PISMO BEACH, Calif., USA (Friday, January 17, 2025) - The World Surf League (WSL) SLO CAL Open at Pismo Beach, a men's and women's Qualifying Series (QS) 3000 and Pro Junior, prepares for opening day starting Monday, January 20, with the region's best ready to battle in the Pismo Beach pier arena. A live broadcast will bring all the action featuring North America's prominent 2025 Challenger Series qualification hopefuls alongside emerging Pro Junior talents January 20 through 26. Three of the four defending victors are back to retain their 2024 event titles and a plethora of premier competitors in the field converge on SLO CAL's pristine coastline for vital points.
Top Contenders Return to Push Toward 2025 Challenger Series Qualification
The race toward 2025 Challenger Series qualification continues with just three events remaining on the schedule for North America's contenders. Current No. 1's, 2017 event victor, Kirra Pinkerton (USA) and Taro Watanabe (USA) lead the field into the arena of Pismo Beach's pier with 3,000 points on the line. Defending event victor Taj Lindblad (USA) looks to retain his title with a potential new women's opportunity after Talia Swindal's (USA) injury in Morro Bay forced her to withdraw.
But, 2024 Semifinalist and Pro Junior victor Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) returns straight from competition at the World Junior Championships alongside her fellow North America representatives looking for success. Plus, former event winners Dimitri Poulos (USA), John Mel (USA), Cory Arrambide (USA), and many more of North America's top contenders are back in Pismo Beach.
Taj Lindblad Returns for Pivotal Event Title Defense
A massive spark to Taj Lindblad's (USA) growing career added a SLO CAL sweep to his name after earning a win at Pismo Beach last season. Lindblad, 21, became the first competitor to win both at Morro Bay and Pismo Beach before staking his claim as a Challenger Series wildcard threat in 2024. Now, a big opportunity awaits Lindblad to climb the rankings toward a full-time spot among the CT qualification hopefuls in 2025.
"I kind of forget sometimes because I'm always looking towards the next comp or the next thing. But, I'm super stoked on having won both events up here," Lindblad said. "Especially to have that in a place like SLO, it's a special place. This event means a lot. There's a lot of points on the line and I've had too many fifth-place finishes this year so I'm ready to break that streak."
"It's everything I love in one place - just not the cold water (laughs)," Lindlblad added. "But does keep the people from surfing. I get to have horses 10 min from the ocean and you can't do that in too many places. It's one of the most beautiful places. All the mountains turn purple every sunset, it's pretty crazy."
Sanoa Dempfle-Olin and Kai Kushner Look to Reclaim Pro Junior Wins
North America's Pro Junior talents are also back to kickstart their 2025 season toward World Junior Championships qualification. Both Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN), who is fresh off a World Junior Championships appearance, and Kai Kushner (USA) are back to defend their thrones alongside stacked fields in Pismo Beach. Dempfle-Olin's surge added her maiden Pro Junior win, after claiming her first-ever QS win in 2023, and finished the year ranked No. 2 to compete at the recent World Junior Championships.
"We had really fun waves last year and being in a wetsuit and boots is something that feels comfortable so hopefully we get some good waves again," Dempfle-Olin said. "The town is really cute and amazing food, and I always look forward to going back to Pismo. Being in the Philippines has been amazing and I watch the World Junior Championships every year. Now I'm looking forward to Pismo and hopefully backing up my result from last year and try to requalify for World Juniors next year."
Kushner's incredible run last season included a 9-point ride in the Final to claim his first WSL victory. The now 18-year-old narrowly missed out on qualifying for the 2024 World Junior Championships and looks to build toward a big year among his fellow Pro Junior contingent.
"I'm so excited to be going back to this event. Winning my first Pro Junior and getting chaired up the beach by my friends was one of the most incredible feelings," Kushner said. "Pismo Beach is really special town. It has a nostalgic feel of old California mixed in with a modern beach town vibe. Getting the opportunity to compete at the World Juniors would mean the world to me. Not only do you get to surf against the best juniors in the world, you have a chance at wining a World Title."
Event organizers will convene at 7:00 a.m. PT for a likely 7:30 a.m. PT start.
Watch Live
The SLO CAL Open at Pismo Beach QS 3000 and Pro Junior holds a competition beginning January 20 through 26 at Pismo Beach, Calif. Once called ON, the event will be broadcast on www.WorldSurfLeague.com, the free WSL App and WSL Youtube channel.