rip Curl WSL Finals standout Ethan Ewing (AUS) surfed arguably one of the best heats of the 2023 season during the men’s Title Match 1. A critical first exchange put Toledo into a slight lead, earning a 7.33 to Ewing’s 7.00. Fireworks followed from both competitors. Toledo’s combination of a major outside maneuver to a soaring finish garnered a near-perfect 9.00. Ewing’s signature power surfing garnered an 8.50. In the last exchange, Toledo again defeated the Australian with an 8.97 to Ewing’s 8.73.

In their second Title Match, Toledo kept busy and accrued a 12.57 heat total (out of a possible 20) before Ewing had a chance to strike back. Ewing’s 7.67 kept his hopes alive heading into the final minutes, but fell on his last opportunity. The crowd erupted as time ran out and Toledo secured his second World Title. 

“With God’s strength and faith, I was able to pull it off and make it on the long run all the way here and ended up winning back-to-back,” said Toledo. “I couldn’t do it without my team. It’s a huge 77 team. I love all you guys. My family, my wife, my kids, my mom, dad, brothers, sister, I love you so much, thank you so much.”

Moore’s dominant run through the 2023 season culminated in clinching the No. 1 seed going into the Rip Curl WSL Finals for the third-straight year. But, Moore’s redemption run toward a World Title was cut short by an in-form Marks. The five-time World Champion started her season with a massive win at the Billabong Pro Pipeline. She then earned back-to-back wins at Margaret River and the WSL Surf Ranch. 

Ewing’s runner-up finish marks his career-best result. The 25-year-old achieved one of his dreams of winning the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach earlier this year, an event his mother, Helen Lambert, won 40 years prior. He then went on to make the Finals at Rio and Jeffreys Bay. The North Stradbroke, Australia competitor had to overcome adversity with a frightening back injury that nearly sidelined him for the 2023 Rip Curl WSL Finals. But, Ewing wasn’t to be stopped and put on a world-class display from start to finish with numerous excellent scores before Toledo stole the show in their World Title showdown.

Molly Picklum (AUS) and Caitlin Simmers (USA) opened the Rip Curl WSL Finals with the first Match of the day. Simmers took the win and looked like she could make the run, but then fell to Marks in Match 2. Two-time World Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) finished the year as No. 3 after being eliminated by Marks in Match 3. 

Joao Chianca (BRA) and Jack Robinson (AUS) kicked off the men’s Match 1 with Chianca taking the win. But in Match 2, Chianca was no match for Ewing who put him in a combination situation. San Clemente’s own Griffin Colapinto (USA) put on a show for his home crowd in Match 3, but Ewing took the win and secured his spot in the Title Match. 

For highlights from the 2023 Rip Curl WSL Finals, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

2023 Rip Curl WSL Finals Women’s Results: 
Women’s Title Match, Heat 2: Caroline Marks (USA) 14.60 DEF. Carissa Moore (HAW) 13.53
Women’s Title Match, Heat 1: Caroline Marks (USA) 17.10 DEF. Carissa Moore (HAW) 14.97
Women’s Match 3: Caroline Marks (USA) 17.40 DEF. Tyler Wright (AUS) 13.70
Women’s Match 2: Caroline Marks (USA) 11.67 DEF. Caitlin Simmers (USA) 10.36
Women’s Match 1: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 15.17 DEF. Molly Picklum (AUS) 12.17

2023 Rip Curl WSL Finals Men’s Results: 
Men’s Title Match, Heat 2: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 14.27 DEF. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 12.37
Men’s Title Match, Heat 1: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 17.97 DEF. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 17.23
Men’s Match 3: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 17.10 DEF. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 15.96
Men’s Match 2: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 17.60 DEF. Joao Chianca (BRA) 14.57
Men’s Match 1: Joao Chianca (BRA) 15.33 DEF. Jack Robinson (AUS) 11.87

The Rip Curl WSL Finals is proudly supported by Rip Curl, SHISEIDO, YETI, Red Bull, Surfline, True Surf, Pura Vida, 805 Beer, Pacifico, Sambazon, Original Sprout, Turtle Bay, Boxed Water, Tudor, Candy Crush Soda, and Cup Noodles.

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Beyond Sunset – Emi Erickson

Beyond Sunset – Emi Erickson

It’s easy to think that she just gets it from her father. After all, Roger Erickson is a legend in his own right on the North Shore, and she rides his boards – long, single-fin guns. But when Emi is out there, charging, riding 15 to 20-foot faces, and getting rag-dolled at Jaws, she deserves for you to know that yeah, maybe it’s in her blood, but no one’s on that board but her. 

@emi_erickson/

A Bimarian Films Production
Directed by: Keith Malloy and Jeff Johnson
Producer: Brett Williams
Director of Photography and Editor: Andrew Schoneberger
Location Sound: Prahlad Strickland
Original Score and Sound Mix: Todd Hannigan
featuring “Maybe Not” by Cat Power
Additional Cinematography: Dave Homcy and Ben Ono
Color: Arlington Peak