HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., USA (Sunday, April 6, 2025) - Today, Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) and Lucca Mesinas (PER) earned wins at the Vans Jack's Surfboards Pro presented by 805, a men's and women's Qualifying Series (QS) 4,000. Mesinas' incredible form earned him back-to-back event wins over Taro Watanabe (USA) in testy, two-to-three-foot conditions. Dempfle-Olin's win over Ella McCaffray (USA) marked her second-career QS victory as both Demfple-Olin and Mesinas start the 2025/2026 QS season ranked No. 1. Plus, Zoey Kaina (USA) and Taj Linblad (USA) earned wins of their own in the Fu Wax Air Show Presented by U.S. Air Force Special Warfare.
Dempfle-Olin Charges Atop Rankings with Second-Career QS Win
Recent 2025 Challenger Series qualifier Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) is fastly becoming a renowned contender in the WSL jersey after notching her eighth QS Final showing and second career win - this time over Ella McCaffray (USA). Dempfle-Olin's backhand attack earned her a Quarterfinal appearance to finish the 2024/2025 season and now starts the 2025/2026 QS season ranked No. 1-2. A brilliant run through Finals Day earned her a Quarterfinal win over Costa Rica's Rubiana Brownell (CRC) before facing Huntington Beach's own local standout Bailey Turner (USA) in the Semifinals.
"It always feels so good to get chaired-up at the end of an event. Definitely a lot of good feeling heats and some sketchy heats and it takes a lot to make it to Finals Day," Dempfle-Olin said. "I was super happy to get a podium to start the year, and then to win feels good. Winning a QS 4,000 going into the Challenger Series helps me feel confident. My biggest win so far was in Pismo so this is amazing."
The women's Final kicked off with Dempfle-Olin taking a commanding lead over McCaffray after 10 minutes into the bout. The Canadian's, Dempfle-Olin, explosive backhand attack backed up her opening with a 7.17 (out of a possible 10) to leave McCaffray needing a near-perfect 9.67. But, Dempfle-Olin's lead held firm throughout the final countdown as inconsistent conditions didn't provide McCaffray the opportunity to strike with a response and crowned Dempfle-Olin the 2025 event victor.
"The plan was the same throughout the event. Just to get the quick start and find the rights," added Dempfle-Olin. "Overall I'm super happy with that win after getting that quick start and then backing up to hang on for the win."
Mesinas Goes Back-to-Back Wins at Huntington Beach in Dominant Form
A masterclass of small-wave performances from Lucca Mesinas (PER) earned him back-to-back Final appearances at the Vans Jack's Surfboards Pro to defend his event title in great form over Taro Watanabe (USA). Mesinas recently claimed the 2024/2025 North America QS Regional title and now starts the new season right where he left at No. 1 . The former Championship Tour (CT) competitor now prepares for the 2025 Challenger Series in hopes of requalifying for the Tour.
"It feels amazing. That was a really crazy ending there and I was really nervous if that was going to be the score for Taro [Watanabe] or not," Mesinas said. "I had priority in the wave before and even though they could be small they can be good sometimes so when I saw him going on that wave I just thought oh no. I really enjoy the place and I'm really happy to go back-to-back."
An electric start for Mesinas had him in the lead with a 7.17 but only a minimal backup as Watanabe posted a 6.00 of his own to close the gap. Watanabe's form found a backup to overtake Mesinas, but only briefly as the Peruvian's sharp forehand found a 5.87 to regain the lead. With fickle conditions playing a factor, there weren't any waves of consequence until the last minute after Mesinas' priority mistake left Watanabe a chance.
But, a split decision from the judges garnered Watanabe a 6.93 and fell just short of the 7.05 requirement as Mesinas secured his win.
One of the most highly-anticipated Quarterfinal heats between Mesinas and fellow former Championship Tour (CT) competitor Kolohe Andino (USA) featured a rematch of the 2024 event Final. Mesinas' prowess in the lineup had him hunting under priority and found a running gem to unleash his backhand attack and post a 7.17, accruing a 14.17 (out of a possible 20) heat total, to overtake Andino. Mesinas then went on to best fellow Challenger Series qualifier Dimitri Poulos (USA) in their Semifinal bout.
Ella McCaffray (USA) starts the 2025/2026 ranked No. 2 in her quest to rejoin the Challenger Series contingent in 2026. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Ella McCaffray and Taro Watanabe Earn Valuable Runner-up Finishes to Start 2025/2026 QS Season
A perennial QS threat, Encinitas, Calif., competitor Ella McCaffray (USA) earned her seventh-career QS Final appearance. The 21-year-old made her Finals Day surge starting in Quarterfinal, Heat 1 against hometown hero Sara Freyre (USA). McCaffray's ability to find opportunities in the slow conditions pushed her past Freyre before facing event standout Lilie Kulber (USA) in the Semifinals.
"It feels so nice to start the season with a result. I had a rough year last season and didn't really make it past the Round of 16 so this is good to start with a Final," McCaffray said. "Now I'll enjoy the time off and just do some traveling and free surf. I'm looking forward to getting back in the jersey in a few months and the goal is ultimately get to that Challenger Series."
Taro Watanabe (USA) earned a fifth-career runner-up finish to start the season ahead of his Challenger Series start. - WSL / Ben Chateauvert
One of North America's prominent talents Taro Watanabe (USA) found his long-awaited graduation to the 2025 Challenger Series and brought that confidence to the 2025/2026 QS season start. Watanabe earned his ninth QS Final appearance, chasing a third victory, after blitzing through Finals Day in Huntington Beach. Watanabe, 22, overpowered Taj Lindblad (USA) in their Quarterfinal duel before facing former CT competitor Kade Matson (USA) in a wave-for-wave Semifinal affair.
"It's amazing to get this momentum. Obviously you want to win but sometimes it's not your day and I'm really happy with how I surfed this whole event," Watanabe said. "It was a pressure-free event so that was cool to learn how to stay sharp while being loose. Huntington in the spring is super inconsistent so you had to be on it. It's really good to think about just the surfing and keeping it simple while also competing and having a strategy. I'm always learning."
Zoey Kaina and Taj Lindblad Claim Fu Wax Air Show Specialty Wins
In between the Semifinal and Final action, the Fu Wax Air Show Presented by U.S. Air Force provided a high-flying spectacle in tough afternoon conditions. Zoey Kaina (USA) returned to defend her win from 2024 and continued to show she's one of North America progressive frontrunners at the age of 14. Kaina's fin-release reverse earned her back-to-back wins before a men's battle unfolded.
Nolan Rapoza (USA) looked to be on his way to boasting rights after a big air reverse, but Taj Lindblad (USA) found a chance to strike with an impressive slob grab air of his own to overtake the win.
The 2025/2026 North America QS season continues at the Virginia Beach Pro QS 2,000 in Virginia Beach, Va., beginning August 20 through 24.