The field is down to just eight competitors at the World Surf League (WSL) Pacifico Surf Open Puerto Escondido, a men's Qualifying Series (QS) 1000, after pushing through the Round of 32 and Round of 16. Challenging two-to-three-foot conditions tested the agility and power of North America's QS contingent to determine who would enter the head-to-head Quarterfinal matchups. Now, the 2024 event victor is set to be crowned tomorrow, Sunday, December 15, with 1,000 points on the line.
Defending Event Victor John Mel Soars back to Finals Day
Defending event victor John Mel returns to Finals Day after an aerial showcase earned him the day's highest heat total of 15.65 (out of a possible 20). The 25-year-old launched himself into a full rotation to post a 9.00 (out of a possible 10) to claim his place back in the Quarterfinals at La Zicatela. Mel's connection goes past the jersey in Puerto Escondido and now looks for back-to-back wins after blitzing through two hard-fought heats.
"I guess I just have a good connection with it here. I've just been coming here since I was six years old and just feel a really special connection with this beach," said Mel. "My dad's gotten a 10-point ride out here and I just love the area and I feel like it just brings that back to me a little bit. It sent me that 9.00 and had the perfect air section and that's why I feel like I'm able to do well here so I'm super stoked."
Hayden Rodgers (USA) keeps flaring and lands into another QS Finals Day. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Hayden Rodgers' Unstoppable Form Continues
Hayden Rodgers' ability to perform above the lip continues to impress, posting a 7.25 in his Round of 16 to take control after earning a Round of 32 victory earlier in the morning. The San Clemente, Calif., standout, Rodgers, found his footing among the QS elite in the last few events and looks to become a perennial threat to established competitor.
"Going to Puerto Rico and getting that result helped set me in the right mindset and I've just been carrying that confidence since," said Rodgers. "Just not feeling the pressure of heats as much and just taking my freesurf mentality into them has been a big change. Now just the same plan tomorrow. Cruise down early and watch the heats, figure out the plan and hopefully do well."
Sam Reidy (CRC) stands the lone Central American to bring the event title to Latin America hands. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Sam Reidy and Dylan Hord Breakthrough to Milestone Quarterfinal Appearances
Costa Rica's reoccurring QS threat Sam Reidy earned his Quarterfinal breakthrough once more after a spell of early exits in recent events. Reidy's timing and power handled the difficult conditions earned him the runner-up in his Round of 32 heat behind Rey Hernandez before letting loose in the Round of 16 and earning at hard-fought heat win. The Costa Rican, Reidy, represents the last-standing Central American in the draw looking bring home his maiden QS event win.
"I came out of Morro Bay not feeling confident at all and almost didn't want to come to this event," said Reidy. "But, I kind of changed my mindset; it's the last competition of the calendar year, and I just said I'm going to throw everything at it. It seems to be working so far so I might as well keep using that mindset for the rest of the events. I live for these competitions. Whether it's a buzzer-beater or just getting a big score, I'm just stoked to be here and I love coming to Mexico with the support of my friends, my country, and my family. I just want to make Central America proud."
A first-ever QS Quarterfinal for Dylan Hord (USA) comes from impeccable timing when it matters most. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
A long-awaited QS Quarterfinal appearance became a reality for Southern California's Dylan Hord after taking a massive Round of 16 heat win. Hord's last-minute forehand attack provided a 6.75 and catapulted from third-to-first place, pushing Tyler Gunter to second and advancing while eliminating Mexico's own Rey Hernandez. Now, Hord joins a stacked Finals Day draw in hopes of claiming a maiden QS win.
"It was stressful. I needed a high 6-point ride in the last three minutes of the heat and then I got two waves in the last two minutes and somehow got the scores," said Hord. "I feel like I was surfing good so I'm stoked that it went my way. I'm excited, this is my first Quarterfinal on the QS ever. I always seem to lose in the Round of 16 so it's great to break that curse and go into the Quarterfinals with my good buddy Tyler Gunter. We've been staying with Jhony Corzo so it's great seeing Sasha (Donnanno) and Sebastian Williams all week. They stay with us when they come up so it's great vibes."
Plus, recent runner-up in Morro Bay Ryan Huckabee joins Tyler Gunter, Jake Davis and Will Deane into Finals Day duels.
Watch Live The Pacifico Surf Open Puerto Escondido QS 1000 holds a competition beginning December 12 through 15 at La Zicatela, Puerto Escondido, Mexico. Once called ON, the event will be broadcast on www.WorldSurfLeague.com, the free WSL App and WSL Youtube channel.
Day 2: Fireworks Ensue with Top Seeds' Debuts
The World Surf League (WSL) Pacifico Surf Open Puerto Escondido, a men's Qualifying Series (QS) 1000, top seeds made their mark with electric performances in challenging, three-to-four foot conditions at La Zicatela's famed lineup. Mexico's emerging and proven contenders clashed with North America's QS competitors to provide more fireworks and set up a big Round of 32 draw with the Round of 64 finishing in its entirety.
Sebastian Williams goes Lights Out for a Near-Perfect Start in Round of 64 Debut
Surfing in his backyard, Sebastian Williams put on a showcase of his home crowd with a stunning airshow and launching his way to a day's best 18.25 (out of a possible 20) heat total. Williams' aerial antics helped elevate his career, combined with his ability to charge heavy waves, and pushed him to a Semifinal appearance in Cerritos. Now, the new father, Williams, is back in home waters and ready to push the standard after posting a day's best 9.75 (out of a possible 10).
"I'm feeling good and a little nervous because we're in my hometown, the place I was born. They say hometown advantage but also the nerves come into play," said Williams. "I'm just seeing it as the trajectory that I've got toward the end of the year on the QS and trying to make the Challenger Series. Then onto the CT so this is where it all starts. I love my dad and he taught me everything I know about surfing and he's put me on this path so I'm not going to let him down."
Puerto Escondido's own, former ISA Gold Medalist, Jhony Corzo and Sasha Donnanno also notched major Round of 64 victories to join Williams into the Round of 32.
Hayden Rodgers (USA) traded his aerial tendencies for a showcase of backhand power to earn a 9.00. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Electric Performances Continue for Hayden Rodgers with a 9.00
After recently finding his form among the QS contingent, Hayden Rodgers continues to push his potential in the jersey and laid into a 9.00 of his own as the afternoon provided more challenges for competitors. Rodgers, fresh off a 10-point ride and Quarterfinal finish in Morro Bay, looks for more in Mexico after an early exit at the Pacifico Surf Open Cerritos last month.
"That heat was pretty wave-starved and walled so I was just trying to find anything. Toward the end of the heat that set came to me and it was one pretty placed turn but I got the score," said Rodgers. "I think it's just about being able to find that critical section here and they'll reward you. We're loving it here. Tacos, warm weather and waves. Doesn't get much better."
Lightning-fast performances from Kei Kobayashi (USA) revitalized late afternoon action. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Kei Kobayashi and Jake Davis Strike Excellence to Push San Clemente Surge
Rodgers' fellow San Clemente, Calif., competitors Kei Kobayashi and Jake Davis also provided impeccable performances in their respective Round of 64 heats. Kobayashi's timing and speed through heavy sections led to a 16.50 heat total. After a tough, early exit in Morro Bay, Kobayashi looks to bounce back and capitalize on waves that he thrives in with a well-rounded attack to keep push his standard.
"I've been journaling before my heats just trying to get a game plan ready for myself and see what I can do," said Kobayashi. "It's been great staying with Jhony Corzo and being around friends, it feels more like home. The waves aren't tubing like we know it does but there's some sections are pretty gnarly and keeps it exciting. You just have to go in with a good mindset, hit the lip and come down with it."
San Clemente's surge continued with Jake Davis (USA) making easy work of conditions similar to home. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
One of competitive surfing's remarkable comeback stories takes Davis to Puerto Escondido as he unleashed a decimating backhand attack to post an excellent 8.50 and 15.00 heat total. Davis' return to competition also came back with the role of coach to reigning WSL World Junior Champion Jett Schilling, recent Pacifico Surf Open Cerritos winner, and now looks to continue a surge all his own at La Zicatela.
"That heat went well. The waves are a carbon copy of what I grew up surfing every day," said Davis. "You are what you surf and this is what I surf on the average day. It's super hard but it's also really fun and if you just hit those sections and connect them you're going to excel. You just have to stay busy, have low standards, build a house and just have fun."
Also, former Championship Tour (CT) competitor Carlos Munoz joins defending event victor John Mel, Ryan Huckabee, Luke Wyler, Parker Cohn, Tyler Gunter, Greyson Grant, Kepa Mendia, Max Ascher, and Tosh Talbot into the Round of 32 with heat wins.
Event organizers will reconvene at 6:30 a.m. CST for a possible 7:00 a.m. CST start.
Watch Live
The Pacifico Surf Open Puerto Escondido QS 1000 holds a competition beginning December 12 through 15 at La Zicatela, Puerto Escondido, Mexico. Once called ON, the event will be broadcast on www.WorldSurfLeague.com, the free WSL App and WSL Youtube channel.
Day 1: Mexico's Early Event Threats Emerge
The World Surf League (WSL) Pacifico Surf Open Puerto Escondido, a men's Qualifying Series (QS) 1000, returned to the famed La Zicatela for opening day action and Mexico's proven, and emerging, talents showed they're ready for more after the Round of 80 finished in its entirety. Three-to-five-foot, testy conditions challenged competitors to find moments of magic with heavy closeouts pushing them to their best.
Gael Jimenez (MEX) right at home and into the Round of 64. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Gael Jimenez Debuts Strong in Home Waters
The last time this event ran, Gael Jimenez powered his way into a Finals Day showing and now looks to replicate that performance. Jimenez's ability to adapt from La Zicatela's hollow conditions to the more high-performance conditions for opening day helped lead to the day's best single-wave score of a 7.75 (out of a possible 10). Puerto Escondido's own, Jimenez, let his forehand attack lead the way and earned a big debut, Round of 80 heat win.
"It's amazing to surf agains these guys and now getting to compete against the North America QS competitors at home," said Jimenez. "It's been a couple years so I'm stoked to perform and show everybody that Mexican surfers can surf really good. That's the cool thing about here is that it might not be what people see all the time from home, but it gets really rippable on day's like this. It's beautiful and it's not intimidating so you can out and have fun and we can all show our surfing."
Another of Puerto Escondido's own Nesher Diaz (MEX) put on a showcase of backhand power. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Rising Talent Nesher Diaz makes his Presence Known
Emerging threat Nesher Diaz showed a glimpse of what he's capable of and put on a showcase of backhand precision to post a day's best heat total of 12.50 (out of a possible 20). Diaz looks to get his footing in the QS rankings, entering his first event here at his home break of La Zicatela, after experience at the ISA level. Now, he prepares for top-seeded competitors in the Round of 64.
"That was my first QS heat and I feel really good and so happy to surf good. The waves were tough to find a good one but it's still fun," said Diaz. "The wave is super fast and so you have to be quick with your turns. It means a lot to have this event here. I also compete at a lot of ISA and events in California so it's great to have one at home and keep competing."
Jafet Ramos (MEX) has helped pushed Mexican surfing throughout the years and continues to show his powerful form. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Mexico's Proven Veteran Jafet Ramos Unleashes Power on Opening Day
One of Mexico's decorated competitors, Jafet Ramos, made his return to the QS jersey near home in a big way, posting a 12.30 heat total. Ramos' helped pave the way for emerging talents to get their start and continues to show he's not one to be taken lightly in the competitive arena.
"It was a little difficult conditions but felt good to get some solid scores. It's incredible to have this event at home and I'm so happy to be competing," said Ramos. "It's great to be this close to home and surfing in a QS with some of the best guys from North America coming here and the level will go up tomorrow. They're great surfers but we are ready to go and do our best against them."
Also earning Round of 80 victories, Puerto Escondido's own Quetzal Estrada joins the likes of Max Munoz, Leon Peraza, Kalama Stratton, and Luigi Bustos into the Round of 64.
Event organizers will reconvene at 6:30 a.m. CST to determine a possible 7:00 a.m. CST start.
Watch Live
The Pacifico Surf Open Puerto Escondido QS 1000 holds a competition beginning December 12 through 15 at La Zicatela, Puerto Escondido, Mexico. Once called ON, the event will be broadcast on www.WorldSurfLeague.com, the free WSL App and WSL Youtube channel.