Bryan Perez. (Photo by Aaron Hughes/World Surf League)
El Salvador’s Bryan Perez made some noise last June when he sent former world champion Italo Ferreira home early in the Elimination Round of the Surf City El Salvador Pro. Local wildcards have a way of making noise when they get their shots against the Championship Tour’s best on their home turf, and Perez’s upset was almost matched again in the Round of 16 when he nearly beat eventual winner John John Florence.
Well, JJF won’t be able to throw a wrench in things this year but Ferreira may get his shot at redemption this week with Perez back in the draw as a WSL event wildcard once again. Perez will be joined by Alyssa Spencer and Levi Swanson as fellow event wildcards, the league announced last week. And with Italo wearing the yellow jersey this time around, he and Perez will be facing each other right away in the Opening Round.
As for injury wildcards at Punta Roca, Ian Gentil will be stepping in to replace Gabriel Medina, who has been absent all season after suffering a pectoral injury in early January. Medina underwent surgery immediately but no timetable for his return to the CT has been announced. The WSL did, however, announce Medina’s spot on tour will be waiting for him in the form of the 2026 wildcard.
In the women’s draw, Johanne Defay, who announced last month she has a baby on the way and will sit out the rest of the 2025 CT, will be replaced by Spain’s Nadia Erostarbe. Erostarbe competed in her first CT event back in January at the Pipe Pro, falling to Caroline Marks in the Round of 16. And finally, Kirra Pinkerton will be in a CT event for the first time since 2021 after Tatiana Weston-Webb announced last week she’s taking a break from the CT for the remainder of 2025. Pinkerton is currently the top-ranked QS surfer in her region for 2024-2025 QS season. She finished the 2024 Challenger Series ranked 14th.
