• Inconsistent Swell Causes Lay Day, Better Conditions Forecast for the Weekend
• Next call: Saturday, June 10, at 6:15 AM CST for a Possible 6:35 AM CST Start to Competition (4 hours ahead)

PUNTA ROCA, La Libertad, El Salvador (Friday, June 9, 2023) – Competition has been called OFF for the opening day of the waiting period at the Surf City El Salvador Pro Presented by Corona, Stop No. 7 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2023 Championship Tour (CT). Inconsistent waves and an easing swell are making for less-than-ideal conditions to start the competition. The next call will be tomorrow, June 10, at 6:15 a.m. CST for a possible 6:35 a.m. CST start to get competition underway.

“Due to the inconsistent swell, lack of scoring waves per set, and the fact that this is an easing swell, we opted to call the event off for today,” said WSL Director of Tours and Competition, Renato Hickel. “We’re hoping for better and more consistent conditions tomorrow and a good full day of competition.”

When competition commences, the first heat of the women’s event will see Surf Ranch Pro runner-up Caroline Marks (USA) take on rookie standout Caitlin Simmers (USA), and 2022 Rookie of the Year Gabriela Bryan (HAW). Marks had a commendable third-place finish here in El Salvador last year. This will be Simmer’s debut appearance at the Central American point break.

The opening heat of the men’s division will see the up-and-comers against the ultimate veteran: current World No. 4 Ethan Ewing (AUS) and No. 13 Matthew McGillivray (RSA) up against 11-time World Champion, Kelly Slater (USA).

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

WSL One Ocean and Partners Protect El Salvadors Rivers from Plastic Pollution

For the Surf City El Salvador Pro Pres. by Corona, WSL One Ocean teamed up with grantee partners Paso Pacifico, Oriente Salvaje, and Medio Ambiente SV to protect El Salvador’s well-known rivers from the impacts of plastic pollution. The grant funding, provided by WSL One Ocean supporter Corona, will help to install river barriers to prevent plastic from entering the ocean and polluting world-class surf breaks. Together partners are leveraging the sport of surfing to promote sustainable tourism and achieve long-term ecosystem conservation. WSL One Ocean is supported both globally and regionally by Corona. Corona has been a long-standing partner of the WSL and shares the same passion for protecting the health of our oceans.

To learn more, please visit WSLOneOcean.org.

Surf City El Salvador Pro Women’s Opening Round Matchups:
Heat 1: Caroline Marks (USA) vs. Caitlin Simmers (USA) vs. Gabriela Bryan (HAW)
Heat 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Leilani McGonagle (CRC)
Heat 3: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Johanne Defay (FRA)
Heat 4: Molly Picklum (AUS) vs. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) vs. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW)

Surf City El Salvador Pro Men’s Opening Round Matchups: 
Heat 1: Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs. Matthew McGillivray (RSA) vs. Kelly Slater (USA)
Heat 2: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Ian Gentil (HAW)
Heat 3: Joao Chianca (BRA) vs. Jordy Smith (RSA) vs. Seth Moniz (HAW)
Heat 4: Griffin Colapinto (USA). vs. Callum Robson (AUS) vs. Bryan Perez (SLV)
Heat 5: Jack Robinson (AUS) vs. Connor O’Leary (AUS) vs. Rio Waida (INA)
Heat 6: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Liam O’Brien (AUS)
Heat 7: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) vs. Barron Mamiya (HAW)
Heat 8: Ryan Callinan (AUS) vs. Yago Dora (BRA) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN)

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.