Events
News
Watch
Riders
Spots
More »

- Brands
- Travel & Local
- Good Guys
- Filmmakers
- Bosses
- Shops
- Media
- Movies
- Apps
- Photographers
- Tips & Tricks

Scroll

> News > WSL North America Announces Return of California Events to Start 2022

surfing News

WSL North America Announces Return of California Events to Start 2022

Pictured: Morro Bay. Image credit: / WSL / Fletcher

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

The World Surf League (WSL) North America region announced today its California events set to continue Qualifying Series (QS) competition for the 2021/22' season. Regional events will also make their way to the East Coast and Caribbean to finalize the 2022 Challenger Series contenders.

• SLO CAL Open Pismo Beach and Morro Bay Return

• French Hospital Medical Center Joins as Presenting Sponsor

• East Coast and Caribbean Set to Host Final Leg of Regional QS Season

• More available at WorldSurfLeague.com

“We are so pleased to welcome back our events, as well as introduce new events, in the first few months of 2022,” said North America Regional Manager Meg Bernardo. “Despite the challenging year we’ve all experienced globally, these event licensees have worked hard to ensure confirmation of their events dates. We can’t wait to get our season back underway and watch our surfers compete for valuable points in order to secure their respective Challenger Series spots.”

The 2021/22 season resumes with the return of the men’s and women’s SLO CAL Open at Pismo Beach presented by French Hospital Medical Center QS 1,000, its fourth edition since its inception in 2017, beginning January 27 - 30 at the scenic Pismo Beach pier. Enveloped within the community and pristine cliffside backdrop, this event has become a staple for the central coast.

“It means a lot to be able to wake up and have a contest in my back yard," said SLO CAL Open at Pismo Beach Semifinalist and the town’s own Braden Jones. "Also, having the home town advantage makes me really fired up. I’m so pumped to have these events back in the home town. I haven’t done a contest in over a year so it will be cool to get back in the jersey and run some heats.”

The SLO CAL Open at Morro Bay presented by French Hospital Medical Center QS 1,000, hosting its maiden event in 2020, returns starting February 24 - 27 at one of California's hidden gems. Competitors will take to Morro Rock's cold water lineup during prime north swell season to capitalize on conditions. SLO CAL’s involvement with these now marquee events sets them apart with the likes of Morro Bay’s timeless beauty and unwavering local community support.

"After missing both events due to the pandemic in 2021, I am so grateful for the Pismo and Morro events to be returning in 2022," said Event Producer Andy McKay. "Both events are now being hosted by local nonprofit, Surfing For Hope, who have stepped up in a huge way. They are such an excellent fit and both events will get to shine a spotlight on all the important work they do to fight cancer and help people with recovery from cancer."

"Visit SLO CAL is returning for the second year as title sponsor and French Hospital Medical Center will be presenting sponsor for the first time," added McKay. "Having Pismo Beach and Morro Bay back on the schedule means so much for our community."

The North America QS season, along with the long-awaited return of Pro Junior competition, will continue to the East Coast with venues set in Cocoa Beach, Florida, the Dominican Republic, and tentatively Barbados.

For more, please visit www.WorldSurfLeague.com.

North America Men’s Regional QS schedule:

SLOCAL Open at Pismo Beach pres. by French Hospital Medical Center

January 27 - 30 | QS 1,000 | Pismo Beach, California.

SLOCAL Open at Morro Bay pres. by French Hospital Medical Center

February 24 - 27 | QS 1,000 | Morro Bay, California

Cabarete Pro

March 3 - 6 | QS 1,000 | Encuentro Beach, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro

March 9 - 13 | QS 1,000 | Shepard Park, Cocoa Beach, Florida

Barbados Surf Pro (*Tentative)

March 23 - 27 | QS 3,000 | Soup Bowl, Bathsheba, Barbados

North America Women’s Regional QS Schedule:

SLOCAL Open at Pismo Beach pres. by French Hospital Medical Center

January 27 - 30 | QS 1,000 | Pismo Beach, California.

SLOCAL Open at Morro Bay pres. by French Hospital Medical Center

February 24 - 27 | QS 1,000 | Morro Bay, California

Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro

March 9 - 13 | QS 1,000 | Shepard Park, Cocoa Beach, Florida

Barbados Surf Pro (*Tentative)

March 23 - 27 | QS 3,000 | Soup Bowl, Bathsheba, Barbados

North America Pro Junior Schedule:

Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro Junior and Ron Jon Roxy Pro Junior

March 9 - 13 | Men’s & Women’s JQS | Shepard Park, Cocoa Beach, Florida

Current North America Men's Top 10 Rankings:

1. Taro Watanabe 1,000 points

2. Michael Dunphy 800 points

3. Nat Young 650 points

3. Kade Matson 650 points

5. Chauncey Robinson 500 points

5. Stevie Pittman 500 points

5. Nolan Rapoza 500 points

5. Kei Kobayashi 500 points

9. Joshua Burke 350 points

9. Evan Geiselman 350 points

Current North America Women's Top 6 Rankings

1. Alyssa Spencer 5,950 points

2. Caroline Marks 5,400 points

3. Caitlin Simmers 5,000 points

4. Sawyer Lindblad 3,500 points

4. Chelsea Tuach 3,500 points

6. Kirra Pinkerton 2,900 points

About the WSL

Established in 1976, the World Surf League (WSL) is the home of the world's best surfing.

A global sports, media and entertainment company, the WSL oversees international tours and competitions, a studios division creating over 500+ hours of live and on-demand content, and via affiliate WaveCo, the home of the world's largest high performance, human-made wave. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, the WSL has regional offices in North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and EMEA.

The WSL annually crowns the men’s and women’s surfing World Champions. The global Tours and Competition division oversees and operates more than 180 global contests each year across the Championship Tour, the development tiers, including the Challenger, Qualifying and Junior Series, as well as longboard and big wave properties.

Launched in 2019, WSL Studios is an independent producer of unscripted television projects, including documentaries and series, which provide unprecedented access to athletes, events, and locations around the world. WSL events and content are distributed on linear television in over 743M+ homes worldwide and across digital and social media platforms around the world, including WorldSurfLeague.com.

WaveCo includes the Surf Ranch Lemoore facility and the utilizing and licensing of the Kelly Slater Wave System.

The WSL is dedicated to changing the world through the inspirational power of surfing by creating authentic events, experiences, and storytelling to inspire a growing, global community to live with purpose, originality, and stoke.

Press Release Source: www.WorldSurfLeague.com