LOS ANGELES, Calif./USA (Monday, October 12, 2020) - Competitive longboarding returns to the World Surf League (WSL) with the Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic. The specialty event was held under stadium lights at the Surf Ranch and will air via a one-hour presentation on Sunday, October 18 at 5:00 p.m. ET on FS1 and on WorldSurfLeague.com.
This competition marks the first time some of the world's most stylish surfers have competed since the Noosa Longboard Open in February and will provide a snapshot into how some of these surfers will approach the Longboard Tour once it resumes. Fans will witness legends such as Kassia Meador, Joel Tudor, and Alex Knost compete alongside some of the best talents from California and Hawaii.
Format
The Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic is an individual competition format with a men's and women's draw, each comprised of six surfers.
The competition starts with three-person heats, with the first and second-placed surfers from these opening rounds moving into the Semifinals.
The respective winners of these Semifinal heats will then surf against one another in the Final.
Competitor List
Men
Kaniela Stewart
Joel Tudor
Taylor Jensen
Justin Quintal
Kevin Skvarna
Alex Knost
Women
Soleil Errico
Avalon Gall
Honolua Blomfield
Kelis Kaleopaa
Lindsay Steinriede
Kassia Meador
Thank You to Our Partners
"We are thrilled to welcome new and existing partners for this unique surfing showcase," said Cherie Cohen, WSL Chief Commercial Officer. "Our partner integrations during the Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic were designed to enhance the experience for both the surfers and the fans, which will come to life through the one-hour presentation on Sunday, October 18."
Thanks to the title partner Jose Cuervo, the Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic will feature various specialty competitions throughout the event. One of which will be the Jose Cuervo Agave Session, which will feature athletes riding on surfboards made from agave. Jose Cuervo is committed to re-using agave pulp, a major by-product of the Tequila making process, for a variety of sustainable products including biodegradable agave straws and surfboards.
Hydro Flask will be supplying products to all of the athletes and staff onsite to help them stay hydrated throughout the event. This donation is in line with the #RefillForGood campaign. Hydro Flask gear can replace single-use plastics like plastic water bottles and to-go containers. #RefillForGood encourages people to make the switch and do their part for the planet. Keep an eye out for the Hydro Flask "Wave Wall," a sculpture of a wave built out of Hydro Flask products.
White Claw Hard Seltzer is excited to be an official partner of the Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic, reinforcing the lifestyle of premium, uncompromised living, and water culture. White Claw will be sponsoring the "Longest Nose Ride" specialty competition at the event. This will be the first time that the longest nose ride competition will be held in conjunction with a WSL longboard event. Winner gets to take home a one-of-a-kind prize.
Athletic Brewing Co. will be presenting the "Move of the Day," which will highlight the best turn, nose ride, barrel, or footwork from the competition. The brand will also present the "Doubles Wave of the Day," which will be selected from the top-scoring rides during the specialty doubles competition. The doubles competition specialty event will also be a first during an event held at Surf Ranch.
Bob Marley's 75th Anniversary, the Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic official partner, is joining forces with WSL to celebrate 75 years of Bob Marley's life and legacy via the year-long audio-visual odyssey, featuring 12 newly crafted stories exploring Marley's impact today. Check out Legacy Episode 6 "Ride Natty Ride," a visual celebration of what Bob Marley and his music mean to the surf and skateboarding community worldwide. The episode details the importance of community, self-expression, and the feeling of freedom within the surfing and skateboarding cultures while drawing parallels to Marley's music. "Ride Natty Ride" is available today on Bob Marley's Official YouTube Channel.
CLIF Bar is a proud partner of the Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic providing athletes and talent with CLIF bars, including CLIF's new line of Coffee Collection minis, granola, and other products during the event. With an ideal mix of carbohydrates, protein, and fat, CLIF BAR gives athletes the energy they need for long days surfing and training in the water.