Four Winners Crowned at 2026 SLO CAL Open Pismo Beach

Eden Walla (USA), Taj Lindblad (USA), Alana Lopez (USA), and Teo Grani (PAN) have earned respective victories at the SLO CAL Open Pismo Beach, a World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series QS 2,000-level event and Pro Junior (JQS) 1,000-level event. Pulsing, two-to-three-foot, occasional plus-sized sets, provided fireworks throughout Finals Day to crown four different event victors with each of the winners showcasing a variety of power and progression to earn the 2026 titles at the Pismo Beach Pier.

San Clemente, Calif.'s newest Challenger Series qualification hopeful, Eden Walla (USA), made more history in Pismo Beach to become the first woman to win at both the SLO CAL Open Morro Bay and Pismo Beach. Walla, 16, already has the youngest Super Girl Surf Pro title to her name and now has four career QS wins, pushing her No. 1 ranking further ahead of the final event this season.

“That was one of my favorite endings to a Final ever. I felt good the whole week, and kicked into another gear in the last Final, so that was super nice. Reid wanted to beat me really bad, and I wanted to beat her really bad. It’s really cool to see how much we push each other, and I’m sure there’s plenty to come. Last year I went into Barbados a bit further down, and this year I'm a little further in so I'm excited to see what happens."

A marquee, head-to-head Final between two of the event standouts, Eden Walla (USA) and Reid Van Wagoner (USA), provided a stunning showcase. Van Wagoner's powerful form opened up the bout with an impressive 7.50 (out of a possible 10) on her surging backhand attack. But, Walla was able to respond with a 6.50. Then, Walla showed her progression to post a 6.65 on a straight air before Van Wagoner found another opportunity to showcase her strong backhand to regain the lead.

Walla wasn't swayed, and just under the five-minute mark locked into another Pismo Beach gem to showcase her forehand combination of carves and tail blows to post an excellent 8.75. The 16-year-old then found one last wave as time dwindled to show her aerial prowess with a grab-air-reverse to seal her SLO CAL sweep.

Walla's fellow San Clemente standout, Taj Lindblad (USA) calls SLO CAL his second home and his connection with the waves are undeniable. Lindblad earned his maiden QS win at the SLO CAL Open Morro Bay in 2023 before going on to win in Pismo Beach in 2024. Now, the 22-year-old has three QS wins to his name all in SLO CAL and moves to No. 3 on the rankings.

"The whole week has been good. The waves have been fun, the weather was good, and SLO CAL has been good to me you could say (laughs)," said Lindblad. "I feel like it's a great wave to compete at because you know what wave you want, and the waves are consistent. It's really cool to surf against guys like Lucca [Mesinas] and Al [Cleland Jr.] because they're Tour guys. It gives me that confidence that I can beat those kind of surfers, and that's where I want to be. They inspire me, and every single surfer in this event helped me get my level up - it wasn't easy."

The men's Final featured two of North America's multi-QS winners between former Championship Tour (CT) competitor Lucca Mesinas (PER) and now No. 3 Taj Lindblad (USA). Lindblad went straight to work and had a 14.00 heat total within the first 10 minutes of the heat as Mesinas' forehand helped keep him close with a 6.45. But, Lindblad kept progressing and found an opportunity to showcase his full arsenal of power and aerial antics in a major combination to earn a 9.25 toward the end of the heat to all but claim his second SLO CAL Open Pismo Beach title, leaving Mesinas in a combination situation as time expired.

Lindblad's Semifinal bout with an in-form Sam Reidy (CRC) set him up for the big finish after narrowly surpassing Reidy in another big matchup.

One of North America’s already proven QS threats, Alana Lopez (USA), staked her claim in a maiden Pro Junior victory. Lopez has two QS wins to in her young career, the Virginia Beach Pro and WRV Outer Banks Pro, and the 16-year-old now leads the Pro Junior rankings in 2026 toward World Junior Championships qualification.

"It's my first Pro Junior win and first Pro Junior Final, so I'm really excited to come away with a win. I don't think I've done a junior event in almost two years because of my injury," said Lopez. "I'm super happy to come here and get some fun waves, surf against a lot of talented girls, and come out on top. It's going to be so fun going to Barbados. I've never been, so it'll be really good to get there, and to go there as the number one seed is amazing and I'm grateful for that."

The women's Pro Junior Final featured double Finals Day contenders Reid Van Wagoner (USA) and Alana Lopez (USA), alongside event standouts Lola Fleming (USA) and Kaydn Persidok (USA). Van Wagoner started early and strong, posting a 13.75 heat total in the opening minutes. But, Lopez found her opportunity to showcase more of her forehand power and laid into an explosive blow-tail on a critical closeout section to earn an excellent 8.00. The, Lopez was able to find another gem right away on a two-turn combination to post a 7.35. Persidok needed a 9.67 to overtake Lopez as Fleming was left in a combination situation.

Then, Van Wagoner had one last chance to earn a win, but the wave didn't provide her the opportunity and Lopez emerged victorious.

Panama’s recurring QS contender. Teo Grani (PAN) found his form in the Pro Junior after bowing out in the QS Round of 32 and stormed toward his first-ever WSL victory. Grani, 19, enters his last year of eligibility to compete in the Pro Junior events and leaves SLO CAL atop the rankings heading into Barbados.

"To win a Final that stacked feels great. I've let it soak in for a bit after I didn't know what to feel, and it's just amazing," said Grani. "I had over 16 points in that Final which is a great confidence booster going into Barbados, and now I just want to soak it all in with my family and friends. I was watching the last two weeks, and that got me pumped to try my best up here. I'm so thankful for everyone who supports me, and hopefully I can do it again."

An inspiring men's Pro Junior Final featured reigning Pro Junior Regional victor Will Deane (USA), Eeli Timperi (FIN), Teo Grani (PAN), and Cannon Carr (USA). Timperi set the tone right away with a 7.00 on his forehand power, but Deane responded with one of the day's best attacks to post a near-perfect 9.00. But, Timperi's form kept pushing the scale, earning a 7.75 before Grani found himself with a chance to open up and posted a 7.90 on his forehand. Heading into the final five minutes, a crucial exchange unraveled with Timperi, Grani, and Deane all finding waves. Timperi's attempt pushed him back to the lead but only briefly as Grani's incredible closeout blast earned him an 8.40 to overtake the lead.

As time dwindled, Grani held firm for his first WSL victory and the No. 1 spot on the rankings.

The North America QS and Pro Junior contingent now prepares for the BTMI Barbados Surf Pro and Live Like Zander Junior Pro, In Loving Memory of Zander Venezia, Presented by Diamonds International, beginning February 23 through March 1.

1 - Eden Walla (USA) 15.95

2 - Reid Van Wagoner (USA) 14.35

1 - Taj Lindblad (USA) 17.00

2 - Lucca Mesinas (PER) 13.45

1 - Alana Lopez (USA) 15.35

2 - Reid Van Wagoner (USA) 13.95

3 - Kaydn Persidok (USA) 10.75

4 - Lola Fleming (USA) 10.30

1 - Teo Grani (PAN) 16.30

2 - Eeli Timperi (FIN) 16.15

3 - Will Deane (USA) 15.50

4 - Cannon Carr (USA) 11.30

HEAT 1: Reid Van Wagoner (USA) 13.10 DEF. Ella McCaffray (USA) 10.00

HEAT 2: Eden Walla (USA) 13.00 DEF. Alana Lopez (USA) 10.10

HEAT 1: Lucca Mesinas (PER) 13.75 DEF. Jabe Swierkocki (USA) 11.60

HEAT 2: Taj Lindblad (USA) 15.85 DEF. Sam Reidy (CRC) 15.50

HEAT 1: Alana Lopez (USA) 12.85 DEF. Lola Fleming (USA) 11.15, Eden Walla (USA) 9.80, Daya McCart (USA) 8.45

HEAT 2: Reid Van Wagoner (USA) 14.00 DEF. Kaydn Persidok (USA) 9.70, Maddie Stanton (USA) 8.60, Vela Mattive (USA) 8.40

HEAT 1: Teo Grani (PAN) 13.25 DEF. Will Deane (USA) 12.35, Benji Lange (USA) 12.05, Tomas Pathenay (CRC) 10.55

HEAT 2: Cannon Carr (USA) 14.05 DEF. Eeli Timperi (FIN) 11.90, Lucas Cassity (MEX) 11.20, Quaid Fahrion (USA) 10.20

The World Surf League (WSL) is the global home of competitive surfing, crowning World Champions since 1976 and showcasing the world’s best surfing. The WSL oversees surfing’s global competitive landscape and sets the standard for elite performance in the most dynamic playing field in all of sports. With a firm commitment to its values, the WSL prioritizes the protection of the ocean, equality, and the sport’s rich heritage, while championing progression and innovation.

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Visit SLO CAL is the countywide non-profit destination marketing and management organization (DMMO) for San Luis Obispo County, known as SLO CAL. Positioned midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, SLO CAL features more than 100 miles of breathtaking coastline, rolling vineyards covering over 40,000 acres and some of California’s most scenic open roads, including the iconic Highway 1. Visit SLO CAL promotes the region as a premier West Coast destination, celebrated for its signature slower pace of life and diverse, immersive experiences. By enhancing the area’s reputation as a dynamic place to live, work and visit, Visit SLO CAL strengthens the local economy and creates opportunities for the entire community. Built on research and a strategy of continuous improvement, the organization is committed to showcasing SLO CAL’s unique charm to travelers from around the world. For more information, visit slocal.com.

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