Top Seeds In Action At the EDP Ericeira Pro Presented by Estrella Galicia

RIBEIRA D’ILHAS, Ericeira, Portugal (Tuesday, October 1, 2024) - Day 3 at the World Surf League (WSL) EDP Ericeira Pro Presented by Estrella Galicia, Stop No. 5 on the 2024 Challenger Series, produced a typical European mix of glassy, four-to-six-foot surf plagued by fog and high tides, forcing event organisers to go on hold after the women’s Round of 32. It all worked out and produced some electric surfing into the late afternoon glow, completing eight heats of the men’s Round of 64.

Deivid Silva Starts Title Defense, Alejo Muniz, Edgard Groggia Fly Brazilian Flag High

Deivid Silva (BRA) got off to a blistering start to his title defense campaign, placing his backhand perfectly into the pocket to go excellent and return to Ribeira D’Ilhas on a winning note.

“This right-hand break is the best in the world for me,” Silva said. This wave, this event is really special for me. I’m really happy to start with a win and get an excellent score, because all these guys all surf so well.” 

Former Championship Tour (CT) surfer Alejo Muniz (BRA) shook off the first heat jitters with a reassuring win as the veteran looks to solidify his spot in the top ten and improve on his last two Challenger Series results.

“The first heat is always a lot of pressure, especially when you’re sitting in the top ten,” Muniz said. “I’m really relaxed, I feel confident, I have a good crew here so I just want to go out there and do my job.”

“I’m a family man now, with a son and a beautiful wife,” Muniz continued. “I was just a kid during those six years on tour and I’ve learned so much since then, that’s why I really want to go back to see what I can do. I’ve worked every single day, non-stop, for the past 15 years so I hope I can do this for my family, I think it will mean a lot to them.”

Edgard Groggia (BRA) started the day with a big win and moved one spot closer to the CT qualification line, and continues to fly the Brazilian flag high.

Australia’s CT hopefuls George Pittar (AUS) and Mikey McDonagh suffered a heavy blow, leaving Portugal with their worst results so far in the Challenger Series while Jacob Willcox (AUS) and Callum Robson (AUS) managed to get a win and will get to surf another day.

“It’s a bit of a bummer, we didn’t have the best event here in Portugal,” Pittar said. “As an Aussie crew we’re still here supporting each other on the beach. It also brings us up as well, to be able to shake it off and support the other lads, it’s something that helps us along the year.”

Tya Zebrowski Stuns To Take Down All-Star Heat

Teenager Tya Zebrowski (FRA) stunned with an incredible win in an all-star heat featuring three former Championship Tour surfers, including top seed Isabella Nichols (AUS), and made her intentions known that she wants to go all the way in Portugal. After going on hold halfway into the heat due to a thick fog bank, Zebrowski was trailing in fourth. She managed to reset and come back, scoring her two best waves within five minutes to take the win with Nichols advancing in second.

“I’m super happy to make my heat and go through to the Round of 16,” Zebrowski said. “These girls surf so well and I’m so happy to surf against them, it’s a good challenge for me and I’m super happy to beat them! It’s a difficult wave, but when it’s firing it’s really fun. I’m working with a local coach and he knows the wave perfectly.”

Brazil’s Luana Silva and Tessa Thyssen (FRA) advanced to the Round of 16, eliminating Portugal’s Mafalda Lopes and Taina Hinckel (BRA).

The next call will be on Wednesday, October 2 at 7:30 a.m. GMT+1.

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

HEAT 7: Tessa Thyssen (FRA) 12.24 DEF. Luana Silva (BRA) 11.27, Taina Hinckel (BRA) 8.63, Mafalda Lopes (POR) 8.10

HEAT 8: Tya Zebrowski (FRA) 13.16 DEF. Isabella Nichols (AUS) 11.17, Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 10.03, Macy Callaghan (AUS) 6.30

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

HEAT 1: Carlos Munoz (CRC) 13.57 DEF. Justin Becret (FRA) 11.13, George Pittar (AUS) 9.34, Luke Slijpen (RSA) 3.96

HEAT 2: Nolan Rapoza (USA) 11.30 DEF. Oscar Berry (AUS) 10.84, Caio Ibelli (BRA) 10.10, Tully Wylie (AUS) 7.43

HEAT 3: Edgard Groggia (BRA) 12.37 DEF. Luke Thompson (RSA) 10.57, Shion Crawford (HAW) 9.37, Dimitri Poulos (USA) 7.87

HEAT 4: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 11.80 DEF. Jorgann Couzinet (FRA) 11.50, Reef Heazlewood (AUS) 9.87, Josh Burke (BRB) 7.34

HEAT 5: Nat Young (USA) 12.27 DEF. Jackson Bunch (HAW) 11.30, Ian Gentil (HAW) 11.06, Owen Moss (USA) 4.84

HEAT 6: Deivid Silva (BRA) 11.84 DEF. Lucas Silveira (BRA) 11.37, Joaquim Chaves (POR) 11.16, Mikey McDonagh (AUS) 9.70

HEAT 7: Jacob Willcox (AUS) 12.83 DEF. Afonso Antunes (POR) 10.20, Jarvis Earle (AUS) 9.83, Heitor Mueller (BRA) 9.40

HEAT 8: Callum Robson (AUS) 12.80 DEF. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 11.33, Keijiro Nishi (JPN) 10.84, Daniel Emslie (RSA) 9.20