Pumping Conditions Provide Fireworks At EDP Ericeira Pro Presented by Estrella Galicia

RIBEIRA D’ILHAS, Ericeira, Portugal (Wednesday, October 2, 2024) - It was a solid day of competition at the World Surf League (WSL) EDP Ericeira Pro Presented by Estrella Galicia, Stop No. 5 on the 2024 Challenger Series, with incredible four-to-six foot conditions and light winds as the men’s top seeds got to work to book their spots in the Round of 16. 

Former CTers Show True Mettle, Surge Toward Head-To-Head Matchups

As the competition heats up, former Championship Tour (CT) surfers Callum Robson (AUS), Miguel Pupo (BRA), Alejo Muniz (BRA), Deivid Silva (BRA), Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) and Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) showed their years of experience and relentless competitive nature to surge toward the head-to-head matchups in the bracket stage.

Callum Robson (AUS) opened up on the big walls to draw out his turns and show off his unique and powerful style, earning his best result on the Challenger Series for the year so far.

Igarashi was the surfer with the least pressure and the one having the most fun in the pumping conditions at Ribeira D’Ilhas, racking up an excellent heat total of 17.34 (out of a possible 20). Igarashi picked the best waves and unleashed some spice and flair to take the win. 

“I just really wanted to have fun,” Igarashi said. “The waves are a little bit tricky, but the shape of the waves are so good, even on the high tide. It feels really nice to surf waves like this in a Challenger Series. I’m having a lot of fun surfing, and competing, and seeing all my friends on the beach cheering gave me a lot of energy.” 

Defending event winner Deivid Silva (BRA) comfortably advanced behind Igarashi to the next round, with Portuguese star Afonso Antunes eliminated after a performance he can be very proud of. Alejo Muniz (BRA) delivered a clutch performance to book his spot in the Round of 16 behind Edgard Groggia (BRA) who moved up into the top ten after he earned another win.

After surfing in the first heat of the morning, Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) had to wait all day to surf in the final heat of the day. Fioravanti made it look too easy, taking the win with Miguel Pupo (BRA) hanging onto second.

Mateus Herdy Goes All In, Taro Watanabe Commits Body and Board For Heat Win

In a heat featuring two World Junior Champions, Mateus Herdy (BRA) came out on top with a total of 16.07 that included a handful of searing carves and a lofty full rotation air. Rankings leader Samuel Pupo (BRA) finally got his feet in the wax, opening up his campaign in Ericeira with a polished performance, surfing only two waves to advance alongside Herdy. 

“It was a tough heat,” Herdy said. “Even though I had two eights, it didn’t feel like it, it was weird. After my first time I was relaxed, I didn’t expect an eight. I lost priority and then I went for an air on that closeout. I’m definitely going to give 100% at these last two events, there’s still a chance so I’m definitely going to go for it.”

Taro Watanabe (USA) locked in the biggest single wave score of the event when he paddled into a screamer, surfing the wave all the way onto the rocks for an excellent 9.00 that rewarded his commitment and earned him the heat win.

“I wasn’t thinking, I just wanted to finish the wave,” Watanabe said. “I did the turn and then I saw I’m on the rocks. It was funny, because all the Australians were there laughing at me, but I didn’t care. I was so happy, it was worth it. The wave was perfect, I didn’t have to do much I just had to time it right, stay calm and remember to breathe in between. 

In one of the biggest upsets of the day, Lexus US Open of Surfing winner Alan Cleland Jr (MEX) and local favourite Frederico Morais (POR) were eliminated in the Round of 64. Even with the pumping conditions, wave selection was key and unfortunately Cleland and Morais couldn’t find the right scoring opportunities. Similarly, top seeds Marco Mignot (FRA) and Jackson Bunch (HAW) were sent packing, creating more space in the top ten rankings for some big moves.

The next call will be on Thursday, October 3 at 7:30 a.m. GMT+1 for a possible 8:05 a.m. start.

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com. 

EDP Ericeira Pro Presented by Estrella Galicia Men’s Round of 64 Remaining Results:

HEAT 9: Ryan Huckabee (USA) 14.67 DEF. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 13.83, Kade Matson (USA) 13.23, Riaru Ito (JPN) 8.00

HEAT 10: Hiroto Ohhara (JPN) 13.17 DEF. Kai Odriozola (ESP) 11.07, Winter Vincent (AUS) 10.54, Hans Odriozola (ESP) 8.17

HEAT 11: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 13.94 DEF. Joel Vaughan (AUS) 13.40, Jackson Baker (AUS) 12.37, Charly Quivront (FRA) 10.40

HEAT 12: Lucca Mesinas (PER) 12.10 DEF. Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 11.67, Alan Cleland (MEX) 9.83, Frederico Morais (POR) 9.67

HEAT 13: Rafael Teixeira (BRA) 13.10 DEF. Michael Rodrigues (BRA) 12.84, Levi Slawson (USA) 11.10, Cauã Costa (BRA) 9.93

HEAT 14: Taro Watanabe (USA) 14.53 DEF. Maxime Huscenot (FRA) 13.00, Alister Reginato (AUS) 11.90, Marco Mignot (FRA) 10.60

HEAT 15: Joan Duru (FRA) 12.03 DEF. Gatien Delahaye (FRA) 10.46, Dakoda Walters (AUS) 10.03, Cody Young (HAW) 9.37

HEAT 16: Mateus Herdy (BRA) 16.07 DEF. Samuel Pupo (BRA) 14.30, Jett Schilling (USA) 12.74, Mihimana Braye (FRA) 8.56

EDP Ericeira Pro Presented by Estrella Galicia Men’s Round of 32 Results:

HEAT 1: Jorgann Couzinet (FRA) 13.53 DEF. Carlos Munoz (CRC) 9.50, Nolan Rapoza (USA) 9.30, Luke Thompson (RSA) 9.30

HEAT 2: Edgard Groggia (BRA) 13.27 DEF. Alejo Muniz (BRA) 10.64, Justin Becret (FRA) 10.53, Oscar Berry (AUS) 9.66

HEAT 3: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 17.34 DEF. Deivid Silva (BRA) 13.37, Afonso Antunes (POR) 12.07, Nat Young (USA) 10.56

HEAT 4: Callum Robson (AUS) 15.50 DEF. Lucas Silveira (BRA) 14.27, Jackson Bunch (HAW) 9.57, Jacob Willcox (AUS) 4.70

HEAT 5: Ryan Huckabee (USA) 12.73 DEF. Joel Vaughan (AUS) 11.23, Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 10.33, Hiroto Ohhara (JPN) 9.90

HEAT 6: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 14.10 DEF. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 11.67, Lucca Mesinas (PER) 9.17, Kai Odriozola (ESP) 6.06