The World Surf League (WSL) North America Qualifying Series (QS) returns to action alongside the 2024 Pro Junior season at the SLO CAL Open Pismo Beach QS 3,000 and Pro Junior beginning January 22 - 28. Qualification for the 2024 Challenger Series narrows to just four events starting with a pivotal 3,000 points on the line at the Pismo Beach Pier. This event also kicks off the 2024 Pro Junior season as the race toward World Junior Championships qualification gets underway.
"We're very excited to get the QS season back underway starting in Pismo Beach and watch the Pro Juniors get their season started," said WSL North America Regional Manager Meg Bernardo. "Visit SLO CAL and Surfing For Hope continue to provide great stops in SLO County, giving surfers an opportunity for important points in California. This event in particular has become a marquee stop, now in its second year of a QS 3,000, within our region with support from SLO CAL, Surfing For Hope, and the individuals who make it happen."
The race for for 2024 Challenger Series qualification gets back underway alongside the 2024 Pro Junior season start on California's beautiful Central Coast beginning January 22 - 28.
Visit SLO CAL returns as the title sponsor to bring this all-important stop back to the North America QS season alongside the City of Pismo Beach and Surfing For Hope. Since 2017, SLO CAL has provided competitors nine QS events with Pismo Beach and Morro Bay hosting the competitions. Now, this event is back to continue showcasing a glimpse of what Central Coast has to offer.
"Visit SLO CAL is thrilled to serve as the title sponsor for the SLO CAL Open at Pismo Beach for the third consecutive year," said President & CEO of Visit SLO CAL Chuck Davison. "Sponsoring this powerful 3,000-level surfing contest is a unique opportunity to showcase SLO CAL's vibrant and welcoming surf culture along our 80 miles of pristine coastline. We are proud to partner with the World Surf League and Surfing For Hope, a local foundation that brings positive energy to individuals facing cancer through the joy of surfing to deliver the SLO CAL Open. The event provides local, west coast access to surfers who might otherwise not be able to participate in World Surf League events due to the high cost of travel."
2023 event runner-up and current North America No. 5, Bella Kenworthy (USA) looks to jump back into the Top 4. - WSL / RunAmuck Photography
Surfing For Hope Associate Director Andy McKay continues to lead the charge for bringing professional surfing back to the Central Coast alongside a dedicated team of individuals from around the area who help make these events come to life.
"Coming off an insane week at the QS 1,000 and Longboard QS 1,000 at Morro Bay, we are really looking forward to the QS 3,000 and Pro Junior at Pismo Beach Pier," said Surfing For Hope Associate Director Andy McKay. "We have had a nice run of swell in SLO County and hope it continues deep into January for our week long event. The 3,000 points on the line is huge for the surfers and the pressure is on for sure. This has to be the event the surfers are eyeing as their chance to really make a big mid-season move in the rankings race. Surfing For Hope is excited to provide this opportunity for the surfers and Pismo Beach is ready to welcome everyone."
Defending QS event victor Dimitri Poulos (USA) is back for more and an opportunity to catapult up the rankings. - WSL / RunAmuck Photography
QS Rankings Update and Who's In For Pismo Beach
Heading into Pismo Beach, defending Pro Junior event victor Levi Slawson leads the men's rankings alongside Zoe Benedetto, who leads the women's contenders. Both are in attendance to fend off a hungry field of contenders including the likes of defending event victor Dimitri Poulos, last year's women's runner-up Bella Kenworthy, perennial Challenger Series qualification threat and current No. 2, Kirra Pinkerton, current men's No. 2 and QS veteran Michael Dunphy, plus a plethora of rising talents such as reigning North America Regional Pro Junior victors Talia Swindal and Reed Platenius.
Current Men's North America QS Rankings:
- Levi Slawson (USA)
- Michael Dunphy (USA)
- John Mel (USA)
- Kolohe Andino (USA)
- Ryan Huckabee (USA)
- Taro Watanabe (USA)
- Cole Houshmand (USA)
- Tyler Gunter (USA)
Current Women's North America QS Rankings:
- Zoe Benedetto (USA)
- Kirra Pinkerton (USA)
- Sawyer Lindblad (USA)
- Ella McCaffray (USA)
- Bella Kenworthy (USA)
Reigning North America Regional Pro Junior victor Talia Swindal (USA) will kick off a fresh season in Pismo Beach. - WSL / RunAmuck Photography
Pro Juniors Set for Fresh Season, Chase for World Junior Championships Begins
The SLO CAL Open Pismo Beach also launches the region's best 20-and-under competitors back into action for their opportunity to qualify for the World Junior Championships. At season's end, the top two ranked competitors will earn their place alongside representatives from each of the WSL's seven regions to contest for the World Junior Title.
New victors will be crowned with Slawson aging out of the Pro Junior competitions and Sawyer Lindblad (USA) earning her place among the world's best on the Championship Tour (CT). Now, an eager field of competitors are ready to dethrone Swindal and Platenius after their incredible seasons earned their first WSL Regional titles, respectively. Recent SLO CAL Open Morro Bay presented by Visit SLO CAL and Surfing For Hope runner-ups Lucas Owston and Sanoa Dempfle-Olin join the likes of 2023 finalist Luke Wyler, emerging threats Lanea Mons, Ryan Huckabee, Blayr Barton, Sara Freyre, and many more.
Watch LIVE
The SLO CAL Open Pismo Beach will open on January 22 and hold a competition window through January 28, 2024. Once called ON, the event will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, WSL's YouTube channel, and the free WSL app. Also, check local listings for coverage from the WSL's broadcast partners.
SLO CAL Open Pismo Beach Kicks Off Final Stretch of WSL North America Qualifying Series Season and Pro Junior Season Start
Andrew Nichols
The World Surf League (WSL) North America Qualifying Series (QS) returns to action alongside the 2024 Pro Junior season at the SLO CAL Open Pismo Beach QS 3,000 and Pro Junior beginning January 22 - 28. Qualification for the 2024 Challenger Series narrows to just four events starting with a pivotal 3,000 points on the line at the Pismo Beach Pier. This event also kicks off the 2024 Pro Junior season as the race toward World Junior Championships qualification gets underway.
"We're very excited to get the QS season back underway starting in Pismo Beach and watch the Pro Juniors get their season started," said WSL North America Regional Manager Meg Bernardo. "Visit SLO CAL and Surfing For Hope continue to provide great stops in SLO County, giving surfers an opportunity for important points in California. This event in particular has become a marquee stop, now in its second year of a QS 3,000, within our region with support from SLO CAL, Surfing For Hope, and the individuals who make it happen."
Visit SLO CAL returns as the title sponsor to bring this all-important stop back to the North America QS season alongside the City of Pismo Beach and Surfing For Hope. Since 2017, SLO CAL has provided competitors nine QS events with Pismo Beach and Morro Bay hosting the competitions. Now, this event is back to continue showcasing a glimpse of what Central Coast has to offer.
"Visit SLO CAL is thrilled to serve as the title sponsor for the SLO CAL Open at Pismo Beach for the third consecutive year," said President & CEO of Visit SLO CAL Chuck Davison. "Sponsoring this powerful 3,000-level surfing contest is a unique opportunity to showcase SLO CAL's vibrant and welcoming surf culture along our 80 miles of pristine coastline. We are proud to partner with the World Surf League and Surfing For Hope, a local foundation that brings positive energy to individuals facing cancer through the joy of surfing to deliver the SLO CAL Open. The event provides local, west coast access to surfers who might otherwise not be able to participate in World Surf League events due to the high cost of travel."
Surfing For Hope Associate Director Andy McKay continues to lead the charge for bringing professional surfing back to the Central Coast alongside a dedicated team of individuals from around the area who help make these events come to life.
"Coming off an insane week at the QS 1,000 and Longboard QS 1,000 at Morro Bay, we are really looking forward to the QS 3,000 and Pro Junior at Pismo Beach Pier," said Surfing For Hope Associate Director Andy McKay. "We have had a nice run of swell in SLO County and hope it continues deep into January for our week long event. The 3,000 points on the line is huge for the surfers and the pressure is on for sure. This has to be the event the surfers are eyeing as their chance to really make a big mid-season move in the rankings race. Surfing For Hope is excited to provide this opportunity for the surfers and Pismo Beach is ready to welcome everyone."
QS Rankings Update and Who's In For Pismo Beach
Heading into Pismo Beach, defending Pro Junior event victor Levi Slawson leads the men's rankings alongside Zoe Benedetto, who leads the women's contenders. Both are in attendance to fend off a hungry field of contenders including the likes of defending event victor Dimitri Poulos, last year's women's runner-up Bella Kenworthy, perennial Challenger Series qualification threat and current No. 2, Kirra Pinkerton, current men's No. 2 and QS veteran Michael Dunphy, plus a plethora of rising talents such as reigning North America Regional Pro Junior victors Talia Swindal and Reed Platenius.
Current Men's North America QS Rankings:
Current Women's North America QS Rankings:
Pro Juniors Set for Fresh Season, Chase for World Junior Championships Begins
The SLO CAL Open Pismo Beach also launches the region's best 20-and-under competitors back into action for their opportunity to qualify for the World Junior Championships. At season's end, the top two ranked competitors will earn their place alongside representatives from each of the WSL's seven regions to contest for the World Junior Title.
New victors will be crowned with Slawson aging out of the Pro Junior competitions and Sawyer Lindblad (USA) earning her place among the world's best on the Championship Tour (CT). Now, an eager field of competitors are ready to dethrone Swindal and Platenius after their incredible seasons earned their first WSL Regional titles, respectively. Recent SLO CAL Open Morro Bay presented by Visit SLO CAL and Surfing For Hope runner-ups Lucas Owston and Sanoa Dempfle-Olin join the likes of 2023 finalist Luke Wyler, emerging threats Lanea Mons, Ryan Huckabee, Blayr Barton, Sara Freyre, and many more.
Watch LIVE The SLO CAL Open Pismo Beach will open on January 22 and hold a competition window through January 28, 2024. Once called ON, the event will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, WSL's YouTube channel, and the free WSL app. Also, check local listings for coverage from the WSL's broadcast partners.
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