This guide is perfect for seasoned fans or fresh faces. It's your ticket to all the excitement, exclusive details, and memorable moments you can expect!
The US hosts some of the most highly regarded surf league events, attracting top surfers worldwide.
Every event brings together pro surfing, stunning settings, and a buzzing atmosphere, climaxing at the official training ground final!
Let's delve into each contest to appreciate its distinct appeal.
Hawaii's North Shore is a surfer's paradise, and the North Shore Surf Contests highlight the best talent in surfing. The contests run from November 26 to December 7, 2023, at Haleiwa Ali’i Beach Park.
You'll see world-class surfers competing in events like the Sunset Pro, Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, and the Pipe Pro. Don't miss out on witnessing the impressive athletes take on North Shore's powerful waves!
Just a heads up, event parking can be a challenge. Make sure your car is completely off the road and not blocking any paths to avoid costly tickets. The North Shore Surf Competitions, set against the stunning Oahu coastline, you can even find a place in the area for other fun activities like online casino table games, this kind of eventpromises an exciting, memorable day for surf aficionados and newbies.
This huge event pulls in the cream of the surfing crop and also features plenty of things to do beyond watching the waves. Main features include:
The US Open of Surfing has something for everyone to enjoy.
While you're in Huntington Beach, seize the chance to try different outdoor amusements, feast at local restaurants, and soak up the city's authentic surf vibe. Having a background of sunny beaches and exciting surf competitions, it's an ideal way to feel the rush and thrill of pro surfing.
The USA Surfing Championships and Team Trials at Oceanside, CA gather best surfers and stand-up paddlers from all over the states.
It highlights longboard, SUP, and adaptive divisions. Managed by USA Surfing, these competitions, also known as surfing contests, are a vital process in selecting and grooming the Olympic and International USA Surf members.
Carissa Moore, by bagging an Olympic Gold Medal in surfing and a WSL world title in one year, set a record. The USA Surfing Championships and Team Trials, let you see America's rising surf stars compete for spots in top teams.
The World Surf League or WSL, manages professional surfing. They aim to present the best talent in varied surfing events.
WSL also arranges worldwide events like the Championship Tour and Qualifying Series. This allows surfers globally to participate and impact the sport.
Let's understand these two dynamic WSL series now.
At the epicenter of professional surfing is the WSL Championship Tour. It comprises 10 stops where top-notch surfers ride waves in 20-30 minutes heats. All rides are scored from 1 to 10 by judges.
A three-tier format guides the tour: Regional Qualifying Series (QS), the Challenger Series, and the Championship Tour. Surfers gain points from each event. The surfers with the most points at season's end become Tour Champions.
If you enjoy watching surfers take on awesome waves, don't miss the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour.
For prospective pro surfers, the WSL Qualifying Series is the first step to get into the Championship Tour. It's divided into three levels — Regional Qualifying Series, the Challenger Series. This arrangement allows eager surfers to gain points and qualify for the big leagues.
The WSL Qualifying Series took place at many sites in 2023, like the Sunset Pro in Hawaii, and the Billabong Pro Pipeline in Hawaii too. Following the WSL Qualifying Series lets you spot rising stars in the surfing world, moving up and making a name for themselves.
Big Wave Surfing Competitions are an extreme sport. Not for the faint-hearted, they feature surfers mastering gigantic waves. A famous one is the Eddie Aikau Invitational, in honor of a legendary Hawaiian surfer. The current champ is Luke Shepardson.
The surfers' performances are evaluated on various aspects, such as the level of challenge they take on, the progression and novelty of their moves, the diversity of their tricks, and the combination of major stunts. Some well-known Big Wave Surfing Competition locales in the US are Pipeline, Jaws, Waimea Bay in Hawaii, and Mavericks in California.
Big Wave Surfing Competitions hinge on weather factors like atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction, water temperature, rain, and tides which govern wave attributes. Organizers and surfers continuously gauge these conditions for the surfing participant's safety and top-level performance.
If you enjoy intense, thrill-inducing action, you need to experience Big Wave Surf Competitions.
A surf competition can make for an unforgettable experience. However, thoughtful planning is key. First, monitor the weather reports for the event venue because nature is unpredictable, potentially impacting the contest timetable. Understanding the event’s guidelines and format adds to your grasp and enjoyment of the unfolding competition.
A comfortable place to stay close to the main surf competitions is also important. Top options include:
Remember to lock in your booking early, for rooms can get occupied swiftly during high-demand events.
Lastly, demonstrating surf etiquette ensures a positive experience at the competitions. Follow the rules, don't disrupt other surfers, and show respect to locals and competitors. Heeding these guidelines makes for a seamless, enjoyable surf competition visit.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aleksandra Djurdjevic
Senior Content Creator
Aleksandra Djurdjevic is a senior writer and editor, covering surf, kayak and various watersports activities. She has previously worked as ESL teacher for English Tochka. Aleksandra graduated from the Comparative Literature department at the Faculty of Philosophy in Serbia. Aleksandra’s love for the ocean / rivers, getting out waves, season after season, seeking epic adventures across the globe helps her continue to be a top expert at CSG.