…Presented by Modon

• Women’s Quarterfinals and Men’s Semifinals Set for Competition Finish Tomorrow
• Seven Qualification Spots Still Open for Surf City El Salvador Longboard Championships
• Finals Day Starts Tomorrow, Sunday, September 29, at 1:00 PM GST (14 hours ahead of Hawaii….11pm Saturday)

HUDAYRIYAT ISLAND, Abu Dhabi, UAE (Saturday, September 28, 2024) – The Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic Presented by Modon, Stop No. 3 of the 2024 World Surf League (WSL) Longboard Tour, continued today with the women’s Opening Round and men’s Quarterfinals in perfect three-foot waves at the new Surf Abu Dhabi facility.

All of the women’s Opening Round heats were won by the top seeds, pushing the qualification scenarios for El Salvador into Finals Day. Every Quarterfinal heat will have major implications for the seeding of the Top 8, with just one of the eight Quarterfinalists unable to qualify. The men’s Quarterfinals saw two more qualification slots confirmed as the field narrowed to its final four competitors ahead of a big competition day tomorrow.

Honolua Blomfield (HAW) was able to advance into the Quarterfinals on the strength of her two opening waves, outpacing the strong showings of former Tour mainstay Ophelie Ah-Kouen (FRA) and rookie Chloe Coleman (USA). That didn’t stop the three-time WSL Longboard Champion from bettering her situation across her next two waves. Keeping an 8.00 (out of a possible 10) from her first left, Blomfield added an 8.33 on her second right, to start off an important event for her with an excellent 16.33 (out of a possible 20) heat total.

“Oh man, luckily, we got like eight practice waves before the contest, so I think that helped a lot,” Blomfield said. “Honestly, I feel like it’s always changing, though, so you never know. Like today, the wind on the right, I didn’t expect it to be there, but it was there. So it was a bit of a challenge, but just having fun with it and seeing what I can do. It’s always nice to get the first one out of the way.”

Blomfield enters the event as a strong favorite, as the winner of the only other Longboard Tour event to be held in a wave pool, the 2021 Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic, where she earned a 10-point ride. The heat win will go a long way for the 25-year-old, who is currently sitting in No. 4 on the rankings, as she looks to solidify her position in the Top 8.

“I had a lot of nerves before that heat,” Tilly said. “This is just such a different format. One, knowing what you have to get before going out, and also showing up a few hours before your heat and not having anywhere to go free surf or do anything like that. It’s a totally different environment. I feel like I’m kind of starting from scratch and happy to have that heat done with and to be through it. For the 8.50, I really would have liked to get into the excellent range, that was the goal. Fortunately, for those last two waves I had, I knew that I had one, and I could kind of push it a little bit more. I’m happy that came through and definitely gives me confidence moving forward.”

Heading into the day, France’s Alice Lemoigne (FRA) and Zoe Grospiron (FRA) sat in the precarious positions of No. 8 and No. 9 on the rankings. Both surfers needed the heat wins that they earned today to have the opportunity to fight for the 2024 World Longboard Title in El Salvador next month.

Lemoigne posted the highest heat total of the day, 16.77 (out of a possible 20), after collecting excellent rides in the 8-point range on three of her four waves. The 27-year-old received the strongest competition of any of the top seeds from Tully White (AUS). White led for much of the heat, her incredible style and technique earning a 14.06 total and leaving Lemoigne in need of a score on her final wave. Having fallen on her first left but knowing that she required a number, Lemoigne held a long, risky nose-ride through an extended critical section to deliver an 8.47 and the win.

“Well, it was pretty hard because I have so much pressure on me, but yeah, I want to surf my best and have a good left,” Lemoigne said. “I’m pretty happy about my surfing right now. It’s super great to surf in the pool. All the girls get the same waves, so it’s amazing, and the wave is just so good. You are having so much fun when you are on the wave. You don’t feel you are in the contest. I love it.”

In the Opening Round, Grospiron faced Emma Perrier (AUS) and Californian Avalon Gall (USA). Gall was one of four surfers to make the Final the last time the Longboard Tour utilized the KSWC technology at the 2021 Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic and set herself as the heat leader today with two rides in the 6-point range. Grosipiron had picked up an 8.23 on her first wave for a great blend of style, high-performance turns, and critical nose-rides. But, the Biarritz local needed a 4.43 from her final wave to defeat Gall. Playing it somewhat safe but wanting to make the most of the opportunity in front of her, Grospiron picked up a 5.53 to earn a position in the Quarterfinals.

“I guess this contest is only about yourself when you’re out there, so I was just keeping it calm,” Grospiron said. “I knew I had to surf the whole wave and not to rush it too much to complete the wave. It was not a big score needed but needed at least like a score. I was just telling myself that it is maybe the last time, so I just wanted to enjoy and finish it. I know the timing of the wave, so I just rode it how I could. I’m very stoked to have more opportunity to surf this wave. I really want to go to El Salvador, but first I just want to enjoy here in Abu Dhabi. We have a very good setup and a very good wave and the staff is super nice. I’m just enjoying it a lot here.”

It’s the second year in a row that Grospiron has arrived at the last event of the regular season one spot away from qualification for the World Longboard Champion crowning event. In 2023, the 24-year-old was unable to increase her position, but the heat win today has improved her chances for 2024.

The majority of scores in the men’s Quarterfinals centered around the barrel, with waves made or broken by the critical tube section in the middle of the wave. The matchup between goofy-footer Steven Sawyer (RSA) and regular-footer Kai Hamase (JPN) epitomized the dynamic the most. The pair earned the highest numbers in their matchup based on barrels on their respective backhands, an 8.97 for Sawyer and an 8.90 for Hamase, with their forehand waves marking a bigger difference, an 8.50 for the South African and an 8.30 for the Hamase. Just 0.27 separated the two in favor of Sawyer, the 2018 WSL Longboard Champion.

The most effective use of the barrel came from Kaniela Stewart (HAW), who put an exclamation mark on his qualification for El Salvador by earning the highest heat total of the event so far to defeat Rogelio Jr Esquievel (PHL) and secure the opportunity to compete for the 2024 World Longboard Title. As with his Opening Round heat, Stewart utilized an innovative technique to get deeper in the barrel than any other surfer so far. His creativity paid off with a 9.33 on the right, and an 8.27 on the left, for a 17.60 total.

“I was praying every single wave out there that I wouldn’t think about what I’m gonna do, just let God deal with it,” Stewart said. “I’m stoked to come out on top of that one. JR is such a good surfer, and you never know. I didn’t even really think, you know, like when do you ever go out and surf and think, ‘Oh, I’m gonna do this here, on this here, on a wave,’ you never do that. So I just went out there and let my body and my mind take over.”

Multiple failed barrel attempts plagued both John Michael Van Hohenstein (HAW) and Sam Christianson (RSA), with just a single completed wave from Van Hohenstein determining their heat’s outcome. Sitting at No. 4 on the rankings at the start of the event, the Semifinal berth for Van Hohenstein could mean a highly consequential jump in seeding for the World Longboard Championship event.

An unmade barrel was also the determining factor in the last heat of the day, as Declan Wyton (AUS) lost his chance to guarantee a slot in El Salvador and handed victory to Kai Sallas (HAW). The reigning World Longboard Champion had already clinched his spot by making the Quarterfinals and will head into tomorrow’s Finals Day looking for an event win and a jump in his seeding on the road to defend his Longboard World Title. Sawyer’s result will be crucial to the Top 8 confirmations and if someone gets knocked out of the current standings.

Following today’s competition, two more men were confirmed for the 2024 Surf City El Salvador Longboard Championships to compete for the 2024 Longboard World Titles. There are now five spots remaining for the women and two spots for the men heading into Finals Day tomorrow. The best two of three events on the Longboard Tour leaderboard count toward qualification. The first tiebreaker is the number of heat wins and then the average heat score.

Women’s Top 8 Qualifiers
– Soleil Errico (USA)
– Rachael Tilly (USA)
– Natsumi Taoka (JPN)
– Five spots remain 

Men’s Top 8 Qualifiers 
– Taylor Jensen (USA) – No. 1 Seed Locked 
– Rogelio Jr Esquievel (PHL)
– Ben Skinner (GBR)
– John Michael Van Hohenstein (HAW)
– Kai Sallas (HAW)
– Kaniela Stewart (HAW)
– Two spots remain

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic Women’s Quarterfinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Honolua Blomfield (HAW) vs. Mason Schremmer (USA)
HEAT 2: Zoe Grospiron (FRA) vs. Sophia Culhane (HAW)
HEAT 3: Rachael Tilly (USA) vs. Alice Lemoigne (FRA)
HEAT 4: Natsumi Taoka (JPN) vs. Kelis Kaleopaa (HAW)

Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic Men’s Quarterfinal Results: 
HEAT 1: Kaniela Stewart (HAW) 17.60 DEF. Rogelio Jr Esquievel (PHL) 15.33
HEAT 2: Steven Sawyer (RSA) 17.47 DEF. Kai Hamase (JPN) 17.20
HEAT 3: John Michael Van Hohenstein (HAW) 11.83 DEF. Sam Christianson (RSA) 6.16
HEAT 4: Kai Sallas (HAW) 14.50 DEF. Declan Wyton (AUS) 13.50

Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic Men’s Semifinal Matchups: 
HEAT 1: Kaniela Stewart (HAW) vs. Steven Sawyer (RSA)
HEAT 2: John Michael Van Hohenstein (HAW) vs. Kai Sallas (HAW)

PRIOR UPDATES BELOW

…Presented by Modon

Women’s Opening Round Is ON at Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic…

• First-Ever WSL Women’s Heats in the UAE Start at 11:00 AM GST (14 hours ahead of Hawaii)
• Men’s Quarterfinals to Follow at 6:14 PM GST
• Watch LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com

HUDAYRIYAT ISLAND, Abu Dhabi, UAE (Saturday, September 28, 2024) – The Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic Presented by Modon, Stop No. 3 of the 2024 World Surf League (WSL) Longboard Tour, continues today. Surf Abu Dhabi is providing its daily dose of perfection, thanks to the Kelly Slater Wave Company (KSWC) technology, with perfect point break style lefts and rights peeling in the utterly unique setting, where the ocean, the city, and the desert all collide.

The women will get their first experience competing in the UAE, with the eight heats of their Opening Round starting at 11:00 a.m. GST, followed by the men’s Quarterfinals at 6:14 p.m. GST.

The goal for every surfer in Abu Dhabi is to place in the Top 8 in the rankings and qualify for the Surf City El Salvador Longboard Championships to have the opportunity to compete for the 2024 Longboard World Titles. So far, only three women have confirmed their attendance in El Salvador, leaving five potential places available.

Honolua Blomfield (HAW) is one such competitor in need of a result. The three-time WSL Longboard Champion will feature in the very first heat, where she will face rookie Chloe Coleman (USA) and former Tour competitor, wildcard Ophelie Ah-Kouen (FRA). As the winner of the 2021 Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic, where she earned a 10-point ride, big things are expected of Blomfield, but her fellow Surf Ranch winner, Edouard Delpero (FRA), was eliminated in the men’s Opening Round and the pressure is on.

Heat 6 will see two longtime Tour competitors, both in need of a result. Alice Lemoigne (FRA) and Tully White (AUS) are on the cusp of Top 8 qualification but will need a heat win to have any hope of appearing in El Salvador. After a tough season, longtime competitor Emily Currie (GBR) is also looking for a solid finish and will be strong competition for the two higher-ranked surfers.

Last year’s Surf City El Salvador Longboard Classic winner, Sophia Culhane (HAW), and her good friend Kelis Kaleopaa (HAW) are also in need of a result to hold their positions within the Top 8, as is Mason Schremmer (HAW), leaving nearly every heat a must-win for the top seeds.

When men’s Quarterfinals kick off, multiple qualification scenarios will come into play as lower seeds Sam Christianson (RSA), Kai Hamase (JPN), and 2018 WSL Longboard Champion Steven Sawyer (RSA) seek to upset the higher-seeded Kaniela Stewart (HAW) and Declan Wyton (AUS).

Watch the Surf Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic Presented by Modon LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com.

Three women and five men are confirmed so far for the 2024 Surf City El Salvador Longboard Championships to compete for the 2024 Longboard World Titles. The best two of three events on the Longboard Tour leaderboard count toward qualification. The first tiebreaker is the number of heat wins, and then the average heat score. 

Women’s Top 8 Qualifiers
– Soleil Errico (USA)
– Rachael Tilly (USA)
– Natsumi Taoka (JPN)
– Five spots remain 

Men’s Top 8 Qualifiers 
– Taylor Jensen (USA) – No. 1 Seed Locked 
– Rogelio Jr Esquievel (PHL)
– Ben Skinner (GBR)
– John Michael Van Hohenstein (HAW)
– Four spots remain

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

EARLIER UPDATES BELOW

 Presented by Modon

Upsets Kick Off Men’s Competition at Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic

• Big Eliminations Within the Top 8 Following Men’s Opening Round
• South Africans Sawyer and Christianson Take Down World No. 1 Jensen and No. 3 Skinner, Respectively
  Competition Continues Tomorrow, Saturday, September 28, at 11:03 AM GST (14 ahead of HI time)

HUDAYRIYAT ISLAND, Abu Dhabi, UAE (Friday, September 27, 2024) – Stop No. 3 of the 2024 WSL Longboard Tour, the Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic Presented by Modon, witnessed a historic day of surfing as the first WSL competition in the United Arab Emirates kicked off its opening day. The men’s Opening Round ran in the picturesque waves at the Surf Abu Dhabi facility, with early upsets in the first of three competition days.

The pressure was on from the very first heat. Featuring a format that saw three-person match-ups in each Opening Round heat, the winning surfer advanced directly to the Quarterfinals and the bottom two surfers were immediately eliminated. Four total waves were available per surfer, two lefts and two rights, with the highest score from each direction equaling the heat total.

As the final event before the Surf City El Salvador Longboard Championships, every moment counted. Only the Top 8 ranked men and Top 8 ranked women will compete in El Salvador and four of the available positions are locked in for the men and three for the women, leaving no room for error for any surfer not already qualified. A loss today likely meant the end of their season. Beyond just qualification, seeding for El Salvador is highly important, which made it all the more significant when top seeds started dropping out of the event.

Big Eliminations Within the Top 8 Following Men’s Opening Round 

Four of the surfers currently in the Top 8 were eliminated today, including Ben Skinner (GBR), Kai Ellice-Flint (AUS), Kevin Skvarna (USA), and World No. 1 Taylor Jensen (USA). The loss won’t affect Jensen, as he has already clinched the No. 1 seed for the Surf City El Salvador Longboard Championships. Skinner has also clinched, but can lose valuable ground in the seeding pending further results. But it was the end of Ellice-Flint’s campaign as 2023 World Title contender Declan Wyton’s (AUS) opening-round performance pushed him into the No. 8 seed heading into the Quarterfinals. Wyton earned the highest single-wave score of the event so far, an 8.37 (out of a possible 10).

One surfer currently within the Top 8 who was able to strengthen his position was Kaniela Stewart (HAW), who rose to the occasion under pressure. The 23-year-old won the opening heat of the day on his first two waves, before picking up the first excellent score of the event on his fourth and final ride to convincingly defeat Chase Lieder (USA) and Ignacio Pignataro (URY). Stewart earned an 8.13 and a 7.83 for a 14.96 (out of a possible 20) heat total, largely thanks to a unique barrel-riding technique that he effortlessly applied, combined with critical hang-tens. After heading into the final event of the year for the past two seasons No. 1 on the rankings, Stewart was relieved to progress and loved his experience as he took out the first-ever professional surfing heat held in the UAE.

“It’s amazing, it’s like everything you dreamed of,” Stewart said. “On the last two I kind of was just going for it to try and do critical hang-tens, big turns and then try and get barreled and I came out of that middle section, it was fun. This heat was really big for me, you know, I’m not sure if I qualified for El Salvador yet but just to make it through is just a blessing in itself.”

Low Seeds Take Down Big Names, Including South Africans Sawyer and Christianson

The stakes couldn’t have been higher for 2018 WSL Longboard Champion Steven Sawyer (RSA), who was competing in his first event of the season. Facing a must-win situation against the current World No. 1 and three-time WSL Longboard Champion, Taylor Jensen (USA), who had so far remained undefeated in 2024, the Jeffrey’s Bay local fell at critical points on both of his opening waves. In the meantime, Jensen posted a solid two-wave total of 14.10. Needing to significantly improve on both of his remaining waves, Sawyer delivered a masterclass in variety and execution under pressure to post a 7.83 on his right and a 8.07 on his left, getting barrelled in both directions at the same points at which he had fallen on his first waves. His 15.90 heat total was the highest of the day, yet he still had to sit and watch while Jensen tried to improve. With an 8.13 requirement from his final left, Jensen surfed a flawless wave that nonetheless lacked any standout moment. Sawyer agonized on the shore as he awaited the number, which came through as a 7.73, seeing the 30-year-old South African through to the Quarterfinals.

“It’s the toughest thing being on land and I can do nothing about the scores that he’s gonna post next,” Sawyer said. “I mean, I was as solid as nails up until all my waves and then as soon as I hit the deck afterwards, all the nerves just came over me. I’m still shaking. My eyes are fluttering. It’s like, oh my word. First event of the year. So good to get a win. I’m just so stoked to be here.”

Fellow South African, Sam Christianson (RSA) also managed a major upset in the following heat. Facing Tour veteran Ben Skinner (GBR), Christianson showed elements of the solid brand of traditional longboard surfing that has seen him win four straight national titles in South Africa, but small errors left the door open for Skinner. Having opened with an 8.33 on his first right, the 39-year-old Englishman only needed a 3.40 from the left. Skinner attempted to safety-surf his second left after an early fall on his first, but still lost the wave, only managing a 2.50, handing the victory to Christianson. The 26-year-old South African could barely believe what had happened as he progressed into his first Longboard Tour Quarterfinal.

“When I was sitting out on the deck watching (Ben Skinner) go, I don’t think I’ve ever had as many evil thoughts in such a short space of time,” Christianson laughed. “So I think the deck out here brings the worst out in you. (Abu Dhabi) is amazing. I don’t think without this event I would have ever had a chance to get over here, so really stoked. And to surf again, with Ben and Micah (Desoto), such a privilege. So really, really stoked and hopefully we can come back.”

The only two men in the draw to have previously won WSL events in wave pools, Edouard Delpero (FRA) and Kai Hamase (JPN), met each other in Heat 3, along with Tour veteran Tony Silvagni (USA). Delpero, winner of the 2021 Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic, started strong, his first two waves landing in the 7-point range. Meanwhile, Hamase, winner of the Siheung Korea Open LQS1000, started with a stumble, but immediately bounced back, collecting one of the highest scores of the day, an 8.33, for one of the best barrels of the day. As the lowest seed, Hamase surfed his last two waves before the other two competitors, improving his right to a 6.97 and leaving Delpero and Silvagni with decent requirements. Delpero fell early on both waves. Silvagni improved his own scoreline, but still finished in third, allowing Hamase, with his classic style and clinical precision, to progress to his first Quarterfinals and the best result of his career.

“I’m so happy to be in the same heat as Tony and Edouard,” Hamase said. “Edouard and Tony are really good surfers. And yeah, I focused on the barrel and got eight points. I’m so happy.”

For highlights from today’s competition at the Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic Presented by Modon, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.