Stage Set For Finals Day at Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic

BELLS BEACH, Victoria, Australia (Saturday, July 20, 2024) - The stage has been set for Finals Day at the Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic, Stop No. 1 of the 2024 World Surf League (WSL) Longboard Tour (LT). Day 3 witnessed a massive day of competition with the completion of the men’s Elimination Round as well as the women’s Round of 16 and Heats 1 - 6 of the men’s Round of 16. On a blustery winter's day, Bells Beach showed a number of faces with clean, small conditions becoming bigger and messier throughout the day.

Wyton Claims Clutch Victory Over Fellow Aussie For Quarterfinal Spot

Australian duo Kai Ellice-Flint (AUS) and Declan Wyton (AUS) contested the heat of the event so far, with both competitors putting on a clinic right down to the wire to see Wyton claim the win eventually. Ellice-Flint had the early advantage, posting an excellent 8.77 (out of a possible 10) single-wave score for his long, technical and committed nose ride, leaving Wyton needing his best score with only 5 minutes left. Wyton found a long, reeling set wave and got to work, cross-stepping and weaving down the line to come just short of the requirement. He then found one more opportunity and combined a long, committed hang-ten with a powerful drop-knee carve to post a 7.27 to win the heat by 0.04 of a point, with his 15.04 two-wave total (out of a possible 20). 

"When me and Kai were standing on the beach, we said to each other, ‘It was such a good heat. Whatever happens, it was a good heat,’” Wyton said. “I felt like I was out of it halfway through, then came back, so it was a good heat. I knew I needed a seven, but anyone in this event could get that score, so I just needed to stay mentally strong, and I got there in the end. So many of those don’t go your way, so I’m stoked to get that one. Looking at the forecast, everyone wanted to be here tomorrow, so I’m happy to give myself the opportunity to surf tomorrow, and now I can just see what happens.” 

Young Guns Earn Quarterfinal Berths at Bells Beach 

Today, John Michael Van Hohenstein (HAW) showed some of the form that got him to a second-place finish at the Surf City Elsalvador Longboard Classic last year, earning a 13.47 two-wave total to dispatch of French veteran Edouard Delpero (FRA). Van Hohenstein surfed with speed and flow and will hope to carry it into the Quarterfinals where he will take on Kaniela Stewart. 

“It was a really good heat with Delpero; he’s a great surfer and a good person, and I love his style,” Van Hohenstein said. “It was really tricky out there, and you had to make sure you were on the right waves that had the nice clean face on them that would reform on the inside and I was lucky enough to find a couple of them. I’m happy with my board and with the results. I just want to stay calm, relaxed and keep having fun.” 

French representative Zoe Grospiron (FRA) claimed an impressive win over Avalon Gall (USA) in the Round of 16. Grospiron was in good touch with the long rights on offer at Rincon as she looks to equal or better her career-best result of an equal third place, when competition resumes on Finals Day tomorrow. 

Winner of the WSL Asia Region Natsumi Taoka (JPN) claimed a massive win today, overcoming last year's Bells runner-up Alice Lemoigne (FRA) in a close matchup in the Round of 16. Taoka was able to take a solid lead with her trademark style up and down the board, finding a number of long, critical nose rides to post a 12.50 two-wave total. Lemoigne struggled to find a rhythm, and although she was able to post a couple of scores on her hunt for the lead, neither was strong enough to take the lead, leaving Taoka to take the win and move into the Quarterfinals.   

“The waves are so clean today,” Taoka said. “It’s strong offshore, but it’s really good out there. I’m so happy to have won that heat. Last year, I lost to Alice in the quarterfinals, so it’s great to have won today. I looked at the forecast, and it looks like the swell is coming tomorrow, so I’m really excited. I’m really happy with my boards at the moment, so it’s nice to have that confidence.”

The last heat of the day saw two of the Asia region's most promising talents, Rogelio Jr Esquievel (PHL) and Taka Inoue (JPN), go head to head in a nail-biting match-up. The two surfers both earned scores in the final minute. Esquivel was able to get the nod in the end, winning the super close match-up with a two-wave total of 13.00.

World Champions Dominate Day 3 of Competiton 

Kai Sallas (HAW) has given himself every chance to go back-to-back at Bells Beach, with the reigning World Champion earning a solid heat win in the Round of 16. Sallas won with a 12.37 two-wave total which was the second highest of the men’s Round of 16. All three women’s World Champions that won today had one of the highest heat totals of the women’s Round of 16, including Soleil Errico (USA), Honolua Blomfield (HAW) and Rachael Tilly (USA). 

Reigning three-time World Longboard Champion Soleil Errico (USA) was the standout performer of the women’s Round of 16, posting a two-wave total of 13.77 (out of a possible 20) to overcome Kaede Inoue (JPN). Errico showed why she is the reigning event winner at Bells, finding the best waves of the 30-minute matchup and then performing, turning and weaving between long, committed nose rides.  

“I was fortunate to get a good wave as soon as the heat started,” Errico said. “It reminded me a lot of hightide Malibu out there, so I was just doing my thing and felt right at home out there. We’re surfing Rincon, and I definitely like that wave the most. It has a good line to it, so I just went into it with a game plan similar to last year. I’m feeling calm and confident at the moment, and that’s a good feeling.”   

Another three-time World Longboard Champion who took a convincing win today was Honolua Blomfield (HAW) who was able to overcome an inform Chloe Coleman (USA) in Heat 7 of the Round of 16. Blomfield surfed with style, looking relaxed on the nose through steep sections and turning with power back into the pocket. Blomfield will take on Mason Schremmer (USA) in the Quarterfinals tomorrow.

The call for tomorrow, Sunday, July 21, is for a 7:50 a.m. AEST start to competition. 

For highlights from today’s competition at the Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com. 

Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic Men's Elimination Round Remaining Results: 

HEAT 5: Rogelio Jr Esquievel (PHL) 11.60 DEF. Max Weston (AUS) 7.00

HEAT 6: Kai Hamase (JPN) 13.06 DEF. Chase Lieder (USA) 8.03

HEAT 7: Taka Inoue (JPN) 12.10 DEF. Ignacio Pignataro (URY) 10.34

HEAT 8: Michael Van Hohenstein (HAW) 11.17 DEF. Martin Coret (FRA) 8.00

Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic Women’s Round of 16 Results: 

HEAT 1: Kelis Kaleopaa (HAW) 11.10 DEF. Natalia Wunderlich (HAW) 8.80

HEAT 2: Rachael Tilly (USA) 13.33 DEF. Tully White (AUS) 11.36

HEAT 3: Sophia Culhane (HAW) 12.16 DEF. Emma Perrier (AUS) 10.27

HEAT 4: Natsumi Taoka (JPN) 12.50 DEF. Alice Lemoigne (FRA) 10.60

HEAT 5: Soleil Errico (USA) 13.77 DEF. Kaede Inoue (JPN) 9.50

HEAT 6: Zoe Grospiron (FRA) 12.30 DEF. Avalon Gall (USA) 10.60

HEAT 7: Honolua Blomfield (HAW) 13.03 DEF. Chloe Coleman (USA) 10.34

HEAT 8: Mason Schremmer (USA) 9.14 DEF. Kirra Molnar (AUS) 7.10

Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic Men's Round of 16 Results: 

HEAT 1: Kaniela Stewart (HAW) 11.00 DEF. Sam Christianson (RSA) 9.34

HEAT 2: John Michael Van Hohenstein (HAW) 13.47 DEF. Edouard Delpero (FRA) 10.73

HEAT 3: Ben Skinner (GBR) 10.90 DEF. Kai Hamase (JPN) 7.60

HEAT 4: Declan Wyton (AUS) 15.04 DEF. Kai Ellice-Flint (AUS) 15.00

HEAT 5: Kai Sallas (HAW) 12.37 DEF. Clinton Guest (AUS) 11.50

HEAT 6: Rogelio Jr Esquievel (PHL) 13.00 DEF. Taka Inoue (JPN) 12.77

Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic Women's Quarterfinal Matchups:

HEAT 1: Kelis Kaleopaa (HAW) vs. Rachael Tilly (USA)

HEAT 2: Sophia Culhane (HAW) vs. Natsumi Taoka (JPN)

HEAT 3: Soleil Errico (USA) vs. Zoe Grospiron (FRA)

HEAT 4: Honolua Blomfield (HAW) vs. Mason Schremmer (USA)

Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic Men's Round of 16 Remaining Matchups:

HEAT 7: Taylor Jensen (USA) vs. Michael Van Hohenstein (HAW)

HEAT 8: Tony Silvagni (USA) vs. Kevin Skvarna (USA)

Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic Men's Quarterfinal Matchups:

HEAT 1: Kaniela Stewart (HAW) vs. John Michael Van Hohenstein (HAW)

HEAT 2: Ben Skinner (GBR) vs. Declan Wyton (AUS)

HEAT 3: Kai Sallas (HAW) vs. Rogelio Jr Esquievel (PHL)

HEAT 4: TBC