HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., USA (Thursday, August 8, 2024) – Impending swell arrived for the World Surf League (WSL) Lexus US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico, Stop No. 4 of the 2024 Challenger Series, and provided a spectacle of high-performance action. Four-to-six foot south swell filled in throughout the day for men’s Round of 64 with top-seeded battles as competitors elevated their performances to new heights. Scattered upsets and breathtaking moments had fans on the beach in uproar as both the men’s and women’s Round of 32 heats are now set for Friday, August 9.
Reigning World Junior Champion Jett Schilling Holds Down Home Turf
An incredible start to 2024 crowned San Clemente, California’s Jett Schilling (USA), the World Junior Champion, and he brought that bravado back home to Southern California. Schilling’s decimating forehand accrued an impressive 7.43 (out of a possible 10), and showed he has plenty to give heading into the Round of 32. Now, Schilling looks to turn his year around, and start a surge toward 2025 CT qualification.
“I just surf with passion and it’s been a while since I’ve made a heat to be honest,” said Schilling. “It’s been a tough year and I’m just stoked to make a heat and I’m fired up. I have coach Jake Davis helping me out a bunch, and just moved in with Griffin Colapinto. I’m just super thankful for all the boys, and they give me all the confidence.”
Fellow Southern Californians, 2024 CT rookies, Crosby Colapinto (USA) and Cole Houshmand (USA) also advanced alongside former CT veteran Kolohe Andino (USA) – who bested two-event victor and Huntington Beach’s own Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) for a runner-up advancement in their Round of 64, Heat 16 clash.
Marco Mignot’s Magnificent Debut Goes Near-Perfect
Rising talent Marco Mignot (FRA) established his presence in Huntington Beach with a jaw-dropping, Round of 64 debut against Southern California natives Cole Houshmand (USA) and Kade Matson (USA) along with Australian threat Dylan Moffat (AUS). Mignot’s incredible aerial antics and powerful backhand hammers earned the French competitor an impeccable 9.67 (out of a possible 10) and 18.24 (out of a possible 20) heat total despite a surge from Houshmand and Matson. The 2022/2023 Europe Qualifying Series (QS) victor, Mignot, looks to turn around his season.
“It feels really really good to get two waves like this is amazing,” said Mignot. “I found that left which put me back in the heat again, and got that confidence going so it feels really good. I think a lot of people were surprised, but I know I can surf like this. I’ve proved it once again today, but I have so much respect for Cole [Houshmand] and Kade [Matson]. They’re amazing surfers so it’s great to beat guys like that.”
Mateus Herdy’s Major League Performance Goes Excellent
Perennial CT qualification threat Mateus Herdy (BRA) made his intentions of wanting a result in Huntington Beach clear with a stunning debut. Herdy’s progressive style and powerful turns posted an excellent, 16.43 (out of a possible 20) heat total over fellow Brazilian Michael Rodrigues (BRA) who also advanced, Justin Becret (FRA) and Kai Martin (HAW).
“I’m so down on the rankings and I spoke to a few friends of mine. Yago Dora told me, ‘you should be getting 8’s every heat,’” said Herdy. “He called me out and I was freed up and I tried everything I wanted to try and the conditions were great. I lost the two Challenger events in the first round so to make this heat gives me a lot of confidence. A lot of things happened last year, and now I’m just getting it all together and trying to turn it around here and the rest of the year.”
Pictured: Riaru Ito (JPN) provided a major upset and put his name on the list of surfers to watch moving forward. Credit: © WSL / Emma Sharon
Scattered Upsets Ensue With Riaru Ito Shaking Up the Rankings
An impressive opening day from Riaru Ito (JPN) set him up with a CT caliber heat including 2023 World Title contender Joao Chianca (BRA), former CT competitors Samuel Pupo (BRA), and Maxime Huscenot (FRA). Ito’s power toppled his opponents with a 14.83 heat total, eliminating current No. 2, Pupo and Chianca advancing on.
“Everybody in that heat is a good surfer, but I’m also a good surfer so I’m happy to get through these heats,” said Ito. “It’s my first time getting an excellent score on the Challenger Series. It feels really good to get that heat win and I’m just very thankful.”
Also notching brilliant Round of 64 wins, 2023 event runner-up Crosby Colapinto (USA), former CT competitors Jacob Willcox (AUS), Lucca Mesinas (PER), Caio Ibelli (BRA), Morgan Cibilic (AUS), 2022 WSL World Junior Champion Jarvis Earle (AUS), current Challenger Series No. 3 Mikey McDonagh (AUS), Brazilian veteran Rafael Teixeira (BRA), and Ventura, California’s Dimitri Poulos (USA), all moved into the Round of 32.
Event organizers will reconvene at 7:00 a.m. PDT to determine a possible 7:35 a.m. PDT start.
Lexus US Open of Surfing Men’s Round of 64 Results:
HEAT 1: Jarvis Earle (AUS) 11.93 DEF. Ian Gouveia (BRA) 11.33, Keijiro Nishi (JPN) 8.93, Nat Young (USA) 5.00
HEAT 2: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 14.80 DEF. Jadson Andre (BRA) 12.70, Michael Dunphy (USA) 12.60, Josh Burke (BRB) 11.30
HEAT 3: Rafael Teixeira (BRA) 14.74 DEF. Edgard Groggia (BRA) 13.90, Levi Slawson (USA) 13.74, Owen Moss (USA) 9.94
HEAT 4: Riaru Ito (JPN) 14.83 DEF. Joao Chianca (BRA) 12.76, Samuel Pupo (BRA) 11.93, Maxime Huscenot (FRA) 9.96
HEAT 5: Mikey McDonagh (AUS) 15.34 DEF. Joel Vaughan (AUS) 14.10, Oscar Berry (AUS) 10.10, Kyuss King (AUS) 10.00
HEAT 6: Mateus Herdy (BRA) 16.47 DEF. Michael Rodrigues (BRA) 14.06, Justin Becret (FRA) 14.00, Kai Martin (HAW) 11.56
HEAT 7: Jacob Willcox (AUS) 13.33 DEF. Alan Cleland (MEX) 13.30, Deivid Silva (BRA) 12.87, Cauã Costa (BRA) 10.97
HEAT 8: Ian Gentil (HAW) 15.33 DEF. Crosby Colapinto (USA) 14.37, Reef Heazlewood (AUS) 13.77, John Mel (USA) 10.86
HEAT 9: Marco Mignot (FRA) 18.24 DEF. Cole Houshmand (USA) 15.00, Kade Matson (USA) 13.40, Dylan Moffat (AUS) 11.33
HEAT 10: Lucca Mesinas (PER) 13.56 DEF. Winter Vincent (AUS) 12.40, Alister Reginato (AUS) 12.27, Kian Martin (SWE) 10.60
HEAT 11: George Pittar (AUS) 13.10 DEF. Caio Ibelli (BRA) 11.77, Kai Odriozola (ESP) 10.93, Daniel Emslie (RSA) 6.20
HEAT 12: Dakoda Walters (AUS) 12.30 DEF. Luke Slijpen (RSA) 12.20, Luel Felipe (BRA) 10.70, Nolan Rapoza (USA) 8.74
HEAT 13: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 14.34 DEF. Eli Hanneman (HAW) 10.26, Lucas Silveira (BRA) 8.53, Luke Thompson (RSA) 8.06
HEAT 14: Dimitri Poulos (USA) 12.27 DEF. Shion Crawford (HAW) 11.97, Hiroto Ohhara (JPN) 11.20, Taro Watanabe (USA) 8.10
HEAT 15: Jett Schilling (USA) 13.20 DEF. Jackson Bunch (HAW) 12.93, Heitor Mueller (BRA) 11.70, Gatien Delahaye (FRA) 11.47
HEAT 16: Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 13.06 DEF. Kolohe Andino (USA) 12.93, Charly Quivront (FRA) 12.47, Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 10.30
Lexus US Open of Surfing Men’s Round of 32 Matchups:
HEAT 1: Jarvis Earle (AUS) vs. Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. Edgard Groggia (BRA) vs. Joao Chianca (BRA)
HEAT 2: Ian Gouveia (BRA) vs. Jadson Andre (BRA) vs. Rafael Teixeira (BRA) vs. Riaru Ito (JPN)
HEAT 3: Mikey McDonagh (AUS) vs. Mateus Herdy (BRA) vs. Alan Cleland (MEX) vs. Crosby Colapinto (USA)
HEAT 4: Joel Vaughan (AUS) vs. Michael Rodrigues (BRA) vs. Jacob Willcox (AUS) vs. Ian Gentil (HAW)
HEAT 5: Marco Mignot (FRA) vs. Lucca Mesinas (PER) vs. Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Luke Slijpen (RSA)
HEAT 6: Cole Houshmand (USA) vs. Winter Vincent (AUS) vs. George Pittar (AUS) vs. Dakoda Walters (AUS)
HEAT 7: Alejo Muniz (BRA) vs. Dimitri Poulos (USA) vs. Jackson Bunch (HAW) vs. Kolohe Andino (USA)
HEAT 8: Eli Hanneman (HAW) vs. Shion Crawford (HAW) vs. Jett Schilling (USA) vs. Morgan Cibilic (AUS)
Lexus US Open of Surfing Women’s Round of 32 Matchups:
HEAT 1: Sawyer Lindblad (USA) vs. Ellie Harrison (AUS) vs. Kirra Pinkerton (USA) vs. Anon Matsuoka (JPN)
HEAT 2: Nadia Erostarbe (EUK) vs. Luana Silva (BRA) vs. Sierra Kerr (AUS) vs. Philippa Anderson (AUS)
HEAT 3: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) vs. Tessa Thyssen (FRA) vs. Nanaho Tsuzuki (JPN) vs. Sarah Baum (RSA)
HEAT 4: Erin Brooks (CAN) vs. Sophia Medina (BRA) vs. Sara Wakita (JPN) vs. Francisca Veselko (POR)
HEAT 5: Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Yolanda Hopkins (POR) vs. Teresa Bonvalot (POR) vs. Nora Liotta (HAW)
HEAT 6: Vahine Fierro (FRA) vs. Bronte Macaulay (AUS) vs. Keala Tomoda-Bannert (HAW) vs. Laura Raupp (BRA)
HEAT 7: Bella Kenworthy (USA) vs. Alyssa Spencer (USA) vs. Louise Lepront (RSA) vs. Rosie Smart (AUS)
HEAT 8: Isabella Nichols (AUS) vs. Macy Callaghan (AUS) vs. Zoe Benedetto (USA) vs. Amuro Tsuzuki (JPN)
Watch LIVE
The Lexus US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico runs through August 11, 2024. The competition will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app. Also, check out more ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners.
The Lexus US Open of Surfing presented by Pacifico is proudly supported by Red Bull, Hurley, SHISEIDO, YETI, Apple, Eventbrite, 805 Beer, Visit Huntington Beach, Bonsoy, Hoag Hospital, Cup Noodles, Sambazon, Sun Cruiser, Tractor Beverage Co, I-SEA, Skullcandy, Rad Power Bikes, Pura Vida, Onewheel, Jack’s Surfboards, Huntington Surf and Sport, Proximo Spirits, Milagro Tequila, and Surfwater. The event is also supported by media partners, CBS Broadcasting, ESPN, I-Heart Media, and Complex Networks.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com and USOpenofSurfing.com.
