WSL Archives - Page 2 of 6 - New Zealand Surf Journal

Korbin Hutchings Off To Promising Start In Aussie QS Leg, Ricardo Returns To Competition

Derek MorrisonFeb 13, 2023February 21, 20230

Gisborne’s Korbin Hutchings has started his 2023 QS campaign with a superb Round of 96 heat at the 2023 Oakberry Tweed Coast Pro held at Kingscliff yesterday. The event also sees the return of Ricardo Christie to WSL competition. The QS 5,000-rated event is off and running with the opening...

Filipe Toledo Wins Maiden World Title

Derek MorrisonSep 10, 2022November 29, 20220

Brazil’s Filipe Toledo has finally realised his dream of winning a World Title when he defeated fellow Brazilian Italo Ferreira in the Rip Curl WSL Finals held at Lower Trestles, California this week. Twenty-seven-year-old Toledo has spent the previous nine years of his career battling with the world’s best surfers....

Stephanie Gilmore Becomes The Greatest Ever

Derek MorrisonSep 10, 2022November 29, 20220

Australia’s Stephanie Gilmore has become the winningest female surfer ever when she won the 2022 World Title in four-to-six foot conditions at Lower Trestles in San Clemente, California this week. The historic day marked Gilmore’s eighth World Title, making her the winningest women’s surfer in the sport. Domination and determination...

Inside Paige Hareb’s Historic Win At Nias Pro

Derek MorrisonJun 28, 2022November 29, 20220

Paige Hareb wins the 2022 Nias Pro in near-perfect surf at Lagundri Bay, Nias, Indonesia. Here’s how she did it … Paige has been competing on the World Surf League Championship Tour and Qualifying Series since 2008, yet her performance at The Nias Pro this past week has been her...

Kiwi Women Embattled In Australian QS Series

Derek MorrisonMar 17, 2022November 29, 20220

Paige Hareb, Saffi Vette and Tiana-Breeze De Mooij have all been eliminated from the Sisstrevolution Central Coast Pro despite promising starts in the early rounds of the latest stop on the Australia-Oceania Regional Qualifying Series. Paige and Saffi met in Heat 2 of the Round of 32 with Saffi struggling...

Billy Stairmand And Kehu Butler Surge At Central Coast Pro

Derek MorrisonMar 17, 2022November 29, 20220

Billy Stairmand and Kehu Butler have today surfed their way into the quarterfinals at the Vissla Central Coast Pro being held at Avoca Beach, NSW. That start puts them into contention for at least 1500 of the 3000 points on offer at the event – which sets them up superbly...

Pipe Turns On For 2022 Championship Tour Surfers

Derek MorrisonFeb 3, 2022November 29, 20220

The Billabong Pro Pipeline, the first stop on the World Surf League 2022 Championship Tour, has started with epic eight-to-twelve foot surf at the world-famous Banzai Pipeline. Having Pipeline as the first event on the CT schedule is tough to grasp. It feels a bit like eating dessert before your...

Leap Of Faith: Billy Stairmand

Derek MorrisonDec 26, 2021July 25, 20240

The journey of Billy Stairmand in 2021 is astounding. From fundraising just to get to the Australian qualification series, to the highs and lows of the inaugural surfing event at the Olympics to a frantic run through the Challenger Series – and all while never knowing when, or if, he...

Billy Stairmand Advances At Haleiwa

Derek MorrisonNov 30, 2021December 5, 20220

Raglan’s Billy Stairmand has bounced back from a string of shock first round exits throughout the Challenger Series to surf his way comfortably into the Round of 32 at Haleiwa, Hawaii. It’s the final curtain of the 2021 WSL Challenger Series and the draw is loaded. That makes Billy’s journey...

Piha Pro Is Back As WSL Releases New 2022 Framework

Derek MorrisonAug 5, 2021July 25, 20240

Big news out of World Surf League headquarters today with the announcement that the beleaguered Piha Pro will be staged November 5-13 as part of the 2022 Challenger Series. That comes amongst a raft of changes to the WSL event framework including a return to the mid-season cut in the...