SABANG BEACH, Baler, Philippines (Monday, February 5, 2024) - The men's Quarterfinals of the World Surf League (WSL) Baler International Pro Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) event were completed today in beautiful, glassy two-to-three foot conditions lining up Sabang Beach. A forecast increase in swell was expected to allow for the Semifinals and Finals of the Qualifying Series (QS) 3000 to run however, as the morning progressed the swell failed to materialise and the QS 3000 was called off for the day.
Each of the four men's Quarterfinals saw incredible longboard surfing. Sabang Beach offered long walls that guaranteed the opportunity for extended critical nose-rides and dynamic turns.
Rogelio Jr Esquievel - WSL / Abdel Elecho
The three most-experienced competitors in the draw were able to make the most of the pristine conditions. Current Longboard Tour surfers Rogelio Jr Esquievel (PHL) and Taka Inoue (JPN), along with current Asia LQS rankings leader Kai Hamase (JPN), each found convincing heat wins, with Hamase and Esquievel earning excellent heat totals.
In a much tighter match, Rj Chico Lopez (PHL), who was competing in his first LQS Quarterfinal, was able to maintain the upper hand throughout his heat against the more experienced Dhany Widianto (INA). Lopez used impressively precise footwork to set up a long hang-five across a crumbling section that connected straight into a critical hang-ten, earning him the highest score of the heat, a 7.00 (out of a possible 10). The La Union local was overwhelmed by emotion after the win, unable to stop the tears from flowing.
Rj Chico Lopez - WSL / Abdel Elecho
A man of few words, but good humour, Lopez is excited about the prospect of surfing his upcoming Semifinal against his mentor, coach and good friend Rogelio Jr Esquievel (PHL), who yesterday gifted him a buzzer-beating wave that allowed the pair to progress together through their Round of 16 heat.
"I feel great," Lopez said. "So happy to win. I'm just going to follow Jr (Esquievel) in the Semifinal."
The men's Semifinals will feature the two Filipinos, Lopez and Esquievel, in the first heat, while the second will feature the two Japanese, Kai Hamase (JPN) and Taka Inoue (JPN).
The women's Semifinals will be an exact repeat of last week's La Union International Pro, as Japanese veterans Natsumi Taoka (JPN) and Hiroka Yoshikawa (JPN) once again face off, as do Kaede Inoue (JPN) and Daisy Valdez (PHL).
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 inaugural Baler International Pro will run at Sabang Beach from February 1 - 7.
Men's Longboard Semifinalists Decided on Short Day of Action at Inaugural Baler International Pro
WSL
SABANG BEACH, Baler, Philippines (Monday, February 5, 2024) - The men's Quarterfinals of the World Surf League (WSL) Baler International Pro Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) event were completed today in beautiful, glassy two-to-three foot conditions lining up Sabang Beach. A forecast increase in swell was expected to allow for the Semifinals and Finals of the Qualifying Series (QS) 3000 to run however, as the morning progressed the swell failed to materialise and the QS 3000 was called off for the day.
Each of the four men's Quarterfinals saw incredible longboard surfing. Sabang Beach offered long walls that guaranteed the opportunity for extended critical nose-rides and dynamic turns.
The three most-experienced competitors in the draw were able to make the most of the pristine conditions. Current Longboard Tour surfers Rogelio Jr Esquievel (PHL) and Taka Inoue (JPN), along with current Asia LQS rankings leader Kai Hamase (JPN), each found convincing heat wins, with Hamase and Esquievel earning excellent heat totals.
In a much tighter match, Rj Chico Lopez (PHL), who was competing in his first LQS Quarterfinal, was able to maintain the upper hand throughout his heat against the more experienced Dhany Widianto (INA). Lopez used impressively precise footwork to set up a long hang-five across a crumbling section that connected straight into a critical hang-ten, earning him the highest score of the heat, a 7.00 (out of a possible 10). The La Union local was overwhelmed by emotion after the win, unable to stop the tears from flowing.
A man of few words, but good humour, Lopez is excited about the prospect of surfing his upcoming Semifinal against his mentor, coach and good friend Rogelio Jr Esquievel (PHL), who yesterday gifted him a buzzer-beating wave that allowed the pair to progress together through their Round of 16 heat.
"I feel great," Lopez said. "So happy to win. I'm just going to follow Jr (Esquievel) in the Semifinal."
The men's Semifinals will feature the two Filipinos, Lopez and Esquievel, in the first heat, while the second will feature the two Japanese, Kai Hamase (JPN) and Taka Inoue (JPN).
The women's Semifinals will be an exact repeat of last week's La Union International Pro, as Japanese veterans Natsumi Taoka (JPN) and Hiroka Yoshikawa (JPN) once again face off, as do Kaede Inoue (JPN) and Daisy Valdez (PHL).
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 inaugural Baler International Pro will run at Sabang Beach from February 1 - 7.
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