Cole Houshmand (USA) & Isabella Nichols (AUS) Win the GWM Sydney Surf Pro Presented By Bonsoy

California’s new hero Cole Houshmand (USA) destroys local hero Jacob Willcox (AUS)
Isabella Nichols (AUS) takes out local legend Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
6 heats to run…in solid 5-6’+ Surf with mostly complicated lefts.
Watch LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com

Pictured: Isabella Nichols (AUS) will take on Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) in the Final of the GWM Sydney Surf Pro Presented by Bonsoy this morning. Credit: © WSL / Dunbar

NORTH NARRABEEN, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Monday, May 22, 2023) – Finals Day has been called ON at the GWM Sydney Surf Pro presented by Bonsoy, Stop No.2 of the 2023 World Surf League (WSL) Challenger Series. Competition will commence at 10:35 a.m. AEST with the men’s Semifinals which will be followed by the women’s and men’s Finals. It’s set to be an exciting day of competition with North Narrabeen offering up solid surf in the six-to-eight foot range with bigger sets and light off-shore winds.

The opening heat of the day will see former Championship Tour competitor Jackson Baker (AUS) take on Californian upstart Cole Houshmand (USA) for a spot in the Final.

Semifinal Heat 2 will decide the second finalist and will be contested by Marco Mignot (FRA) and Jacob Willcox (AUS) who are both in the hunt for a maiden Challenger Series Final appearance.

After a big day yesterday, the women’s finalists have been decided and will witness Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) going head-to-head with Isabella Nichols (AUS) in solid surf at North Narrabeen.

GWM Sydney Surf Pro Men’s Semifinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Jackson Baker (AUS) vs. Cole Houshmand (USA)
HEAT 2: Marco Mignot (FRA) vs. Jacob Willcox (AUS)GWM Sydney Surf Pro Women’s Final Matchup:
HEAT 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) vs. Isabella Nichols (AUS)

Watch LIVE
The GWM Sydney Surf Pro Presented by Bonsoy Challenger Series event will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, the free WSL app, and the WSL’s YouTube channel.

EARLIER UPDATES BELOW

Sally Fitzgibbons and Isabella Nichols to go Head-to-Head In Women’s Final
Men’s Semifinalists Decided at North Narrabeen
More Available at WorldSurfLeague.com

Pictured: Marco Mignot (FRA) is through to the Semifinals at the GWM Sydney Surf Pro Presented by Bonsoy. Credit: © WSL / Ryder

NORTH NARRABEEN, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Sunday, May 21, 2023) – The stage has been set for Finals Day at the GWM Sydney Surf Pro presented by Bonsoy, Stop No.2 of the 2023 World Surf League (WSL) Challenger Series. Day 5 of competition saw the men’s Semifinalists decided as well as the two women’s Finalists before strong winds decimated the two-to-three foot surf and forced an early finish to the day.

Sally Fitzgibbons and Isabella Nichols to go Head-to-Head In Women’s Final

Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) has booked herself a spot in the Final of the GWM Sydney Surf Pro with another great performance in the Quarterfinals and Semifinals at North Narrabeen. Fitzgibbons has been in great touch all event and today overcame Alyssa Spencer (USA) in the Quarterfinals and Bella Kenworthy (USA) in the Semifinals. Fitzgibbons has her requalification campaign off to a great start with her second Finals Day finish in two events.

“It’s been a fun day,” Fitzgibbons said. “Coming up against Alyssa (Spencer) is always fun and we always have great battles. Then in the Semifinal, I had a great chess match with Bella (Kenworthy) who has such a bright future. All of these competitors are so good and the pressure is always high which is one of the reasons I’m enjoying being on the Challenger Series so much.”

Fitzgibbons will meet fellow Australian and former Championship Tour (CT) competitor Isabella Nichols (AUS) in the Final after Nichols overcame rankings leader India Robinson (AUS) in the Semifinals. Nichols was the form surfer of the day, posting an excellent heat total of 16.20 in her Quarterfinal win and backing it up with a dominating Semifinal victory.

“It’s great to get to the final,” Nichols said. “It’s been a really long leg of events and I haven’t been home much since December so it’s good to see the work pay off. It’s been a tough transition but I’ve learned a lot about myself and the headspace I want to be in when I compete and that’s only s good thing. It was tough coming up against a good friend (India Robinson) but I’m stoked to make it and be through to the Final.”

Men’s Semifinalists Decided at North Narrabeen

Fresh off falling short of the Mid-season Cut on the CT, Jackson Baker (AUS) has bounced back with a spot in the Semifinals at North Narrabeen. Baker’s powerful frontside carves have suited all conditions this week as the Novacastian looks to build confidence, and his ranking, off the back of this week’s performance.

“This feels good,” Baker said. “The whole week I’ve been getting through with low heat scores so to finally post above 14 points feels really good. I feel like my strategy worked really well and I’m stoked I stuck to my guns. Coming off the CT gives you the opportunity to put what you learned into practice and it feels great when you execute.”

Baker will take on Californian powerhouse Cole Houshamand (USA) whose backhand attack continued to impress on his way to a career-best result here in Sydney. Houshmand took down event standout Marc Lacomare (FRA) in the Quarterfinals to book his spot in the Semifinals.

“I’m stoked about getting my best result yet,” Houshmand said. “The job isn’t done yet so I want to focus and get ready for my next heat. I don’t want to take the foot off the gas and just need to keep it going.”

Marco Mignot (FRA) has ensured his best result at the Challenger Series level, overcoming countryman Justin Becret (FRA) in the Round of 16 and then Kade Matson (USA) in the Quarterfinals to line up a Semifinal showdown with Jacob Willcox (AUS). Mignot’s aerial antics were enough to get multiple heat wins today at North Narrabeen.

The WSL Tours and Competition team will reconvene tomorrow, Monday, May 22, at 7:15 a.m. AEST to make a call on competition getting back underway for a possible 7:35 a.m. AEST start.

For highlights from today’s GWM Sydney Surf Pro Presented by Bonsoy competition, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

GWM Sydney Surf Pro Men’s Round of 16 Results(Heats 5-8):
HEAT 5: Marco Mignot (FRA) 14.00 DEF. Justin Becret (FRA) 9.27
HEAT 6: Kade Matson (USA) 14.33 DEF. Eithan Osborne (USA) 3.06
HEAT 7: Jacob Willcox (AUS) 16.16 DEF. Taj Lindblad (USA) 15.17
HEAT 8: Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 15.96 DEF. Joan Duru (FRA) 12.30GWM Sydney Surf Pro Women’s Quarterfinal Results:
HEAT 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 16.50 DEF. Alyssa Spencer (USA) 14.66
HEAT 2: Bella Kenworthy (USA) 15.43 DEF. Macy Callaghan (AUS) 9.40
HEAT 3: Isabella Nichols (AUS) 16.20 DEF. Teresa Bonvalot (POR) 8.83
HEAT 4: India Robinson (AUS) 12.66 DEF. Erin Brooks (CAN) 8.23GWM Sydney Surf Pro Men’s Quarterfinal Results:
HEAT 1: Jackson Baker (AUS) 14.83 DEF. Frederico Morais (POR) 9.04
HEAT 2: Cole Houshmand (USA) 12.77 DEF. Marc Lacomare (FRA) 11.20
HEAT 3: Marco Mignot (FRA) 13.16 DEF. Kade Matson (USA) 8.47
HEAT 4: Jacob Willcox (AUS) 11.94 DEF. Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 9.54GWM Sydney Surf Pro Women’s Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 10.83 DEF. Bella Kenworthy (USA) 8.86
HEAT 2: Isabella Nichols (AUS) 13.33 DEF. India Robinson (AUS) 4.37GWM Sydney Surf Pro Men’s Semifinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Jackson Baker (AUS) vs. Cole Houshmand (USA)
HEAT 2: Marco Mignot (FRA) vs. Jacob Willcox (AUS)GWM Sydney Surf Pro Women’s Final Matchup:
HEAT 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) vs. Isabella Nichols (AUS)

Watch LIVE
The GWM Sydney Surf Pro Presented by Bonsoy Challenger Series event will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, the free WSL app, and the WSL’s YouTube channel. Also, check out more ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners.

EARLIER UPDATES BELOW

Men’s Round of 16 Heats 5-8 Starts at 7:35 a.m. AEST

Women’s Quarterfinals to Follow

Men’s Quarterfinals, Men’s and Women’s Semifinals and Finals on Standby

Watch LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com

Pictured: Jacob Willcox (AUS) will compete in Heat 7 of the Round of 16 today at the GWM Sydney Surf Pro Presented by Bonsoy. Credit: © WSL / Ryder

NORTH NARRABEEN, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Sunday, May 21, 2023) – Competition has been called ON at the GWM Sydney Surf Pro presented by Bonsoy, Stop No.2 of the 2023 World Surf League (WSL) Challenger Series. Competitors will be treated to more clean surf in the two-to-three foot range with the men’s Round of 16 set to commence at 7:35 a.m. AEST with the women’s Quarterfinals to follow. The men’s Quarterfinals, men’s and women’s Semifinals and Finals are on standby. Pending conditions, today could see event winners crowned at the GWM Sydney Surf Pro.

The opening heat of the day will see French duo Justin Becret (FRA) and Marco Mignot (FRA) go head-to-head at North Narrabeen as both surfers look to lock in their best Challenger Series result with a spot in the Quarterfinals.

Jacob Willcox (AUS) will have his work cut out when he takes on form surfer Taj Lindblad (USA) in Heat 7 of the Round of 16 at North Narrabeen today.

GWM Sydney Surf Pro Men’s Round of 16 Matchups (Heats 5-8):
HEAT 5: Justin Becret (FRA) vs. Marco Mignot (FRA)
HEAT 6: Eithan Osborne (USA) vs. Kade Matson (USA)
HEAT 7: Jacob Willcox (AUS) vs. Taj Lindblad (USA)
HEAT 8: Morgan Cibilic (AUS) vs. Joan Duru (FRA)GWM Sydney Surf Pro Women’s Quarterfinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) vs. Alyssa Spencer (USA)
HEAT 2: Bella Kenworthy (USA) vs. Macy Callaghan (AUS)
HEAT 3: Isabella Nichols (AUS) vs. Teresa Bonvalot (POR)
HEAT 4: Erin Brooks (CAN) vs. India Robinson (AUS)

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

AERLIER UPDATES BELOW

Field Narrowed in More Great Surf at GWM Sydney Surf Pro

Men’s Round of 16 Called ON at GWM Sydney Surf Pro Presented By Bonsoy
Women’s Quarterfinalists Decided at North Narrabeen
Competitors Find Form on Day 4 of Competition
Possible Finals Day Tomorrow

Pictured: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) is through to the Quarterfinals at the GWM Sydney Surf Pro Presented by Bonsoy. Credit: © WSL / Ryder

NORTH NARRABEEN, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Saturday, May 20, 2023) – The field has been narrowed at the GWM Sydney Surf Pro presented by Bonsoy, Stop No.2 of the 2023 World Surf League (WSL) Challenger Series after another massive day of competition. Competitors were treated to more super clean surf in the three-to-five foot range as the women’s Quarterfinalists were decided along with the men’s Round of 16 and first four men’s Quarterfinalists.

Women’s Quarterfinalists Decided at North Narrabeen

India Robinson (AUS) came up against fellow Victorian Nikki van Dijk (AUS) in the last heat of the Round of 16. Both surfers opted to look for lefts and each posted mid-range scores but it was Robinson who was able to do more damage on her backhand. The former Championship Tour (CT) competitor claimed the win and a spot in the Quarterfinals.

The only competitor that could take the top spot on the rankings from Robinson at the conclusion of the GWM Sydney Surf Pro is Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) who will match up with an in-form Alyssa Spencer (USA) in Quarterfinal Heat 1.

15-year-old Erin Brooks (CAN) revelled in the hollow beach-break conditions, pulling into barrels and hitting critical sections to win her Round of 16 heat. Brooks will match up with rankings leader India Robinson (AUS) in the Quarterfinals and guarantee her best-ever result in a WSL event.

“It was pretty gnarly out there,” Brooks said. “There were a couple of slabs coming through and it reminded me a lot of some spots at home. I pulled into a left and almost came out. I love lefthand barrels so it was really fun. I’m hoping to go left more but the waves are still pumping out there.”

Macy Callaghan (AUS) looks to have her requalification campaign back on track, earning a spot in the Quarterfinals at the GWM Sydney Surf Pro. Callaghan has looked sharp all year but has fallen just short of a few heat wins. Today, Callaghan found a rhythm to overcome Sophie McCulloch (AUS) who was unable to find two major scores in their 30-minute matchup. Callaghan will take on Californian young gun Bella Kenworthy (USA) when competition resumes.

“I had a bit of a shocker at the start of that heat but I managed to squeak through in the end,” Callaghan said. “I knew that heat was going to be on the bottom of the tide and finding a good one would be hard. It’s been pumping all day so it was a shame to not get a deeper one but it is what it is. I’m just glad that I got to find some scores and make the heat win in the end.”

Isabella Nichols (AUS) and Teresa Bonvalot (POR) both hope to rebound from early-round losses on the Gold Coast and will go head-to-head in Quarterfinal Heat 3 at North Narrabeen.

Competitors Find Form on Day 4 of Competition

Frenchman Justin Becret (FRA) has guaranteed his best Challenger Series result, finding his way into the Round of 16 with another impressive heat win. Becret’s timing and power on his frontside have been in sync with the right-handers on offer throughout the event, winning with a two-wave total of 14.33 (out of a possible 20).

“When it’s this good I just want to surf,” Becret said. “I’m not too focussed on if I make it or not, I just want to surf and show what I’ve got. Once I got my scores, the waves slowed down a bit which helped me for sure. I definitely feel like the waves are suiting me which is nice to have that confidence.”

Becret’s countryman Marco Mignot (FRA) and Joan Duru (FRA) also booked themselves spots in the Round of 16 at North Narrabeen, both looking super comfortable in the chunky beach break conditions. Marc Lacomare (FRA) continued to impress, finding a spot in the Quarterfinals.

Former Championship Tour competitor Morgan Cibilic (AUS) put on his best performance of the year so far, posting one of the highest two-wave totals of the day with a near-excellent 15.37. Cibilic looked sharp on rail, displaying some of the form that took him to No. 5 in the world in 2021.

San Clemente powerhouse Cole Houshmand (USA) is another competitor hitting his straps at the GWM Sydney Surf Pro finding his way to the Quarterfinals for the first time at the Challenger Series level. Houshmand overcame Hawaiian prodigy Eli Hanneman (HAW) in the Round of 16 with an impressive heat total of 15.77.

“That was such a tough heat,” Houshmand said. “There were so many different peaks to choose from and I didn’t really know where to sit and where the scores would be coming from. I ended up staying true to the left and found a few runners. I’m loving my time here in Sydney. All of the local groms are stoking on having us here and there are great vibes around the town.”

The WSL Tours and Competition team will reconvene tomorrow, Sunday, May 21, at 6:45 a.m. AEST to make a call on competition getting back underway for a possible 7:05 a.m. AEST start.

For highlights from today’s GWM Sydney Surf Pro Presented by Bonsoy competition, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

GWM Sydney Surf Pro Men’s Round of 32 Results (Heats 3-8):
HEAT 1: Mikey McDonagh (AUS) 15.57 DEF. Frederico Morais (POR) 13.10, Dylan Moffat (AUS) 11.94, Reef Heazlewood (AUS) 11.57
HEAT 2: Maxime Huscenot (FRA) 14.20 DEF. Jackson Baker (AUS) 11.84, Luke Thompson (RSA) 10.67, Ketut Agus (INA) 7.50
HEAT 3: Cole Houshmand (USA) 13.07 DEF. Marc Lacomare (FRA) 12.33, Adin Masencamp (RSA) 12.26, Deivid Silva (BRA) 5.93
HEAT 4: Imaikalani deVault (HAW) 14.16 DEF. Eli Hanneman (HAW) 13.53, Lucas Silveira (BRA) 12.50, Miguel Tudela (PER) 7.03
HEAT 5: Justin Becret (FRA) 14.33 DEF. Kade Matson (USA) 11.30, Jett Schilling (USA) 10.77, Mihimana Braye (FRA) 9.33
HEAT 6: Eithan Osborne (USA) 13.87 DEF. Marco Mignot (FRA) 13.66, Joel Vaughan (AUS) 13.43, Jake Marshall (USA) 10.60
HEAT 7: Jacob Willcox (AUS) 15.00 DEF. Joan Duru (FRA) 14.00, Kalani Ball (AUS) 11.53, Jadson Andre (BRA) 6.64
HEAT 8: Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 15.37 DEF. Taj Lindblad (USA) 14.40, Te Kehukehu Butler (NZL) 13.90, Crosby Colapinto (USA) 12.60GWM Sydney Surf Pro Women’s Round of 16 Results:
HEAT 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 13.00 DEF. Ella McCaffray (USA) 10.50
HEAT 2: Alyssa Spencer (USA) 15.36 DEF. Zahli Kelly (AUS) 12.20
HEAT 3: Bella Kenworthy (USA) 11.96 DEF. Carolina Mendes (POR) 10.17
HEAT 4: Macy Callaghan (AUS) 10.60 DEF. Sophie McCulloch (AUS) 5.57
HEAT 5: Isabella Nichols (AUS) 13.33 DEF. Kobie Enright (AUS) 8.50
HEAT 6: Teresa Bonvalot (POR) 10.80 DEF. Francisca Veselko (POR) 9.17
HEAT 7: Erin Brooks (CAN) 12.67 DEF. Yolanda Hopkins (POR) 5.67
HEAT 8: India Robinson (AUS) 13.37 DEF. Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 11.20GWM Sydney Surf Pro Men’s Round of 16 Results (Heats 1-4):
HEAT 1: Jackson Baker (AUS) 11.93 DEF. Mikey McDonagh (AUS) 6.67
HEAT 2: Frederico Morais (POR) 10.50 DEF. Maxime Huscenot (FRA) 5.26
HEAT 3: Cole Houshmand (USA) 15.60 DEF. Eli Hanneman (HAW) 9.67
HEAT 4: Marc Lacomare (FRA) 11.60 DEF. Imaikalani deVault (HAW) 8.70GWM Sydney Surf Pro Men’s Round of 16 Matchups (Heats 5-8):
HEAT 5: Justin Becret (FRA) vs. Marco Mignot (FRA)
HEAT 6: Eithan Osborne (USA) vs. Kade Matson (USA)
HEAT 7: Jacob Willcox (AUS) vs. Taj Lindblad (USA)
HEAT 8: Morgan Cibilic (AUS) vs. Joan Duru (FRA)GWM Sydney Surf Pro Women’s Quarterfinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) vs. Alyssa Spencer (USA)
HEAT 2: Bella Kenworthy (USA) vs. Macy Callaghan (AUS)
HEAT 3: Isabella Nichols (AUS) vs. Teresa Bonvalot (POR)
HEAT 4: Erin Brooks (CAN) vs. India Robinson (AUS)