Western Australia’s Jacob Willcox is set to headline the world stage once again as he arrives at the EDP Ericeira Pro ranked No. 1 on the World Surf League (WSL) Challenger Series. Fresh from a breakthrough win earlier in the season and now back from injury, the Margaret River surfer is determined to keep his momentum rolling as the race for Championship Tour requalification heats up in Portugal.
Read the full WSL media statement below.
Europe beckons for the world’s elite contenders as the attention shifts to Stop No. 4 of the 2025 World Surf League (WSL) Challenger Series, the EDP Ericeira Pro. The competition window will open on September 29 and run through October 5, 2025 at Praia Ribeira D’Ilhas. The picturesque, cliff-lined sandy bay offers fast, reeling right-hand walls and is one of the most consistent breaks along the coastline.
Jacob Willcox Leads Rankings Going Into Stop No. 4
Leading the men’s rankings heading into Ericeira is Western Australia’s Jacob Willcox (AUS), who is hunting down CT requalification. After falling off Tour last year at the Mid-season Cut and failing to requalify, Willcox came back in 2025 to win his first-ever Challenger Series event, Stop No. 1 of the season, the Newcastle SURFEST. Despite a major ankle injury landing him a tough result at Huntington Beach, Willcox has managed to hold onto his No. 1 ranking and rehabilitate enough to be able to return to competition in Portugal.
Brazil’s Mateus Herdy (BRA) climbed to No. 2 on the rankings with his runner-up finish at the US Open of Surfing and is within striking distance of Willcox. Herdy has had great success at Ericeira in the past, with a Semifinal and Quarterfinal finish. The speed, power and aerial tactics of the 2018 World Junior Champion suit the wave well, but he has yet to make it to the Final.
California’s Levi Slawson (USA) soared up the rankings to No. 4 after his breakthrough win in front of family and friends at the US Open of Surfing last month. The 22-year-old has been a long-time threat in the Qualifying Series scene at home, but his performance at Huntington Beach was on another level, proving his determination to qualify for the CT. Slawson has a score to settle with Ericeira, after two early eliminations in his previous appearances in 2022 and 2024, and he will look to turn things around this season to stay in the fight at the top.
Tya Zebrowski Returns To Ericeira As No. 1 On The Rankings
Returning to Ericeira in the top spot on the rankings is 2024 Ericeira Pro runner-up Tya Zebrowski (FRA). As a 13-year-old wildcard, Zebrowski obliterated the field in commendable fashion, establishing herself as a serious contender on the world stage. Now 14, Zebrowski’s consistency has earned her the No. 1 ranking on the Challenger Series. So far, the young Tahitian phenom has made Finals Day of every event she has appeared in at the Challenger Series level, including a runner-up finish at the US Open of Surfing.
Few things inspire a performance as much as national pride and Yolanda Hopkins (POR) will be brimming with confidence when she paddles out at home ranked No. 2 on the Challenger Series. Hopkins has placed in three out of three Finals Days in 2025, but it was her battle in the Final of the Ballito Pro with Nadia Erostarbe (EUK) that reminded everyone why she deserves to be on the Championship Tour (CT). Hopkins is followed by fellow two-time Olympian Teresa Bonvalot (POR) and 2022 World Junior Champion Francisca Veselko (POR), who are both in the hunt for CT qualification and sitting above the cut line at No. 5 and No. 6 respectively.
Former CT Veteran Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) brings her boundless energy to Ericeira as the defending event winner. Currently ranked No. 3, Fitzgibbons continues to live out her love for the sport, while taking down some of the up-and-coming young stars. The 34-year-old has fond memories of Ericeira, the place where she requalified for the CT last year, when she pipped Zebrowski in an exciting Final.
The EDP Ericeira Pro is set to run from Monday, September 29 through October 5, 2025 at Praia de Ribeira d’Ilhas, Ericeira.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
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