PISMO BEACH, Calif., USA (Thursday, October 24, 2024) - The World Surf League (WSL) North America contenders are set to return to California's beautiful Central Coast for the Surfing For Hope Longboard Classic, a men's and women's Regional Longboard Qualifying Series (QS) 1,000, and SLO CAL Open Morro Bay, a men's and women's QS 1,000, this winter. The third installment of bringing North America's top longboarders to the area returns to Pismo Beach beginning November 15 - 17 before the QS contingent makes their way to the SLO CAL Open Morro Bay starting December 5 through 8. With the support of Surfing For Hope and Visit SLO CAL, these marquee events continue to provide crucial stepping stones into professional surfing.
"We're excited to see the city of Pismo Beach return as the host for our North America longboarders to kick off their season and also bring our QS competitors back to Morro Bay in December," said WSL North America Regional Manager Meg Bernardo. "Visit SLO CAL and Surfing For Hope have become amazing partners to work with over the last few years. The platforms they continue to provide for our regional surfers are terrific and we look forward to this winter working with them once more."
Surfing For Hope returns as Title Sponsor for Longboard Regional Qualifying Series
Surfing For Hope's work with cancer patients through the healing of the ocean continues to inspire all who have been to one of their clinics around the SLO CAL area. Now, they bring that inspiration back to competitive surfing to provide a major opportunity for the region's premier longboarders. With the help of Surfing For Hope Founder, Bob Voglin, and Associate Director Andy McKay at the helm, this event returns as the jumping point for the 2024/2025 season.
"We are very excited to welcome back the best longboarders from the WSL's North American region," said McKay. "The City of Pismo Beach is also ready to host the athletes at the iconic Pismo Beach Pier. The Fall on the Central Coast is an epic time to host this event and hopefully it will provide nice weather and waves once again."
After a groundbreaking season on the 2024 WSL Longboard Tour, North America's top contenders' opportunity to join the world's best kicks off on the shores of Pismo Beach. Following Jack Van Wagoner (USA) and Chloe Coleman's (USA) Longboard Regional victories last season, the two spent a year among WSL Longboard Tour around the world. 2023/2024 North America No. 2, Chase Lieder (USA) ended his campaign at the Longboard World Title Showdown in El Salvador and now prepares to rejoin the Tour in 2025.
A heavily-contested field also includes the likes of former Longboard Tour competitor Richie Cravey (USA), defending event victors Star D'Elia (USA) and Van Wagoner, along with his sister and emerging talent Reid, and many more.
SLO CAL Open Morro Bay sets the Stage for QS Men and Women
2023 witnessed the raw power of what Morro Bay can hold with a massive swell that swept the coast and reminded the SLO CAL Open Morro Bay contenders what it's capable of. But, it also provided nonstop action from start to finish with some incredible performances that led to eventual victories from Encinitas, California's Levi Slawson (USA) and Ella McCaffray (USA). This event has delivered many more moments in WSL history during its short, yet prolific span since joining the QS schedule in 2020 and now returns December 5 through 8 in 2024.
"Visit SLO CAL is thrilled to host the 2024 SLO CAL Open at Morro Bay, bringing a world-class surfing event to our region," said President & CEO of Visit SLO CAL Cathy Cartier. "This event showcases the region's stunning 80 miles of coastline and provides locals in SLO CAL the opportunity to experience competitive surfing right here at home. We are proud to partner with WSL and the local nonprofit, Surfing For Hope, to highlight the authentic surf culture in Morro Bay for WSL's global audience."
Watch Live
The Surfing For Hope Longboard Classic competition window opens on Friday, November 15, and runs through Sunday, November 17, 2024. The competition will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app.
The SLO CAL Open Morro Bay competition window opens on Thursday, December 5, and runs through Sunday, December 8, 2024. The competition will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app.
For more information, please visit www.WorldSurfLeague.com.