Simmers and Ferreira Retain Yellow Leader Jerseys Heading into Stop No. 4

Event Wildcards and Injury Replacements Announced

They’re 4 hours ahead of Hawaii.  See location on Map Here

The CT is now one-third of the way through the 12-event season, with just four events remaining before the Mid-Season Cut. Punta Roca, a long and high-performance right, presents a prime opportunity for surfers to showcase their progression from big carves to airs. This event could either extend the lead for the top seeds or create a pivotal moment for those looking to fight their way back into the World Title conversations. For surfers currently below the Cut line, this will also be a critical opportunity for redemption before the Tour heads into the Australia leg.

Every heat matters, with the CT heading into a pivotal opportunity to put their name into the mix toward the Lexus WSL Finals and for those who are currently below the Mid-season Cut line. The CT elite now return to the iconic lineup of Punta Roca in El Salvador for a fourth season. The wave demands a high-performance showcase with its pristine long right-hander that offers critical sections for progression and power.

One of the most thrilling heats of 2024 saw eventual event winner and 2024 World Champion John John Florence (HAW) edge out Yago Dora (BRA) in a high-stakes showdown. Now, Dora returns to El Salvador aiming for back-to-back CT victories after his dominant performance at the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal. Meanwhile, two-time Surf City El Salvador Pro winner Caroline Marks (USA) arrives with momentum, fresh off her first CT victory of the season in Portugal.

The 2025 CT season continues to push the boundaries of surfing history, with reigning World Champion Caity Simmers (USA) and 2024 World Title runner-up Italo Ferreira (BRA) leading the charge. Simmers nearly claimed back-to-back wins at Pipeline before securing a historic victory in Abu Dhabi, putting her well ahead in the rankings before a Quarterfinal finish in Portugal. Ferreira enters Stop No. 4 with a commanding 6,000-point lead over current No. 2 Barron Mamiya (HAW), heading into a wave that perfectly suits his explosive aerial game and progressive style.

Bryan Perez (SLV), Alyssa Spencer (USA), and Levi Slawson (USA) will be the event wildcards for the Surf City El Salvador Pro. Spencer and Slawson are both the highest-placed surfers on the Challenger Series Rankings not yet in competition from the North American region. Perez, who grew up with Punta Roca in his backyard, will be the one to watch this event. After his major upset last year as the wildcard where he defeated Italo Ferreira (BRA), Perez will look to shake things up when he faces Ferreira again, but this time in the Opening Round.

Injury replacement surfers Ian Gentil (HAW) and Nadia Erostarbe (ESP) will head to El Salvador in place of Gabriel Medina (BRA) and Johanne Defay(FRA), respectively. Following Tatiana Weston-Webb’s (BRA) announcement of her pause from the remainder of the season to focus on her well-being, Kirra Pinkerton (USA), as the second-highest North American surfer on the CS Rankings not yet in the competition, will take her spot for this event. Ryan Callinan (AUS) returns from injury after missing the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal earlier this month.

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Surf City El Salvador Pro Men’s Opening Round Matchups:
HEAT 1: Rio Waida (INA) vs. Connor O’Leary (JPN) vs. Alejo Muniz (BRA)
HEAT 2: Jack Robinson (AUS) vs. Joao Chianca (BRA) vs. Edgar Groggia (BRA)
HEAT 3: Barron Mamiya (HAW) vs. Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) vs. Samuel Pupo (BRA)
HEAT 4: Yago Dora (BRA) vs. Jackson Bunch (HAW) vs. Ian Gentil (HAW)
HEAT 5: Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs. Marco Mignot (FRA) vs. Levi Slawson (USA)
HEAT 6: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. George Pittar (AUS) vs. Bryan Perez (SLV)
HEAT 7: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Ian Gouveia (BRA) vs. Alan Cleland (MEX)
HEAT 8: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Cole Houshmand (USA) vs. Matthew McGillvray (RSA)
HEAT 9: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) vs. Seth Moniz (HAW) vs. Imaikalani deVault (HAW)
HEAT 10: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) vs. Liam O’Brien (AUS) vs. Crosby Colapinto (USA)
HEAT 11: Jordy Smith (RSA) vs. Joel Vaughan (AUS) vs. Ryan Callinan (AUS)
HEAT 12: Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. Jake Marshall (USA) vs. Deivid Silva (BRA)

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.