Longboard Tour Back

CHLORINE RINSE: The clean smooth walls of the Ranch are ideal for this. Photo WSL / Morris

The World Surf League (WSL) had to cancel the 2020 season due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but have managed to revive the Tour this year with the Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic (September 29) and the Jeep Malibu Classic pres. by Havaianas from October 3 to 13.

The Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic will showcase the world’s best longboard competitors at the renowned WSL Surf Ranch in Lemoore, California. Following that event, competitors will return to the ocean for their first WSL appearance at the iconic First Point in Malibu, Calif. for the Jeep Malibu Classic presented by Havaianas. Points for these two events will be combined with points earned at the Noosa Longboard Open from February 2020 to determine the WSL Longboard World Title.

“Our surfers are so stoked to be back in a jersey again and have this opportunity to finish up from where they left off in Australia,” said Devon Howard, WSL Longboard Tour Director. “The Surf Ranch guarantees us perfect waves all day, as well as the most level playing field you could ever hope for. While First Point, Malibu, provides the best possible surf venue to crown a World Longboard Champion.”

MAJOR MAL: The iconic lineup of Malibu will host the second event. Photo WSL / Sean Wolflick

The Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic will feature the leaderboard format where the WLT’s Top 18 women and 18 men will each ride two lefts and two rights. Their best right and left scores combine to rank their place on the leaderboard. The Top 8 surfers then move on into the Semifinals before dwindling the field down once again to the Top 2 surfers as they square off on their final two scoring waves (one left, one right) to determine the event winners.

The Longboard Tour format for the Jeep Malibu Classic pres. by Havaianas will host six Rounds of competition. Round 1 will feature three surfers in six heats, with the top two spots advancing through to Round 3. The last-place finishers of Round 1 will be relegated to the first elimination heats in Round Cancellations and travel restrictions for athletes may open spots for the next surfer on the rankings2. Competitors who survive elimination will join the head-to-head matchups in Round 3, where the top surfer advances into the Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Finals.

The events will include the Longboard Tour’s Top 18 men and Top 18 women. Due to the previous season’s cancellations, there will be no wildcards featured in these events — although cancellations and travel restrictions for athletes may open spots for the next surfer on the rankings. The Top 10 surfers at this season’s end will requalify for the 2022 Longboard Tour, while places 11 through 18 will need to earn their spots through regional events. The 2021 WSL Longboard Champions will be crowned by the end of the Jeep Malibu Classic pres. by Havaianas after a highly-anticipated return from these stylemasters to put on a show to the world.

STYLE: Two-time WSL Champion Honolua Blomfield is back in the hunt. Photo WSL / Pierucki

Reigning WSL Champions Honolua Blomfield (HAW) and Justin Quintal (USA) are eager for their return to the competitive arena after a year and a half hiatus from competition. Both surfed in the Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic specialty event in October of 2020, which saw Blomfield earn the runner-up finish and Quintal win, but now they are ready to compete for the 2021 Longboard World Titles.

“What I’m really looking forward to most is Malibu,” expressed Blomfield. “It’s a special place for me because I’ve competed there every year since I was 10. Malibu is pretty much where my longboarding career started, and to win the World Title there a decade later would be a dream come true.”

Haleiwa, Hawaii’s, 2X WSL Champion Blomfield, 22, left the Noosa Longboard Open with an Equal 5th and now has two events to capitalize on toward back-to-back World Titles. Quintal, 31, brought Jacksonville, Florida’s, first-ever World Title home in 2019 and must perform at both venues to secure a second after not competing in Noosa, Australia.

PURE TALENT: Hawaii is rising. 2019 Noosa winner Kelis Kaleopa'a. Photo WSL / Barripp

“It’s been a crazy couple years,” said Quintal. “But it’s been nice to reflect, reset and focus on aspects of my surfing practice and life that I haven’t had time for in the past. I’m stoked to see the WSL doing it’s best to keep the WSL Longboard Tour going this year despite the hurdles facing running events during a global pandemic. I honestly miss everyone, look forward to having some fun with the upcoming events and seeing the other surfers again.”

“I remember perfect blue tubes (at the Surf Ranch) and that’s exactly what I’m looking forward to,” continued Quintal. “Hope they don’t just put the longboarders on one of the softer settings. Let’s get it on.”

The Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic and Jeep Malibu Classic presented by Havaianas will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app. Also, check local listings for coverage from the WSL's broadcast partners. Watch last year's Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic:

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Women
Honolua Blomfield (HAW)
Chloe Calmon (BRA)
Alice Lemoigne (FRA)
Lindsay Steinriede (USA)
Tully White (AUS)
Kirra Seale (HAW)
Sally Cohen (HAW)
Zoe Grospiron (FRA)
Kaitlin Mikkelsen (USA)
Soleil Errico (USA)
Kelis Kaleopaa (HAW)
Ophelie Ah-Kouen (REU)
Mahina Akaka (HAW)
Natsumi Taoka (JPN)
Avalon Gall (USA)
Sophia Culhane (HAW)
Haley Otto (HAW)
Keani Canullo (HAW)

Men
Justin Quintal (USA)
Rodrigo Sphaier (BRA)
Taylor Jensen (USA)
Kaniela Stewart (HAW)
Kai Sallas (HAW)
Steven Sawyer (ZAF)
Harrison Roach (AUS)
Tony Silvagni (USA)
Ben Skinner (GBR)
Edouard Delpero (FRA)
Lucas Garrido Lecca (PER)
Taka Inoue (JPN)
Cole Robbins (USA)
Jefson Silva (BRA)
Phil Rajzman (BRA)
Joel Tudor (USA)
Kevin Skvarna (USA)
Augusto Olinto (BRA)

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