Competition Intensifies as Lexus US Open of Surfing

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., USA (Friday, August 9, 2024) - The action at the World Surf League (WSL) Lexus US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico, Stop No. 4 of the 2024 Challenger Series, continued today with more intensity as the competition approached its final two days. The swell peaked with five-to-seven-foot, clean morning conditions, pushing results from the fierce group of competitors battling to qualify for the Championship Tour (CT). The women’s top seeds kicked off in dynamic form in the Round of 32 alongside the men’s Round of 32 battles. Now, the men’s and women’s fields dwindle to just 16 as those remaining look to add their names to US Open of Surfing history. 

Kolohe Andino Salvages Run Toward Maiden US Open Glory

Former CT veteran and San Clemente, California’s own, Kolohe Andino (USA) continues to look for his first US Open of Surfing title. Andino salvaged his 2024 campaign in the dying moments against a stacked Round of 32 heat. Andino’s prowess in the jersey and passion was on full display, taking to the air for a 6.67 (out of a possible 10) and a crucial heat win over former CT competitors Alejo Muniz (BRA), Dimitri Poulos (USA), and 2023 World Junior runner-up Jackson Bunch (HAW).

“I just knew it was such a stacked heat with Alejo [Muniz], Jackson [Bunch], and Dimitri [Poulos] surfing so good, so I was just really excited for that opportunity,” said Andino. “It was pretty difficult out there just being later in the day, and I saw Alejo just bolting for me to sit on me with two minutes left. I saw that right, and especially down wind you don’t know if you’re going to stick it, but I just sent it. I had so many emotions just because it’s been a weird four years for me, so to come back and make that heat was huge.”

Fellow San Clemente standout, reigning WSL Junior Champion Jett Schilling (USA) also claimed a massive win to close out men’s Round of 32 action, eliminating the defending event winner, Eli Hanneman (HAW), in Heat 8.

Jarvis Earle Keeps Surging Amid Heavy-Hitting Heats

2022 WSL World Junior Champion Jarvis Earle (AUS) continues to find success in his return to Southern California after claiming his Title in Cardiff. Earle’s competition in his Round of 32 heat included 2023 World Title contender Joao Chianca (BRA), former CT competitor Miguel Pupo (BRA), and Brazil’s newest qualification threat Edgard Groggia (BRA). Earle maintained the pace of the heat before soaring a massive air and earning a 7.67 to retake the lead from Pupo for another pivotal heat win.

“I knew it was going to be a tough heat with some really good Brazilian surfers in there,” said Earle. “I was stoked when I came down and saw conditions with these running lefts and I’m really stoked to come away with a win in that one. Huntington is really unique with so many people coming to the beach, and when I landed that air I heard the whole pier screaming so that was really special.” 

Ian Gouveia Officially Requalifies for the Championship Tour

A momentous day for former CT competitor Ian Gouveia (BRA) officially qualified to rejoin the world’s best after advancing into the Round of 16 behind Riaru Ito (JPN). Gouveia’s terrific start to the year and win in Ballito helped set the 31-year-old up for success in Surf City USA. He will be back on the CT after six years trying to requalify.

“My voice is gone already, I just really have to thank my family and sponsors that kept believing in my surfing and my career,” said Gouveia. “That was a long six years and at the beginning of this year, this was going to be my do or die year. I was just thinking maybe it’s time to do another thing, but I had my spot in the Challenger Series so I had to take this shot. I’m just super stoked I can provide this to my family, my sponsors and my team.”

Fellow Brazilian, and former CT competitor, Caio Ibelli (BRA), joins Gouveia into the Round of 16 after a decisive heat win alongside fellow Round of 32 heat victors Alan Cleland (MEX), Dakoda Walters (AUS), and former CTer Ian Gentil (HAW). 

Bella Kenworthy Returns to Home Waters in Dynamic Form

Today, Southern California duo Alyssa Spencer (USA) and Bella Kenworthy (USA) took over home waters. Kenworthy notched an important Round of 32 win, and Spencer posted an excellent 8.17 to earn an advancing position. Kenworthy returned to San Clemente victorious from the Ballito Pro, which catapulted her to No. 5 on the rankings, and in a CT qualification spot. Now, the 17-year-old looks to continue her momentum toward her first US Open of Surfing win and inch closer to the 2025 CT roster.

“I’m not feeling too nervous right now, and I just want to do the best I can in each heat and see where it goes,” said Kenworthy. “I have my new favorite board, and it just goes well in every condition. I love competing here, and I kind of knew what to expect with conditions here, and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what comes.”

CT veteran and former event winner Lakey Peterson (USA) added her name to the list of Round of 32 heat winners as she looks for more Huntington Beach glory.

Ellie Harrison Plays Ultimate Spoiler and Eliminates Defending Event Winner Sawyer Lindblad 

Australia’s emerging qualification threat, Ellie Harrison (AUS), put on a stunning showing in her Lexus US Open of Surfing debut. Harrison faced San Clemente native and defending event winner Sawyer Lindblad (USA), along with Kirra Pinkerton (USA), and Anon Matsuoka (JPN). Harrison took control of the heat after finding a morning gem to unleash her backhand attack and posted a 7.50. Pinkerton held firm in the advancing position after leading most of the heat and kept her hopes of bringing the US Open of Surfing title back to Southern California.

“I had a feeling we were going to have to do a run around, so I just tried not to go as fast as normal and just catch my breath,” said Harrison. “My coach told me that the first turn was pretty solid, and I just needed another one of those or a two-turn combo and it would be heat over. So that’s what I did, and I just tried to shut the heat down pretty early. I haven’t started the year off that well, but I got a fifth in Ballito, so I’m just trying to get more confidence in my heats again.”

Nadia Erostarbe Goes Excellent, Challenger Series Rankings Leaders Debut Strong

It didn’t take long for the first excellent score of the morning to drop, and it was current No. 6 Nadia Erostarbe (EUK) who provided during the Round of 32, Heat 2. The 24-year-old, Erostarbe, unleashed her powerful backhand attack to post an 8.17 and 15.34 heat total.

Also, current Challenger Series No. 1 Isabella Nichols (AUS) and No. 2 Erin Brooks (CAN) kicked off their respective US Open of Surfing runs into the Round of 16 alongside Keala Tomoda-Bannert (HAW) following brilliant showings to take Round of 32 victories. 

Fellow European standout Tessa Thyssen (FRA) came out in winning form to best former CT elite and event winner Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) following Fitzgibbons’ induction into the Huntington Beach Walk of Fame yesterday. Fitzgibbons earned second in the heat and will face Brooks in the Round of 16. 

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow, Saturday, August 9, at 7:00 a.m PDT to determine the competition order for the day, with a likely start at 7:35 a.m. PDT. 

Lexus US Open of Surfing Men’s Round of 32 Results:

HEAT 1: Jarvis Earle (AUS) 14.40 DEF. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 14.00, Joao Chianca (BRA) 12.47, Edgard Groggia (BRA) 10.50

HEAT 2: Riaru Ito (JPN) 13.06 DEF. Ian Gouveia (BRA) 8.63, Rafael Teixeira (BRA) 7.86, Jadson Andre (BRA) 7.46

HEAT 3: Alan Cleland (MEX) 12.80 DEF. Crosby Colapinto (USA) 11.50, Mateus Herdy (BRA) 10.76, Mikey McDonagh (AUS) 5.37

HEAT 4: Ian Gentil (HAW) 12.73 DEF. Michael Rodrigues (BRA) 10.60, Joel Vaughan (AUS) 10.23, Jacob Willcox (AUS) 8.87

HEAT 5: Caio Ibelli (BRA) 11.37 DEF. Marco Mignot (FRA) 11.34, Luke Slijpen (RSA) 10.03, Lucca Mesinas (PER) 7.14

HEAT 6: Dakoda Walters (AUS) 13.66 DEF. George Pittar (AUS) 10.76, Winter Vincent (AUS) 10.20, Cole Houshmand (USA) 7.77

HEAT 7: Kolohe Andino (USA) 12.10 DEF. Jackson Bunch (HAW) 11.94, Alejo Muniz (BRA) 11.67, Dimitri Poulos (USA) 10.50

HEAT 8: Jett Schilling (USA) 13.17 DEF. Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 11.70, Eli Hanneman (HAW) 11.14, Shion Crawford (HAW) 10.13

Lexus US Open of Surfing Women’s Round of 32 Results:

HEAT 1: Ellie Harrison (AUS) 14.00 DEF. Kirra Pinkerton (USA) 11.90, Anon Matsuoka (JPN) 10.60, Sawyer Lindblad (USA) 9.77

HEAT 2: Nadia Erostarbe (EUK) 15.34 DEF. Luana Silva (BRA) 12.53, Sierra Kerr (AUS) 11.00, Philippa Anderson (AUS) 8.14

HEAT 3: Tessa Thyssen (FRA) 11.00 DEF. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 10.54, Nanaho Tsuzuki (JPN) 5.40, Sarah Baum (RSA) 2.33

HEAT 4: Erin Brooks (CAN) 12.00 DEF. Sophia Medina (BRA) 10.00, Francisca Veselko (POR) 9.20, Sara Wakita (JPN) 8.33

HEAT 5: Lakey Peterson (USA) 13.00 DEF. Yolanda Hopkins (POR) 11.63, Nora Liotta (HAW) 8.67, Teresa Bonvalot (POR) 8.53

HEAT 6: Keala Tomoda-Bannert (HAW) 11.27 DEF. Bronte Macaulay (AUS) 9.16, Laura Raupp (BRA) 9.03, Vahine Fierro (FRA) 5.37

HEAT 7: Bella Kenworthy (USA) 14.10 DEF. Alyssa Spencer (USA) 14.00, Louise Lepront (RSA) 8.00, Rosie Smart (AUS) 3.77

HEAT 8: Isabella Nichols (AUS) 9.70 DEF. Amuro Tsuzuki (JPN) 9.60, Macy Callaghan (AUS) 9.40, Zoe Benedetto (USA) 6.20

Lexus US Open of Surfing Men’s Round of 16 Matchups:

HEAT 1: Jarvis Earle (AUS) vs. Ian Gouveia (BRA)

HEAT 2: Riaru Ito (JPN) vs. Miguel Pupo (BRA)

HEAT 3: Alan Cleland (MEX) vs. Michael Rodrigues (BRA)

HEAT 4: Ian Gentil (HAW) vs. Crosby Colapinto (USA)

HEAT 5: Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. George Pittar (AUS)

HEAT 6: Dakoda Walters (AUS) vs. Marco Mignot (FRA)

HEAT 7: Kolohe Andino (USA) vs. Morgan Cibilic (AUS)

HEAT 8: Jett Schilling (USA) vs. Jackson Bunch (HAW)

Lexus US Open of Surfing Women’s Round of 16 Matchups:

HEAT 1: Ellie Harrison (AUS) vs. Luana Silva (BRA)

HEAT 2: Nadia Erostarbe (EUK) vs. Kirra Pinkerton (USA)

HEAT 3: Tessa Thyssen (FRA) vs. Sophia Medina (BRA)

HEAT 4: Erin Brooks (CAN) vs. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)

HEAT 5: Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Bronte Macaulay (AUS)

HEAT 6: Keala Tomoda-Bannert (HAW) vs. Yolanda Hopkins (POR)

HEAT 7: Bella Kenworthy (USA) vs. Amuro Tsuzuki (JPN)

HEAT 8: Isabella Nichols (AUS) vs. Alyssa Spencer (USA)