An epic conclusion to the World Surf League (WSL) SLO CAL Open at Morro Bay, a men's and women's Qualifying Series (QS) 1000, is set with Finals Day draws locked in. Three-to-five-foot, occasional plus size sets, continued to provide plenty of scoring opportunity for the men's Round of 32, women's Round of 16, and men's Round of 16 with more excellent showcases and the event's first 10-point ride. Now, two event victors will be crowned by day's end Sunday, December 8.
Perfection Found for Hayden Rodgers' Incredible Air
This year has noted a major milestone for Hayden Rodgers with multiple Finals Day appearances and excellent performances. Now, the San Clemente, Calif., standout can add a perfect 10-point ride (out of a possible 10) to his career accolades after a jaw-dropping, one-handed grab straight air that he rode away from cleanly. Plus, Rodgers added an 8.50 to notch the event's highest heat total so far of an 18.50 (out of a possilbe 20) as he storms into Finals Day.
"It was really fun to get that score at the start of the heat then it opened me up for the rest of it," said Rodgers. "Then I had those other couple airs after so I was just stoked to pull that one. The section looked pretty gnarly so figured I'd try to go over it with a straight air. Usually if you do an air like that you can get injured and blow your knee out but it had a perfect landing to it. Just trying not to get too ahead of myself and take it heat-by-heat."
Ryland Rubens Regains his Stride, Powers into Quarterfinal Matchup
Former North America Pro Junior Regional victor Ryland Rubens showed his magic in a stout Round of 16 with current North America No. 1 Taro Watanabe, Wheeler Hasburgh, and Hagan Johnson. Watanabe's 15.00 heat total had control of the heat until Rubens found a running lefthander and laid everything into the final, critical closeout section to earn a 9.50 and a massive heat win for a Quarterfinal appearance.
"I was just having a lot of fun. It reminds me of a wave back home right now so I was trying not to get too excited with these big lefts coming in," said Rubens. "I'm feeling really good. My board feels good and my mind feels good so I'm just trying to leave it all out there. I've got nothing to lose so I'm just giving it my best and having a good time."
Also, former event winner Taj Lindblad and 2024 Championship Tour (CT) rookie Kade Matson also notched heat wins to surge toward Finals Day.
Eden Walla's Unstoppable Surge Continues to Finals Day
An incredible run for emerging threat Eden Walla took her to Finals Day after a decimating Round of 16 performance. Walla's backhand attack pushed the scale to an excellent 8.50 and continued to set the standard for women's proceedings heading into the head-to-head Quarterfinal bouts. This marks Walla's third Quarterfinal showing of the 2024/2025 as she looks to stay within the Top 5 on the rankings.
"It's super nice to win that one. I was super nervous going into that heat but I'm stoked to come away with the win," said Walla. "It's super fun up here. We've been exploring the last few days and I love it. I'm super happy with my results this year and I've just been trying to focus on my surfing the last few contests, and really trying to show what I can do."
A Powerful Strike from Zoe Chait Overtakes Round of 16 Bout
Joining the Day 3 showcase, Zoe Chait unleashed a backhand attack all her own to post a 7.75 and take down a stacked Round of 16 bout over former CT star Sage Erickson - who also advanced. Chait continues to find her footing in the WSL jersey and now looks to charge toward her second-career QS Final starting in Quarterfinal, Heat 4.
"I was stoked that I was in this little zone by myself that Matt Myers moved me to and I was just happy that left came," said Chait. "I was struggling at the start and fell at a right. Then that 7.75 came and I was just like okay land this thing and I was stoked to ride away from it. There were huge sets and we got smoked, but I kind of like it when it's like that because you're competing against the other girls and the conditions."
Also, Talia Swindal and Zoey Kaina toppled their opponents for Round of 16 victories to join the Finals Day spectacle.
Event organizers will reconvene at 7:00 a.m. PST for a likely 7:30 a.m. PST start to Finals Day.
Day 2: Top Seeds Raise the Standard
Top seeds debuted in stunning form at the World Surf League (WSL) SLO CAL Open at Morro Bay, a men's and women's Qualifying Series (QS) 1000, with both men and women putting on a showcase of high-performance surfing. Three-to-five foot, clean morning conditions tested competitors as the day went on and onshore winds jumbled the lineup with women's Round of 32 and men's Round of 64 finishing in their entirety.
Eden Walla Delivers Dynamic Showcase for Excellent Debut
An outstanding year for Eden Walla hit a high note after her maiden QS win at the Nissan Super Girl Surf Pro QS 3000 and now brings that bravado to Morro Bay. Walla's impressive backhand attack led to an 8.75 (out of a possible 10) before flaring out in signature style on her forehand to post another excellent 8.00 - notching a day's best 16.75 (out of a possible 20) heat total. Now, the teenager from San Clemente, Calif., looks for more success to stay toward the upper end of the rankings heading into the final stretch of the season.
"Everyone had really good scores and everyone was ripping so it was really challenging but I was stoked to get a few of them," said Walla. "I'm super close with all those girls in that heat so it's cool to be out there with all of them but at the same time it's kind of a bummer. Now I I think I'll watch some of the guy's heats then maybe go adventure and find some waves."
Lilie Kulber Pushes her Performance, Charges into Round of 16
This marks Lilie Kulber's first full year among the North American QS contenders, and she currently sits within the Top 10, looking to strike toward Challenger Series qualification. The Southern California's forehand power was on full display as she laid into a critical section, riding out cleanly, and posting an excellent 8.00. Now, Kulber looks for more at Morro Rock with a stacked Round of 16 bout waiting.
"I just got up here last night around midnight so I was definitely a little nervous going into that first heat. I'm stoked to get a couple and build my rhythm in that heat," said Kulber. "It feels amazing to be where I am and it's my first full year on the QS so I definitely have a new focus I've never had before. It definitely makes a difference and brings a lot of confidence going into every single heat."
Plus, former Championship Tour (CT) star, and previous event winner Sage Erickson, defending event victor Ella McCaffray, Zoey Kaina, Bailey Turner, Talia Swindal and Reid Van Wagoner all earned big Round of 32 victories.
Kepa Mendia's Airshow goes 9.50 to Disrupt Top Seeds' Dominance
Florida's Kepa Mendia put on his best performance among the QS elite yet with a perfect 10-point ride in Cerritos in his last event and showed it wasn't a fluke with more aerial antics in Morro Bay. Mendia's solid score line had him advancing behind an in-form current North America No. 1 Taro Watanabe before launching himself on a full rotation into the flats. The emerging QS threat found a smooth landing and a near-perfect 9.50 to take a massive heat win with Watanabe advancing.
"It looked like a pretty good wave and I just saw that section so I wanted to go big. I had two pretty decent scores already so I wanted to go for it," said Mendia. "It felt pretty good with some cushion underneath [my landing] so it felt pretty smooth. It's pretty crazy just with my grandpa playing such a unique sport then passing the genes onto my dad who was a professional surfer and then my dad passed it on to me. I'm trying to get there and be on the Championship Tour."
Ryan Huckabee Throws Everything into Last Heat for 16.50 Finish
The afternoon winds turned onshore and made finding gems a difficult task. But, Ryan Huckabee rose to the occasion in the Round of 64, Heat 16, and posted the day's second 9.50-scoring ride. A critical section lined up perfectly for Huckabee's power and he unleashed his formidable forehand on the single maneuver. Now, the Floridian looks for more heading into the weekend action.
"I've been free-surfing a lot the last few days and this wave is predominately a left but I haven't been going left at all. The right is just super punchy and allows for one or two big moments," said Huckabee. "I kind of identified that before I paddled out. I had a 12-point total which allowed me to let loose on that one big section. I'm still finding a better balance in my competitive surfing and feel like I fall apart in heats or push too hard. It's been a tricky year on the QS but I'm looking to use these next two events as some momentum toward World Juniors and the rest of the season."
Oceanside, Calif., competitor and 2023 event runner-up, Lucas Owston, decimated his QS return to The Rock with a 14.50 heat total and joins the likes of 2024 CT rookie Kade Matson alongside Dimitri Poulos, Cory Arrambide, Kei Kobayashi, Gavin Lusby, Blayr Barton, Titus Kaimana Santucci, Luke Wyler, Jabe Swierkocki, John Mel, Sage Guinaldo, Hayden Rodgers, and Wesley Santos with Round of 64 heat wins.
Event organizers will reconvene at 7:00 a.m. PST for a possible 7:30 a.m. PST start.
Watch Live
The SLO CAL Open at Morro Bay QS 1000 holds a competition beginning December 5 through 8 at Morro Bay, Calif. Once called ON, the event will be broadcast on www.WorldSurfLeague.com, the free WSL App and WSL Youtube channel.
Day 1: Opening Statements from Men's Contingent Made in SLO CAL Open at Morro Bay QS 1000 Debuts
The World Surf League (WSL) SLO CAL Open at Morro Bay, a men's and women's Qualifying Series (QS) 1000, kicked into high gear right away with impressive performances throughout opening day in varying conditions. Three-to-five-foot, clean morning conditions gave way to shifting winds to test competitors' adaptability with men's Round of 104 and Round of 96 finishing in their entirety. Now, top seeds await today's standouts and the women also prepare for their start to the event when competition resumes.
Eeli Timperi Delivers Opening Day's Best Performance
After dealing with an injury earlier this year, Eeli Timperi has shown he's back in form with a few breakthrough performances and posted a day's best 15.10 (out of a possible 20) heat total. An equal 13th notes Timperi's best result so far of the 2024/2025 season as he looks to break into a QS Finals Day appearance here at Morro Bay after a brilliant debut.
"I was stoked to get a couple, the wind turned offshore in that heat so I was stoked. Looks like we have some more waves coming this weekend," said Timperi. "It feels great to find my rhythm. I was out for awhile with an injury and it's great to be back in the jersey. I'm not doing too many competitions this year but just getting the rhythm and my confidence going for next year."
Rex Hennings Brings Southern California Flair to Morro Bay
San Clemente, Calif., continues to produce some of the region's top competitors and Rex Hennings reinforced that statement with an excellent start in Morro Bay. Hennings' backhand attack overpowered a critical closing section to cap off a brilliant wave and posted the day's only excellent score of an 8.00 (out of a possible 10). But, the rising talent remains in the moment and keeps his eyes on the task at hand.
"It feels really good to get that score and for me I feel like I always try to focus on that first wave of the heat. To get that first 8.00 the pressure's off and all I have to do is get a nice backup," said Hennings. "This is the sickest place ever. Every year the waves are good and it's not that cold right now so it's kind of dreamy out here. I just want to get some momentum and surf some heats. Just focusing on staying in the jersey and that's what I'm here for."
Remi Juboori (USA) made his breakthrough once more with a backhand attack to post a 7.50. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Strong Debut Sends Remy Juboori into Top-Seeded Round of 64
One of North America's QS veterans, Remy Juboori, debuted in great form to post a 7.50 and 13.00 heat total. Juboori continues to show his commitment to the QS events as he eyes another big breakthrough result in his career. Now, the La Jolla, Calif., competitor is ready for more against the Round of 64's top seeds.
"It was a fun heat and some fun waves in the beginning but went a little slow in the end. I definitely try to get that quick start to the heat just to get one under your belt," said Juboori. "Luckily I got that first 5.50 early since it went slow toward the end. It looks like we'll have waves all week long so I'm stoked to make it through and keep surfing out here."
Also earning Round of 96 heat wins, Parker Cohn matched Juboori's 13.00 heat total and joins Reed Platenius, Tommy Zahalka, Giorgio Gomez, Sebastian Mendes, Finn Castle, Quaid Fahrion, Kai Williams, Hagan Johnson, Dane Matson, Nicholas Coli, Kai Gale Grani, and Yago Ramos into the Round of 64.
Watch Live
The SLO CAL Open at Morro Bay QS 1000 holds a competition beginning December 5 through 8 at Morro Bay, Calif. Once called ON, the event will be broadcast on www.WorldSurfLeague.com, the free WSL App and WSL Youtube channel.