The EDP Billabong Pro Ericeira is set for September 24-30 in Ericeira, check out all you need to know about this event below!
What?
Simply put, a QS10,000 event. The highest possible on the Qualifying Series, one of only five this season, hence a major decider in the qualifying campaigns of the QS surfers, and a great opportunity for CTers to defend their spot on the elite tour.
It's the final stop on the European leg of the Qualifying Series, an epic 12-event season for the regional surfers, and a summer-must do for international competitors.
Italo ferreira (BRA) boosting at Ribeira on his way to a runner-up at the World Juniors. - WSL / Damien Poullenot/ Aquashot
It will also help decide the World Surf League wildcard for the Quiksilver Pro France, unfolding the following week in Seignosse/Hossegor/Capbreton. WSL will award the highest ranked Frenchman on the QS (post-Ericeira) the coveted golden ticket to mix with the world's best in the thumping beachbreaks.
Finally, organizers have also added a touch of surfing history to the program, with the "Legends Heat pres. by You & The Sea" between the semis and final, where 1999 World Champion Mark Occhilupo will take on compatriot and long-time rival Luke Egan.
"I'm really looking forward to surf against Luke again in Portugal," Occy said. "We used to do the tour together and he played a big part in helping me get my world title. He always lifted me when I surfed against him, I hope he wins the Masters so we can have a surf off!"
Mark Occhilupo knows his way around a righthand pointbreak. Pictured here at J-Bay. - WSL / Kelly Cestari
"Occy and I traveled the world together and teamed up to help each other through the contests back in the day," Egan added. "When Occy and I came up against each other there was always fireworks and high scoring heats which are some of the most memorable of my surfing career. Im looking forward to paddling out with Occy at the EDP Billabong Pro in Ericeira one more time putting on a show for everyone and winding back time."
Where?
Ribeira d'Ilhas. If that name doesn't ring a bell, you seriously need a road trip through Portugal. It is one of the best righthand pointbreaks in the country, a long, powerful and perfect right, serving up all kinds of sections. Barrels, big open walls, ramps, you name it.
Kanoa Igarashi (USA) on a bomb at the World Juniors in 2014. - WSL / Damien Poullenot/ Aquashot
There's a long tradition of hosting professional events there, and funny enough, most of the 18 Championship Tour surfers who will join the QS stars next week, have already surfed that wave, like in the 2014 World Junior Championship.
When?
Tune in from September 24-30, 2018 for the LIVE webcast and check out all the photos, videos and updates right here!
Here's a little collection of some images from the last WSL event held there a few years ago:
-
The amazing line up at Ericeira's Ribeira D'Ilhas.
- WSL / Damien Poullenot/ Aquashot
-
The last time an event was held there was in 2014 for the World Juniors, and look who's there!
Leonardo Fioravanti and
Keely Andrew among a ton of other talented surfers.
-
Italo Ferreira was already a showman.
- WSL / Damien Poullenot/ Aquashot
-
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The wave has everything, including air sections, ask
Joshua Moniz how he feels about it!
-
Leonardo Fioravanti lays into a big snap right under the lip.
- WSL / Damien Poullenot/ Aquashot
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Europe's best impression of Bell's Beach, what do you think?
- WSL / Damien Poullenot/ Aquashot
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Locals squid fishermen share their findings with seagulls.
- WSL / Damien Poullenot/ Aquashot
-
Backsiders like
Mateia Hiquily can go vertical for big points.
-
There's also the occasional tube section, illustrated here by
Noe Mar McGonagle.
Medina, Ferreira Among Star-Studded Field at QS10,000 in Ericeira
Nicolas Leroy
The EDP Billabong Pro Ericeira is set for September 24-30 in Ericeira, check out all you need to know about this event below!
What?
Simply put, a QS10,000 event. The highest possible on the Qualifying Series, one of only five this season, hence a major decider in the qualifying campaigns of the QS surfers, and a great opportunity for CTers to defend their spot on the elite tour.
It's the final stop on the European leg of the Qualifying Series, an epic 12-event season for the regional surfers, and a summer-must do for international competitors.
It will also help decide the World Surf League wildcard for the Quiksilver Pro France, unfolding the following week in Seignosse/Hossegor/Capbreton. WSL will award the highest ranked Frenchman on the QS (post-Ericeira) the coveted golden ticket to mix with the world's best in the thumping beachbreaks.
Finally, organizers have also added a touch of surfing history to the program, with the "Legends Heat pres. by You & The Sea" between the semis and final, where 1999 World Champion Mark Occhilupo will take on compatriot and long-time rival Luke Egan.
"I'm really looking forward to surf against Luke again in Portugal," Occy said. "We used to do the tour together and he played a big part in helping me get my world title. He always lifted me when I surfed against him, I hope he wins the Masters so we can have a surf off!"
"Occy and I traveled the world together and teamed up to help each other through the contests back in the day," Egan added. "When Occy and I came up against each other there was always fireworks and high scoring heats which are some of the most memorable of my surfing career. Im looking forward to paddling out with Occy at the EDP Billabong Pro in Ericeira one more time putting on a show for everyone and winding back time."
Where?
Ribeira d'Ilhas. If that name doesn't ring a bell, you seriously need a road trip through Portugal. It is one of the best righthand pointbreaks in the country, a long, powerful and perfect right, serving up all kinds of sections. Barrels, big open walls, ramps, you name it.
There's a long tradition of hosting professional events there, and funny enough, most of the 18 Championship Tour surfers who will join the QS stars next week, have already surfed that wave, like in the 2014 World Junior Championship.
When?
Tune in from September 24-30, 2018 for the LIVE webcast and check out all the photos, videos and updates right here!
Here's a little collection of some images from the last WSL event held there a few years ago:
EDP Billabong Pro Ericeira
Six weeks in Europe that ultimately changed the Australian's life.
Ryan Callinan deixou Gabriel Medina nas semifinais e Deivid Silva nas quartas antes da decisão do QS 10000 EDP Billabong Pro Ericeira.
Ryan Callinan claims an emotional win at the EDP Billabong Pro Ericeira and beats the best in the world on his way to epic victory.
The Newcastle surfer peaks at the perfect time to take out Medina and Igarashi en route to a major win.
Dois duelos Brasil x Austrália vão abrir as quartas de final do QS 10000 EDP Billabong Pro Ericeira.
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