Conditions Shaping Up for Potential Start Over the Weekend

WSL One Ocean and CT Surfers Partner with Sustainable Coastlines Hawaiʻi for Beach Cleanup and Education Session at Kahuku Beach

Pictured: Sophie McCulloch (AUS) at the WSL One Ocean activation with Sustainable Coastlines Hawaiʻi ahead of the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach. When the competition begins, McCulloch will start her 2024 CT campaign on the North Shore. Credit: © WSL / Jennings

“We’ve been calling the competition off so far due to small and inconsistent waves, but now we have a much bigger swell filling in,” said Travis Logie, WSL Senior Manager, Tours and Competition. “The conditions we see now are big and stormy, with unfavorable onshore winds. We’re eyeing a start for Saturday. Stay tuned for an update regarding tomorrow’s competition this afternoon.”

Also in the Opening Round, 2023 event runner-up Griffin Colapinto (USA) will take on close friend Seth Moniz (HAW) and wildcard Brodi Sale (HAW). The trio have surfed and trained together for years, with Colapinto and Moniz each having the upper hand when it comes to experience. However, Sale will be hoping to cause an upset in his first CT, and his 2020 Sunset Pro Junior title proves that he shouldn’t be overlooked.

Two former event victors will meet up in the women’s Opening Round when 2010 event winner and two-time World Champion, Tyler Wright (AUS), comes up against the 2022 event winner, Brisa Hennessy (HAW). Rookie Alyssa Spencer (USA) will be hoping her sharp, critical backhand will stand up to the power of Wright and Hennessy’s forehand carves.

Meanwhile, it will be all about powerful forehands when 2023 event winner Molly Picklum (AUS) takes on fellow Australian Isabella Nichols (AUS) and Hawaii’s Gabriela Bryan (HAW). Bryan has made the Semifinals for the past two seasons, and if her pre-event footage is anything to go by, she’s gunning for an even better place this year. Hot on the heels of a runner-up finish at Pipe, Picklum might have something to say about that.

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Pictured: Volunteers team up with Sustainable Coastlines Hawaiʻi at the WSL One Ocean activation ahead of the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach on Sunday, February 11. Credit: © WSL / Jennings

On Sunday, February 11, WSL One Ocean and CT surfers Brisa Hennessy (CRC), Liam O’Brien (AUS), and Sophie McCulloch (AUS) joined Sustainable Coastlines Hawaiʻi to support a beach cleanup and education session at Kahuku Beach ahead of the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach. Sustainable Coastlines Hawaiʻi (SCH) works to inspire communities to care for coastlines through two pillars: Action & Inspiration. The focus of cleanup was sifting millions of pieces of microplastics that arrive on Oahu’s windward side daily. The area is home to many native species, including nesting seabirds.

To learn more about WSL One Ocean, please visit WSLOneOcean.org.

Hurley Pro Sunset Beach Men’s Opening Round Matchups:
HEAT 1: Connor O’Leary (JPN), Imaikalani deVault (HAW), Kade Matson (USA)
HEAT 2: Jack Robinson (AUS), Crosby Colapinto (USA), Deivid Silva (BRA)
HEAT 3: Barron Mamiya (HAW), Caio Ibelli (BRA), Kelly Slater (USA)
HEAT 4: John John Florence (HAW), Jake Marshall (USA), Keanu Asing (HAW)
HEAT 5: Griffin Colapinto (USA), Seth Moniz (HAW), Brodi Sale (HAW)
HEAT 6: Ethan Ewing (AUS), Rio Waida (INA), Kai Lenny (HAW)
HEAT 7: Yago Dora (BRA), Kanoa Igarashi (JPN), Frederico Morais (POR)
HEAT 8: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA), Callum Robson (AUS), Cole Houshmand (USA)
HEAT 9: Gabriel Medina (BRA), Matthew McGillivray (RSA), Eli Hanneman (HAW)
HEAT 10: Ian Gentil (HAW), Italo Ferreira (BRA), Jacob Willcox (AUS)
HEAT 11: Jordy Smith (RSA), Miguel Pupo (BRA), Samuel Pupo (BRA)
HEAT 12: Ryan Callinan (AUS), Liam O’Brien (AUS), Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR)For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.