….at Surf City El Salvador Longboard Classic Presented by Corona

• WSL Returns September 19 through September 25 to El Salvador’s Incredible Coastline and Culture
• World’s Best Longboarders Set Eyes on El Sunzal
• Longboard Championship Top 8 Spots Hang In The Balance

EL SUNZAL, El Salvador (Thursday, September 14, 2023) – The world’s best longboarders are preparing for the penultimate stop on the 2023 World Surf League (WSL) Longboard Tour, the Surf City El Salvador Longboard Classic Presented by Corona. The event will decide who earns their place in the Longboard Championships Qualification and have a chance to compete for the 2023 World Title in Malibu. El Sunzal is a premier point break that will provide a great platform for world-class performances. The Surf City El Salvador Longboard Classic holds an event window from September 19 through September 25, 2023.

“We couldn’t be more excited to be heading back to El Salvador and have the opportunity to showcase the world’s best longboarders on a pristine point break at El Sunzal,” said Will Hayden-Smith, WSL Tours and Competition Senior Manager. “This event plays a pivotal role in determining who will be vying for a 2023 World Title. We can’t thank our hosts at the Corporacion Salvadoreña de Turismo enough for welcoming us back to watch those scenarios unfold.”

Southern California’s Taylor Jensen (USA) heads to the Surf City El Salvador Longboard Classic ranked No. 1. He hopes to hold onto that position as he goes up against the likes of current No. 2, 2022 World Title runner-up Kaniela Stewart (HAW), recent Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic victor Kai Sallas (HAW), Australian upstart Declan Wyton (AUS), and a plethora of Longboard Tour veterans.

“It feels really good to be at No. 2 on the rankings, definitely a really comfortable spot to be in,” said Stewart. “Huntington was an event that I feel like would’ve been one of my lowest results. It changes every single heat, so I was just trying to do pretty good at that event. Going into Bells and El Salvador, they’re right point breaks, and that’s right down my alley.”

Reigning WSL Longboard Champion Soleil Errico (USA) has already officially qualified for the Original Sprout Malibu Longboard Championships, and is looking to earn back-to-back World Titles. But, she will have to overcome three-time WSL Longboard Champion Honolua Blomfield (HAW), World Title threat Kelis Kaleopa’a (HAW), Longboard Tour veterans Alice Lemoigne (FRA) and Chloé Calmon (BRA), and more at El Sunzal to retain that No. 1 spot heading into her World Title defense.

Calmon is again back in the World Title fight after her Semifinal finish at Bells Beach.

“I’m really excited to be in El Salvador right now and to have Sunzal as one of the stops for our Tour,” said Calmon. “It’s such a good longboard wave for long nose rides and also big turns. It’s nice that we have world-class waves on Tour. I’ve been watching the shortboard Finals each year, and it’s so exciting. It still hasn’t sunk in that we’re going to be facing those same scenarios. We still have one more big event here next week, so I’ll be as present as I can, solidifying my rank and maybe trying to better my position.”

Those sitting just outside the Longboard Championships qualification line are looking for their first big result of the 2023 season to take control of their own destiny.

Watch LIVE: Surf City El Salvador Longboard Classic Presented by Corona
The Surf City El Salvador Longboard Classic Presented by Corona will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL’s YouTube channel, and the free WSL app. Check out more ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners.

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.