Western Australia’s Willow Hardy and Jacob Willcox have wrapped up their Banco do Brasil Saquarema Pro campaigns, bowing out early but showing flashes of the form that’s made them two of WA’s most exciting surfers.
Both goofy footers will now reset ahead of the final two Challenger Series stops at Pipeline (Jan 28–Feb 8), and Newcastle (Mar 8–15), where their world-class barrel-riding skills, honed in the heavy waves of WA, will serve them well. Hardy continues to gain valuable experience in her first full Challenger Series season, while Willcox, who experienced a win at Newcastle Surfest earlier this year, will relish the chance to finish strong on home soil in March.
Read the full WSL media statement below.
Opening Day Provides Historic Moment at Banco do Brasil Saquarema Pro Presented by Corona Cero
Opening day of the Banco do Brasil Saquarema Pro Presented by Corona Cero, the fifth stop of the 2025 World Surf League (WSL) Challenger Series, provided moments of brilliance in three-to-four-foot, challenging conditions. Men’s Round of 80 and women’s Round of 48, Heats 1 through 6, were completed with the first 2026 Championship Tour (CT) qualification scenario coming to fruition.
Tya Zebrowski Joins Surfing History, Youngest to Qualify for the Championship Tour in Saquarema
Tahiti’s Tya Zebrowski (FRA) made history as the youngest-ever to qualify for the CT at age 14. Zebrowski’s Round of 48 victory at the Banco do Brasil Saquarema Pro was all she needed to secure her qualification and move into the Round of 32 alongside fellow Tahitian phenom Kiara Goold (PYF).
“I don’t know what to say, I’m really happy. I didn’t even think about it this morning,” said Zebrowski. “When I won my heat, my best friend Kiara, who made the heat with me, told me I qualified, and I was like really, I didn’t know! I’m really happy to be the youngest to qualify. This heat was just like every other heat I’ve done this year. I just want to have fun and try my best.”
Since her professional debut in 2022, Zebrowski’s breakthrough year in 2024 saw her dominate the European Qualifying Series, winning three events to take out the WSL Europe QS title at 13-years old. She earned a wildcard into the 2024 Ericeira Pro and the world took notice of the teenage phenom when she obliterated the field to earn a runner-up finish. In 2025, Zebrowski has proven she belongs among the world’s best after earning two Quarterfinal appearances, a runner-up finish at the Lexus US Open of Surfing, and a win at the EDP Ericeira Pro.
After a CT wildcard at this very venue, Arena Rodriguez (PER) returned in decimating form to post the day’s best performance of a 13.00 (out of a possible 20) heat total. Peru’s Rodriguez showcased her in-form backhand attack to post a 7.00 (out of a possible 10) and 6.00 on two late afternoon gems.
“I’m very happy to make my first round heat. The waves I caught were really good and I’m really happy to have been able to catch them,” said Rodriguez. “I’ve come here multiple times in 2025 so far for the QS, Juniors, and also the CT. I was just trying to keep my cool and I knew there was a chance I’d surf the last heat of the day so I just tried to stay calm. I know this wave a lot and I’m confident in it so I just wanted to be in the moment.”
Joining Rodriguez in the Round of 32, 2025 Challenger Series rookie standout Anat Leilor (ISR), who posted a day’s best single-wave score of 7.17, the Basque Country’s Etxabarri sisters, Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) and Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK), and Reid Van Wagoner (USA) all earned heat wins.
Challenger Series No. 1 Kauli Vaast Finds More Momentum
Reigning Gold Medalist Kauli Vaast (FRA) kept his winning form from a recent EDP Ericeira Pro victory straight into Round of 80 success in Saquarema. The current Challenger Series No. 1, Vaast’s signature forehand power and variety provided a 6.83 to secure his win with Joh Azuchi (JPN) advancing behind Vaast, eliminating Brazilian duo, local hero, Daniel Templar (BRA) and Jose Francisco (BRA).
“I know the boys in my heat and knew they were local. I know local knowledge can be a good thing for a contest, so I just had to play my game,” said Vaast. “Just had to be on the good ones and be calm when I’m surfing. And also to put two big turns on a wave if I have the opportunity. I’m stoked to be here and onto the next one.”
Plus, an impressive showing from another Olympian, Billy Stairmand (NZL), posted a 12.50 (out of a possible 20) heat total for the men’s best overall performance.
Rafael Teixeira Leads Early Brazilian Surge
Saquarema’s fandom had a plethora of Brazilian talents to cheer on in the men’s Round of 80, with Rafael Teixeira (BRA) providing a showcase of forehand power. Teixeira’s, 32, experience in the Challenger Series arena continues to show with early heat success, posting a 6.50 in his debut, and now looks to translate that to a big result in home waters.
“It’s super hard to get the good wave in conditions like that. The tide might change a lot and you might have a lot of bumps in the wave, but I tried to stay calm and just surf,” said Teixeira. “I just want to enjoy the surf and the moment. I tried to find this feeling all year, and my coach has helped me a lot. I have great memories here, and I just want to find that flow.”
Teixeira joins fellow Brazilians, former CT competitor Peterson Crisanto (BRA), qualification hopefuls Wesley Leite (BRA), Cauã Costa (BRA), Kaue Germano (BRA), and event wildcard Weslley Dantas (BRA) into the top-seeded Round of 64.
Event organisers will reconvene at 6:45 a.m. GMT -3 for a possible 7:05 a.m. start.
Watch LIVE
The Banco do Brasil Saquarema Pro presented by Corona Cero runs from October 11–19, 2025, at Praia de Itaúna, Saquarema, Brazil. Watch LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
Banco do Brasil Saquarema Pro Women’s Round of 48 Results:
HEAT 1: Tya Zebrowski (FRA) 11.67 DEF. Kiara Goold (PYF) 11.63, Jahly Stokes (AUS) 9.93, Sophia Goncalves (BRA) 4.93
HEAT 2: Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) 10.96 DEF. Eden Walla (USA) 9.50, Daniella Rosas (PER) 9.37, Willow Hardy (AUS) 6.30
HEAT 3: Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) 11.50 DEF. Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) 11.50, Leilani McGonagle (CRC) 8.67, Sumomo Sato (JPN) 5.9
HEAT 4: Anat Lelior (ISR) 12.80 DEF. Mirai Ikeda (JPN) 9.67, Kana Nakashio (JPN) 8.47, Malia Lima (HAW) 2.07
HEAT 5: Reid Van Wagoner (USA) 9.07 DEF. Taina Hinckel (BRA) 8.77, Eweleiula Wong (HAW) 7.50, Vaihitimahana Inso (HAW) 4.60
HEAT 6: Arena Rodriguez (PER) 13.00 DEF. Nanaho Tsuzuki (JPN) 8.70, Oceanna Rogers (AUS) 8.20, Talia Swindal (USA) 7.80
Banco do Brasil Saquarema Pro Women’s Round of 48 (Heats 7 – 8) Matchups:
HEAT 7: Sarah Baum (RSA) vs. Anon Matsuoka (JPN) vs. Minami Nonaka (JPN) vs. Noah Klapp (DEU)
HEAT 8: Sol Aguirre (PER) vs. Louise Lepront (RSA) vs. Jessie Van Niekerk (RSA) vs. Sarah Leiceaga (FRA)
Banco do Brasil Saquarema Pro Men’s Round of 80 Results:
HEAT 1: Cauã Costa (BRA) 10.50 DEF. Yago Dominguez (EUK) 7.90, Tenshi Iwami (JPN) 6.23, Jadson Andre (BRA) 5.90
HEAT 2: Billy Stairmand (NZL) 12.50 DEF. Luke Slijpen (RSA) 10.67, Daiki Tanaka (JPN) 10.33, Dakoda Walters (AUS) 8.03
HEAT 3: Wesley Leite (BRA) 9.00 DEF. Shohei Kato (JPN) 8.80, Igor Moraes (BRA) 8.06, Taj Stokes (AUS) 7.90
HEAT 4: Kauli Vaast (FRA) 12.33 DEF. Joh Azuchi (JPN) 10.77, Daniel Templar (BRA) 9.24, Jose Francisco (BRA) 8.70
HEAT 5: Weslley Dantas (BRA) 9.83 DEF. Peterson Crisanto (BRA) 8.90, Dylan Moffat (AUS) 8.83, Justin Becret (FRA) 8.80
HEAT 6: Rafael Teixeira (BRA) 12.23 DEF. Luke Tema (HAW) 10.50, Afonso Antunes (POR) 10.06, Tully Wylie (AUS) 8.73
HEAT 7: Adur Amatriain (EUK) 11.03 DEF. Kaue Germano (BRA) 10.00, Ryan Huckabee (USA) 9.37, Frederico Morais (POR) 7.90
HEAT 8: Luke Swanson (HAW) 11.57 DEF. Thomas Lindhorst (RSA) 10.94, Josh Burke (BRB) 10.73, Lucas Cassity (MEX) 8.00
Banco do Brasil Saquarema Pro Men’s Round of 64 Matchups:
HEAT 1: Matthew McGillivray (RSA) vs. Lucas Silveira (BRA) vs. Jackson Baker (AUS) vs. Cauã Costa (BRA)
HEAT 2: Imaikalani deVault (HAW) vs. Kade Matson (USA) vs. Finn McGill (HAW) vs. Yago Dominguez (EUK)
HEAT 3: Hiroto Ohhara (JPN) vs. Dimitri Poulos (USA) vs. Riaru Ito (JPN) vs. Billy Stairmand (NZL)
HEAT 4: Samuel Pupo (BRA) vs. Nolan Rapoza (USA) vs. Carlos Munoz (CRC) vs. Luke Slijpen (RSA)
HEAT 5: Jackson Bunch (HAW) vs. Jordan Lawler (AUS) vs. Bronson Meydi (INA) vs. Wesley Leite (BRA)
HEAT 6: Jacob Willcox (AUS) vs. Callum Robson (AUS) vs. Charly Quivront (FRA) vs. Shohei Kato (JPN)
HEAT 7: Deivid Silva (BRA) vs. Morgan Cibilic (AUS) vs. Oliver Zietz (NLD) vs. Kauli Vaast (FRA)
HEAT 8: Joao Chianca (BRA) vs. Jorgann Couzinet (FRA) vs. Ian Gentil (HAW) vs. Joh Azuchi (JPN)
HEAT 9: George Pittar (AUS) vs. Lucca Mesinas (PER) vs. Shion Crawford (HAW) vs. Weslley Dantas (BRA)
HEAT 10: Edgard Groggia (BRA) vs. Winter Vincent (AUS) vs. Keoni Lasa (EUK) vs. Peterson Crisanto (BRA)
HEAT 11: Ian Gouveia (BRA) vs. Mikey McDonagh (AUS) vs. Lucas Vicente (BRA) vs. Rafael Teixeira (BRA)
HEAT 12: Michael Rodrigues (BRA) vs. Oscar Berry (AUS) vs. Franco Radziunas (ARG) vs. Luke Tema (HAW)
HEAT 13: Mateus Herdy (BRA) vs. Taro Watanabe (USA) vs. Maxime Huscenot (FRA) vs. Adur Amatriain (EUK)
HEAT 14: Ryan Callinan (AUS) vs. Eli Hanneman (HAW) vs. Kyuss King (AUS) vs. Kaue Germano (BRA)
HEAT 15: Levi Slawson (USA) vs. Luke Thompson (RSA) vs. Adin Masencamp (RSA) vs. Luke Swanson (HAW)
HEAT 16: Liam O’Brien (AUS) vs. Keijiro Nishi (JPN) vs. Xavier Huxtable (AUS) vs. Thomas Lindhorst (RSA)
Events
