In March of 2022, the WSL announced the launch of WSL Rising Tides. Rising Tides is all about connecting young people with the world’s best surfers and providing them the opportunity to learn from their heroes. WSL Rising Tide activations took place at each of the Championship Tour stops following the mid-season cut.
“We’re very excited to bring back such a special program with WSL Rising Tides presented by Pura Vida,” said Jessi Miley-Dyer, WSL SVP of Tours and Head of Competition. “We’re looking forward to inspiring the new generation by connecting groms with their surfing heroes. We can’t wait to have the future WSL Champions in the water, sharing the lineup with their role models.”
Leading up to the Rip Curl WSL Finals, California’s most talented young female surfers gathered at Lower Trestles and had the opportunity to connect with tour pros. Leading ladies at the event included former world champions Lisa Anderson and Debbie Beacham and WSL Final 5 surfers Tatiana Weston-Webb, Johanne Defay, five-time world champion Carissa Moore, and eight-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore.
“Rising Tides is a really cool initiative to bring the local girls down to meet the pros and give them a glimpse into what the tour life is like,” says Gilmore. “We’ve got Lisa Anderson here, she was a huge inspiration for me, I’m hoping that the same effect is happening and I’m able to be an inspiration for these young girls.”
“A lot of Rising Tides is built from my own experience and meeting some of our professional surfers when I was a little kid,” says Miley-Dyer. “I remember that moment and how important it was to me. There’s something about meeting your heroes that makes your own dreams really tangible.”
