First Competitors Eliminated at WSL World Junior Championships Presented by TPB Philippines

Reigning WSL World Junior Champion Sierra Kerr Goes Big on Day 2 (18 hours ahead of Hawaii)

Tops Seeds Bounce Back In The Elimination Round at Monaliza Point

Reigning WSL World Junior Champion Sierra Kerr (AUS) was a clear standout on Day 2 of competition, posting an excellent 8.33 (out of a possible 10) for an impressive front-side air-reverse. Kerr took off on a closeout, raced down the line and hit a solid section to land the air, then backed it up shortly after to beat Philippine Wildcard Cathleya Casals (PHL) with a two-wave total of 14.66 (out of a possible 20), the highest of the women’s event so far.

“I caught a wave right when the heat started, then as I was paddling back out, I saw that wave and went for it,” Kerr said. “It looked like a pretty hard section to hit, but it worked out, and the landing was pretty smooth. Once I landed that air, I just wanted to keep ripping. It slowed down a bit, so I was glad I got that start. I’ve been to the Philippines before, but this is my first time in La Union, and it’s cool. The waves have been fun, and the locals are super nice. I had experience surfing at the CT level last year, so it’s been cool to take the experiences I’ve had there and apply them here at the World Junior Championships.”

Heat 5 of the Elimination Round witnessed Sophia Medina (BRA) go head-to-head with Kohai Fierro (PYF) as both competitors hoped to move a step closer to following in the footsteps of their siblings who have also won WSL World Junior Titles (Gabriel Medina 2013 & Vahine Fierro 2017). It was a ding-dong battle with the lead changing multiple times throughout the heat, but in the end, it was the frontside attack of Medina that earned a 9.33 heat total to narrowly win by just 0.03 of a point.

“That was a super close heat,” Medina said. “I know she is such a good surfer, and the waves were slow, so anything could happen. The wave that I got my high score on came from nowhere so I was so happy to have that come through. Coming from Brazil, there are a lot of beach breaks, so there are a lot of waves like this, which is helpful. I think the experience I had last year on the Challenger Series has been super helpful.”

Former Championship Tour (CT) competitor Luana Silva (BRA) looked to be finding a rhythm with the waves at Urbiztondo Beach as she overcame Philippine Wildcard Mara Lopez (PHL) in Heat 3 of the Elimination Round. Silva’s smooth frontside rail surfing was a perfect match for the long reeling walls of Monaliza Point.

Australian Challenger Series competitor Ellie Harrison (AUS) bounced back well on Day 2 of competition, posting a two-wave total of 13.07 to progress into the Round of 16. Harrison showed power and poise along with a good mix of manuevers to claim her first heat win of the event.

“It was really fun out there,” Harrison said. “There were so many waves coming through. My plan was to just start early and get going. It was a really fun heat. I feel like I need to work on my consistency and enjoy the process along the way, and this is something I want to work on this year. It’s nice to be working on it already and having a good time with the crew we have over here.”

Other standouts on Day 2 included Cocona Kawase (JPN), Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (Basque) and Rosie Smart (AUS). America’s Reid Van Wagoner (USA) put on a super impressive performance to take down one of the event hopefuls, Anon Matsuoka (JPN), in Heat 4 of the Elimination Round.

Action Kicks Off at WSL World Junior Championships Presented by TPB Philippines

• Winter Vincent Steals The Show at Monaliza Point
• Women’s Top Seeds Sent to Elimination Round on Day 1
• World’s Best Set Sights on 2024 WSL World Junior Title
• More Available at WorldSurfLeague.com

“That was my first heat in a while, and it felt good to put a few together,” Vincent said. “Surfing on the Challenger Series last year was amazing for me. It was such a great experience travelling the world with some great friends and competing a lot, which I think has been super helpful. It’s great to be here in the Philippines, we’ve got a great group of Aussies so there’s a lot of support which is awesome.”

Brazilian hopeful Sophia Medina (BRA) was sent to the Elimination Round after she was given a priority interference in Heat 2 of the Opening Round leaving France’s Hina-Maria Conradi (FRA) to progress into the Round of 16.

Canadian 2024 Olympic Team member Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) overcame Australian challenger Ellie Harrison (AUS), who struggled to find a rhythm on the long Mona Liza Point walls.

The highest seed to win her heat on Day 1 was standout surfer Laura Raupp (BRA), who took an impressive win over Cocona Kawase (JPN) and Lily Heny (RSA) in Heat 4 of the Opening Round. Raupp’s smooth and powerful frontside was a perfect match for the long right-handers on offer as she claimed victory with a two-wave total of 12.16. After finishing in the top 20 of the Challenger Series rankings in 2024, Raupp is hoping to get her year off to the perfect start with a big result here in the Philippines.

“I’m super happy to make that heat and get a good start in the early round and get some fun waves,” Raupp said. “It’s my first time here, and I’m loving it. Its a magical place, and this wave is a dream. I’ve been surfing for five or six hours a day, so I’ve been enjoying it here for sure.”

World’s Best Set Sights on 2024 WSL World Junior Title

On a day of mixed results for some of the event’s top seeds, a group of the best 20 and under surfers in the world made their intentions clear, setting their sights firmly on the 2024 WSL World Junior Title.

One of those competitors was Jahly Stokes (AUS), who put on a backhand surfing clinic, belting multiple critical turns to post a 7.17,  the highest single wave of the women’s Opening Round. She then backed it up with a 6.10 to post a 13.27 heat total, the third highest of the event so far. Stokes claimed three runner-up finishes to find her way to the World Junior Championships and will look to continue that consistency here in the Philippines this week.

“This is my first time over here to the Philippines and it’s been great,” said Stokes. “The place is beautiful, and the locals are really nice, so it’s great to be here. I’ve been here with my dad for about a week, just surfing a lot, so we’re stoked. I made a few mistakes in that heat, but it ended up working out, which is pretty lucky.”

American competitor Ryan Huckabee (USA) looked to be in a good flow on Day 1, showing a great mixture of finesse, flow, and explosive surfing. He earned a 7.17 for a single maneuver, a huge layback snap on a critical closeout section. Huckabee overcame two of the most experienced competitors at the location, Bronson Meydi (INA) and Philippine Wildcard Noah Arkfeld (PHL), to take his heat win on his birthday.

“I try not to think too much about who is in my heat; if I want to win this event, I have to be able to beat everyone,” Huckabee said. “I just went out there and did my thing and built a rhythm, and once I pulled that layback off, I felt a bit more comfortable and in control of the heat. I had a tough run on the Challenger Series, but I had some decent results late in the year, so I am happy to be coming into this event with some momentum and confidence.”

Aussie trio Isla Huppatz (AUS),  Lennix Smith (AUS) and former WSL World Junior Champion Jarvis Earle (AUS) also stood out on Day 1 along with I Made Ariyana (INA), Kai Odriozola (ESP) and Arena Rodriguez (PER) who all progressed into the Round of 16.

The last heat of the day saw two South African competitors, Luke Thompson (RSA) and Daniel Emslie (RSA), tied on 10.00 points each to only just overcome Hawaii’s Luke Swanson (HAW), who posted a 9.94 two-wave total. With Thompson having the highest single wave score, he moved into the lead and will progress into the Round of 16 while Swanson and Emslie head to the Elimination Round.

About the WSL
The World Surf League (WSL) is the global home of competitive surfing, crowning World Champions since 1976 and showcasing the world’s best surfing. The WSL oversees surfing’s global competitive landscape and sets the standard for elite performance in the most dynamic playing field in all of sports. With a firm commitment to its values, the WSL prioritizes the protection of the ocean, equality, and the sport’s rich heritage, while championing progression and innovation.