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The first men's heats at the Surf City El Salvador Pro ran eight days ago. After more than a week of waiting, today provided a full day of proper, rippable waves for the Championship Tour. Like a cool Corona after a hot day, it felt like the WSL was due for a day of real surf, and that’s what they got.
But there’s plenty more on the way. The swell for tomorrow isn’t just coming from the right direction, it’s a proper stunner. Surfline is eyeing the biggest swell of the season. The 5 feet at 16 seconds SSW should show solid overhead walls when it arrives on Friday morning. It’ll be offshore, rising tide and loaded matchups.
Marco Mignot
Aaron Hughes/WSL
Three rookies, Al Cleland Jr, George Pittar, Marco Mignot, knocked out higher-seated opponents in the Round of 32. They all had more than a few impressive moments against Filipe Toledo, Jack Robinson and Rio Waida (respectively). Seriously, a year ago, who could have predicted Al would knock out Filipe at a crumbly, onshore right point? But the Mexican got it done with better wave selection and several meat cleaver hacks.
“I saw the heat draw and I was just in disbelief,” Cleland said. “Filipe is one of my idols and I’ve always wanted to surf against him,” Cleland said. “To surf against him in these kinds of waves is an honor. I can’t wait for more. I just have so many good friends in the town and I respect so many people here. I love them and they love me so it feels like a second home to me. Coming in to the crowd cheering for me was so special.”
Al Cleland Jr.
Emma Sharon/WSL
The day was full of gritty, narrow margin wins. Event favorite Yago Dora is surfing with nine stitches in his foot, an injury from freesurfing ***** Roca. He got the W over Sammy Pupo in the first heat of the day.
“It’s tough to be up against your friends, but I’m wishing for Sammy to do good on tour,” Yago said. I know his potential, and know he can do better than what he’s doing. Unfortunately we keep having these matchups. Portugal was grindy and here it was grindy again. I can’t wait for us to have a proper good heat. I was actually stoked we had a bunch of lay days because my foot is still healing and still hurts a little bit but it’s a lot better now. To make two heats is already a victory for me so I’m stoked and want to keep carrying the momentum from that win in Portugal.”
Speaking of grindy, South Africa’s Matthew McGillivray has a sneaky x-factor at this wave. He made the semis last year. He’s not the smoothest surfer on the rail, but he knows exactly when to hit the throttle on a right point, and his air game is reliable. He used it in his late comeback over former event winner Griffin Colapinto. The Channel Islands team lost it when Matt belted the final wave in the waning minutes with a nasty air rev into the flat.
Matthew McGillivray
Aaron Hughes/WSL
“It's really hard to make it out this round,” said McGillivray. “Everyone's so talented. Then when I saw I was coming up against Griff [Colapinto], in this event obviously he’s so good out there. He's so hard to beat out here. I was really nervous coming into today, but was trying to let that all go. Obviously you can only do your best, and whatever happens, happens. I'm just stoked that I got the score at the end there.”
Encinitas wildcard Levi Slawson, also surfing through a foot injury, put up an admirable effort against Ethan Ewing. But EE was so locked in and so buttery on his turns, even Levi’s surprise barrel and air didn’t dent. But the 13.23 to 11.13 felt closer than it looked.
Ethan Ewing
Aaron Hughes/WSL
Levi Slawson
Aaron Hughes/WSL
Leonardo Fioravanti is low-key doing some of the best surfing of the event thus far. His 15.97 heat total was the highest of the day, and he tore waves apart with ease over Ryan Callinan.
“It’s such a long year, and I wasn’t even thinking about that honestly,” Leo said. “Everybody, in front and behind, surf at such a high level, but I want to be in the Top 5 at the end of the year, not just leaving El Salvador. It’s a step toward the right direction.”
Leonardo Fioravanti
Aaron Hughes/WSL
One of the most interesting moments happened between Crosby Colapinto and Kanoa Igarashi. Crosby, trailing in the final seconds, paddled up the point and into a roping bomb, only to have Kanoa, who had priority, drop in front of him, blocking his track. A smart move by Kanoa, except the clock ran out a mere millisecond before his hands left the rail. It means he burned Crosby after the heat ended, and per the WSL rule book, that’s a no-no. The judges gave Kanoa an interference, removing one of his two scores. A weird technical rule that surfers will undoubtedly learn from.
Crosby Colapinto
Emma Sharon/WSL
HEAT 1: Yago Dora (BRA) 9.50 DEF. Samuel Pupo (BRA) 4.43
HEAT 2: Connor O'Leary (JPN) 13.20 DEF. Seth Moniz (HAW) 12.27
HEAT 3: Matthew McGillivray (RSA) 13.10 DEF. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 12.86
HEAT 4: Marco Mignot (FRA) 13.67 DEF. Rio Waida (INA) 13.50
HEAT 5: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 13.23 DEF. Levi Slawson (USA) 11.13
HEAT 6: João Chianca (BRA) 12.97 DEF. Joel Vaughan (AUS) 9.13
HEAT 7: Crosby Colapinto (USA) 11.60 DEF. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 6.83
HEAT 8: George Pittar (AUS) 13.50 DEF. Jack Robinson (AUS) 13.17
HEAT 9: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 13.40 DEF. Bryan Perez (SLV) 13.13
HEAT 10: Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) 11.17 DEF. Jackson Bunch (HAW) 9.67
HEAT 11: Jordy Smith (RSA) 12.50 DEF. Deivid Silva (BRA) 5.20
HEAT 12: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 15.97 DEF. Ryan Callinan (AUS) 12.00
HEAT 13: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 10.93 DEF. Barron Mamiya (HAW) 10.83
HEAT 14: Cole Houshmand (USA) 13.17 DEF. Jake Marshall (USA) 11.13
HEAT 15: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 12.50 DEF. Ian Gouveia (BRA) 11.70
HEAT 16: Alan Cleland (MEX) 13.00 DEF. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 10.00
Aaron Hughes/WSL
HEAT 1: Yago Dora (BRA) vs. Connor O'Leary (JPN)
HEAT 2: Matthew McGillivray (RSA) vs. Marco Mignot (FRA)
HEAT 3: Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs. João Chianca (BRA)
HEAT 4: Crosby Colapinto (USA) vs. George Pittar (AUS)
HEAT 5: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR)
HEAT 6: Jordy Smith (RSA) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)
HEAT 7: Alejo Muniz (BRA) vs. Cole Houshmand (USA)
HEAT 8: Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. Alan Cleland (MEX)
Aaron Hughes/WSL
HEAT 1: Caitlin Simmers (USA) vs. Sawyer Lindblad (USA)
HEAT 2: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) vs. Bella Kenworthy (USA)
HEAT 3: Molly Picklum (AUS) vs. Brisa Hennessy (CRC)
HEAT 4: Isabella Nichols (AUS) vs. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW)
Continue reading...
But there’s plenty more on the way. The swell for tomorrow isn’t just coming from the right direction, it’s a proper stunner. Surfline is eyeing the biggest swell of the season. The 5 feet at 16 seconds SSW should show solid overhead walls when it arrives on Friday morning. It’ll be offshore, rising tide and loaded matchups.
You must be registered for see images attach
Marco Mignot
Aaron Hughes/WSL
Three rookies, Al Cleland Jr, George Pittar, Marco Mignot, knocked out higher-seated opponents in the Round of 32. They all had more than a few impressive moments against Filipe Toledo, Jack Robinson and Rio Waida (respectively). Seriously, a year ago, who could have predicted Al would knock out Filipe at a crumbly, onshore right point? But the Mexican got it done with better wave selection and several meat cleaver hacks.
“I saw the heat draw and I was just in disbelief,” Cleland said. “Filipe is one of my idols and I’ve always wanted to surf against him,” Cleland said. “To surf against him in these kinds of waves is an honor. I can’t wait for more. I just have so many good friends in the town and I respect so many people here. I love them and they love me so it feels like a second home to me. Coming in to the crowd cheering for me was so special.”
You must be registered for see images attach
Al Cleland Jr.
Emma Sharon/WSL
The day was full of gritty, narrow margin wins. Event favorite Yago Dora is surfing with nine stitches in his foot, an injury from freesurfing ***** Roca. He got the W over Sammy Pupo in the first heat of the day.
“It’s tough to be up against your friends, but I’m wishing for Sammy to do good on tour,” Yago said. I know his potential, and know he can do better than what he’s doing. Unfortunately we keep having these matchups. Portugal was grindy and here it was grindy again. I can’t wait for us to have a proper good heat. I was actually stoked we had a bunch of lay days because my foot is still healing and still hurts a little bit but it’s a lot better now. To make two heats is already a victory for me so I’m stoked and want to keep carrying the momentum from that win in Portugal.”
Speaking of grindy, South Africa’s Matthew McGillivray has a sneaky x-factor at this wave. He made the semis last year. He’s not the smoothest surfer on the rail, but he knows exactly when to hit the throttle on a right point, and his air game is reliable. He used it in his late comeback over former event winner Griffin Colapinto. The Channel Islands team lost it when Matt belted the final wave in the waning minutes with a nasty air rev into the flat.
You must be registered for see images attach
Matthew McGillivray
Aaron Hughes/WSL
“It's really hard to make it out this round,” said McGillivray. “Everyone's so talented. Then when I saw I was coming up against Griff [Colapinto], in this event obviously he’s so good out there. He's so hard to beat out here. I was really nervous coming into today, but was trying to let that all go. Obviously you can only do your best, and whatever happens, happens. I'm just stoked that I got the score at the end there.”
Encinitas wildcard Levi Slawson, also surfing through a foot injury, put up an admirable effort against Ethan Ewing. But EE was so locked in and so buttery on his turns, even Levi’s surprise barrel and air didn’t dent. But the 13.23 to 11.13 felt closer than it looked.
You must be registered for see images attach
Ethan Ewing
Aaron Hughes/WSL
You must be registered for see images attach
Levi Slawson
Aaron Hughes/WSL
Leonardo Fioravanti is low-key doing some of the best surfing of the event thus far. His 15.97 heat total was the highest of the day, and he tore waves apart with ease over Ryan Callinan.
“It’s such a long year, and I wasn’t even thinking about that honestly,” Leo said. “Everybody, in front and behind, surf at such a high level, but I want to be in the Top 5 at the end of the year, not just leaving El Salvador. It’s a step toward the right direction.”
You must be registered for see images attach
Leonardo Fioravanti
Aaron Hughes/WSL
One of the most interesting moments happened between Crosby Colapinto and Kanoa Igarashi. Crosby, trailing in the final seconds, paddled up the point and into a roping bomb, only to have Kanoa, who had priority, drop in front of him, blocking his track. A smart move by Kanoa, except the clock ran out a mere millisecond before his hands left the rail. It means he burned Crosby after the heat ended, and per the WSL rule book, that’s a no-no. The judges gave Kanoa an interference, removing one of his two scores. A weird technical rule that surfers will undoubtedly learn from.
You must be registered for see images attach
Crosby Colapinto
Emma Sharon/WSL
Surf City El Salvador Pro Men’s Round of 32 Results:
HEAT 1: Yago Dora (BRA) 9.50 DEF. Samuel Pupo (BRA) 4.43
HEAT 2: Connor O'Leary (JPN) 13.20 DEF. Seth Moniz (HAW) 12.27
HEAT 3: Matthew McGillivray (RSA) 13.10 DEF. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 12.86
HEAT 4: Marco Mignot (FRA) 13.67 DEF. Rio Waida (INA) 13.50
HEAT 5: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 13.23 DEF. Levi Slawson (USA) 11.13
HEAT 6: João Chianca (BRA) 12.97 DEF. Joel Vaughan (AUS) 9.13
HEAT 7: Crosby Colapinto (USA) 11.60 DEF. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 6.83
HEAT 8: George Pittar (AUS) 13.50 DEF. Jack Robinson (AUS) 13.17
HEAT 9: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 13.40 DEF. Bryan Perez (SLV) 13.13
HEAT 10: Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) 11.17 DEF. Jackson Bunch (HAW) 9.67
HEAT 11: Jordy Smith (RSA) 12.50 DEF. Deivid Silva (BRA) 5.20
HEAT 12: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 15.97 DEF. Ryan Callinan (AUS) 12.00
HEAT 13: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 10.93 DEF. Barron Mamiya (HAW) 10.83
HEAT 14: Cole Houshmand (USA) 13.17 DEF. Jake Marshall (USA) 11.13
HEAT 15: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 12.50 DEF. Ian Gouveia (BRA) 11.70
HEAT 16: Alan Cleland (MEX) 13.00 DEF. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 10.00
You must be registered for see images attach
Aaron Hughes/WSL
Surf City El Salvador Pro Men’s Round of 16 Matchups:
HEAT 1: Yago Dora (BRA) vs. Connor O'Leary (JPN)
HEAT 2: Matthew McGillivray (RSA) vs. Marco Mignot (FRA)
HEAT 3: Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs. João Chianca (BRA)
HEAT 4: Crosby Colapinto (USA) vs. George Pittar (AUS)
HEAT 5: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR)
HEAT 6: Jordy Smith (RSA) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)
HEAT 7: Alejo Muniz (BRA) vs. Cole Houshmand (USA)
HEAT 8: Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. Alan Cleland (MEX)
You must be registered for see images attach
Aaron Hughes/WSL
Surf City El Salvador Pro Women’s Quarterfinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Caitlin Simmers (USA) vs. Sawyer Lindblad (USA)
HEAT 2: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) vs. Bella Kenworthy (USA)
HEAT 3: Molly Picklum (AUS) vs. Brisa Hennessy (CRC)
HEAT 4: Isabella Nichols (AUS) vs. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW)
Continue reading...
