• New Swell Built, Women’s Round of 32 was Called ON at 2:45 p.m (11 hours ahead of Hawaii…so 1:45am)
• Top seeds take the day as the field narrows and fresh energy arrives in Ericeira. The entire top 5 advances, shedding leaderboard movement opportunities as we move toward the Round of 16.
• Great Swell expected for tomorrow…
• Watch Post Show HERE

• Pressure Intensifies as EDP Vissla Pro Ericeira Gets Back Underway in Portugal Rankings Leader Simmers Looks Unstoppable in Ericeira Bonvalot and Defending Champ Silva Go Head to Head at Ribeira Next Call Friday at 7:30 a.m WET More Information at WorldSurfLeague.com

  Pictured: Teresa Bonvalot took out a crucial heat win into the RD16 today in Ericeira. Credit: © WSL / Masurel

  RIBEIRA D’ILHAS, Ericeira / Portugal (Thursday, October 6, 2022) – The EDP Vissla Pro Ericeira, Stop No. 5 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2022 Challenger Series, completed a short day of competition to run 8 heats of the women’s Round of 32 in fun, three-to-four foot waves. The new push of swell played with everyone’s nerves at first, and with the incoming tide this morning, conditions didn’t allow heats to run before after lunch time in Portugal. Sets gradually gained in consistency and finally surfers paddled out at Ribeira just before 3 p.m. With a spot in the two-surfer heats of the Round of 16 up-for-grabs and the first big points on the line, tension rose up a notch and some good battles ensued.

  Pictured: Caitlin Simmers (USA) is emerging as the surfer to beat in Ericeira. Credit: © WSL / Poullenot

  Rankings Leader Simmers Looks Unstoppable in Portugal Current leader on the CS rankings, Caitlin Simmers (USA) put together another fantastic display of high performance surfing, navigating the mellow parts of the wave with ease and pushing hard on her turns when presented with a steep section. The lightfoot young surfer posted an impressive 15.60 heat total, the highest of the round today. “It’s funny how your perception of the wave changes when you get good scores,” Simmers said. “I’ve been having difficult sessions out there but this one felt really good. I’ve been surfing other spots as well, there are so many options around here in a short space so it’s been fun.”

  Pictured: Luana Silva continued a successful title defense campaign in Ericeira. Credit: © WSL / Masurel

  Bonvalot and Defending Champ Silva Go Head to Head at Ribeira Local hero Teresa Bonvalot (PRT) and defending event champion Luana Silva (BRA) had a great battle in a lineup both surfers obviously appreciate. In an opposition of styles and technique with a regular foot and a goofy, the pair were first to find good scoring potential, Silva eventually taking first with two solid 7+ scores. “The start of my heat scared me a little and that 2.83 was getting in my head a bit,” Silva said. “But I told myself ‘You got this, all you have to do is surf your best’. That first 7 felt really good and the backup one as well. I haven’t made this round in the last two events so it’s really good to make it out of this round. I’m feeling good, hopefully the waves pick up and I’m excited for more tomorrow!” Bonvalot and Silva currently sit in 8th and 9th respectively on the CS so each heat made will pay big dividends in the long run in their effort to join the world’s best next season. Bonvalot has the advantage of a very low result on the board currently, but Silva knows how to go all the way at Ribeira so both surfers are in a great position to strike this week in Portugal.

  Pictured: Vahine Fierro will be another strong goofy footer in the RD16 when the event resumes. Credit: © WSL / Masurel

  Conditions became difficult towards the end of the day around the low tide mark and the last few heats were scrappy for most surfers. Heat 7 featured three local surfers and Sawyer Lindblad (USA). The American took the first advancing spot and behind her, a low-scoring affair eventually went Yolanda Hopkins (PRT)’s way with a buzzer-beater score on a last-ditch effort to keep her Ericeira campaign alive. Of course the waves turned right back on for the day’s final matchup and a flurry of scores went down in a great battle between Macy Callaghan (AUS), Nikki Van Dijk (AUS), Havanna Cabrero (PRI) and Alyssa Spencer (USA). The two most experienced competitors Callaghan and Van Dijk took the final two advancing spots of the day. Event officials will be back for the 7:30 a.m call on Friday.

  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.

Stop No. 5 of 7 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2022 Challenger Series, pressure is quickly building as surfers start to collect big points in their bid to secure a spot on the 2023 Championship Tour (CT).

After three intense days of competition earlier this week, major upsets have already been the norm and the rankings will have a different look when competition comes to a close in Portugal this week.

The new swell has finally reached the shores of Ericeira, with three-to-four foot waves breaking and conditions expected to build throughout the rest of the day.

Competition will resume at 2:45 p.m with the women’s Round of 32 and Rankings No.4 Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW), Vahine Fierro (FRA), Shino Matsuda (JPN) and Nadia Erostarbe (EUK) paddling out in Heat 1.

Watch all the battles LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com.

Competition is ON at the EDP Vissla Pro Ericeira, watch it all go down 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.