HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., USA (Wednesday, April 2, 2025) - The men's and women's World Surf League (WSL) North America Qualifying Series (QS) contenders are ready to start the 2025/2026 season at the Vans Jack's Surfboards Pro presented by 805 QS 4,000 starting April 3 through 6. Huntington Beach Pier's iconic Southside lineup will play host to the region's premier competitors and rising stars. From former Championship Tour (CT) athletes to those looking to cement their place in the 2026 Challenger Series qualification race, high-performance showcases will be on full dsiplay.
Lucca Mesinas Returns to Defend Event Title as New North America QS Victor
A brilliant showing on the North America QS crowned Lucca Mesinas (PER) its 2024/2025 victor as the two-time QS Regional winner now prepares to defend his Vans Jack's Surfboards Pro title. The former Championship Tour (CT) competitor, Mesinas, now looks to further his success in Huntington Beach before taking to the 2025 Challenger Series where his ultimate goal of requalifying for the CT will unfold.
"It's exciting being the defending champion here at this event. It always feels good, mostly because I love this wave after I've been training here pretty much my whole life and I can do my best surfing here," Mesinas said. "I'm really stoked to be the North America champion. It means I was consistent the entire year which is a good thing. That's what I'm looking for in these events. Now I just have to take that to the Challenger Series and try to qualify for the CT."
Mesinas will have to battle with a heavily-stacked field that includes recent BTMI Barbados Surf Pro winner Carlos Munoz (CRC), fellow former CT competitors Kolohe Andino (USA) and Kade Matson, 2025 Challenger Series qualifiers Jett Schilling, Taro Watanabe, Lucas Cassity, Dimitri Poulos, and Ryan Huckabee are all on the scene and ready to strikew. Plus, the likes of recently crowned North America Pro Junior Regional winner Will Deane and fellow World Junior Championships qualifier Nadav Attar, among many more.
Fresh Start for Talia Swindal Following Historic Surge in Barbados
A first-ever Soup Bowl sweep finished the 2024/2025 QS season courtesy of Talia Swindal (USA) in her return to the jersey. Swindal's unfortunate injury following the SLO CAL Open at Morro Bay sidelined Swindal and an opportunity to qualify for the Challenger Series. But, that didn't stop the 19-year-old from regaining her form and claiming both the QS and Junior wins as she now sets her eyes on a big result to start the new season.
"Last week was one of the best weeks of my life. I'm super excited to be heading into Jack's Surfboards Pro with a ton of momentum and confidence," Swindal said. "I am just so grateful to be back competing and doing what I love. Being out of the water for a couple of months has taught me to appreciate these things in life that can often be taken for granted so easily. I want to keep my winning streak alive, so I definitely have my eyes set on backing up my wins."
Huntington Beach's Own Sara Freyre Looks for Big Start in Home Waters
One of Huntington Beach's own Sara Freyre (USA) is back to kick off a fresh start in home waters. Freyre continues to show moments of brilliance in the jersey in her young career which already includes multiple US Open of Surfing wildcard showings. Now, the 18-year-old has the opportunity to showcase more of her potential and has her goals set for 2025/2026.
"It's so exciting to kick off a fresh season at home at the Jack's Surfboards Pro! This is always one of my favorite events of the year because it's right at my home break, Freyre said. "It is so fun because my friends and family come down and support me. I am so grateful they put this event on and give this opportunity, especially now that it is a QS 4,000. This year I am going to take it one event at a time and focus on giving it my all."
Freyre will face off with the likes of 2024 event runner-up Zoe Benedetto (USA), recent 2025 Challenger Series qualifiers Leilani McGonagle and Sanoa Dempfle-Olin, now-reigning 2025 North America Pro Junior victor Zoey Kaina, and more looking to get their season started strong.
Event organizers will convene at 7:30 a.m. PT to determine a likely 8:00 a.m. PT start to competition.
Watch Live
The Jack's Surfboards Pro QS 4,000 holds a competition beginning April 3 through 6 at Huntington Beach, Calif.. Once called ON, the event will be broadcast on www.WorldSurfLeague.com, the free WSL App and WSL Youtube channel.