URBIZTONDO BEACH, San Juan, La Union, Philippines (Monday, January 22, 2024) -Â Glassy, two-to-three foot conditions set the stage for competition to kick off at the 2024 La Union International Pro World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 3000 and Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) events. The Round of 20 and Round of 16 were completed in the Women's LQS, along with Men's LQS Round of 40 and Round of 32. The Women's QS 3000 also began, with the two heats of the Round of 20 closing out the day.
June Esquivel (PHL) opened his 2024 campaign in the LQS Round of 40 with the first excellent score of the event, an 8.00 (out of a possible 10) for a long, critical nose ride across the opening section of his home break. It was a relief for the La Union local who lost in his first heat of the 2023 event with an 8.25 heat total. The younger brother of 2023 Asia Regional LQS Champion Rogelio ‘JR' Esquivel (PHL), June was easily able to back up his exceptional start with a 7.05, earning himself the second highest men's heat total of the day, behind his brother, whom he hopes to join on the Longboard Tour.
​"It's my dream to compete in the WSL event here and it's my dream to be on the Longboard Tour also," Esquivel said. "That opening wave was really nice, the wave was so clean. I felt so good after my first two waves. I'm so stoked."
Local knowledge clearly paid off with 11 of the 16 surfers who progressed to the Men's Round of 16 representing the Philippines. Meanwhile current Asia Region LQS rankings leader Kai Hamase (JPN) moved through with a solid heat win and a surprise loss saw Longboard Tour stalwart Taka Inoue (JPN) knocked out of competition.
Hiroka Yoshikawa - WSL / Leeroy Guzman-UPSA
Despite recovering from sickness, La Union local Daisy Valdez (PHL) opened strong, finding a 7.00 ride early in her Round of 16 heat, to maintain control throughout and advance to the Quarterfinals. After Semifinal finishes in both 2023 Asia Region LQS events, Valdez is looking to push through to the Final in 2024, however she once again faces stiff competition from 2023 finalists Hiroka Yoshikawa (JPN) and Natsumi Taoka (JPN).
Yoshikawa, the 2023 runner-up, earned the highest heat total of the day for the women's division, 15.50 (out of a possible 20). The former Longboard Tour surfer has returned in great form as she looks to earn her spot back after missing out on qualification for the 2023 season.
"I am very happy to be back in La Union," Yoshikawa said. "Before the competition the waves were small but I got my best ride during the contest because the waves were better. I am also happy to see the people I met here last year both in and out of the water and to be warmly welcomed back to La Union."
11-year-old Ginger Caimi (ITA) surfed far beyond her years to progress through Round of 16 Heat 3, while sisters Kaede Inoue (JPN) and Sakura Inoue (JPN) progressed together in Heat 4. Sheila Mae Convicto (PHL) and Soojin Park (KOR) round out the remaining field of Women's LQS Quarterfinalists.
Two Australians found heat wins as the Women's QS 3000 got underway with the Round of 20 at the end of the day. Tru Starling (AUS) found the best of it in Heat 2, with Logan Dalton (AUS) taking out Heat 1. Mara Lopez (PHL) and Amy Gore (AUS) also progressed and the four will fill out the Round of 16 draw when the Women's QS 3000 resumes.
All competitors in each division have been asked to be on standby tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m. for a possible 7:30 a.m. start.​
The 2024 La Union International Pro QS 3000 and LQS events will run from January 22 - 28 at Urbiztondo Beach, San Juan, La Union, Philippines.
Longboard Action Kicks Off Competition for 2024 La Union International Pro
WSL
URBIZTONDO BEACH, San Juan, La Union, Philippines (Monday, January 22, 2024) -Â Glassy, two-to-three foot conditions set the stage for competition to kick off at the 2024 La Union International Pro World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 3000 and Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) events. The Round of 20 and Round of 16 were completed in the Women's LQS, along with Men's LQS Round of 40 and Round of 32. The Women's QS 3000 also began, with the two heats of the Round of 20 closing out the day.
June Esquivel (PHL) opened his 2024 campaign in the LQS Round of 40 with the first excellent score of the event, an 8.00 (out of a possible 10) for a long, critical nose ride across the opening section of his home break. It was a relief for the La Union local who lost in his first heat of the 2023 event with an 8.25 heat total. The younger brother of 2023 Asia Regional LQS Champion Rogelio ‘JR' Esquivel (PHL), June was easily able to back up his exceptional start with a 7.05, earning himself the second highest men's heat total of the day, behind his brother, whom he hopes to join on the Longboard Tour.
​"It's my dream to compete in the WSL event here and it's my dream to be on the Longboard Tour also," Esquivel said. "That opening wave was really nice, the wave was so clean. I felt so good after my first two waves. I'm so stoked."
Local knowledge clearly paid off with 11 of the 16 surfers who progressed to the Men's Round of 16 representing the Philippines. Meanwhile current Asia Region LQS rankings leader Kai Hamase (JPN) moved through with a solid heat win and a surprise loss saw Longboard Tour stalwart Taka Inoue (JPN) knocked out of competition.
Despite recovering from sickness, La Union local Daisy Valdez (PHL) opened strong, finding a 7.00 ride early in her Round of 16 heat, to maintain control throughout and advance to the Quarterfinals. After Semifinal finishes in both 2023 Asia Region LQS events, Valdez is looking to push through to the Final in 2024, however she once again faces stiff competition from 2023 finalists Hiroka Yoshikawa (JPN) and Natsumi Taoka (JPN).
Yoshikawa, the 2023 runner-up, earned the highest heat total of the day for the women's division, 15.50 (out of a possible 20). The former Longboard Tour surfer has returned in great form as she looks to earn her spot back after missing out on qualification for the 2023 season.
"I am very happy to be back in La Union," Yoshikawa said. "Before the competition the waves were small but I got my best ride during the contest because the waves were better. I am also happy to see the people I met here last year both in and out of the water and to be warmly welcomed back to La Union."
11-year-old Ginger Caimi (ITA) surfed far beyond her years to progress through Round of 16 Heat 3, while sisters Kaede Inoue (JPN) and Sakura Inoue (JPN) progressed together in Heat 4. Sheila Mae Convicto (PHL) and Soojin Park (KOR) round out the remaining field of Women's LQS Quarterfinalists.
Two Australians found heat wins as the Women's QS 3000 got underway with the Round of 20 at the end of the day. Tru Starling (AUS) found the best of it in Heat 2, with Logan Dalton (AUS) taking out Heat 1. Mara Lopez (PHL) and Amy Gore (AUS) also progressed and the four will fill out the Round of 16 draw when the Women's QS 3000 resumes.
All competitors in each division have been asked to be on standby tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m. for a possible 7:30 a.m. start.​
The 2024 La Union International Pro QS 3000 and LQS events will run from January 22 - 28 at Urbiztondo Beach, San Juan, La Union, Philippines.
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