Wednesday is Lay Day for EDP Vissla Pro Ericeira

Swell Pauses, more on the Way for Remaining Waiting Period

Next Call: Thursday, October 6, at 7:30 AM WET (730pm HI time Wednesday Nite)

PRIOR UPDATE FROM TUESDAY

The EDP Vissla Pro Ericeira Day #3 results.

Major Day of Competition Unfolds at CS #5: EDP Vissla Pro Ericeira

Rio Waida Makes History, Becomes First CT Surfer from Indonesia
Backhand Attacks from Callinan, Silva Score Big, Groggia Goes Excellent
Surprise Eliminations in Men’s Round of 48 Promise Rankings Shake Up
Veselko Posts Big First Heat Win, Callaghan Confirms Excellent Form
Next Call Wednesday at 7:30 a.m WED (11 hours ahead of Hawaii)…prior update below

Pictured: Rio Waida clinched a historic spot on the CT for Indonesia. Credit: © WSL / Poullenot

RIBEIRA D’ILHAS, Ericeira / Portugal (Tuesday, October 4, 2022) – The EDP Vissla Pro Ericeira, Stop No. 5 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2022 Challenger Series, continued for a third consecutive day of action in similar two-to-three foot surf and completed the remaining 6 heats of the women’s inaugural round as well as the entire men’s Round of 48.

The day was filled with drama, big performances and a historic page for professional surfing was written, all under the gracious Portuguese sun on another beautiful afternoon in Ericeira.

Pictured: RIo Waida is a confirmed Championship Tour surfer in 2023. Credit: © WSL / Poullenot

Rio Waida Makes History, Becomes First CT Surfer from Indonesia

By advancing into the Round of 24 and securing a worst-case scenario 17th place, Rio Waida (IDN) has officially clinched the first spot for the 2023 Championship Tour (CT) via the CS. The dynamic regular foot from Bali took the CS world by storm this season, claiming back-to-back wins at the GWM Sydney Surf Pro and the Ballito Pro.

This unprecedented feat will allow him to become the first surfer from Indonesia to have a full-time seat at the highest level of professional surfing.

“I’ve dreamt about this for so long,” an emotional Waida said. “I still quite can’t believe it, I’m really happy to have made it. I have received incredible support from everyone at home and I’m sure they’ll be really happy for me too. This is the first time someone from Indonesia qualifies so it’s quite special and I really hope I inspire more kids to pursue this dream. Pressure will definitely lift off my shoulders but I still want to do well in the last few events, starting here this week so celebrations will have to wait a little bit longer.”

Boasting some of the best waves on the planet and historically one of the most prestigious destinations for surfers of all ability levels to visit, Indonesia now officially has an athlete representing the archipelago with the World’s Best.

Pictured: Silva (left) and Groggia (right), two Brazilians on fire in the Round of 48. Credit: © WSL / Masurel / Poullenot

Backhand Attacks from Silva, Callinan Score Big, Groggia Goes Excellent

Two of the best goofy footers in the game, Ryan Callinan (AUS) and Deivid Silva (BRA) posted big numbers in the second round to advance in first place. Both successful in Ericeira in the past, they actually met in the Quarterfinals of the 2018 event when Callinan came out victorious.

Of course both surfers are sitting in very different positions at the moment, the Australian with already two big results on the board and a firm grasp on the number 4 position on the rankings, while Silva is further down in 24th and needing a big move this week. Silva found excellence with an 8 point ride, for a variety of powerful turns perfectly timed on a wave that stood up a little more than the rest.

“I was very happy to start the heat like that,” Silva said. “These guys all surf really strong so getting that 8 at the beginning was very helpful. It wasn’t easy to pick the right waves but I’m happy I got two that opened and my legs are really hurting right now.”

His compatriot Edgard Groggia (BRA) later blew up to show two excellent scores are possibly out in the lineup. His first big number came from lightning fast turns in comparison to some of his peers, and he added a touch of flair with a big aerial rotation on his final wave to post an incredible 16.83 heat total, the best of the entire event so far.

“I’m feeling really really good and very happy with my performance in this heat,” Groggia said. “I’ve got a great board and this wave is super fun so I’m stoked and thankful for the support from everyone back home.”

Pictured: Frenchman Maxime Huscenot secured an important spot into the RD24. Credit: © WSL / Poullenot

Surprise Eliminations in Men’s Round of 48 Promise Rankings Shake Up

Drama struck early as the current rankings No. 3 and 2021 event winner Ezekiel Lau (HAW) was defeated in the round’s first heat, his worst result of the season so far. In a really slow and tense heat, Lau faced compatriots Ian Gentil (HAW) and Imaikalani Devault (HAW) as well as Maxime Huscenot (FRA). In the end it was Gentil and Huscenot who took the important two advancing spots into the Round of 24.

Last year’s World No.4 Conner Coffin (USA) suffered the same fate in the following heat, unable to find the right waves to showcase the surfing he’s capable of producing. The opening day standout Cole Houshmand (USA) prolonged the list as the South American duo of Michael Rodrigues (BRA) and Lucca Mesinas (PER) took out his heat.

11-year CT veteran Michel Bourez (FRA) was another victim of the moody lineup of Ribeira d’Ilhas and unfortunately the ship may have sailed on the Tahitian’s chances of requalifying this season. His compatriots Kauli Vaast (FRA), an up-and-coming star from Tahiti, and Jorgann Couzinet (FRA) a perennial threat on the CS both failed to advance as well in the following heats.

Pictured: Francisca Veselko had a blast in her EDP Vissla Pro Ericeira debut this morning. Credit: © WSL / Poullenot

Veselko Posts Big First Heat Win, Callaghan Confirms Excellent Form

Portuguese junior Francisca Veselko put together the most convincing performance of the morning, carefully selecting the right waves to apply her powerful forehand carves on the Ribeira walls. Her experience out in this tricky lineup was apparent as Veselko only surfed two waves in the heat but made sure to capitalize each time. She definitely did as she built a solid 14.33 combined total, the highest of the entire round.

“I started the heat a bit late because the other girls got the three waves of the first set,” Veselko explained. “But I knew my turn would come and when it did I just gave it everything. It is a really hard wave to surf, but I’ve been training here trying to get better. It’s a bit mushy and you always have to stay close to the energy.”

The surfer from Carcavelos has had a breakthrough season on the European QS with big results and her first win on the WSL tours earlier this summer in Lacanau, France. While she hasn’t yet made a run for it on the CS, Ericeira could be the perfect event for Veselko to put her name on the map in the big leagues.

Top seeds Nikki Van Dijk (AUS), Alyssa Spencer (USA) and Sawyer Lindblad (USA) all advanced but it was Macy Callaghan (AUS) who impressed the most as she unleashed her signature rail-to-rail, seamless surfing on a quality right for an excellent 8.33, the highest single wave score of the women’s event so far.

“It was very slow out there and I knew it was on the higher tide so I was very cautious of that,” Callaghan stated. “Whenever you start with a really high score you get very nervous cause you can easily get too picky but thankfully I got another one.”

Event officials will be back at Ribeira d’Ilhas for the next call at 7:30 a.m WET Wednesday, October 5, 2022.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL RESULTS AND UPCOMING HEATS

Watch LIVE

The EDP Vissla Pro Ericeira is webcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, WSL’s YouTube channel, and the free WSL app. Also check local listings for coverage from the WSL’s broadcast partners.

The 2022 EDP Vissla Pro Ericeira is scheduled from October 1 – 9, 2022, at Praia de Ribeira d’Ilhas, Ericeira – Portugal. For all results, photos, and video highlights, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

The EDP Vissla Pro Ericeira is supported by EDP, Vissla, Tourism of Portugal, Mafra City Council, Ericeira World Surfing Reserve, Estrella Galicia, You & The Sea Hotel and Apartments, and Hertz.

…with Great Action in Women’s RD64

DAY2 Bonvalot Takes Important First Heat Win on Home Turf

Rankings Leaders Rule Women’s Opening Round

Lower Seeds Wreak Havoc in Remaining Men’s Round of 96 Heats

Next Call Tuesday at 7:30 a.m WET (11 hours ahead of Hawaii…so 630pm tonight

PRIOR UPDATE

RIBEIRA D’ILHAS, Ericeira / Portugal (Monday, October 3, 2022) – The EDP Vissla Pro Ericeira, Stop No. 5 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2022 Challenger Series, resumed in super clean, two-to-three foot waves at Ribeira d’Ilhas and ran through the remaining 6 heats of the men’s Round of 96 before moving into the women’s Round of 64 to complete 12 heats.

Surfers enjoyed a picture-perfect day in Ericeira, with virtually no wind and sun all day as the swell pumped rippable rights with heaps of scoring opportunities. Once again the ocean delivered plenty of upsets and surprise performances from underrated surfers.

Bonvalot Takes Important First Heat Win on Home Turf

Currently 8th on the CS rankings, Portuguese superstar Teresa Bonvalot is clearly the crowds’ favorite at Ribeira d’Ilhas as she comes looking for a big result to move into the Top 5 once again. The goofy foot from Cascais didn’t let the pressure of the situation get to her and applied her strategic approach to another winning heat, something she has done repeatedly over the past couple of seasons.

“It’s always amazing to be able to compete at home with our waves, our crowds of family and friends, it’s always super special,” Bonvalot stated. “I’m trying to stay focused on the process and not so much the end result. I’ve been so happy doing what I love the most and taking every opportunity as it comes, I think that’s how I bring out the best in me. I was almost too excited out there, it’s small but so much fun and I had to calm myself down a bit to try to catch good waves and improve my scores.”

Greatly aided by her win at GWM Sydney Surf Pro, the good news for Bonvalot is that she can easily drop a very low result from her best 4 counting for the year-end tally. With waves that suit her style perfectly and the local support on her side this week, Bonvalot has a golden opportunity to put something big on the board.

The 22 year-old will not be alone flying the Portuguese flag in the Round of 32 as her compatriot Mafalda Lopes (PRT) managed to advance through a tense battle in the afternoon. Francisca Veselko (PRT) and Yolanda Hopkins (PRT) will have a shot themselves when the women’s Round of 64 resumes in Heats 14 and 16 respectively.

Rankings Leaders Rule Women’s Round of 64

In the glassy three foot runners at Ribeira, the women’s top seeds showed up and performed as expected, claiming most heat wins in the first 12 heats of the Round of 64. Among them, reigning event winner Luana Silva (BRA) and Hawaii’s Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW), arguably the strongest two surfers in the field here last year, continued to prove their worth with brilliant displays to advance in first place.

Goofy footers found the backhand magic to post some of the biggest scores of the event so far. Vahine Fierro (FRA), Shino Matsuda (JPN) and especially Sarah Baum (ZAF) who collected the first excellent number of the event for her aggressive turns in the pocket. The South African’s flow was undeniable as she selected waves that stood up and repeatedly put her turns in the right sections.

“I had such a hard time here last year trying to get waves and understand the wave,” Baum admitted. “So I’m stoked to start my heat with an 8 this time, I just found my rhythm and had a lot of fun. I prefer surfing on my backhand so I’m enjoying this. There is a little bit of a flat section in the wave and you can’t force it, you just have to wait for the wave to stand up again.”

Sophie McCulloch (AUS), Caitlin Simmers (USA) and Molly Picklum (AUS) also cruised through their first heats in Ericeira and kept their dominating form going.

Pictured: Fioravanti’s opening heat performance is a statement of his intentions in Ericeira. Credit: © WSL / Poullenot

Lower Seeds Wreak Havoc in Remaining Men’s Round of 96 Heats

The remaining heats of the men’s Round of 96 contested early this morning were full of surprises and even though most of the men in red (top seeds) made it through, the surfers advancing alongside them were often unexpected. J-Bay local Joshe Faulkner (ZAF) for example edged out former CT surfer Alex Ribeiro (BRA) in the day’s first heat.

Joel Vaughan (AUS) and Kei Kobayashi (USA) eliminated qualification hopeful Gatien Delahaye (FRA) in their Heat 22 matchup as well as Max Elkington (ZAF) and Ian Gouveia (BRA) who advanced ahead of Evan Geiselman (USA).

Eithan Osborne (USA) and rankings No.2 Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) won best-in-class from the six men’s heats with heat totals above 13 points. The Italian, who has a wealth of experience at Ribeira, chose the right waves and laid down a variety of turns with no real down time, navigating the moody sections with ease.

“Getting a good start is always a good thing,” Fioravanti said. “This wave is tricky, but when the good ones come you can tell which ones they are and I just wanted to wait and make sure my first wave was a decent score. Of course I’m comfortable with a good ranking but I still want a big result out here, possibly a win so I’m fully focused. My family is here and I’m going to make the best of it, it’s not that often.”

Event officials will be back at Ribeira d’Ilhas for the next call at 7:30 a.m WET Tuesday, October 4, 2022.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL RESULTS AND UPCOMING HEATS

Watch LIVE

The EDP Vissla Pro Ericeira is webcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, WSL’s YouTube channel, and the free WSL app. Also check local listings for coverage from the WSL’s broadcast partners.

The EDP Vissla Pro Ericeira is supported by EDP, Vissla, Tourism of Portugal, Mafra City Council, Ericeira World Surfing Reserve, Estrella Galicia, You & The Sea Hotel and Apartments, and Hertz.