VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., USA (Sunday, May 25, 2025) - Today, Cash Hoover (USA) and Tony Silvagni (USA) claimed wins at the World Surf League (WSL) Coastal Edge Steel Pier Classic Presented by Katin, a North America Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) 1,000, in challenging two-foot conditions. Incredible performances from Hoover, 15, throughout the event took atop the podium for the first time in her young career. For Silvagni, this marked his first major win since 2021 to finish the season strong. Malia Ilagan (USA) and Cole Robbins (USA) both earned pivotal runner-up finishes to secure their 2024/2025 North America Longboard Regional victories and will be on the 2025 WSL Longboard Tour.
Cash Hoover Claims Maiden WSL Victory, Finishes No. 2 on the Rankings
An incredible run to the top for Cash Hoover (USA) earned her first-ever WSL LQS win to storm up the rankings and finish runner-up in the region. Hoover, 15, finished runner-up at this event in 2024 and also earned a runner-up at The Hawaiian Islands HIC Haleiwa Pro. Now, Hoover competes out of the North America region and solidified herself as a qualification threat with her performances in the 2024/2025 season.
"I'm so happy. Last year this was my first-ever LQS event and I made the Final," said Hoover. "Coming back and making the Final, and winning my first event here I don't even have all the words. Being ranked fifth in North America and then being able to win, I'm just so happy. Going into next season ranked No. 2 has me really excited and wanting to win another LQS."
Cash Hoover's (USA) dream run through tricky conditions took her atop the podium. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
The women's Final featured Hoover taking on North America No. 1 Malia Ilagan (USA) along with Virginia Beach's own Story Martinez (USA) and Camden Hoover (USA). A quick start to the Final didn't yield any scores of consequence until Cash Hoover posted a solid 6.00 (out of a possible 10) in the challenging conditions. Martinez and Ilagan's exchange pushed Ilagan to second with Hoover's back up keeping her in the lead. Camden Hoover and Martinez kept fighting but their waves let them down of finding their requirements with the shifting lineup. Then, Cash Hoover found a solid 5.50 to up the ante heading into the last 10 minutes and held firm until the final horn to emerge victorious.
Hoover started her Finals Day surge with a clutch runner-up behind Martinez, eliminating former WSL Longboard Champion Summer Romero (USA) and former WSL Longboard Tour competitor Liv Stokes (CAN). Now, the 15-year-old will prepare for 2025/2026 season in hopes of qualifying for the WSL Longboard Tour.
Tony Silvagni Returns Atop the Podium for the First Time Since 2021
A long-time WSL Longboard Tour threat, Tony Silvagni (USA) missed out on requalification for the first time since the modern reformatting and looks to regain his spot once more. This marked Silvagni's first win since 2021 and finished the season ranked No. 3 in North America behind Cole Robbins (USA) and Jack Van Wagoner (USA).
"It feels great. Coming here for Memorial Day Weekend and to a place I've come to for many years brings back so many memories of my childhood," said Silvagni. "To win here is a real honor. I love competing and it's a big part of my life and my hopes are to be on the Longboard Tour and represent Stewart Surfboards on the world platform with the World Surf League. I've had a lot of highs and lows in my career and I just came here to surf and express myself, and show what I'm capable of. I came here not putting pressure on myself and just being alive, open, and free."
Tony Silvagni's (USA) impressive form from start to finish took him surging atop the podium. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Fireworks ensued in the men's Final featuring former WSL Longboard Tour veterans Silvagni and Cole Robbins (USA) taking on 2024/2025 North America Longboard Regional victor Jack Van Wagoner (USA) and newest qualification threat Kai McPhillips (USA). A slow start gave way to Robbins' ability on the nose and a showcase of footwork to earn an 8.17 that took him straight to first. But, Silvagni's busy work payed off as he found a gem to show his world-class footwork with prolonged nose time to earn an 8.40 and take the lead. But, Van Wagoner wasn't to be left out and posted a near-perfect 9.33 following Silvagni's 6.57. Silvagni's 14.97 (out of a possible 20) was enough to hold the lead until time expired and he returned atop the podium.
Silvagni's clutch form in the Semifinals earned him a spot in the Final behind Van Wagoner and ultimately played spoiler for both Van Wagoner and McPhillips as they looked to overtake Robbins for the No. 1 spot.
An impeccable year for Malia Ilagan (USA) took her to back-to-back Finals and a spot on the 2025 WSL Longboard Tour. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Malia Ilagan and Cole Robbins Win North America Region, Qualify for WSL Longboard Tour
A dominant year for Ventura, Calif., competitor Malia Ilagan (USA) showed she's ready for the world's best after a win and runner-up in her 2024/2025 season to claim the North America Longboard Regional victory. Ilagan's form throughout the year qualified her for the 2025 WSL Longboard Tour after nearly earning back-to-back wins to end the season. The 18-year-old took down her Semifinal bout alongside Camden Hoover's (USA) advancing position to eliminate Kaitlin Mikkelsen (USA) which ultimately crowned her the regional victor heading into the Final.
"It's so unbelievable to me. It's been a dream of mine since I was 10 years old," said Ilagan. "It was my third year trying to qualify so to be able to actually do it is unbelievable. I'm so grateful and it's going to be really fun. To be able to just surf the Final with no pressure of having to beat other people was really nice and it was such a great weekend."
Cole Robbins (USA) is set to rejoin the WSL Longboard Tour and restart his World Longboard Title dream. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
The dream of chasing a World Longboard Title is back for Cole Robbins (USA) after nearly sweeping the 2024/2025 season along with Ilagan. Robbins' win in Pismo Beach was a momentous start to the season and his requalification dream, and the Santa Barbara, Calif., contender made it a reality with a runner-up finish at the Coastal Edge Steel Pier Classic. This also marks Robbins' first North America Longboard Regional win after a brilliant showing in the dying seconds to overtake the runner-up position.
"I'm so fired up. That was an amazing Final," said Robbins. "It was just the cherry on top to get the wave at the buzzer, get second, and solidify being back on Tour. It's been such a good couple days here. The vibes were high and the waves weren't pumping or anything but we had enough."
"It means the world to be back on Tour. I spent about 15 years there and knew what it was like to chase a World Title. And to not have that opportunity last year really lit another fire inside of me and now I feel so ready to be back. The job's not done, we're just getting started."
The 2025 WSL Longboard Tour will begin at the Huntington Beach Longboard Classic alongside the Lexus US Open of Surfing beginning July 26 through August 3.
2024/2025 Women's North America Longboard Final Rankings
1- Malia Ilagan (USA)
2- Cash Hoover (USA)
3- Liv Stokes (CAN)
4- Kaitlin Mikkelsen (USA)
5- Summer Romero (USA)
2024/2025 Men's North America Longboard Final Rankings
1- Cole Robbins (USA)
2- Jack Van Wagoner (USA)
3- Tony Silvagni (USA)
4- Kai McPhillips (USA)
5- Christian Stutzman (USA)