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Who's In for the 2025 SLO CAL Open Pismo Beach QS 3000
Andrew Nichols
It's winter in Central California which means it's time for the SLO CAL Open at Pismo Beach QS 3000 and Pro Junior. Starting January 20 through 26, North America's premier contenders return to action chasing vital points toward 2025 Challenger Series qualification.
With only three events remaining on the 2024/2025 season every heat matters and the competitors are ready to bring their best. Who's bringing the heat to Pismo Beach's chilly waters? Here's a shortlist of attendees.
Kirra Pinkerton
The inaugural SLO CAL Open at Pismo Beach victor and current North America No 1 Kirra Pinkerton is back to continue her tear through the 2024/2024 season. Pinkerton already has two QS 3000 wins to her name this season with two major events remaining to secure her spot among the world's elite for 2025 Challenger Series contention. Not to mention, Pinkerton earned a SLO CAL Open at Pismo Beach victory in 2018.
Taj Lindblad
A momentous run from Pinkerton's fellow San Clemente contender Taj Lindblad notched him a second SLO CAL event title, after claiming his maiden win in Morro Bay in 2023. Lindblad's breakthrough in 2024 put his name as one to watch after earning a wildcard among Challenger Series competitors and now looks to get there full time.
Sanoa Dempfle-Olin
Fresh off her first World Junior Championships appearance, Canada's Sanoa Dempfle-Olin looks to go back-to-back in Pismo Beach. Along with Kai Kushner, Dempfle-Olin notched her first Pro Junior win in 2024. But, the emerging talent also finished with a Semifinal in the QS and looks to repeat that success as well as she currently sits at No. 2.
Former CT Elite and 2023 WSL World Junior Champ Standouts
Adding their name to the firepower on hand, former Championship Tour competitors Kolohe Andino, Lucca Mesinas, Kade Matson, Nat Young and Carlos Munoz join 2023 WSL World Junior Champion Jett Schilling and runner-up Zoe Benedetto are all in attendance.
Reigning WSL North America QS Regional victor, Benedetto, looks to kick her season into high-gear for a chance at holding down a spot among the Challenger Series elite once more. Plus, Mesinas looks for a second QS 3000 win of the season as Andino is on the hunt for a big result alongside Schiling, following Schiling's win in Cerritos, to catapult themselves up the rankings.
Taro Watanabe
The current No. 1, Taro Watanabe looks to further his immaculate Finals Day streak in 2024/2025 after earning three straight Final appearances. A third-career QS win for Watanabe kept him atop the ranking's, but 3,000 points can prove all the difference for the 2025 Challenger Series requalification hopeful.
World Junior Championships East Coast Three-Pack and Southern California's Own
After tying for North America No. 1 in 2024, Blayr Barton - who took the title in a count-back - and Owen Moss joined Ryan Huckabee at the World Junior Championships where each finished with a Round of 16 result. Now, each has graduated to the QS full-time with Moss currently sitting in a Challenger Series requalification spot alongside current QS No. 8 Barton. Plus, back-to-back Finals for Huckabee has his back half of the year surging as he looks to rejoin the Challenger Series' best in 2025.
Fresh off her World Junior Championships debut, Reid Van Wagoner joins the hunt for a Pro Junior Regional title all her own after a commanding showing in 2024 earned her a Finals appearance. Van Wagoner finished No. 3 on the Pro Junior rankings and now looks for a big start alongside keeping her name in the mix of QS threats.
Watch LIVE January 20 through 26 at worldsurfleague.com.
Kirra Pinkerton
Kirra Pinkerton claimed her maiden Super Girl Surf Pro cape over an in-form Sanoa Dempfle-Olin.
Kirra Pinkerton made history in Jacksonville Beach posting the first perfect 10 in the US Air Force Super Girl Surf Pro for a spot in the
Excellent showings from Maddie Stanton, Skai Suitt, Faviola Alcala and more highlighted opening day in Jacksonville Beach.
The co-sanctioned event brings Hawaii/Tahiti Nui contenders back to clash with North America's top-tier women in Jacksonville Beach.
The current North America No. 3 Kirra Pinkerton already has one QS win in 2024 and returns to Jacksonville Beach looking for more.
North America
San Clemente, California upstart Rex Hennings laid into one of the best single-wave scores of opening day - posting a 7.67 - in his Round
Top Contenders Return to Push Toward 2025 Challenger Series Qualification and WSL World Junior Championships
Relive a milestone moment for both Talia Swindal and Taj Lindblad after taking down the SLO CAL Open at Pismo Beach QS 3000 in 2024.
Visit SLO CAL brings 3,000 Pivotal Points back to QS Contingent, Fresh Start for Pro Juniors
From Taj Lindblad's insatiable form to Talia Swindal's winning wave, 2024 had plenty of jaw-dropping moments. Here's a few from the QS 3000