surfing pro tour 2023

• Milano Cortina 2026
• Brisbane 2032
• Olympic Refuge Foundation
• Olympic Games
• Olympic Channel
• Let's Move

2023 WSL Championship Tour preview: Full schedule and stars to watch

Here's everything you need to know about the 2023 WSL Championship Tour which is surfing's top qualification route for Paris 2024 Olympic Games. 

There is no doubt the 2023 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) is going to deliver a thrilling year of surfing.

The season has all the ingredients to cook up a sensational competition with Paris 2024 Olympics qualification on the line, six rookies joining the tour and your favourite superstars vying for the honour of being crowned men's and women's 2023 world champions.

The world's best surfers have an added incentive to perform well this season as the 2023 CT is the top qualification pathway to Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

18 athletes (8 women and 10 men) will earn their spot to compete at the iconic Olympic venue - Teahupo'o, Tahiti.

For the second year in a row, the WSL have an entirely joint men's and women's calendar - 10 regular-season competitions in seven countries with the same venues, and equal prize money.

The end of April represents the halfway point, where the mid-season cut comes into effect and the fields will be dramatically reduced. The competition will end with a single-day showdown at the WSL Finals where the world titles will be won.

If 2022 is anything to go by, the season kicking off in Hawaii on January 29, 2023, is going to give us a good taste of what's to come throughout the year.

• Top facts about Olympic surfing venue at Teahupo'o, Tahiti
• Welcome to Teahupo'o, Tahiti - The next chapter in women's surfing
• Rio Waida: The Indonesian surfer set to make his mark as a 2023 WSL CT rookie

Athletes: 2023 WSL Championship Tour

Women's 2023 Championship Tour (* = Rookie surfer - first year on tour)

Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) Carissa Moore (USA/HAW) Johanne Defay (FRA) Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) Brisa Hennessey (CRC) Lakey Peterson (USA) Courtney Conlogue (USA) Tyler Wright (AUS) Gabriela Bryan (USA/HAW) Isabella Nichols (AUS) Bettylou Sakura Johnson (USA/HAW) Macy Callaghan (AUS) Molly Picklum (AUS) *Caitlin Simmers (USA) *Sophie McCulloch (AUS) Caroline Marks (USA) - WSL season wildcard Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) - WSL season wildcard

Teresa Bonvalot of Portugal is the women's injury replacement and wil lstep in for any CT woman who is unable to compete due to injury or illness.

Men's 2023 Championship Tour(* = Rookie surfer - first year on tour)

Filipe Toledo (BRA) Italo Ferreira (BRA) Jack Robinson (AUS) Ethan Ewing (AUS) Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) Miguel Pupo (BRA) Griffin Colapinto (USA) Caio Ibelli (BRA) Connor O'Leary (AUS) Callum Robson (AUS) Samuel Pupo (BRA) John John Florence (USA/HAW) Matthew McGillivray (RSA) Jordy Smith (RSA) Kelly Slater (USA) Barron Mamiya (USA/HAW) Nat Young (USA) Jake Marshall (USA) Kolohe Andino (USA) Jadson Andre (BRA) Seth Moniz (USA/HAW) Jackson Baker (AUS) Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) Ryan Callinan (AUS) *Rio Waida (INA) *Maxime Huscenot (FRA) *Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) Michael Rodrigues (BRA) *Ian Gentil (USA/HAW) Joao Chianca (BRA) Liam O'Brien (AUS) Ezekiel Lau (USA/HAW) Gabriel Medina (BRA) - WSL season wildcard Yago Dora (BRA) - WSL season wildcard

Carlos Munoz of Costa Rica has the men's replacement spot meaning he is on standby if any men pull out through injury or illness.

2023 WSL Championship Tour: Stars to watch

Each year an exciting number of new faces join the world's elite surfing tour.

In 2023, six rookies will make their debut. Two of the most exciting newcomers will be Indonesian Olympian Rio Waida and USA's Caitlin Simmers .

Waida is undoubtedly one to watch after a stunning 2022 season with victories in Australia and Bali. Simmers on the other hand is just 17 years old and qualified for the CT in 2022 but chose to opt-out. The wait is almost over in terms of seeing her in consistent action against the world's very best.

Beyond Olympic qualification and the new names looking to shake things up, there are many other key storylines to watch out for this season.

Stephanie Gilmore has long been the queen of cool and a surfing icon, but the Aussie cemented herself as the most decorated women's surfer in history with an eighth world title last year.

Olympic champion Carissa Moore is hungry to add a sixth world title while Brazil's Tatiana Weston-Webb will be eager to clinch her first. Take note of the Australian and USA women's contingent on tour this year. Seven Aussie women and seven American women are looking to cause havoc.

In the men's comp, several stars are back from injury including three-time world champion Gabriel Medina and two-time winner John John Florence . Will Filipe Toledo be able to back up his 2022 title victory or will Olympic champion Italo Ferreira bounce back from his 2019 title win? Jack Robinson , Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Kanoa Igarashi and Miguel Pupo are sure to shine too.

Eyes will also be on 11-time world champion and surfing legend Kelly Slater who won the Pipe Masters in February of 2022, less than a week before his 50th birthday. What can't he do?

Ramzi Boukhiam will also make history as the first Moroccan to compete on the CT.

Beware of the Brazilian and USA storm that be out in force with both nations having 10 men on tour while Australia has seven.

2023 Championship Tour priority qualification route for surfing at Paris 2024

The Paris 2024 surfing qualification system is clear. 

The 2023 WSL CT is the number one route for the world's best to make the Games. Here 10 men and 8 women will earn their tickets to Teahupo'o, Tahiti.

Throughout the season athletes will accumulate points. These points will help determine which athletes will earn 18 spots (out of 48 total) for the Paris 2024 Games.

• How to qualify for surfing at Paris 2024: The Olympic qualification system explained

2023 WSL Championship Tour: Full schedule:

• Billabong Pro Pipeline (Hawaii): January 29 - February 10
• Hurley Pro Sunset Beach (Hawaii): February 12 - 23
• MEO Rip Curl Portugal Pro (Portugal): March 8 - 16
• Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach (Victoria, Australia): April 4 - 14
• Margaret River Pro (Western Australia, Australia): April 20 - 30

Mid-season cut: The field of 36 men and 18 women will be reduced to just 24 men and 12 women fields. This is the second year the cut takes place.

• Surf Ranch Pro (USA): May 27 - 28
• Surf City El Salvador Pro presented by Corona (El Salvador): June 9 - 18
• Rio Pro presented by Corona (Brazil): June 23 - July 1
• Corona Open J-Bay (South Africa): July 13 - 22
• SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro (French Polynesia): August 11 - 20

WSL Final 5 athletes decided for a showdown of men's and women's 2023 world title crowns.

• Rip Curl WSL Finals (Lower Trestles, USA): September 7 - 15

Related content

Kanoa Igarashi: My life revolves around surfing

Rookie of the year Gabriela Bryan: I want to compete in the Olympics at Teahupo'o for Team USA

Surfer Sally Fitzgibbons: "I get up every day and show up to the challenge"

Erin Brooks: The teen at the forefront of women’s aerial surfing

Kelly Slater interview: Olympics, surfing and artificial waves

You may like.

Here’s the Final Roster for the 2023 WSL Championship Tours

Gabriel Medina is back. Photo: Thiago Diz//World Surf League

The 2023 Championship Tour will kick off with 36 men and 18 women in January’s Billabong Pipe Pro, starting the second full year in which both tours compete on a shared schedule as well as the second year of the WSL’s mid-year cut. The 54 total athletes will be cut down to 36 at the halfway point of the season, which ends with the WSL leaving Australia in April before heading to California for the Surf Ranch Pro over Memorial Day weekend.

Gabriel Medina, Yago Dora, Caroline Marks, and Sally Fitzgibbons were all given WSL wildcards back in May that locked in their spots for the 2023 roster — a decision that somehow stirs a bit of controversy every year. Medina’s decision to sit out the first half of 2022 for personal reasons and then being given a wildcard for the second half drew gripes from some surf fans and critics of the cut. But in just three 2022 appearances, the three-time world champion reached two semifinals before injuring his knee in the elimination round of the Oi Rio Pro. Those results alone would have qualified him for the mid-year cut and punched a ticket for the 2023 CT roster anyway.

On the women’s side, Teresa Bonvalot’s disappointment leaving Haleiwa turned into an opportunity right away. Bonvalot finished 2022 tied with Sophie McCulloch for 5th place in the Challenger Series, then lost the WSL’s deciding tiebreaker. Rather than send the Portuguese surfer back to the Challenger Series for the entire year, she’ll step in as the WSL Replacement. She’ll fill in for any competitor who withdraws from contests between January and April, with her results (and Men’s WSL Replacement, Carlos Munoz) applied toward possible full-time CT qualification.

Here are the full men’s and women’s rosters for 2023:

2023 WSL Men’s CT Filipe Toledo (BRA) Italo Ferreira (BRA) Jack Robinson (AUS) Ethan Ewing (AUS) Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) Miguel Pupo (BRA) Griffin Colapinto (USA) Caio Ibelli (BRA) Connor O’Leary (AUS) Callum Robson (AUS) Samuel Pupo (BRA) John John Florence (HAW) Matthew McGillivray (ZAF) Jordy Smith (ZAF) Kelly Slater (USA) Barron Mamiya (HAW) Nat Young (USA) Jake Marshall (USA) Kolohe Andino (USA) Jadson Andre (BRA) Seth Moniz (HAW) Jackson Baker (AUS) Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) Ryan Callinan (AUS) Rio Waida (IND) Maxime Huscenot (FRA) Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) Michael Rodrigues (BRA) Ian Gentil (HAW) Joao Chianca (BRA) Liam O’Brien (AUS) Ezekiel Lau (HAW)

WSL Season Wildcards Gabriel Medina (BRA) Yago Dora (BRA)

WSL Replacement Carlos Munoz (CRI)

2023 WSL Women’s CT Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) Carissa Moore (HAW) Johanne Defay (FRA) Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) Brisa Hennessey (CRI) Lakey Peterson (USA) Courtney Conlogue (USA) Tyler Wright (AUS) Gabriela Bryan (HAW) Isabella Nichols (AUS) Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) Macy Callaghan (AUS) Molly Picklum (AUS) Caitlin Simmers (USA) Sophie McCulloch (AUS)

WSL Season Wildcards Caroline Marks (USA) Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)

WSL Replacement Teresa Bonvalot (PRT)

Only the best. We promise.

Join our community of contributors.

• 241-SURF(KAUAI)
• 572-SURF(MAUI)

World Surf League Announces Schedule for 2023 Challenger Series

Post a Comment Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

• Swell Tracker

Surface Chart

Waimea buoy.

Barber Pt Buoy

Waimea buoy

Barbers Point

Quick Sitemap

• Big Picture
• Our Privacy
• Terms & Conditions
• Surfrider Oahu
• Maui Ola Foundation
• Pacific Tsunami
• Sustainable Coastlines HI
• Surfing the Nations
• Defend Oahu
• Access Surf Hawaii
• Rise Above Plastic
• Water Quality (Clean Water Branch)
• 10 Days Forecast
• Pat Caldwell
• La Jolla Surf
• All Webcams
• North Shore Cams
• South Shore Cams
• Webcams Archives
• Webcams Shots
• Ala Moana Bowls
• Paradise-Threes-Kaisers-Rockpiles-Ala Moana Bowl
• Waikiki Walls-Tonggs (QK)
• Diamond Head
• Weather & Warnings
• Forecast Discussion
• Precipitation
• Glossary of Weather Terms
• CDIP Buoy/Forecasts
• SNN Buoy Layout + Spectral Snapshots
• National Buoy Center
• Surfer’s Wall
• My Membership

Back to Top

WSL Announces Schedule for 2023 Challenger Series

LOS ANGELES, Calif., USA (Monday, March 20, 2023) - Today, the World Surf League (WSL) released the schedule for the 2023 Challenger Series, the ultimate battleground for surfers to showcase their talents for the chance to qualify for the elite Championship Tour (CT) for 2024. The 2023 Challenger Series gets underway following the conclusion of Stop No. 5 on the CT (the Western Australia Margaret River Pro), with two events in Australia: the Boost Mobile Gold Coast Pro and the GWM Sydney Surf Pro. Surfers will then reconvene in July in Ballito, South Africa, followed by the US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico, which returns to its regularly scheduled spot in late July. The Series rounds out in October with events in Portugal and Brazil, after which the top 10 ranked men and top five ranked women will qualify to join the world’s best surfers on the 2024 Championship Tour. Competitors will count their four best results out of the six events. 

2023 WSL Challenger Series Schedule:

• Boost Mobile Gold Coast Pro Presented by GWM  (Queensland, Australia): May 6 - 13, 2023
• GWM Sydney Surf Pro Presented by Bonsoy  (New South Wales, Australia): May 17 - 24, 2023
• Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill  (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa): July 2 - 9, 2023
• US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico  (Huntington Beach, USA): July 29 - August 6 
• EDP Vissla Pro Ericeira Presented by Estrella Galicia  (Ericeira, Portugal): October 1 - 8, 2023
• Corona Saquarema Pro  (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil): October 14 - 21, 2023

For 2023, the Challenger Series fields will be reduced from 96 to 80 men and 64 to 48 women, enabling competitions to take advantage of more optimum swell cycles at each location. Most of the reduction comes from the prior allocation for CT surfers who made the Mid-season Cut. Starting this season, those CT surfers will not be required to compete at two Challenger Series events, though, they can apply for an event wildcard if they wish to compete. The 12 men and seven women on the CT who fell below the cut line and missed CT requalification at the start of the season will automatically qualify for all Challenger Series events. 

“After an exciting start to the 2023 Championship Tour season, it feels great to announce the schedule for the Challenger Series,” said Jessi Miley-Dyer, WSL Chief of Sport. “These six events play a big role in determining the lineup for the 2024 Championship Tour, by offering a pathway for new talent to join the CT and a second chance for CT surfers who missed the Mid-season Cut to rejoin the Tour. With the new field sizes, everyone competing will be focused on CT qualification and we’re also going to be able to make the most of the best conditions at each location, so I’m excited to see how these events play out.”

The Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill will return to KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, July 2 - 9, 2023.  Photo: WSL /  Van Gysen

The Challenger Series, which is the second of a three-tier competition structure, will host 80 men and 48 women at each event, comprised of athletes from the following:  

• 12 men and seven women from the CT who did not make the Mid-season Cut, 
• 10 men and five women from the previous year’s Challenger Series rankings, 
• Three men and two women who were CT surfers in the prior season that did not requalify for either the CT or the Challenger Series, 
• 49 men and 30 women as allocated by the seven WSL regions (Australia/Oceania, Asia, Africa, Europe, Hawaii/Tahiti Nui, North America, and Latin America), and
• The men’s 2022 World Junior Champion, 
• The women's 2022 World Junior Champion, and
• Five men’s and three women’s wildcards per event.
• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Google+
• Log in or register to post comments

Only change from 2022 is the absence of the seventh event at Haliewa, and the loss of Vans as the US Open sponsor.

Manly moves to North Nara ?

If so good decision. I think North Narra is actually a worthy CT venue also.

So, 7 from each region instead of 10?

Man, that is tough news for QS surfers to hear.

"Three men and two women who were CT surfers in the prior season that did not requalify for either the CT or the Challenger Series"........???? If you didn't make the cut as a CT surfer aren't you automatically qualified for the Challenger Series??

They've now removed CT surfers from the draw - except where they apply for a wildcard - so the CS can serve the purpose it was designed for: deciding the following year's CT

In the past, CS events have been won by CT surfers who've already qualified for the CT.

I think the reason they allowed that was to appease sponsors (i.e the comps had star firepower), but it undercut the CS intentions.

"Three men and two women who were CT surfers in the prior season that did not requalify for either the CT or the Challenger Series"........????

Do they mean prior season as in 2022?

In which case CT surfers who got cut and couldn't make the Top 10 of the CS like Connor Coffin and Owen Wright could magically have their careers resurrected by fiat.

Yeah, looks like they're being rewarded - handed a lifeline? - for making the CT.

Not sure how those spots will be divvied up. Lot of opportunity for funny business.

Taken a pretty hefty haircut from the 2021 announcement.

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

Piha, eek, already enough beachies. Why not Raglan in June, that would flow logistically as well. Not enough performance LH waves on either tour.

I was reading the 2022 schedule - doh

The final comp at Haleiwa for qualifying was the highlight of the whole challenger series. Now a beachie in Brazil…

It really is a sign of the total incompetence at the wozzle that they can’t even get a single CS event funded in Hawaii.

Sponsors hoping to sell Beer, Utes and Soy Milk? They need to visit Desperations.

Surf brands are slipping out the back door on the CT - 6 of 11 comps sponsored by endemics - but on the CS it's far worse: just 1 comp in 6 sponsored by the industry.

Times they are a'changin'.

Only O'Neill Stu? Whats a Vissla? Breed of dog?

Ha...yeah, the EDP Vissla Pro Ericeira, is in there too.

This actually looks worse than the old QS as far as wave quality goes.

760 currently live watching one of Australia's longest running and most prestigious QS comps (which ran as a CT in 2021)......

That about sums it up.

To be fair, it is absolute slop this morning. I wouldn't even bother taking the 30 second detour to check the waves on my way to work

It's just not a mainstream sport. People who don't surf find it boring as all fuck. Which leaves people who do surf, who also find it boring as all fuck unless it's pumping. Which leaves a handful of comps a year to try and scrounge a dollar out of a very small audience. Then add all the rest of the time zone differences, the way it's run, the comps go for so long, on and on...

Nailed it, Sprout! And we should add to that the new gen's constant demand for prompt and novel information (and dopamine), abundantly available on their mobile phones, is an unbeatable competitor.

My bet is that the number of under 20s watching the Newcastle comp right now would be in the double digits (if that). The truth is that surf comps are a dying attraction which only those of us (close to or over 50) still find mildly entertaining.

Who'd be an aspiring pro surfer hey? Particularly poor female athletes. Why? .....

- Your governing body moves the goal posts not even each year but several times / season. - Only 5 of a plethora of female shredders get the chance to mix qualify for the big leagues next year - You have to fly half-way around the world to be put out in onshore tiny beachies to come 3rd in your first round heat and then have to pack up and go home. - Your elite level challenger tour consists of 4 shit box beach breaks and a really fat and shite point - When nepotism seemingly governs the choices of wildcards (read people who haven't earned their spot) in events both the CT and CS - When equality means women have 40% less athletes on the CS and nearly 50% less on the CT - When you get through all of the above obstacles to be thrown to the wolves in the CT by surfing 5 new events against the top seeded athletes only to have to get back on the merry go round (CS) again

The only thing that I would disagree with is that there is nothing "merry" about the CS go round. :)

Apparently the regional 'QS events in other countries are really struggling. Although Australia's is a pretty good and very competitive little mini tour in its own right, places like Africa and others aren't fairing so well. This whole thing could realistically go tits up very shortly.

Yep, struggling to find sponsors even in places where surfing is forever booming, such as Hawaii.

We wrote about this last year, but in 2022 Hawaii had two QS events, while the year before it had just one.

This makes a mockery of the 'pathways to the top' concept as a whole year's progress is decided in just one contest - sometimes in just one heat. If you don't make that heat then you have to sit in a stall position waiting for one more shot the next year.

The reason the Haleiwa CS has been dropped is, apparently, so it can become a QS, which would go some way to making it fairer, though still well short of Australia's seven QS contests.

And you mentioned Africa, it still only has one QS contest.

Seeing one Senegalese surfer in the Africa QS rankings makes you wonder how epic it could be if surfing had a real crack in Africa, especially considering how many remote and epic waves they have. Imagine there would be too many issues with investment and infrastructure unfortunately.

I saw that excuse for dropping Haleiwa to a QS event, but it doesn't really make sense. It now means Hawaiians have no home CS event to get them in big leagues . Robbing Peter to pay Paul !!

I had a thought that vans might take it along with October sunset comp and pipe masters Wala... there is the 2023 vans triple crown event.

well you could always get a job. Hard as it may be, it's professional surfing - the best comp surfers and most determined will rise and prosper... meanwhile I will continue to watch Nathan Florence and Mason ho videos over any comps...

Vlogs are overrated and mason has run his course..... I'm afraid they gave up too much content too quick. Sure you don't get bored of those Vlogs?

The latest video trailer was way better than any comp materials

I won't watch a comp again until Turps is gone. Tried a few years ago and had to give up. It's literally the tone that kills me. Nevermind the "body torque wrap" jargon.

You wouldn't like their incessant talk about 'lip lines' then........ Also Woz's complete inability to acknowledge when the surf, a surfer, anything related to them is less that pumping or perfect.

I just watch on silent. Do we really need commentators?

8 days to get a decent short board wave and finish at a comp at snapper. This is gonna be quite amusing.

90% of ads on the TV seem to have a surf image in them (slight exaggeration) - but mostly a board on a roof, beach shot, old guy with mal, sunset image, older guy pulling board out of new car shot etc.

Surfing sells big time as a concept to briefly stamp "cool" "I am an individual", "I am a wealthy high value target but have soul" on brands.

But mainly marketing knows it is cheap and easy to wack a 2 second image in there or a photo and get the job done.

So stuff sponsoring a contest with unpredictable weather and surf mainly watched by small numbers of hard to please whiny surfers who forever seem to be bagging out that cool Elo dude.

Sorry Elo, take off speed is not just around the corner.

Frog is onto it...wins a prize...this is actually pretty cool to share! Most Tourism Agencies Sponsor & Promote Surfing / Surfboards. Also Transit Authorities are including Surfboard access...albeit 2m max! Oz is #2 for wealthiest millionaire migrants Oz is one of only 3 resourceful countries with continuous population rise past 2100 & on World short stays Top Ten #2 Byron #3 Noosa #4 Goldie (All surf Destinations) Oz Surfing is #1 Locked in to sell anything to anyone in the world for next 100 years

1970's TV Mandatory Hawaii Surf Sessions but less so elsewhere!

1980 ~ Season 6 Laverne & Shirley Pioneered Surfboard marketing Product Placement > Ownership > Kook Lingo + get dropped into a Lineup Session The producer intros the complete Surfing package...wrapped up in a prime time Soap!

Excellent Comments...just gonna throw in an under the radar wobbly!

Request for crew to check on cross flow fermentation Saquintet... All Hail centre of Surfing Universe Saquarama

Is that Legit or is it an anomaly or simply a Hybrid 2023 Brazo Quintet

24th-30th April 2023 ~ Saquarama Surf Festival ~ Junior 1,000 24th - 30th April 2023 ~ Saquarama Surf Festival ~ Longboard 1,000 24th-30th April 2023 ~ Saquarama Surf Festival ~ QS 5,000 23rd June - 1st July 2023 ~ VIVO Rio Pro CT Saquarema 14th - 21st Oct 2023 ~ Corona Pro CS Saquarema

(Translation) Presented by.... Seemingly means No Sponsor requiring WSL fall guys to mop up!

Ballito CS never has had a Major Sponsor usually leans on O'Neill to mop up! US Open CS (Vans Pulled out) Needed a Beer Baron presenter. tbb can bring up the 2023 US Open Promo > notice no Brand Sponsor...just these "presenters" https://www.usopenofsurfing.com/

CT : Ranch Pro (US Army 'Cuervo' pulled Out) Needed a Beer Baron presenter. Note : There might be a conflict involving WSL Sponsoring own Event in WSL pool? Pretty sure they'll get a sponsor...Kelly is just backing off Sponsoring > see Cut! Why sponsor an Event ya can't win or even compete in!

WSL Latinx Corona Beer festival mirrors Oldschool Oz Sporty Beer Barons

Exemptions : Supa Keen State Sponsors Surf City Pro CT + Western Australia Pro CT (No longer Drug Aware)

Not that Keen to splash cash... GWM Sydney Surf Pro CS is also state sponsored by Chinese Army War Machines https://www.haval-global.com/news_detail-3122.html

I don't like to kick a man when he's down but did anyone hear ELO when he was in the booth during the Pipe Pro?

He talked a big game (as usual) and promised exciting announcements would be made about the upcoming CS Tour. He was either talking total BS or he didn't have his ducks lined up because no way this damp squib of a CS (with a 1/4 shaved off it from last year!) qualifies as an exciting announcement.

How do we see this playing out in 2024?

There'll be a retreat or another restructure- the CS has basically made the QS worthless (less than a 1000 people watching on any given day- even at 5 star QS events with pro webcasts) due to lack of starpower and the CS is slowly dying (originally supposed to be an 8 event Tour in prime locations, now a 6 stop rebadged QS with no Hawaii). Snapper Rocks excepted of course.

It's not sustainable as a 3 tier Tour. The two bottom layers cannibalise each other as far as sponsorship and viewer attention go.

The other thing is the CS finishing in Oct in Brazil instead of Hawaii in Dec creates a huge amount of dead air in between seasons where, for all intents and purposes the WSL ceases to exist. The Haliewa Dec event bridged that gap to a certain extent and primed the new season.

ELO will have to walk, he is presiding over a slow death here. Every announcement he makes now is a bad news turd which he has to try and roll in glitter before presenting it to the World.

We hear a lot of grumbling on these pages, and rightly so - but Elo and friends have been celebrating the 2022 Trestles final as the largest single day audience in Woz history. So he's probably feeling pretty good about himself when he throws those numbers around. The sponsors don't appear to be listening though.

Maybe because the numbers are grossly inflated?

Even if they are inflated, they still pale in comparison to other mainstream sports, all of which are competing for the same limited sponsorship dollars.

From a feel good perspective I can barely remember these trestle events. But when I think of the narratives that many a pipe masters provided in December I look back with real fondness. It was real, this new shit is just contrived

Perfect summary

My prediction for 2023: Slater and Steph don't make the mid season cut, the Wsl are in damage control. Kanoa also doesn't make the cut which makes the tour look like it's run by monkeys and goldfish. Kolohe crys and smashed another board as he too doesn't make the cut and drives head first into a tree at Margaret river in frustration. Meanwhile Zeke storm Wsl head quarters to make headline world wide for a shotting mass murder. Zeke is defiantly getting the cut due to Karma

General sentiment seems to be anger at the WSL’s incompetence and downfall. Shouldn’t we be happy?

Perhaps its all part of the plan to whittle it all away.. Fast forward a few years and the CS positions might be decided by a one day surf off in prime time USA. Qualification to the surf off via likes on your own personal WSL content page.

Beaches are still cool; so maybe WSL need to widen the audience & sponsorship appeal with other sports & leisure during the lulls in favourable swell..... eg. Beach volley ball, paintball, palates, fancy dress, egg & spoon race, etc

bit of live music would be nice too.....

I’m not happy that the WSL is dying.

The comp venues on the CS in particular are way too beachie-heavy, with luck playing an ever-increasing role in getting contestable surf. It seems like they are selling out to the highest bidder without a long term plan. Overall, the WSL brand is cheapening with every event. They really need to stick to quality waves to have any real success.

A better CS schedule would be something like: Oz: Snapper Asia: Keramas or even Krui Americas: Puerto Escondido Europe: SW France Pacific: Haliewa

Just make it work, WSL.

Crew's insightful comments just keep coming ... super stoked. For yer prize > Can choose from Sophie's Choice!

tbb is positive he read about Bugz chatting to Starkie on a Flight about challenges on regional QS Tour. Anyone else recall this...coz pretty sure it's the wildcard that set this off! Why would tbb dream this up...just checking if any of the crew read likewise! Even thought it was why Starkie naturally got the WSL Job to expand Pacific.

Recalling CS started in Oz / NZ with Kelly / Steph locked in to kick off the VIP appearances! tbb believes CS origin is here in Oz... [Factcheck] 2023 Only 2x Oz Comps were locked in until this Feature! (Correct!) = Starkie! All CS beginnings & future hangs off Oz...if Goldie & Sydney go...then it's all over! All crew know this!

Nov 2019 [Factcheck] swellnet / Freeride is spot on as usual... CS will increase 8 Events building to 10 + ( Womens > 4 ) https://www.worldsurfleague.com/posts/417110/the-wsl-announces-the-chall...

2023 CS CS Men sacrificed 2 comps 8 > 7 -2 comps = 6 mens CS comps (Target of 10 is now pie in the sky!) Sporting trade off afforded 2 extra women's comps = 4 +2 = 6 Womens CS comps (Saving Grace!) Current = 2 CS comps have no major Sponsor...this explains why Men donated their 2 to Sisters. Ok! 1 CS comp borrows Brazil's Junior/LB/QS/CT Venue... Haleiwa CS was bullied outta town by New Season 3x Corp Pipe Slams + Triple Crown No way can they book a spare day let alone a Week or beg for a dollar amongst the Monsta Mash.

Bonus...Did CT Final 5 default an accidental CS mop up...be super easy to argue it did! Which came first...Final 5 Shootout or The CS Ward

Oct 2017 > (credit to Wavelength) Happy to share! 2019 Tour to start in Hawaii reduced from 10 months > 8 months Mens Final 5/6 + Womens Final 3/4 > "Special Event" will decide Champs in principle > Indonesia! Those not Qualifying in Top 22 will concentrate on Qualifying Circuit (Then the QS) > Note : No CS. From this early draught we can surmise that the CS was later added as a safety net for CT fallout!

Therein lies the problem...CS is self defeatist from it's inception

But crucially adding a further 1 year Tier delay launchpad for Gromz > CT.

Now that there decision is Legally Brilliant...as all Gromz must then be Adult to sign Safety Clauses! No more Virgins to sacrifice on Reefs...All got that! Damn that is so slick! https://wavelengthmag.com/everything-new-wsl-format/

PS : Also important is Bugz quickly rubber stamped Final 3/4/5/6 Woteva Whereva Format...(Why!) It was still just a thought bubble with no solid numbers or Venue? Makes tbb think Bugz did then have that chat on the plane with Starkie! You know...about formulating a positive CS springboard worth marketing. Coz CS is still marketable downunder...Season starts off well...then it turns to shit...All say Aye!

Anyhow...lot there to think about...no idea wot to make of it...can be read many ways! tbb just went with the flow of wot we now know to be true!

After all said and done Aussie contestants for the ‘challenging’ series are:

Men (7): Reef Heazelwood, Jarvis Earle, Alister Reginato, Joel Vaughan, George Pittar, Billy Staitmand, Mikey McDonagh * Te Kehukehu Butler

Women(4): Kobie Enright, Paige Hareb, Ellie Harrison, Nyxie Ryan,

Not many numbers consider the talent pool we have in comparison to other regions (read Africa, Europe, Asia).

Women have it rough.

* Jarvis Earle earned his spot being Junior World Champion so I imagine this would make way for Te Kehukehu

As well as those that don't make the cut and those that were in the first 10 / 5 non qualifying spots on the CS last year. Dyl Moffat, Morgs, Chippo Willcox.

And Bronte Mac, Sarah Baum and Nikki Van D in the womens.

That’s right JD. Bloody confusing system for those playing at home. Sarah Baum not a saffa?

Yeah Sol, you're right. Is a Saffa but has been in Oz a fair while (I think) working at a surf school in Newy.

You're using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Your browser has JavaScript disabled. Please enable it to continue.

The Blackmore’s Australian Pro ASC is Completed

In 2024 the third year of the visit oceanside adaptive surfing professionals world championship tour will be adding a fourth stop to the roster, the “blackmores australian pro adaptive surfing championships” in byron bay australia, at the incredible surf break “the pass in byron bay”. the first stop of the tour is in australia, followed by a stop in hawaii for the hawaii adaptive surfing championships, then off to costa rica for the costa rica open pro of adaptive surfing, and the final stop in the u.s. for the u.s. open adaptive surfing championships in oceanside california..

The prize money will be setting new records and the AASP will be crowning more adaptive world champions. After all the AASP Champions are crowned the AASP will celebrate with a bonus stop at the Waco Surf Wave Pool for all the champions to surf for a two day event. 

In 2023 The second year of the Visit Oceanside Adaptive Surfing Professionals World Championship Tour added a third stop to the tour, the Costa Rica Open Pro of Adaptive Surfing in beautiful Costa Rica at the amazing surf break Boca Barranca. The three-stop world tour was able to award a combined prize pool purse of just over $104,000 dollars to adaptive surfers from around the world.

The two-event tour kicked off in June of 2022 at the AccesSurf Hawaii Adaptive Surfing Championships hosting 100 adaptive surfers from 17 countries, giving away a record $36,000 dollars in prize money and the first points towards an overall adaptive surfing professionals world championship. The final leg of the AASP World Tour ended in Oceanside California on September 8th-11th at the U.S. Open Adaptive Surfing Championships, where the U.S. Open ASC awarded a prize pool purse of $29,000 with the AASP Points winners splitting a $32,000 dollar prize pool purse

2024 Event Schedule

The Blackmores Australian Pro Adaptive Surfing Championship

March 17-22, 2024.

Byron Bay, NSW Australia

The Hawai’i Adaptive Surfing Championships

May 13-16, 2024.

Queens, Waikiki

COSTA RICA OPEN PRO OF ADAPTIVE SURFING

June 18-23, 2024.

Boca Barranca, Costa Rica

U.S. OPEN ADAPTIVE SURFING CHAMPIONSHIPS

September 5-8, 2024.

Oceanside, CA

• JOIN EXECUTIVE EDITION
• SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER
• YOUR EXECUTIVE EDITION EXPIRED. RENEW >

World Surf League Announces 2023 Championship Tour Schedule

Sep 19, 2022

Today, the World Surf League (WSL) announced the schedule for the 2023 Championship Tour (CT). The calendar marks the second full year of the WSL’s redesigned Tours and Competitions framework, which features a fully combined men’s and women’s schedule, 10 regular-season events, a Mid-season Cut after CT Stop No. 5, and the third-annual Rip Curl WSL Finals. The 2023 CT season will also be the top qualification route for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

“We are proud of the new framework we’ve developed and seen play out over the course of this season with great success,” said Jessi Miley-Dyer, SVP of Tours and Head of Competition. “The 2023 schedule provides the best possible platform and will continue to drive the world’s best surfing. Seeing the women return to Tahiti for the first time in 16 years in August was incredible, and I’m proud to confirm that 2023 will continue to see equal events, venues, and prize money with this fully combined schedule.”

“Following the incredible momentum and milestones we’ve hit in 2022, we will continue to build our global platform to progress and elevate professional surfing,” said Erik Logan, WSL CEO. “We experienced the redesign in its entirety for the first time this year, and we will further strengthen the sport through next year’s fully-combined Championship Tour, which will also qualify the first 18 athletes for the 2024 Olympic Games.”

The 2023 CT will include 10 regular-season events in seven countries, starting in January for the Billabong Pro Pipeline. The Mid-season Cut will come into action following the Margaret River Pro, Stop. No. 5. The WSL CT will return to the Surf Ranch, the world’s largest high-performance, human-made wave 100 miles from the ocean in Lemoore, Calif., as the sixth stop on the calendar. The 2023 Rip Curl WSL Finals will be held in Lower Trestles in San Clemente, Calif., where the men’s and women’s Top 5 surfers will face off for the World Titles.

2023 WSL Championship Tour Schedule:

• Billabong Pro Pipeline (Hawaii): January 29 – February 10
• Hurley Pro Sunset Beach (Hawaii): February 12 – 23
• MEO Rip Curl Portugal Pro (Portugal): March 8 – 16
• Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach (Victoria, Australia): April 4 – 14
• Margaret River Pro (Western Australia, Australia): April 20 – 30

Mid-season Cut: 36-man and 18-woman fields reduced to 24-man and 12-woman fields.

• Surf Ranch Pro (USA): May 27 – 28
• Surf City El Salvador Pro presented by Corona (El Salvador): June 9 – 18
• Rio Pro presented by Corona (Brazil): June 23 – July 1
• Corona Open J-Bay (South Africa): July 13 – 22
• SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro (French Polynesia): August 11 – 20

WSL Final 5 determined to battle for the men’s and women’s World Titles.

• Rip Curl WSL Finals (Lower Trestles, USA): September 7 – 15

2023 Championship Tour Is Top Qualification Avenue for Paris 2024 Olympic Games 

The 2023 WSL CT is the top of the hierarchy in the Olympic qualification system for the world’s best surfers. The WSL CT rankings at the end of the 2023 season, starting at the Billabong Pro Pipeline and ending at the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro, will determine the 18 of 48 spots at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (10 men and 8 women).

With the 2022 CT season wrapped, witnessing Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) and Filipe Toledo (BRA) claim the World Titles, professional surfing now focuses on the 2022 Challenger Series, where surfers are competing for the opportunity to make the 2023 CT. The next stop on the 2022 Challenger Series will be the EDP Vissla Pro Ericeira, which opens on October 1 and holds a competition window through October 9, 2022.

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com .

Related news

No related photos.

Industry News

686 Owner on Benefits of Slow and Steady Growth, Next Season’s Orders and More

Outerwear and apparel brand 686 made Circana’s Top 10 list of fastest growing brands. We spoke with founder and CEO | Read more…

WSL Hosts Key Sponsors at Kelly Slater Surf Ranch

WSL Chief Revenue Officer Cherie Cohen hosted key WSL sponsors at the Kelly Slater Wave Company’s Surf Ranch last week | Read more…

Fox Parent Will Entertain MNC Offer if Price Boosted Beyond $3B

Vista Outdoor said it’s opening parts of its books to MNC as it seeks a higher offer than the $37.50 | Read more…

Industry Insight

White Room International USA Inc. Seeking a Buyer for SMP Clothing

SMP Clothing was a brand that captured the imagination of many during its heyday in the 1990s. Its appeal stemmed | Read more…

Burton x ENDVR: Exclusive Fireside Chat on Increasing Wholesale Revenue

Dive deep into the mechanics of transforming retail education and sales strategies through this webinar. An opportunity to learn and | Read more…

How Tilly’s Has Supported Youth Mental Health with Tilly’s Life Center

Tilly’s 17th Annual Charity Golf Tournament this year is all about lending a hand to youth with anxieties, depressions and | Read more…

Industry Releases

Sanuk x Surfrider Launch Earth Day Footwear Collection

The limited-time capsule collab helps protect our happy places.

Revelyst Announces Chief Supply Chain Officer

Revelyst appointed longtime supply chain and business operations leader Joe Beck to the position of Chief Supply Chain Officer.

Australian Brands Hard Yakka and Thrills Launch New Brand Hard Yakka Create

The venture melds traditional workwear with contemporary streetwear.

FREE industry news delivered to your inbox daily

You can unsubscribe at any time

You have Successfully Subscribed!

THE 2024 PWT is coming!

Are you ready for the best season yet check the schedule and come join us.

PRO WAKEBOARD TOUR / 2024

The Pro Wakeboard Tour is the most dominant, highest credibility professional wakeboard and wakesurf circuit in the world. Comprised of four cash prize events, the PWT showcases the top athletes from Europe, Australia, Canada, the US and more.

Stay up to date here or follow @prowakeboardtourofficial for the latest PWT event information, venue details, Pro Wake Tour Youtube channel tune-in times, spectator info, and more.

SAVE THE DATE

UPCOMING events

June 21 & 22

Indianapolis, IN - Lakefront at KeystonE

July 11 & 12

Park City, UT - Jordanelle State Park

August 7 & 8

Groveland, FL - Lake David

Lenoir City, TN - Lenoir City Park KNOXVILLE

team challenge

Lenoir City, TN - Lenoir City park KNOXVILLE

2023 FINAL EVENT STANDINGS

Pro wakeboard, 1. tyler higham, 2. jamie huser, 3. shota tezuka, pro wakesurf, 1. jett lambert, 2. taylor swanson, 3. beaux wildman, watch the 2023 pwt here, 2023 pwt team challenge, 2023 pwt stop #4, 2023 pwt stop #3, 2023 pwt stop #2, 2023 pwt stop #1, latest articles.

The 32nd anniversary of the legendary event will feature the world’s best wake athletes.

Click on a rider below to follow them on Instagram!

Tyler Higham

JAMIE HUSER

SHOTA TEZUKA

CORY TEUNISSEN

THOMAS HERMAN

FYNN BULLOCK

MASSI PIFFARETTI

PRO WAKEsurf

JETT LAMBERT

TAYLOR SWANSON

BEAUX WILDMAN

CAMRON SWANSON

DYLAN MATTHEWS

Join the pwt insiders.

SEE CONTENT FIRST, ENTER GIVEAWAYS, AND MORE!

Media & Partners

© 2024 Pro Wakeboard Tour All rights reserved

Trademarks, logos and other designations posted on this website belong to their respective owners and may be used only subject to the latter’s consent.

• Rugby union

Dolphins ride wave with surfing champion Gabriela Bryan at Margaret River Pro – video

Hawaiian surfer Gabriela Bryan shared a wave with a pod of dolphins as she won her first WSL tour event over Californian rookie Sawyer Lindblad in pumping surf at the Margaret River Pro in Western Australia on Sunday

► Subscribe to Guardian Australia on YouTube

Sally Fitzgibbons relegated again after missing mid-season cut at Margaret River Pro

Source: Reuters/World Surf League

Mon 22 Apr 2024 03.14 BST Last modified on Mon 22 Apr 2024 21.10 BST

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share via Email
• Australia sport
• Western Australia

Most popular

Watch: Two riderless horses gallop through central London

Watch: Surfer shares wave with dolphins during competition off Australia

Officials: No criminal charges in caught-on-camera case of black bear cubs pulled from tree

State Trooper makes purr-fect traffic stop in South Dakota

Elephant escapes circus, wanders streets of Montana

Racehorse finds itself on the wrong kind of track in Sydney

Family shares pet octopus journey on TikTok

Natural reactions: How animals may behave during the eclipse

Watch: Eyewitness video captures runaway ostrich in South Korea

A modern-day woolly mammoth may be just a few years away, biotech company says

Public library launches 'March Meow'ness'

Meet Jonathan, the oldest tortoise in the world

Animal services rescue 86 dogs from hoarder’s California home

Watch: Baby pygmy hippo makes its debut at a zoo in Athens, Greece

'They're all high': Rats eat drugs in New Orleans evidence storage

WATCH: Orphan fox gets fed by welfare worker wearing fox mask

Florida beachgoers advised to avoid dead whale

Mountain lion seen roaming California coastal city

New Jersey tree trimmer helps rescue over 100 cats in trees

Wisconsin family helps lost pig 'Kevin Bacon' find his way home

Hawaiian surfer Gabriela Bryan shared a wave with a pod of dolphins as she won her first world championship tour event at the Western Australia Margaret River Pro competition. April 22, 2024

Best of NBC News

NBC News NOW

Cameraman sues megan thee stallion for harassment.

Foreign aid passes: How the delay in funding affected Ukraine and Israel wars

Biden: Foreign aid package will 'make the world safer'

FDA finds fragments of the bird flu virus in pasteurized milk

Federal Trade Commission votes to ban most noncompete agreements

Columbia students representing Jewish and pro-Palestinian sides speak about protests

• Ways to Watch
• Tahiti Bound
• WSL One Ocean
• Notifications

Morocco Mall Junior Pro Casablanca Returns for Third Edition

Moroccan stop to launch 2024 european junior qualifying series.

Wednesday, April 24, 2024 Updated: Wednesday, April 24, 2024

PORTE 13, AIN DIAB, Casablanca - Morocco (Wednesday, April 24, 2024) - The Morocco Mall Junior Pro Casablanca , Stop No.1 on the 2024 World Surf League (WSL) European Junior Qualifying Series (JQS) will return from May 22-26, 2024 at Ain Diab beach, in Casablanca, Morocco.

It will be the third time the best European and Moroccan surfers under 20 get to kick off their season in the fun peaks and clement temperatures of Ain Diab. Following two successful past editions, everyone is looking forward to coming back to Morocco and reigniting the rivalries that make the junior tour so entertaining. More than just fun in the sun, this highly competitive event is a golden opportunity for local surfers to hone their skills and test themselves against the best competitors in Europe.

The defending women's event winner Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) went on to claim her first European junior title last season and will be back in Casablanca, chasing a fourth event win and trying to keep the regional title in the family for a fifth year in a row.

But the young Basque will face plenty of challengers, including local talents trying to follow in the footsteps of Moroccan star Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) who just made the mid-season Cut on the Championship Tour (CT) and is guaranteed to stay on tour next season. With Morocco's top female competitor Lilias Tebbai (MAR) now graduated to the Qualifying Series (QS), Ranya Squalli (MAR) will lead the local charge, competing for the third year in Casablanca.

The men's field will be more open and guaranteed to crown a new winner as the past two victors have now graduated to the Qualifying Series. Germany's Tim Elter who lifted the trophy in 2023 didn't particularly capitalize on the momentum from an early win in Casablanca but recently achieved one of the biggest results of his young career, qualifying for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics that will be held in Tahiti for surfing. Mohammed Reda Madouar (MAR) and Ayman Gougali (MAR) will carry the local hopes alongside about a dozen Moroccans challenging Europe's best on home turf.

The World Surf League has a tradition of hosting professional surfing events in Morocco that benefit both the African and European regional athletes. With previous stops on the Qualifying Series (QS) and Junior QS, surfers from both regions can compete, earn points and prize money towards trying to qualify for the Challenger Series (CS) or the World Junior Championships (WJC). Past editions in Casablanca and Taghazout have welcomed competitors from all over the world and a majority from Africa and Europe. Moroccan surfers have also been encouraged to travel and compete both on the Old Continent and in African events like Redouane Regragui (MAR) and Aboubakar Bouaouda (MAR) most recently at the Cape Town Surf Pro and SA Open of Surfing.

The 2024 Morocco Mall Junior Pro Casablanca is scheduled from May 22-26, 2024, at Ain Diab beach, in Casablanca, Morocco. For all results, photos, video highlights and press releases, log on to worldsurfleague.com.

• Credentials
• Mailing List
• Images and Videos
• Regional Media Contacts
• Frequently Asked Questions

Press Contacts

Email our press team at: [email protected]

For non-urgent matters, please contact our Los Angeles office at: +1-310-450-1212

World Surf League

Tours and competition.

• Competitor Services
• Rules and Regulations
• Give Feedback

Dolphins accompany Bryan to win at Margaret River Pro, Robinson repeats

• Medium Text

Sign up here.

Reporting by Lincoln Feast in Sydney; Editing by Peter Rutherford

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

Thomson Reuters

A 23-year veteran at Reuters, Lincoln has worked in a wide range of reporting and editing roles on three continents. A former Australia & NZ bureau chief, he is now an editor on the Global News Desk, working with reporters on stories from China and the Korean peninsula to the South Pacific. Lincoln is a volunteer firefighter and a keen surfer, which he also reports on for Reuters.

Sports Chevron

Trophy trust reinstates reggie bush as 2005 heisman winner.

Due to an evolving landscape in college football, the Heisman Trust ran a reverse to reinstate 2005 winner Reggie Bush on Wednesday.

Surfer Samuel Pupo left in tears after knocking brother Miguel out of the WSL tour at Margaret River Pro

Sport Surfer Samuel Pupo left in tears after knocking brother Miguel out of the WSL tour at Margaret River Pro

Australian wildcard George Pittar continued his stunning run and Brazilian Samuel Pupo was left in tears on a shortened but drama-filled day at the Margaret River Pro.

Only four heats were surfed on Friday in the men's round of 16 due to fading conditions at the World Surf League (WSL) event in Western Australia.

Pittar, competing in just his second WSL event, provided the feel-good story when the 21-year-old defeated countryman Liam O'Brien in the final heat of the day to book a quarterfinal berth.

"Far out, I can't even believe what's going on," Pittar told the WSL broadcast.

"It's easier coming into this event with less pressure. Everyone's having to worry about the cut, and there's so much on the line.

"For me, I'm padding out there and it's all experience for me.

"It's pretty crazy I'm in the quarterfinals. I'm tripping."

The most emotional moment of the day belonged to 23-year-old Pupo, who was left in tears after beating his older brother Miguel Pupo in a result that ensured his 32-year-old sibling missed the mid-season cut.

"To get him off tour, I just feel like a loss really for me," Samuel said while wiping away tears.

"Without him, I wouldn't be anywhere near where I am now. Maybe I wouldn't be surfing.

"For me to be in this position is all because of him.

"But he's really strong, I'm sure he's going to come back.

"He just got out of the water smiling, and he looked like he was the one that won the heat.

"That just shows how strong he is, but it still hurts so much."

Earlier, two-time Margaret River Pro winner John John Florence was in grave danger of being eliminated when he trailed three-time world champion Gabriel Medina in their round-of-16 battle.

With just 100 seconds remaining and with Medina boasting priority, Florence required a 6.67-point ride to advance.

Medina used his priority to take off on a wave that came through, but it was the second wave in the set that packed more of a punch.

Florence took full advantage of his moment of luck, pulling off a sharp two-wave manoeuvre that resulted in a score of 6.90 and the heat win.

"That was quite a stressful heat," Florence said.

"I was so stoked to get that wave in the end.

"Every set that's come there's been two-wave sets, so if there was a set, I knew I would get a chance.

"I was trying to hold the nerves. Surfing against Gabe is always fun.

"He's one of the best competitive surfers of our time."

Griffin Colapinto also booked a quarterfinal berth with victory over Ramzi Boukhiam.

Bigger and better conditions are forecast for the weekend, when both the men's and women's competitions will wrap up.

The ABC of SPORT

• X (formerly Twitter)
• Margaret River

RBC Heritage

Harbour Town Golf Links

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina • USA

Apr 18 - 21, 2024

.css-1hnz6hu{position:static;}.css-1hnz6hu::before{content:'';cursor:inherit;display:block;position:absolute;top:0px;left:0px;z-index:0;width:100%;height:100%;} WiretoWire: Scheffler goes back-to-back again

Presented by

Scheffler builds gap in FedExCup standings

Scheffler makes remarkable look routine, wins RBC Heritage comfortably

By the numbers: Statistics confirm Scheffler's historical dominance

.css-tplryy{font-family:Suisse Intl,"Helvetica Neue",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:1.9rem;line-height:2.2rem;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:-0.01em;}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.css-tplryy{font-family:Suisse Intl,"Helvetica Neue",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:2.4rem;line-height:2.8rem;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:-0.02em;}} Recent Videos .css-yjoevz{font-family:Suisse Intl,"Helvetica Neue",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:1.5rem;line-height:1.6rem;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:-0.01em;-webkit-align-self:end;-ms-flex-item-align:end;align-self:end;cursor:pointer;} View All

Scottie Scheffler closes out 72nd hole to cement 10th win at RBC Heritage

Collin Morikawa cuts tee shot at the flag and birdies at RBC Heritage

Sepp Straka draws second tight to set up birdie at RBC Heritage

Sahith Theegala drains 28-foot birdie putt at RBC Heritage

Sepp Straka spins wedge below the hole and birdies at RBC Heritage

Scottie Scheffler's masterful par save at RBC Heritage

Recent news view all, wiretowire: scheffler goes back-to-back again.

Scheffler finishes off another win at RBC Heritage to extend dominant run

Golfbet Recap: Scheffler ‘dialed in like nobody’s business’ after cruising to RBC Heritage win

• Sep 19, 2022

World Surf League Announces 2023 Championship Tour Schedule

LOS ANGELES, Calif., USA (Monday, September 19, 2022) - Today, the World Surf League (WSL) announced the schedule for the 2023 Championship Tour (CT).

The 2023 Rip Curl WSL Finals will return to Lower Trestles in San Clemente, Calif. Credit: © WSL

The calendar marks the second full year of the WSL’s redesigned Tours and Competitions framework, which features a fully combined men’s and women’s schedule, 10 regular-season events, a Mid-season Cut after CT Stop No. 5, and the third-annual Rip Curl WSL Finals. The 2023 CT season will also be the top qualification route for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

"We are proud of the new framework we’ve developed and seen play out over the course of this season with great success,” said Jessi Miley-Dyer, SVP of Tours and Head of Competition. "The 2023 schedule provides the best possible platform and will continue to drive the world’s best surfing. Seeing the women return to Tahiti for the first time in 16 years in August was incredible, and I’m proud to confirm that 2023 will continue to see equal events, venues, and prize money with this fully combined schedule."

“Following the incredible momentum and milestones we’ve hit in 2022, we will continue to build our global platform to progress and elevate professional surfing,” said Erik Logan, WSL CEO. “We experienced the redesign in its entirety for the first time this year, and we will further strengthen the sport through next year’s fully-combined Championship Tour, which will also qualify the first 18 athletes for the 2024 Olympic Games.”

The 2023 CT will include 10 regular-season events in seven countries, starting in January for the Billabong Pro Pipeline. The Mid-season Cut will come into action following the Margaret River Pro, Stop. No. 5. The WSL CT will return to the Surf Ranch, the world's largest high performance, human-made wave 100 miles from the ocean in Lemoore, Calif., as the sixth stop on the calendar. The 2023 Rip Curl WSL Finals will be held in Lower Trestles in San Clemente, Calif., where the men’s and women’s Top 5 surfers will face off for the World Titles.

2023 WSL Championship Tour Schedule:

Billabong Pro Pipeline (Hawaii): January 29 - February 10

Hurley Pro Sunset Beach (Hawaii): February 12 - 23

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal (Portugal): March 8 - 16

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach (Australia): April 4 - 14

Margaret River Pro (Australia): April 20 - 30

Mid-season Cut: 36-man and 18-woman fields reduced to 24-man and 12-woman fields.

Surf Ranch Pro (USA): May 27 - 28

Surf City El Salvador Pro presented by Corona (El Salvador): June 9 - 18

Rio Pro presented by Corona (Brazil): June 23 - July 1

Corona Open J-Bay (South Africa): July 13 - 22

SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro (French Polynesia): August 11 - 20

WSL Final 5 determined to battle for the men’s and women’s World Titles.

Rip Curl WSL Finals (Lower Trestles, USA): September 7 - 15

The break for the final event of the 2023 regular CT season, Teahupo'o, is also confirmed to host the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Credit: © WSL / Poullenot

2023 Championship Tour Is Top Qualification Avenue for Paris 2024 Olympic Games

The 2023 WSL CT is the top of the hierarchy in the Olympic qualification system for the world’s best surfers. The WSL CT rankings at the end of the 2023 season, starting at the Billabong Pro Pipeline and ending at the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro, will determine the 18 of 48 spots at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (10 men and 8 women). Learn more about Olympic qualification (include hyperlink to WSL explainer). With the 2022 CT season wrapped, witnessing Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) and Filipe Toledo (BRA) claim the World Titles, professional surfing now focuses on the 2022 Challenger Series, where surfers are competing for the opportunity to make the 2023 CT. The next stop on the 2022 Challenger Series will be the EDP Vissla Pro Ericeira, which opens on October 1 and holds a competition window through October 9, 2022.

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com .

Recent Posts

The Heartwarming Story Behind Ted Silverberg, Mikke Pierson & Others Taking Blind Children Surfing

Go Far, Go Together: The Story Behind the International Surf Therapy Organization

Did Native Hawaiians Use Surf Therapy?

Commentaires

• CBSSports.com
• Fanatics Sportsbook
• CBS Sports Home
• Champions League
• Motor Sports
• High School
• Horse Racing 

Men's Brackets

Women's Brackets

Fantasy Baseball

Fantasy football, football pick'em, college pick'em, fantasy basketball, fantasy hockey, franchise games, 24/7 sports news network.

• CBS Sports Golazo Network
• PGA Tour on CBS
• UEFA Champions League
• UEFA Europa League
• Italian Serie A
• Watch CBS Sports Network
• TV Shows & Listings

The Early Edge

A Daily SportsLine Betting Podcast

With the First Pick

NFL Draft is coming up!

• Podcasts Home
• The First Cut Golf
• Beyond the Arc
• Eye On College Basketball
• NFL Pick Six
• Cover 3 College Football
• Fantasy Football Today
• My Teams Organize / See All Teams Help Account Settings Log Out

2024 RBC Heritage leaderboard: Scottie Scheffler nears fourth win in five starts with event to finish Monday

Weather prevented the final round from completing, but scheffler is well on his way to continuing his hot streak.

Scottie Scheffler's fourth victory in his last five tournaments will have to wait one more day. With the 2024 RBC Heritage experiencing more than a 2.5-hour weather delay Sunday, tournament action was unable to be completed before nightfall; it will instead leak into the work week. The final round at Harbour Town Golf Links will resume Monday at 8 a.m. ET with Scheffler holding a five-stroke lead at 20 under.

The world No. 1 is well clear of his nearest pursuer, Wyndham Clark, with three holes left in his tournament. Clark, meanwhile, is in the clubhouse at 15 under hoping for another runner-up check behind Scheffler. Others on the golf course like J.T. Poston, Patrick Cantlay and Sahith Theegala stand at that same number with holes to play.

Monday morning may only be a formality as Scheffler looks to be in control of just about everything -- like he has been the last two months.

Scheffler began Sunday in Hilton Head Island with one arm already slipped in the tartan jacket. Possessing a one-stroke lead, the Texan was crowned by many late Saturday evening despite the bevy of stars who had plans to upend him.

After knocking in a 6-foot par save on the 1st, Scheffler more or less turned those predictions into a reality. Chipping in for eagle on the par-5 2nd from long of the green (his 11th hole-out from off the green this season), Scheffler opened a three-stroke lead on the field and never looked back.

Charges were made by many, including a familiar foe in Clark, but none were that threatening. The reigning U.S. Open champion turned in 7-under 29 and tacked on another birdie on the 11th to get within one of Scheffler, but the pressure of perfection proved too much.

Hitting a tree with his second shot on No. 12, Clark's ball ricocheted out of bounds and led to a double bogey. Another dropped shot came on the following hole and all but secured another near miss from the U.S. Open champion.

Collin Morikawa, Ludvig Åberg, Cantlay and Theegala all hovered on the first page of the leaderboard but never truly threatened. Instead, it was Patrick Rodgers who emerged as Scheffler's greatest threat thanks to an eagle-2 at the turn. A bogey a few holes later put an end to his Cinderella story.

Remaining in the wake of mistakes was a spotless Scheffler at 19 under, four ahead of the field. Turning in 3 under, the steadiest man in the game marched forward with a heavy diet of fairways and greens before a spell of thunderstorms halted his momentum on the par-4 12th.

Inclement weather was all that could stop Scheffler as the 27-year-old returned to the golf course more than two hours later and resumed his round without a hitch. While temperatures cooled and winds freshened, Scheffler was unaffected.

He picked off a birdie on the 13th to push his lead to five before a mud ball on the 15th led to his second finding the water on the par 5. It didn't matter as Scheffler launched a pitching wedge onto the surface, spinning it left and utilizing the slope to access the tucked pin. He avoided what would have been his first dropped shot since the 3rd hole on Thursday with an emphatic par save, and he will sleep easy Sunday night knowing five strokes separate him from the field and three holes separate him from victory.

Rick Gehman, Kyle Porter, Patrick McDonald and Greg DuCharme discuss Scottie Scheffler's hold on the RBC Heritage, Nelly Korda's fifth straight victory and Miles Russell finishing top 25 as a 15 year old. Follow & listen to The First Cut on  Apple Podcasts  and  Spotify .

Play called for evening

The final group is on the green on the par-5 15th meaning they will have three holes to play on Monday. Scottie Scheffler faces a par putt from 10 feet to maintain his five-stroke lead as he stands at 20 under.

Five clear with five to go!

The only thing that can stop him is the sunlight at this rate. Scottie Scheffler adds a birdie on 13 to get to 20 under and five clear of the crew at 15 under. Without the world No. 1 this tournament would be very, very good, but alas they are all fighting for first flight honors it appears.

Conditions are considerably harder for these guys. The wind has switched, it's about 10 degrees cooler and they are racing against the clock. Scottie Scheffler and Sepp Straka make par on No. 12 and head to the par-4 13th. Wyndham Clark posts the clubhouse lead at 15 under, four behind Scheffler.

Let's play ball!

Players are on the golf course and play is set to resume. Scottie Scheffler in the final pairing has about 7.5 holes remaining and one hour until sunset meaning this thing is probably going to leak into Monday unfortunately. 

Play to resume at 7 p.m.

Coverage information, play to resume at 6 p.m. et.

The expectation is this thing will be finished today as the range is open and play is set to resume in 40 minutes at 6 p.m. ET. This will leave Scottie Scheffler a couple hours to complete just about seven holes as he left off in the middle of the 12th fairway with a four-stroke lead at 19 under.

Play suspended due to weather

The horn has sounded at 4:28 p.m. ET as a large weather system (with lightning) has engulfed Harbour Town. This comes as Scottie Scheffler stands in the 12th fairway with a four-stroke lead at 19 under over a number of pursuers up ahead of him on the golf course. Players are being brought back into the clubhouse as rules officials make an assessment on when play will return.

Rain comin' down hard

Scheffler turns in 33 with three-stroke lead.

Scheffler lets a chance slide by on the short ninth and will instead settle for a 3-under 33 on his front nine. It was highlighted by his eagle-3 on the par-5 2nd and Scheffler will head to the back side with a three-stroke edge.

Theegala thriving

Theegala cards four 3s in a row to end his front nine and get within four of Scottie Scheffler. Sahith spoke yesterday about how cool it is what Scheffler is currently doing and how it is a motivating factor for someone like him to get better. It's a great perspective and Theegala continues to get better and better, but it may not be enough this week as he is four behind with nine to go.

CBS Sports HQ Newsletter

We bring sports news that matters to your inbox, to help you stay informed and get a winning edge., thanks for signing up, keep an eye on your inbox., there was an error processing your subscription., share video.

Rory McIlroy Making Tournament Debut

Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay Looking For 2nd Zurich Win

Sleeper Team To Watch At The Zurich

Pick To Win The Zurich Classic Of New Orleans

Miles Russell Making Another Korn Ferry Tour Start This Week

Nelly Korda Wins 5th Straight LPGA Tournament

Scottie Scheffler Wins RBC Heritage

Highlights: RBC Heritage Day 4

Scottie Scheffler Leads RBC Heritage Tournament

What Victory Monday Would Mean For Scheffler

Nelly Korda Makes History With 5th Straight LPGA Tour Win

Highlights: RBC Heritage Round 3

CBS Booth Recap: Scottie Scheffler Wins The Masters

On-Site Reaction: Scheffler Lives Up To Expectations At Augusta

On-Site Reaction: How Scottie Scheffler Got So Good So Fast

Highlights: Scottie Scheffler Wins The 2024 Masters

Top 10 Moments In Masters History

Masters Preview: Breaking Down The Field Ahead Of Masters

Masters Preview: Scottie Scheffler Heavily Favored To Win Masters