If it ain’t broke. Photos: WSL
Well, it went so swimmingly, why not do it again? Following a World Surf League finals event in September that saw a fantastic mix of swell and conditions, the League announced today that its championship tournament will return to Southern California’s Lower Trestles.
“The inaugural edition of the Rip Curl WSL Finals was an incredible success,” said Erik Logan, WSL CEO, in a release. “To see the WSL Final five go head-to-head in amazing waves and to witness the women’s and men’s World Titles be decided on the same day, in the water, for the first time was special. This new format captivated our audience and drove consumption like never before and was the most-watched day of professional surfing with the largest live digital audience in WSL history. We are excited to return to Lowers this season.”
The high performance wave at Lowers, the closest thing in the ocean to a wave pool, will once again host the best five surfers from the men’s and women’s season. That season, says the WSL, will start with 32 men and 18 women before a mid-season cut will cull the field to 24 and 12, respectively. In 2022, the WSL hopes to run its full 10-event schedule without any interruptions like last year, when the pandemic completely rerouted the Hawaii and Australian legs. The men and women will compete together at every event this season.
That doesn’t mean things will remain the same throughout the year, especially with the constantly changing world we’re living in. “Given the complexities of global travel during this pandemic and the fluid nature of the situation, we will maintain the flexibility to adjust and react accordingly,” read the presser, “and there could be potential adjustments to the schedule. All tour stops and dates are subject to change due to applicable COVID-19 related restrictions…”
Here’s how the tour looks as of now with El Salvador making a surprise appearance and J-Bay returning to the fold:
● Billabong Pro Pipeline – January 29 – February 10
● Hurley Pro Sunset Beach presented by Shiseido – February 11 – 23
● MEO Pro Portugal – March 3 – 13 ● Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach – April 10 – 20
● Margaret River Pro – April 24 – May 4
Mid-Season Cut: 36-man and 18-woman fields reduced to 24-man and 12-woman fields.
● Quiksilver / ROXY Pro G-Land – May 28 – June 6
● Surf City El Salvador Pro presented by Corona – June 12 – 20
● Oi Rio Pro presented by Corona – June 23 – 30
● Corona Open J-Bay – July 12 -21
● Tahiti Pro – August 11 – 21
WSL Final 5 determined to battle for the undisputed men’s and women’s World Titles.
● Rip Curl WSL Finals, Lower Trestles, CA USA – September 8 – 16
