An eighth year for North America's Pro Juniors and fourth for the men's QS prepares for the Ron Jon Quiksilver and Roxy Pro events.
The 2020 World Surf League (WSL) North America season is taking shape with the first leg of events confirmed. The newly formatted Challenger Series is now in place to highlight marquee events and the Qualifying Series (QS) now encompass the QS 1,000 - QS 5,000-level of competition to showcase the next generation of emerging Championship Tour (CT) qualifying threats taking on seasoned veterans.
The Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro QS 1,500, Junior Pro and Roxy Junior Pro remains one of the longstanding events on North America's schedule and will gear up for another appearance March 12 - 15 in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Some of the top competitors 18-and-under, now entering an incredible eighth year of competition, begin their campaigns for a respective Top 3 and Top 2 finish toward World Junior Championship qualification alongside the fifth-consecutive men's QS 1,500.
"Ron Jon Surf Shop, Quiksilver and Roxy are once again excited to be hosting WSL competitions as part of our Eighth Annual Ron Jon Beach 'n Boards Fest," said Event Director Mitch Varnes. "This year will mark a total of 21 separate WSL-sanctioned events we have produced since the creation of Beach 'n Boards Fest, which solidifies Cocoa Beach's place on the global surfing calendar. It is pretty fulfilling to look back at some of the athletes who have surfed in our events and who have gone onto be WSL (Championship) Tour surfers and future Olympians."
One of 2019's breakout competitors Caitlin Simmers is ready to get her Pro Junior year started with an event title to defend. - WSL / Matt Dunbar
Last year's Junior Pro Roxy event champion Caitlin Simmers started her groundbreaking year in Cocoa Beach and looks to return with the same spark this season. Simmers went on to take down the Vans US Open Pro Junior and North America Pro Junior title - both feats at just age 13 - before moving into the WSL Junior Championships to join the world's best Pro Juniors after turning 14. Now she's set to defend her event title and prepare for a big year ahead.
"I'm glad that there are some Pro Junior events and I'm hoping to defend my title here," said Simmers. "As far as goals for 2020, the biggest one is to have fun. I also really want to focus on getting barreled this year."
The Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro QS 1,500, Junior Pro and Roxy Junior Pro will run March 12 - 15 at Shepard Park, Cocoa Beach, Florida.
Ron Jon Set to Host Men's QS, Pro Juniors in Florida
Andrew Nichols
The 2020 World Surf League (WSL) North America season is taking shape with the first leg of events confirmed. The newly formatted Challenger Series is now in place to highlight marquee events and the Qualifying Series (QS) now encompass the QS 1,000 - QS 5,000-level of competition to showcase the next generation of emerging Championship Tour (CT) qualifying threats taking on seasoned veterans.
The Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro QS 1,500, Junior Pro and Roxy Junior Pro remains one of the longstanding events on North America's schedule and will gear up for another appearance March 12 - 15 in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Some of the top competitors 18-and-under, now entering an incredible eighth year of competition, begin their campaigns for a respective Top 3 and Top 2 finish toward World Junior Championship qualification alongside the fifth-consecutive men's QS 1,500.
"Ron Jon Surf Shop, Quiksilver and Roxy are once again excited to be hosting WSL competitions as part of our Eighth Annual Ron Jon Beach 'n Boards Fest," said Event Director Mitch Varnes. "This year will mark a total of 21 separate WSL-sanctioned events we have produced since the creation of Beach 'n Boards Fest, which solidifies Cocoa Beach's place on the global surfing calendar. It is pretty fulfilling to look back at some of the athletes who have surfed in our events and who have gone onto be WSL (Championship) Tour surfers and future Olympians."
One of 2019's breakout competitors Caitlin Simmers is ready to get her Pro Junior year started with an event title to defend. - WSL / Matt DunbarLast year's Junior Pro Roxy event champion Caitlin Simmers started her groundbreaking year in Cocoa Beach and looks to return with the same spark this season. Simmers went on to take down the Vans US Open Pro Junior and North America Pro Junior title - both feats at just age 13 - before moving into the WSL Junior Championships to join the world's best Pro Juniors after turning 14. Now she's set to defend her event title and prepare for a big year ahead.
"I'm glad that there are some Pro Junior events and I'm hoping to defend my title here," said Simmers. "As far as goals for 2020, the biggest one is to have fun. I also really want to focus on getting barreled this year."
The Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro QS 1,500, Junior Pro and Roxy Junior Pro will run March 12 - 15 at Shepard Park, Cocoa Beach, Florida.
Ron Jon Roxy Junior Pro
A big weekend in Cocoa Beach ended with three victors making their presence know early on in 2020.
Kei Kobayashi, Caitlin Simmers and Jabe Swierkocki claimed big wins at the Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro, Junior and Roxy Junior Pro.
The women's North America Pro Junior season is off and running with incredible displays from some of the nation's top competitors.
An eighth year for North America's Pro Juniors and fourth for the men's QS prepares for the Ron Jon Quiksilver and Roxy Pro events.
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