Avalon Gall and Kai Ellice-Flint Claim Longboard Wins at Lexus US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico

Avalon Gall Claims Maiden WSL Longboard Tour Victory

Kai Ellice-Flint Flies the Australian Flag to Lexus US Open of Surfing Win

Soleil Errico Earns Back-to-Back Runner-Up Finishes in Huntington Beach

Taylor Jensen Narrowly Misses Consecutive US Open of Surfing Titles

First Call for Challenger Series: Tomorrow, Wednesday, July 30 at 6:45 a.m. PT

Pictured: Today, Avalon Gall (USA) and Kai Ellice-Flint (AUS) won the 2025 Lexus US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico, Stop No. 1 on the WSL Longboard Tour. Credit: © WSL / Pat Nolan

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., USA (Tuesday, July 29, 2025) – Today, Avalon Gall (USA) and Kai Ellice-Flint (AUS) won the Lexus US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico, Stop No. 1 on the World Surf League (WSL) Longboard Tour, in clean, two-occasional-three-foot conditions at the famed Huntington Beach Pier. Gall and Ellice-Flint both fought their way through Finals Day, taking down previous event winners and World Longboard Champions to earn their career-first event wins. While defending event winner Taylor Jensen (USA) secured his fourth consecutive US Open of Surfing Final, and Soleil Errico (USA) made back-to-back Finals appearances.

Avalon Gall Claims Maiden WSL Longboard Tour Victory

Rising Longboard Tour talent Avalon Gall (USA) proved she’s worthy of the 2025 Season Wildcard with a historic win over three-time World Longboard Champion Soleil Errico (USA). The 22-year-old’s young career already has a North America Regional Longboard victory and three seasons among the world’s best longboarders. Now, Gall adds a historic Lexus US Open of Surfing victory to her name.

“I don’t know what to say. I have the best friends ever, and it wouldn’t be the same without them. They made it so special, and thank you to everybody,” said Gall. “I honestly couldn’t believe it stayed flat for that long, but I’m just super stoked. [If I could tell the girl who’s been putting in all the work] I’d say just enjoy every single moment. Thank you to my mom and dad, and all my amazing friends. It wouldn’t be the same without them.”

The Final ignited at the 28-minute mark with Avalon Gall (USA) finding a running lefthander that let her showcase her fast footwork and control on the nose with a hang-five. Gall’s 6.67 (out of a possible 10) set the standard heading into the back-half of the Final with Errico chasing a 7.31. Then, Laguna Beach’s Gall found another afternoon gem to showcase more of her poise under pressure to post a 6.83 and upped Errico’s requirement to a near-perfect 9.90. But the ocean didn’t provide for Errico as she earned back-to-back runner-up finishes, catapulting Gall to her maiden WSL Longboard Tour win.

Gall claimed a clash of North America Longboard Regional victors unfolded in Semifinal 2, against reigning regional winner Malia Ilagan (USA). Gall’s form carried her through an impressive win over two-time US Open of Surfing winner Kelis Kaleopa’a (HAW) before showcasing more of her poise on the nose over Ilagan, who eliminated defending US Open of Surfing winner and World Longboard Champion Rachael Tilly (USA).

Soleil Errico Goes Back-to-Back Runner-Ups in Huntington Beach

A remarkable run through Finals Day for Errico started with a nail-biting Quarterfinal heat against Hawaiʻi’s newest Longboard Tour talent, Natalia Wunderlich (HAW). Errico’s form carried her through the bout before turning on in the Semifinals against Longboard Tour veteran Chloe Calmon (BRA) – posting a 13.23 heat total. All paths led to the all-Californian Final and back-to-back runner-up finishes.

“It was so fun. I had my friends and family here the whole time. They drove up to support me, so shout out to them,” said Errico. “It was kind of a bummer to have the waves turn off for the Finals, but I’m happy to get second. I’m excited to keep competing and go to Bells and Abu Dhabi. I missed out on Abu Dhabi last year because I was injured, so I’m excited to have that experience. I’m just excited to keep it going.”

Kai Ellice-Flint Flies the Australian Flag to Lexus US Open of Surfing Win

Kai Ellice-Flint (AUS) proved he’s one to watch in 2025 after narrowly missing the 2024 World Longboard Title showdown with a showcase of world-class footwork and nose-riding. The Australian talent, Ellice-Flint, added another US Open of Surfing title to the country’s illustrious history after besting four-time World Longboard Champ Taylor Jensen (USA) in the Final.

“To win here is just incredible. As a grom, you look at the US Open like this is such a big event. I’m super grateful,” said Ellice-Flint. “I’m doing this for my family, for my friends, and all the people who have supported me over the years. I just felt like I needed to push hard for this the last six or nine months. Coming up against Taylor [Jensen] in the Final is super difficult, and you have to dig deep for that. It’s pretty sick.”

The men’s Final got underway minutes after the horn sounded with Jensen finding an impressive 6.83 to begin building his foundation. But, a slow start from Ellice-Flint was turned around midway through the heat to turn in a 5.83 and 4.83 back-to-back over Jensen, and take a slim lead heading into the 17-minute mark. Then, at the 14-minute mark, Jensen found his opportunity to strike back and took to his backhand nose-riding and wrapping cutback to post a 3.97 to regain the lead, but only by a narrow margin. Ellice-Flint wasted no time and found a gem to post a 6.33 and switch the standings once more before increasing his lead with a brilliant 7.50 to ultimately earn his first win.

The 29-year-old, Ellice-Flint, continued his dismantling of World Longboard Champions after besting 2023 champion Kai Sallas (HAW) in the Round of 16 before facing 2018 World Longboard Champion Steven Sawyer (RSA) in the Quarterfinals today. He went on to overcome 2024 World No. 3 John Michael Van Hohenstein (HAW), who posted a 9.00 (out of a possible 10) in his Quarterfinal heat, in the Semifinals before going head-to-head with Jensen.

Taylor Jensen Narrowly Misses Consecutive US Open of Surfing Titles

One of surfing’s most decorated competitors, Jensen made his intentions clear to earn a fifth World Longboard Title with immaculate showings throughout his US Open of Surfing run. Jensen’s Quarterfinal heat with Australia’s rising World Longboard Title threat Declan Wyton (AUS) set the tone before a highly-anticipated rematch of the 2024 event Final against Rogelio JR Esquievel (PHL), where Jensen posted an excellent 8.17. It all led to a fourth-consecutive US Open of Surfing Final and second runner-up finish.

“It’s awesome. To do this in front of my kids and get to see dad compete, and do well is insane,” said Jensen. “I won’t be waking up at 4:30 a.m. tomorrow or sitting in traffic. Now I’m just going to go home, relax and regroup, and get ready for Bells.”

Now, the stage is set for the world’s elite Championship Tour (CT) qualification hopefuls to take over Huntington Beach for the Lexus US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico Challenger Series event, Stop No. 3 of the 2025 season. Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow, Wednesday, July 30, at 6:50 a.m. PDT for a likely 7:05 a.m. start.

For highlights and more information from today’s competition at the Lexus US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Lexus US Open of Surfing Women’s Longboard Final Results:
1 – Avalon Gall (USA) 13.50
2 – Soleil Errico (USA) 6.87Lexus US Open of Surfing Men’s Longboard Final Results:
1 – Kai Ellice-Flint (AUS) 13.83
2 – Taylor Jensen (USA) 12.06Lexus US Open of Surfing Women’s Longboard Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Soleil Errico (USA) 13.23 DEF. Chloe Calmon (BRA) 11.20
HEAT 2: Avalon Gall (USA) 9.83 DEF. Malia Ilagan (USA) 9.43Lexus US Open of Surfing Men’s Longboard Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Kai Ellice-Flint (AUS) 11.83 DEF. John Michael Van Hohenstein (HAW) 11.33
HEAT 2: Taylor Jensen (USA) 13.84 DEF. Rogelio Jr Esquievel (PHL) 12.77Lexus US Open of Surfing Women’s Longboard Quarterfinal Results:
HEAT 1: Soleil Errico (USA) 9.20 DEF. Natalia Wunderlich (HAW) 8.84
HEAT 2: Chloe Calmon (BRA) 15.00 DEF. Sophia Culhane (HAW) 8.83
HEAT 3: Malia Ilagan (USA) 12.60 DEF. Rachael Tilly (USA) 12.20
HEAT 4: Avalon Gall (USA) 12.63 DEF. Kelis Kaleopaa (HAW) 7.60

Lexus US Open of Surfing Men’s Longboard Quarterfinal Results:
HEAT 1: Kai Ellice-Flint (AUS) 13.97 DEF. Steven Sawyer (RSA) 13.67
HEAT 2: John Michael Van Hohenstein (HAW) 16.33 DEF. Cole Robbins (USA) 14.47
HEAT 3: Taylor Jensen (USA) 11.27 DEF. Declan Wyton (AUS) 10.73
HEAT 4: Rogelio Jr Esquievel (PHL) 15.63 DEF. Kaniela Stewart (HAW) 12.67

PRIOR UPDATES

Longboard Finals Day Called ON at Lexus US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico
Women’s Quarterfinals Started at 7:05 a.m. PDT (404am HI time)
Men’s Quarterfinals, Women’s and Men’s Semifinals, Women’s and Men’s Finals To Follow
2025 Lexus US Open of Surfing Longboard Victors To Be Crowned Today
Watch LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com

Pictured: Three-time World Longboard Champion Soleil Errico (USA) looks for back-to-back Final appearances in Huntington Beach starting in Quarterfinal, Heat 1, at the Lexus US Open of Surfing today. Credit: © WSL / Pat Nolan

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., USA (Tuesday, July 29, 2025) – Finals Day for the world’s best longboarders has been called ON at the Lexus US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico, Stop No. 1 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2025 Longboard Tour, for a 7:05 a.m. PT start. The women’s Quarterfinals will start the day’s quest to join US Open of Surfing history before moving directly into men’s Quarterfinals heats. The Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Finals will be 30-minute heats to decide who will be crowned the 2025 event winners.

Three-time World Longboard Champion Soleil Errico (USA) will kickstart Finals Day against one of Hawaiʻi’s rising talents, Natalia Wunderlich (HAW) in Quarterfinal 1. Then, a clash of World Longboard Title contenders heats up Heat 2 between Chloe Calmon (BRA) and Sophia Culhane (HAW).

Reigning World Longboard Champion and US Open of Surfing winner, Rachael Tilly (USA), looks to continue her move toward back-to-back event wins starting with Longboard Tour Rookie Malia Ilagan (USA) in Quarterfinal 3.

To conclude the women’s Quarterfinals, two-time US Open of Surfing winner Kelis Kaleopa’a (HAW) takes on Southern California’s own Avalon Gall (USA).

Men’s Quarterfinal action begins with 2018 World Longboard Champion Steven Sawyer (RSA) squaring off with event standout Kai Ellice-Flint (AUS) in Heat 1. Longboard Tour veteran Cole Robbins (USA) will face 2024 World No. 3 John Michael Van Hohenstein (HAW) in a generational bout in Quarterfinal 2.

Then, four-time World Longboard Champion and defending US Open of Surfing winner Taylor Jensen (USA) looks for his third event win in four years starting in Quarterfinal 3, against Australia’s major contender Declan Wyton (AUS). A highly-anticipated rematch between 2024 event runner-up Rogelio JR Esquievel (PHL) and 2023 event winner Kaniela Stewart (HAW) will wrap up Quarterfinal heats.

Watch the Lexus US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com.

Lexus US Open of Surfing Women’s Longboard Quarterfinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Soleil Errico (USA) vs. Natalia Wunderlich (HAW)
HEAT 2: Chloe Calmon (BRA) vs. Sophia Culhane (HAW)
HEAT 3: Rachael Tilly (USA) vs. Malia Ilagan (USA)
HEAT 4: Avalon Gall (USA) vs. Kelis Kaleopaa (HAW)

Lexus US Open of Surfing Men’s Longboard Quarterfinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Kai Ellice-Flint (AUS) vs. Steven Sawyer (RSA)
HEAT 2: John Michael Van Hohenstein (HAW) vs. Cole Robbins (USA)
HEAT 3: Taylor Jensen (USA) vs. Declan Wyton (AUS)
HEAT 4: Rogelio Jr Esquievel (PHL) vs. Kaniela Stewart (HAW)

Watch LIVE
The Lexus US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico holds a competition window through Sunday, August 3, 2025. The event will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app. Check out more ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners.