• Finals Day Showdown Awaits at Wallex US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico and Huntington Beach Longboard Classic
• Lindblad Posts Near-Perfection, Fitzgibbons Surges Closer to Second US Open of Surfing Title
• Colapinto, Rapoza, and Igarashi Lead Southern California Charge into Finals Day
• Kaleopa’a and Jensen Move Closer to Back-to-Back Wins

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., USA (Saturday, August 5, 2023) – Finals day is set at the Wallex US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico, Stop No. 4 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2023 Challenger Series, and the Huntington Beach Longboard Classic, Stop No. 1 of the 2023 WSL Longboard Tour. The full day of competition witnessed outstanding performances from up-and-coming Challenger Series competitors, as well as stylish showcases from the world’s best longboarders. After a week of competition, the field has been narrowed, and the winners of the Wallex US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico and Huntington Beach Longboard Classic will be crowned tomorrow.

Lindblad Posts Highest Score of the Day, Fitzgibbons Surges Closer to Second US Open of Surfing Title

Sawyer Lindblad (USA) continued to be unstoppable today. The San Clemente, California, competitor used her dynamic forehand to post a near-perfect, 9.00 (out of a possible 10). The score was too much for former CT surfer Luana Silva (BRA), and Lindblad secured her second Semifinal appearance of the season. Lindblad currently sits at No. 7 on the Challenger Series and is hoping for a big win here to boost her up the rankings.

“I knew that I really needed to make that heat in terms of points,” said Lindblad. “Between Quarters and the Semis, there’s a big points difference. Luana (Silva) is so good. I was even nervous at the end because I knew she could still get that 9.66. Me, my dad, and my coach were all looking at the waves before the heat and we saw all these lefts coming in. I just wanted to try it up there for a couple minutes. I was actually about to paddle back toward the pier because I didn’t want to leave her alone that long and then that wave came so I got really lucky.”

Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) kept her run toward a second US Open of Surfing Title going with a Quarterfinal victory. Fitzgibbons and Lindblad will be joined by Leilani McGonagle (CRC) and Ellie Harrison (AUS) in the Semifinals.

In a shocking start to the men’s Quarterfinals, Reef Heazlewood (AUS) caused a non-priority interference on Long Beach, California’s, Nolan Rapoza. Rapoza was able to utilize Heazlewood’s mistake and earned his place in the US Open of Surfing Semifinals for the first time since 2021.

Fellow Southern Californian Crosby Colapinto put on a showcase while under pressure from fellow CT qualification threat Mateus Herdy (BRA). After a slow start, Colapinto went to work on his forehand and took the lead with a 6.50. He then backed it up with a 6.70 to earn a ticket to the Semifinals. Colapinto now looks to join his brother, Griffin Colapinto (USA), as a US Open of Surfing winner.

“In the beginning, my plan was to start with a 6.00, and Mateus (Herdy) started quick and applied a little pressure,” said Colapinto. “I felt like I needed to start going and got that 4.13 and thought that’s not the best way to start the heat. But I knew I was still in it. There was 15 minutes left, and I was just trusting and believing in myself. To feel that way is a great feeling.”

Rapoza and Colapinto will be joined by Eli Hanneman (HAW) and Huntington Beach’s local hero and two-time US Open of Surfing winner, Kanoa Igarashi (JPN), in the Semifinals.

The world’s best longboarders then took the stage and put on a showcase of style and flow for the weekend crowd.

Defending event victor Kelis Kaleopa’a (HAW) and former WSL Longboard Champion Rachael Tilly (USA) kicked off the Huntington Beach Longboard Classic Quarterfinal action in a dramatic fashion. Tilly built on her early lead throughout the heat and held firm heading into the final minutes. But, Kaleopa’a delivered a 6.63 and overtook the lead at the five-minute mark. Kaleopa’a is now within reach of defending her event Title.

“I was a bit nervous not getting a wave right away,” said Kaleopa’a’. “The conditions went kind of slow and I sat in not the same spot as always. Mentally, you just had to stay in that heat.”

Reigning WSL Longboard Champion Soleil Errico (USA) overcame World Title threat Alice Lemoigne (FRA) in Heat 3 of the Quarterfinals. Errico will join Sophia Culhane (HAW) and three-time WSL Longboard Champion Honolua Blomfield (HAW) in the Semifinals.

“To be in the US Open Finals Day is huge and going back-to-back is the goal,” said Jensen. “There’s fun waves, I’ve been sitting here watching for most of the day and I was just amped to go surf. I saw a couple lefts down the beach and figured that was a good plan with the high tide. Watching the shortboard heats that were super close, it just gets you excited to put on the jersey and go battle.”

Philippine’s star Rogelio Jr Esquievel advanced out of his Quarterfinal matchup in style as he was cheered on by a crowd of dedicated fans. Longboard Tour veteran Tony Silvagni (USA), and last year’s event runner-up Kaniela Stewart (HAW) also made their way into the first Finals Day of the 2023 WSL Longboard Tour season.

Watch LIVE: Wallex US Open of Surfing presented by Pacifico and Huntington Beach Longboard Classic
The Wallex US Open of Surfing presented by Pacifico and Huntington Beach Longboard Classic hold a competition window through Sunday, August 6, 2023. The competition will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL’s YouTube channel, and the free WSL app. Check out more ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners.

The Wallex US Open of Surfing presented by Pacifico is proudly supported by Wallex.US, Pacifico, Cup Noodles, Hurley, 805 Beer, Red Bull, Sambazon, Shiseido, Surfshark, YETI, Aloha Collection, Aventon E-Bikes, Board & Brew, Boxed Water, Deville Canned Cocktails, Feelgoodz, Flexfit, Fuji Film, Huntington Surf & Sport, Jack’s Surfboards, Nixon Watches, Pura Vida, Ralphs, Tractor Beverage Company, USAF 330th Special Warfare, Visit Huntington Beach, William Grant & Sons, Professional Teqball, Tractor Soda, Victoria White, and Youtheory. 

• Friday afternoon: Quarterfinalists Decided at Wallex US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico Rapoza’s Buzzer-Beater Takes Him Into the Quarterfinals
• Brazilians Silva and Herdy Thrive in Round of 16
• Lindblad Keeps Her Championship Tour Qualification Dreams Alive

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., USA (Friday, August 4, 2023) – The Quarterfinalists have been decided at the Wallex US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico, Stop No. 4 of the World Surf League (WSL) 2023 Challenger Series. Today’s competition saw a number of buzzer-beaters, upsets, and critical wins for Championship Tour (CT) qualification hopefuls. The Huntington Beach Longboard Classic, Stop No. 1 on the 2023 WSL Longboard Tour, was called OFF for the day.

Rapoza’s Buzzer-Beater Takes Him Into the Quarterfinals

The men’s Round of 16 started with several compatriot battles. The first heat of the day featured Australian aerial specialist Reef Heazlewood and former World Title contender Morgan Cibilic (AUS). Heazlewood’s dynamic form led to an impressive 7.17 (out of a possible 10) to secure his way into the Quarterfinals.

An all-American battle unraveled in Heat 2 between recently confirmed 2024 Championship Tour (CT) competitor, Cole Houshmand, and former event Semifinalist Nolan Rapoza. Houshmand’s signature power pushed him ahead early in the match. But Rapoza hammered multiple critical turns on his backhand, earning him a solid 6.67. As time expired, Rapoza had one last opportunity to overcome the required 5.68. He utilized his explosive backhand maneuvers once more to accrue a 6.40 and the heat victory.

“I actually didn’t stick to my game plan,” said Rapoza. “My coach was like, get active, build your house early, and then get patient. But then, once I saw Cole (Houshmand) take off on the first wave, I didn’t really want to go for a smaller wave like that. There was another set before, at maybe the two-minute mark, where my heart was pumping even harder, thinking here’s my chance. Then the set came in, and the first one came through, and it was the big one.”

Another pair of Southern California Championship Tour hopefuls, Crosby Colapinto and Jett Schilling, went head-to-head in Heat 3. Colapinto got the better of Schilling and is now one step closer to joining his brother, Griffin Colapinto (USA), on the 2024 CT.

Two-time US Open of Surfing winner and Huntington Beach’s own Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) put on a showcase in front of his home crowd today. He is now well on his way to a historic third US Open of Surfing Title. He will first have to face event standout George Pittar (AUS) in the Quarterfinals.

“It means a lot to be at home here,” said Igarashi. “It’s so cool to feel so close to the crowd on the beach. Luckily the sandbar this year is really firing and everybody can get really close to the action. It’s crazy, as soon as you finish your wave, the people are right next to you. Kind of a stadium feel here at the US Open. The waves are tricky today but I think it will get better in the next couple days.”

A battle between two Brazilians unfolded in the Round of 16, Heat 3, as former CT competitor Michael Rodrigues and qualification threat Mateus Herdy competed for a spot in the Quarterfinals. Rodrigues’ quick start put him ahead of rising threat Herdy. But, Herdy soared into the air and earned a 7.17, putting the pressure back on Rodrigues. Herdy then found one last opportunity in the dying minutes, which furthered his lead and secured his place in the Quarterfinals.

Also surviving the Round of 16 and finding their way into the Quarterfinals were California’s Jake Marshall and Maui’s Eli Hanneman.

The women’s Round of 16 began with another major upset as Basque Country’s Nadia Erostarbe eliminated former CT competitor Macy Callaghan (AUS). Erostarbe will now prepare for a big Quarterfinal match against Australian upstart Ellie Harrison.

San Clemente, California’s Sawyer Lindblad powered her way into the Quarterfinals after overcoming India Robinson (AUS) in Heat 3. The match was a repeat of Lindblad and Robinson’s Final at the Gold Coast Pro. With the support of her home crowd, Lindblad was able to get the win over Robinson. Lindblad is now close to her second Semifinal appearance of the season but first must overcome former CT standout Luana Silva (BRA).

“I was really happy that I got that right under priority,” said Lindblad. “It’s pretty slow out there. There’s a heat on and heat off. I just wanted to make sure that I was riding waves and I got a couple before it went flat. When I had priority, I definitely wanted to sit on my other competitor just to make sure she didn’t get anything under me. I’m happy that my strategy worked out.”

Former CT competitors Silva and Bronte Macaulay (AUS) went head-to-head in Heat 4. Macaulay held the lead for the majority of the heat, but with ten minutes left on the clock, Silva found a 6.93 to take the win. Silva has already made one Quarterfinal appearance this season and she hopes to do even better here in Huntington Beach to catapult herself up the rankings.

“I just never stop believing in myself that I can make it and I can surf as good as these girls,” said Silva. “This result is super important. After my Quarters at Snapper Rocks, I didn’t have the best results. This is definitely a confidence boost for this event and the next two events.”

Leilani McGonagle (CRC) caused another massive upset today, this time taking down current Challenger Series No. 1 Isabella Nichols (AUS). After having a slow start this season, McGonagle is finally having the breakthrough event she needs to move up the rankings.

Daniela Rosas (PER) and Ariane Ochoa (EUK) also claimed big Round of 16 victories and will surf again in the Quarterfinals.

For highlights and more information from today’s competition, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Watch LIVE: Wallex US Open of Surfing presented by Pacifico
The Wallex US Open of Surfing presented by Pacifico and Huntington Beach Longboard Classic hold a competition window through Sunday, August 6, 2023. The competition will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL’s YouTube channel, and the free WSL app. Check out more ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners.

The Wallex US Open of Surfing presented by Pacifico is proudly supported by Wallex.US, Pacifico, Cup Noodles, Hurley, 805 Beer, Red Bull, Sambazon, Shiseido, Surfshark, YETI, Aloha Collection, Aventon E-Bikes, Board & Brew, Boxed Water, Deville Canned Cocktails, Feelgoodz, Flexfit, Fuji Film, Huntington Surf & Sport, Jack’s Surfboards, Nixon Watches, Pura Vida, Ralphs, Tractor Beverage Company, USAF 330th Special Warfare, Visit Huntington Beach, William Grant & Sons, Professional Teqball, Tractor Soda, Victoria White, and Youtheory.