Today, Natalia Wunderlich and Jack Van Wagoner won the 2023 Surfing For Hope Longboard Classic, a North America Regional Longboard Qualifying Series 1,000, in pristine, two-to-three foot conditions at Morro Rock over heavily-contested fields. This marks both Wunderlich and Van Wagoner's maiden WSL wins, pushing Van Wagoner atop the North America rankings as Wunderlich competes out of the Hawaii/Tahiti Nui region and did not gain points. Valuable runner-up finishes from Star D'Elia, now North America No. 1, and reigning North America Longboard Regional victor Richie Cravey kickstarted their season alongside fellow finalists Chase Lieder, Noah Shimabukuro, Indie Hoffman, and Chloe Coleman, respectively.
In dramatic fashion, Jack Van Wagoner posted a near-perfect 9.25 in the dying moments to overtake the win from reigning North America Longboard Regional victor Richie Cravey for a maiden WSL win and starts the 2023/2024 season ranked No. 1.
The men's Final got underway with reigning North America Longboard Regional victor Richie Cravey taking on 2023 standouts Chase Lieder and Jack Van Wagoner along with event threat Noah Shimabukuro. Van Wagoner took the best of the opening exchange, earning a 7.50 and backing it up quickly to gain an early advantage. But, Lieder, Cravey, and Shimabukuru all were right behind him with a solid score of their own. Cravey's sensational form carried into the Final to take the lead from Van Wagoner. But, the dying minutes provided Van Wagoner one last opportunity to strike and he capitalized to earn a near-perfect 9.25 for his maiden WSL victory.
"I'm super stoked, I definitely want to give my mom a shout out since she said she wanted me to win for her birthday so I delivered, happy birthday mom (laughs)," said Van Wagoner. "All the boys were ripping. Richie's 10 in the Semifinals was insane. I can't believe it and I'm just so stoked. "
The Hawaii competitor Natalia Wunderlich played ultimate spoiler and earned her maiden WSL Longboard Regional Qualifying Series win at Morro Bay over a stacked North America field.
The women's Final featured Finals Day standouts Indie Hoffman, Natalia Wunderlich, Chloe Coleman, and Star D'Elia. Wunderlich's early start put her into a slight lead heading into the halfway mark of the heat. But, Wunderlich wasn't done and added a 6.50 (out of a possible 10) to her score line and put pressure on her opponents. Coleman's nose-riding ability pushed her to a runner-up position as the finalists waited for their chance to answer Wunderlich's performance. But, as time dwindled, Wunderlich's 11.50 (out of a possible 20) couldn't be matched with D'Elia able to take over the runner-up position and the Hawaii/Tahiti Nui competitor claimed her first WSL win.
"I'm feeling good and super stoked, everyone was ripping and they're the best so that was really great," said Wunderlich. "I think the closest I've been was the Ala Moana Bowls event when I got third. I want to thank my sponsors, my parents, my brother, and everyone on the beach supporting. Thank you and I'm just so excited, and I'll be home for awhile to get away from the cold (laughs)."
Wunderlich showcase a glimpse of her potential in her Round of 24 debut, posting a solid 7.50, before tapping into her form for a near-perfect 9.25 in the Quarterfinals. The Hawaii/Tahiti Nui contender held firm in the Semifinals for another heat win heading into the heavily-contested Final to ultimately earn her maiden win.
In arguably the heat of the year already, Richie Cravey received a Morro Rock gem and rode it to its perfect potential for a 10 to move into the Final.
Valuable Runner-up Finishes for Richie Cravey and Star D'Elia
An incredible run through the Surfing For Hope Longboar Classic placed Richie Cravey in his second North America Regional Longboard Qualifying Series Final. Cravey's form earned him a 10-point ride in the Semifinals to overtake the lead and earn his place into the Final to start the 2023/2024 season. Now, the Cardiff, California competitor looks to earn his place back onto the WSL Longboard Tour in 2024 moving foward.
"It feels great to make the Final and it's more than I could ask for," said Cravey. "I peaked one heat too early (laughs). Scoring a 10 is always the goal aside from placing in a contest, but surfing a perfect wave is a goal and to acheive that felt great and validating. I was hoping the waves would drop a bit after yesterday and we showed up to perfect log waves so I couldn't be happier."
Star D'Elia (USA) stunned proceedings with a brilliant run that earned her runner-up. - WSL / Nichols / RunAmuck Photography
In her first WSL event, Star D'Elia turned in a brilliant run beginning in the Round of 24 all the way to the Final in a marathon Finals Day. The 17-year-old stayed calm under pressure, earning an impressive Quarterfinal victory before advancing behind event standout Chloe Coleman (USA) an eliminating 2023 WSL Longboard Tour competitor Liv Stokes. Now, D'Elia is atop the North America rankings and currently qualified for the 2024 WSL Longboard Tour.
"I'm very shocked, I came up here with no expectations so to make it to the Final is amazing," said D'Elia. "I'd figured do the event and get my feet in the water at one of these events and it worked out. I'll do the next events and just keep practicing to get better, and just keep having fun because I had a great time at this event. Big thank you to my dad for getting me here and to my family and friends for all the support."
Rounding out big results, Chloe Coleman, Indie Hoffman, Noah Shimabukuro, and Chase Lieder all earned respective Finals appearances and look to capitalize at the next North America Longboard Regional Qualifying Series event for their shot at a maiden victory.
Surfing For Hope Longboard Classic Ensues
The reigning North America Longboard Regional victor Richie Cravey posted a 9.00 in his 2023/2024 debut at Morro Rock.
Reigning North America Longboard Regional victor Richie Cravey debuted with near-perfection after spending a year among the world's best earlier this season. Cravey's style and soul arch through critical sections earned him a near-perfect 9.00 to post an impressive 15.75 heat total. Now, Cravey moves into the Quarterfinals looking to start the season where he left off in 2022/2023.
"I've been watching it all morning and there's some really good waves out there and I feel like I got lucky and hunted down a couple," said Cravey. "I have some really good friends who live in the area, my brother lives just up the way in Santa Cruz, and this is the first time I've surfed 'The Rock' and I'm excited we've got some good conditions. I'm seeing how things develop to requalify and learned a lot, but see how things go."
The Southern Caifornia standdout Jack Van Wagoner earned an excellent 8.00 and 14.10 heat total to debut at Morro Bay as he moves into Finals Day.
One of North America's rising longboard threats, Jack Van Wagoner, showcased a dynamic debut to post a 14.10 heat total. Van Wagoner earned a Semifinal finish at this event last year held in Pismo Beach and now looks to build a solid foundation to make his surge for the WSL Longboard Tour in 2024.
"It was fun, a little slower than I thought it was going to be and told myself to stay closer to the pocket but I found some that held up," said Van Wagoner. "I'm definitely trying to qualify for the WSL Longboard Tour. I'm currently going to Cal Poly and just see how it goes. There's so many good waves up here and I'm absolutely loving it."
North America longboard talent Dakota Faircloth showcased his ability on the nose and use of the rail for an excellent 8.00 to slide into Finals Day.
Also earning big Round of 32 wins to make their way into Finals Day, an excellent showing from Dakota Faircloth joins Tucker Coleman, Bucky Barry, Jake Dematteo, Christian Stutzman and Dorian Torres will vie for the 2023 Surfing For Hope Longboard Classic title.
Event organizers will convene for a 7:00 a.m. PST to determine a likely 7:30 a.m. PST start.
Watch LIVE
The SLO CAL Open at Morro Bay presented by Surfing For Hope and Surfing For Hope Longboard Classic will run December 4 - 10 and be shown live at WorldSurfLeague.com, the free WSL App, and WSL's YouTube channel.
Jack Van Wagoner and Natalia Wunderlich Win 2023 Surfing For Hope Longboard Classic
Andrew Nichols
Today, Natalia Wunderlich and Jack Van Wagoner won the 2023 Surfing For Hope Longboard Classic, a North America Regional Longboard Qualifying Series 1,000, in pristine, two-to-three foot conditions at Morro Rock over heavily-contested fields. This marks both Wunderlich and Van Wagoner's maiden WSL wins, pushing Van Wagoner atop the North America rankings as Wunderlich competes out of the Hawaii/Tahiti Nui region and did not gain points. Valuable runner-up finishes from Star D'Elia, now North America No. 1, and reigning North America Longboard Regional victor Richie Cravey kickstarted their season alongside fellow finalists Chase Lieder, Noah Shimabukuro, Indie Hoffman, and Chloe Coleman, respectively.
The men's Final got underway with reigning North America Longboard Regional victor Richie Cravey taking on 2023 standouts Chase Lieder and Jack Van Wagoner along with event threat Noah Shimabukuro. Van Wagoner took the best of the opening exchange, earning a 7.50 and backing it up quickly to gain an early advantage. But, Lieder, Cravey, and Shimabukuru all were right behind him with a solid score of their own. Cravey's sensational form carried into the Final to take the lead from Van Wagoner. But, the dying minutes provided Van Wagoner one last opportunity to strike and he capitalized to earn a near-perfect 9.25 for his maiden WSL victory.
"I'm super stoked, I definitely want to give my mom a shout out since she said she wanted me to win for her birthday so I delivered, happy birthday mom (laughs)," said Van Wagoner. "All the boys were ripping. Richie's 10 in the Semifinals was insane. I can't believe it and I'm just so stoked. "
The women's Final featured Finals Day standouts Indie Hoffman, Natalia Wunderlich, Chloe Coleman, and Star D'Elia. Wunderlich's early start put her into a slight lead heading into the halfway mark of the heat. But, Wunderlich wasn't done and added a 6.50 (out of a possible 10) to her score line and put pressure on her opponents. Coleman's nose-riding ability pushed her to a runner-up position as the finalists waited for their chance to answer Wunderlich's performance. But, as time dwindled, Wunderlich's 11.50 (out of a possible 20) couldn't be matched with D'Elia able to take over the runner-up position and the Hawaii/Tahiti Nui competitor claimed her first WSL win.
"I'm feeling good and super stoked, everyone was ripping and they're the best so that was really great," said Wunderlich. "I think the closest I've been was the Ala Moana Bowls event when I got third. I want to thank my sponsors, my parents, my brother, and everyone on the beach supporting. Thank you and I'm just so excited, and I'll be home for awhile to get away from the cold (laughs)."
Wunderlich showcase a glimpse of her potential in her Round of 24 debut, posting a solid 7.50, before tapping into her form for a near-perfect 9.25 in the Quarterfinals. The Hawaii/Tahiti Nui contender held firm in the Semifinals for another heat win heading into the heavily-contested Final to ultimately earn her maiden win.
Valuable Runner-up Finishes for Richie Cravey and Star D'Elia
An incredible run through the Surfing For Hope Longboar Classic placed Richie Cravey in his second North America Regional Longboard Qualifying Series Final. Cravey's form earned him a 10-point ride in the Semifinals to overtake the lead and earn his place into the Final to start the 2023/2024 season. Now, the Cardiff, California competitor looks to earn his place back onto the WSL Longboard Tour in 2024 moving foward.
"It feels great to make the Final and it's more than I could ask for," said Cravey. "I peaked one heat too early (laughs). Scoring a 10 is always the goal aside from placing in a contest, but surfing a perfect wave is a goal and to acheive that felt great and validating. I was hoping the waves would drop a bit after yesterday and we showed up to perfect log waves so I couldn't be happier."
In her first WSL event, Star D'Elia turned in a brilliant run beginning in the Round of 24 all the way to the Final in a marathon Finals Day. The 17-year-old stayed calm under pressure, earning an impressive Quarterfinal victory before advancing behind event standout Chloe Coleman (USA) an eliminating 2023 WSL Longboard Tour competitor Liv Stokes. Now, D'Elia is atop the North America rankings and currently qualified for the 2024 WSL Longboard Tour.
"I'm very shocked, I came up here with no expectations so to make it to the Final is amazing," said D'Elia. "I'd figured do the event and get my feet in the water at one of these events and it worked out. I'll do the next events and just keep practicing to get better, and just keep having fun because I had a great time at this event. Big thank you to my dad for getting me here and to my family and friends for all the support."
Rounding out big results, Chloe Coleman, Indie Hoffman, Noah Shimabukuro, and Chase Lieder all earned respective Finals appearances and look to capitalize at the next North America Longboard Regional Qualifying Series event for their shot at a maiden victory.
Surfing For Hope Longboard Classic Ensues
Reigning North America Longboard Regional victor Richie Cravey debuted with near-perfection after spending a year among the world's best earlier this season. Cravey's style and soul arch through critical sections earned him a near-perfect 9.00 to post an impressive 15.75 heat total. Now, Cravey moves into the Quarterfinals looking to start the season where he left off in 2022/2023.
"I've been watching it all morning and there's some really good waves out there and I feel like I got lucky and hunted down a couple," said Cravey. "I have some really good friends who live in the area, my brother lives just up the way in Santa Cruz, and this is the first time I've surfed 'The Rock' and I'm excited we've got some good conditions. I'm seeing how things develop to requalify and learned a lot, but see how things go."
One of North America's rising longboard threats, Jack Van Wagoner, showcased a dynamic debut to post a 14.10 heat total. Van Wagoner earned a Semifinal finish at this event last year held in Pismo Beach and now looks to build a solid foundation to make his surge for the WSL Longboard Tour in 2024.
"It was fun, a little slower than I thought it was going to be and told myself to stay closer to the pocket but I found some that held up," said Van Wagoner. "I'm definitely trying to qualify for the WSL Longboard Tour. I'm currently going to Cal Poly and just see how it goes. There's so many good waves up here and I'm absolutely loving it."
Also earning big Round of 32 wins to make their way into Finals Day, an excellent showing from Dakota Faircloth joins Tucker Coleman, Bucky Barry, Jake Dematteo, Christian Stutzman and Dorian Torres will vie for the 2023 Surfing For Hope Longboard Classic title.
Event organizers will convene for a 7:00 a.m. PST to determine a likely 7:30 a.m. PST start.
Watch LIVE
The SLO CAL Open at Morro Bay presented by Surfing For Hope and Surfing For Hope Longboard Classic will run December 4 - 10 and be shown live at WorldSurfLeague.com, the free WSL App, and WSL's YouTube channel.
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