The Aussie CT surfer took down a field of QS and CT elites to win the Los Cabos Open of Surf, a women's QS 6000.
An exciting day of action wrapped up the 2015 Los Cabos Open of Surf in the Women's Qualification Series (QS) 6000 competition with Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) finishing brilliantly with a big win over Silvana Lima (BRA).
"I'm just so stoked with everything and how it's been going," Van Dijk said. "I just never stopped. I never felt like I was going to get knocked out and now I've won -- I'm just so happy."
Van Dijk was not planning on stopping -- even despite some damage to her equipment. "I was nervous because I knew it meant so much and I was just excited to go surfing," she said. "The QS is never easy and I just wanted to fight for it. My Channel Islands boards are just amazing and I didn't even notice I had a ding in my nose. I was just so caught up with wanting the win."
Lima kept Van Dijk on her toes as the two battled back and forth. She knows this Final appearance is a keeper. "The Final is a really good result for me and I'm just so stoked," Lima said. "I'm so proud and now I just have to continue to do my best."
Moving forward, the Brazilian looks to solidify her requalification campaign for the Women's Championship Tour (CT). "The points are really good for my position on the QS," Lima said. "I'll be going to the next event because I'm not doing too well on the CT. I'm so excited for the Supergirl Pro since the wave suits my fast maneuvers and I'll be able to do more airs."
Isabella Nichols took down a field of outstanding junior talent to win the Los Cabos Open of Surf.
Philippa Anderson (AUS) earned her best result of the year after taking out defending event champion Coco Ho (HAW) in the Quarterfinals and now has some momentum going forward. "I knew what I was up against and she never falls so I thought I was gone," Anderson said. "I couldn't believe it when she went down. I actually wasn't going to do the next leg because my seeding was so low but now it's a greenlight and hopefully I can do well."
Alessa Quizon (HAW) had a great start to the last day of competition after an impressive week but fell short of a Final appearance to Lima. "It's always rough losing but I'm so happy I made it this far," she said. "It's good points and that's what I was aiming for -- I was just super stoked to get it going here. I'll be training at home and anywhere that has waves. Maybe a surf trip."
In addition to the Women's QS, the Junior Series ran nearly its entire event and Isabella Nichols (AUS) made it a day of celebration for the Aussies, grinding her way en route to the inaugural Los Cabos Open of Surf Junior Series win over Ellie Brooks (AUS). "This win builds my confidence so much," Nichols said. "I just waited for the sets since there wasn't too much coming through, and you just have to work it out as it happens."
Having a fellow Aussie in the Final was something Nichols was stoked on. "Ellie rips and it was so sick to have her out there," Nichols said. "I'm so stoked for her because she did so well. The points don't really matter for me since I'm out of my region [WSL Australasia] but it's always great to grab some cash and have the confidence from a win."
Brooks put on a great showing throughout the last day but couldn't get it going in the Final. "It was good but I bogged it," she said. "I was really flustered when no waves came for a long period of time. I am stoked that so many Australians made it this far in the event and the crowds' been insane here -- I've never seen anything like this."
For more information, photos, video highlights and music festival info visit www.loscabosopenofsurf.com.
Van Dijk, Nichols Victorious in Los Cabos
WSL
An exciting day of action wrapped up the 2015 Los Cabos Open of Surf in the Women's Qualification Series (QS) 6000 competition with Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) finishing brilliantly with a big win over Silvana Lima (BRA).
"I'm just so stoked with everything and how it's been going," Van Dijk said. "I just never stopped. I never felt like I was going to get knocked out and now I've won -- I'm just so happy."
Van Dijk was not planning on stopping -- even despite some damage to her equipment. "I was nervous because I knew it meant so much and I was just excited to go surfing," she said. "The QS is never easy and I just wanted to fight for it. My Channel Islands boards are just amazing and I didn't even notice I had a ding in my nose. I was just so caught up with wanting the win."
Lima kept Van Dijk on her toes as the two battled back and forth. She knows this Final appearance is a keeper. "The Final is a really good result for me and I'm just so stoked," Lima said. "I'm so proud and now I just have to continue to do my best."
Moving forward, the Brazilian looks to solidify her requalification campaign for the Women's Championship Tour (CT). "The points are really good for my position on the QS," Lima said. "I'll be going to the next event because I'm not doing too well on the CT. I'm so excited for the Supergirl Pro since the wave suits my fast maneuvers and I'll be able to do more airs."
Philippa Anderson (AUS) earned her best result of the year after taking out defending event champion Coco Ho (HAW) in the Quarterfinals and now has some momentum going forward. "I knew what I was up against and she never falls so I thought I was gone," Anderson said. "I couldn't believe it when she went down. I actually wasn't going to do the next leg because my seeding was so low but now it's a greenlight and hopefully I can do well."
Alessa Quizon (HAW) had a great start to the last day of competition after an impressive week but fell short of a Final appearance to Lima. "It's always rough losing but I'm so happy I made it this far," she said. "It's good points and that's what I was aiming for -- I was just super stoked to get it going here. I'll be training at home and anywhere that has waves. Maybe a surf trip."
In addition to the Women's QS, the Junior Series ran nearly its entire event and Isabella Nichols (AUS) made it a day of celebration for the Aussies, grinding her way en route to the inaugural Los Cabos Open of Surf Junior Series win over Ellie Brooks (AUS). "This win builds my confidence so much," Nichols said. "I just waited for the sets since there wasn't too much coming through, and you just have to work it out as it happens."
Having a fellow Aussie in the Final was something Nichols was stoked on. "Ellie rips and it was so sick to have her out there," Nichols said. "I'm so stoked for her because she did so well. The points don't really matter for me since I'm out of my region [WSL Australasia] but it's always great to grab some cash and have the confidence from a win."
Brooks put on a great showing throughout the last day but couldn't get it going in the Final. "It was good but I bogged it," she said. "I was really flustered when no waves came for a long period of time. I am stoked that so many Australians made it this far in the event and the crowds' been insane here -- I've never seen anything like this."
For more information, photos, video highlights and music festival info visit www.loscabosopenofsurf.com.
Ellie Brooks
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Competition gets underway on the opening day with first rounds of men and women's events.
Tricky conditions continue as women's Round Two takes to the line-up.
An increase in swell size set the stage for critical heats on Day 3 of the Carve Pro.
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Los Cabos Open of Surf
Isabella Nichols took down a field of outstanding junior talent to win the Los Cabos Open of Surf.
On the Day 3 at the Los Cabos Open of Surf, all divisions hit the water.
The beachbreak off the coast of Mexico is set to host the top QS surfers as well as the world's top Juniors.
WSL Women's QS returns to Baja California, alongside newly added Junior Men's and Women's events.
Los Cabos, BCS, Mexico and Newport Beach, Ca, USA have joined the list of event venues on the 2015 North America Junior Series schedule.