North America's top-tier contenders battled for Finals Day spots at the Vans Jack's Surfboards Pro presented by 805, a men's and women's Qualifying Series (QS) 4,000, and had to find the opportunities to strike in tough conditions. Two-to-four-foot, windy conditions pushed competitors to dig deep in the women's Round of 32, Heats 1 through 5, and Round of 16 alongside the men's Round of 32 and Round of 16. Now, Quarterfinal draws are set and 4,000 points are up for grabs in Huntington Beach to start the 2025/2026 season.
Lilie Kulber Charges into Finals Day to Start New Season
Recurring event threat Lilie Kulber continues to find her magic in major events. The Southern Californian, Kulber, posted an excellent 8.33 (out of a possible 10) in a stacked affair against perennial Challenger Series threat Ella McCaffray recent near-Challenger Series qualifier Eden Walla, and rising talent Kylie Pulcini. This marks Kulber's third-career Quarterfinal appearance on the QS as she looks for a maiden win.
"I'm super stoked to have gotten a heat win in that last one and so thankful to have gotten the wildcard into this event," Kulber said. "Big shout out to Brad Gerlach, my coach. I could hear him saying you've got time in my head so I'm stoked to have him in my corner. Thank you to everyone who supports me and I'm really looking forward to tomorrow."
Sara Freyre Holds Firm at Home in Stacked Round of 16 Bout
The crowds at Huntington Beach had plenty to support with Sara Freyre earning her way into Finals Day for the second time in three events. Freyre's forehand attack led to overpowering Challenger Series threat Zoe Benedetto (USA) along with 2025 Challenger Series qualifiers Reid Van Wagoner and Vaihitimahana Inso. Now, the 18-year-old has her eyes set on a big result and big year ahead.
"I felt pretty comfortable out there. I knew it was pretty slow and small so I knew I'd have to be really patient and capitalize on the waves that I got," Freyre said. "I definitely want to the hit the QS this year and I'm taking it one event at a time. I'm happy to open up here at this event, it's QS 4,000 so I'm stoked."
Freyre's fellow local hero Bailey Turner joins her into the Quarterfinals alongside 2025 Challenger Series qualifier Sanoa Dempfle-Olin.
Kade Matson Brings World-Class Form to HB
2024 Championship Tour (CT) Rookie Kade Matson brought his signature power to the tough conditions and found an afternoon gem to blast an 8.67. Matson's formidable forehand attack laid into each section the wave presented him as he looks for big momentum ahead of the 2025 Challenger Series.
"That was a crazy wave. There was actually like a 10 wave set there so I went under the seventh or eighth wave and that thing came out of nowhere," Matson said. "It felt like I was at mini Lowers or something. Big shout out to Got Milk for the extra cash for the heat win. Now, I'll get some rest and get ready for a big day tomorrow down here."
Matson's fellow former CT contender, 2024 event runner-up, Kolohe Andino (USA) joins him and Taj Lindblad (USA) to represent San Clemente, Calif., into Finals Day.
Defending Event Victor Lucca Mesinas Eyes Back-to-Back Wins
An impeccable day of competition for reigning North America QS Regional victor and defending event winner Lucca Mesinas sent him surging into Finals Day. Mesinas' form earned him a Round of 32 heat win before showcasing his potential in tough conditions, posting a 15.17 heat total that included an excellent 8.00. The former CT competitor has his eyes set on returning to the world's best but first prepares for a big Finals Day before taking to the 2025 Challenger Series later this year.
Plus, a massive win from Owen Moss to close out the Round of 16 earned him a crucial heat win heading into Finals Day for a chance to claim the No. 1 spot to start the 2025/2026 season.
Day 3: Top Seeds Dismantle Debuts
Top seeds made their World Surf League (WSL) Vans Jack's Surfboards Pro presented by 805, a men's and women's Qualifying Series (QS) 4,000, debuts and didn't disappoint with the event's best performances so far in three-to-five-foot varying conditions at Huntington Beach's famed lineup. Men's Round of 64 and women's Round of 32 were finished in their entirety to set up hefty battles for weekend action.
Jett Schilling Storms into Fresh Season
Closing the season ranked No. 2, Jett Schilling picked up right where he left off with a 16.50 heat total to start his QS campaign in phenomenal form. Schilling's array of power and progression in the afternoon conditions earned him the event's best showing so far. Now, as the 22-year-old looks to surge toward the Challenger Series in 2025, he has his eyes set on success near home first.
"I saw a couple against the grain lefts with this wind and I was really stoked. That board is magic and I should probably save it for the Challenger Series but I didn't even ride it in Barbados and it just feels so good," said Schilling. "I was pretty bummed to lose my heat there and just wanted to jump on the horse here. I'm also a little pissed off I didn't win the rankings so I'm going to have to win this thing."
Reid Van Wagoner Takes Excellent Form From Barbados to Huntington
An incredible finish to the 2024/2025 QS and Pro Junior season put Reid Van Wagoner into both the 2025 Challenger Series and World Junior Championships. Now, she's reinfocing those bids with a decimating performance to start a fresh QS season after posting an excellent 8.67 (out of a possible 10).
"It was pretty fun out there. I was just trying to go out and catch a couple good ones. Thankfully I did," said Van Wagoner. "To get 75 bucks of extra money is amazing. I'm super excited to qualify for the Challenger Series, it's just sinking in. I'm super grateful for this opportunity and want to give it my best."
Taj Lindblad Lights Up HB Debut with Excellent Heat Total
An exciting day for the Lindblad family unraveled with Sawyer Lindblad excelling on the CT before Taj Lindblad dominated his debut in the Round of 64. Lindblad's experience in Huntington Beach is bountiful and he turned that into early success with a day's best 16.06 heat total utilizing both his backhand and forehand power. The 22-year-old dropped an 8.23 after delivering a 7.83 to put his competitors needing near-perfection catch him.
"I was kind of in rhythm, which hasn't happened in a while, so that felt good," said Lindblad. "Getting those scores sounds nice. [Watching my sister's heat] was sketchy. I didn't want to give my mom another heart attack so I wanted to get the job done early (laughs). Just want to say hi to my dad and sister down there and good luck, we're all rooting for you."
Nolan Rapoza Turns It Up A Notch, Backhand Power Takes Him to Round of 32
One of North America's prominent contenders, Nolan Rapoza kickstarted his 2025/2026 season ahead of the 2025 Challenger Series. Rapoza recently made his competitive return following an injury and is set to take on the world's elite once more as the North America wildcard. But, the Long Beach, Calif., competitor has his eyes set on getting a result here and started with an excellent 8.17 on his malicious backhand attack - posting a 15.17 heat total.
Also notching marquee, Round of 64 heat wins included former event victors John Mel and Lucca Mesinas picking apart the lineup. Mesinas' 13.74 heat total and Mel's 8.00 noted some of the day's showcases.
Plus, former CTers Kade Matson and Kolohe Andino join Cannon Carr, 2025 Challenger Series contenders Taro Watanabe (USA), Dimitri Poulos, and Lucas Cassity, along with Blayr Barton and Owen Moss all moved into the Round of 32 with heat wins.
Eden Walla's Electric Forehand Pushes Her to Round of 16
A breakthrough year for Eden Walla nearly pushed her to the Challenger Series before falling just short in Barbados. Now, Walla returns with renewed vigor and kicked off her new season with a solid showing - posting a 12.33 heat total.
"Last year was amazing. It's a bummer to not do well in Barbados but I was happy to get a few wins," said Walla. "This year I really want to make a push for it so I'm excited. It's nice to open up with a keeper score in these conditions and I'm hoping to keep the momentum going."
Hawaii/Tahiti Nui's standout Vaihitimahana Inso and perennial QS threat Ella McCaffray earned big heat wins.
Event organizers will reconvene at 7:30 a.m. PT for a likely 8:00 a.m. PT start.
Day 1: Early Standouts Set the Standard in Huntington Beach
The 2025/2026 World Surf League (WSL) North America Qualifying Series (QS) season is officially underway after the Vans Jack's Surfboards Pro Presented by 805, a men's and women's QS 4,000, pushed through opening day. Three-to-five-foot, peaky conditions provided a solid start to competition with prevailing south winds testing competitors as the day progressed. With men's Round of 104 and 96, plus women's Round of 40 finishing in their entirety, top seeds are now set to make their debuts in Huntington Beach.
Every heat win earns a post-heat interview and some Got Milk? cash money for Gabriel Vargas and company. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Gabriel Arturo Vargas Goes Next Level to Close Out Opening Day
Peru's talented Gabriel Arturo Vargas went next level in his Round of 96, Heat 15 debut with an impeccable 15.66 (out of a possible 20) heat total. Vargas' early surge in Barbados to close out the year looked to give the Peruvian confidence, and a seed into this event, as he blasted a day's best 8.33 (out of a possible 10) on his razor-sharp forehand attack.
"To get my backup score and then that 8-point ride in the first few minutes felt amazing. It gave me some confidence to just do my surfing and I'm glad I adjusted well from warm Barbados to here because it's freezing (laughs)," Vargas said. "I had to make heats in Barbados to earn my spot here so I'm happy that I did that. Now I just want to keep going here."
Rey Hernandez's (MEX) timing and power provided a backhand clinic. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Mexican Duo Rey Hernandez and Jhony Corzo Deliver Dynamic Debuts
With Mexico's recent surge among the WSL ranks, Rey Hernandez and Jhony Corzo have been in the mix throughout the last decade from the Pro Juniors and now to the QS full-time. Hernandez showcased his backhand power in Huntington Beach's punchy, afternoon conditions to post an excellent 8.17 (out of a possible 10) as he looks to make a push in 2025/2026.
"I feel stoked to be back here in Huntington and competing. Last year I was an alternate and the waves are really fun today so I'm stoked to be here," Hernandez said. "I'm excited that it's the first event of the year and I'm just staying focused. In the beginning of the heat I was looking for a good one. I had priority and I saw that wave so I just wanted to do my best surfing on it, and got to do three big turns so I was stoked."
Jhony Corzo (MEX) earned a much-needed heat win to start his 2025/2026 season. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Corzo's ISA Gold Medal winning backhand attack was on full display, posting one of the day's best heat totals of a 12.90. The long-time QS threat, Corzo, looks to make his breakthrough this year and has early momentum to build from after setting the tone with a Round of 96 heat win.
"A heat win always gives you a lot of confidence. I'm stoked to find myself out there and I felt in rhythm," Corzo said. "I think that's a good start for me and I haven't had that headspace in awhile. I've put a lot of pressure on myself the last few years but I've changed some things up. I'm working with Brad Gerlach and he gives me plenty of confidence and just to believe in myself has been a block. I've just put that aside and I just want to surf."
Kaydn Persidok (USA) stole the show in women's debuts. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Kadyn Persidok Punches Through to Top Seeds
A dynamic showing from rising QS contender Kaydn Persidok pushed the scale in women's debuts with a brilliant 13.50 heat total. Persidok was able to find her moments to strike, posting a round-best 7.33, and showed her experience from the 2024/2025 season is quickly paying dividends in early success.
"It felt really good to get a good score. I knew I had a few medium-range scores and then the heat was closing and I was still in first place," Persidok said. "But I thought why not try to get something better. I'm on a CI Pro and some magic Futures Fins. I'm super thankful for my whole family, especially my dad, I couldn't have won that heat without him and all the other girls in this contest are just amazing so I'm excited to compete against them."
Taylor Stacy (USA) took over her Round of 40 debut. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Taylor Stacy Stamps Her Authority to Start 2025/2026
One of the proven San Clemente, Calif., contenders, Taylor Stacy made her presence known on opening day in Huntington Beach. Stacy held a solid lead heading into the final minutes over Zoe Panettiere before Panettiere took over. But, the QS threat, Stacy, responded with a powerful forehand combination on her rail to post a 7.10 and storm toward the top seeds with a Round of 40 heat win.
"Getting that 7.00 definitely helps the confidence. I couldn't really hear so when I found out I got the score I was stoked," Stacy said. "I'm still cruising as far as contests go. Just going event by event since I'm still in school. But it's great to keep my feet in the wax at these events and try to make some heats."
Plus, heat wins from Ava Wagester and Kaia Howard kickstarted their season with early success into the top-seeded Round of 32.
Event organizers will reconvene at 7:30 a.m. PT for a likely 8:00 a.m. PT start.