Margaret River’s Jacob Willcox will spearhead the West Aussie charge when the World Surf League (WSL) Challenger Series heads to Portugal for Stop No. 4, the prestigious EDP Ericeira Pro. Sitting atop the global rankings at the halfway mark of the season, Willcox is riding a career-best run that included a breakthrough victory at Newcastle earlier this year and a wildcard appearance at his home Margaret River Pro.
Now fully recovered from an ankle injury, the 27-year-old is hungry to consolidate his position as the frontrunner in the race for 2026 Championship Tour qualification. With the powerful right-hand point of Ribeira d’Ilhas set to provide a true test, WA eyes will be firmly on Willcox as he looks to continue his momentum on the world stage.
Challenger Series Contenders Ready to Rumble at EDP Ericeira Pro
RIBEIRA D’ILHAS, Ericeira, Portugal (Friday, September 26, 2025) – The World Surf League (WSL) Challenger Series 2025 is gearing up for the only stop in Europe and Stop No. 4, the EDP Ericeira Pro. The world’s elite contenders have arrived in Portugal as the race for Championship Tour (CT) qualification reignites on the shores of Ericeira, a World Surfing Reserve since 2011. As the halfway mark into the season, there are still lots at stake and the dynamic waves of Praia Ribeira D’Ilhas will certainly test the resolve of the surfers. The competition window opens on Monday, September 29 and will run through Sunday, October 5 at Praia Ribeira D’Ilhas.
Rankings Leaders Tya Zebrowski and Jacob Willcox Hungry for More in Ericeira
With three Challenger Series events out of the way, Jacob Willcox (AUS) and Tya Zebrowski (FRA) lead the rankings coming into Stop No. 4, and they are hungrier than ever to stay at the top as they charge towards the Championship Tour in 2026. The 14-year-old from Tahiti has been making a name for herself since her runner-up finish in Ericeira last year, and is confident in her surfing to compete with the best in the world.
“My goal is to qualify for the CT, and of course take the win here in Ericeira,” said Zebrowski. “I’m really lucky to be first on the rankings at the moment, it helps a lot, but I always take it step by step and try to enjoy the contest and have fun. As the only Challenger Series in Europe, it’s really special for me, because it kind of feels like home. I’ve had really good results in Portugal, winning the European Championship and qualifying for the Challenger in Ericeira last year, so hopefully that good luck is still with me.
It’s been an interesting year for Willcox, winning his first-ever Challenger Series in Newcastle, and earning a wildcard for the Margaret River CT, but then things took a turn with an early elimination at the US Open and he suffered an ankle injury.
“It’s a pleasure to be here leading the rankings,” said Willcox. “It’s a different position for me to be in, but it’s something I’m getting comfortable with halfway through the year. You still have to be hungry though, it can change so quickly at any event. You have to keep showing up and not get complacent. I hurt my ankle in America and didn’t surf for almost two months, so this event is going to be a real test physically and mentally. When something you love doing gets taken away from you, you realise how much it means to you. I’m just grateful to be here, but I’m also really hungry for this event and I can’t wait to get out there.”
Portugal’s Yolanda Hopkins, Frederico Morais, Guilherme Ribeiro Fired Up to Compete at Home
Coming into Ericeira ranked No. 2, Yolanda Hopkins (POR) carries a lot of national pride and pressure on her shoulders as she leads the charge for the Portuguese contingent. Compared to her 11th position on the rankings this time last year, Hopkins has proven her determination to qualify for the CT with a consistent competitive streak this season.
“It’s pretty special, I’ve never been in this amazing position,” said Hopkins. “It’s a big change from second to eleventh, and it proves a lot of improvement in my surfing and my competitive streak. I’ve had a fifth, third and second place result this season, and if I get another it will really solidify my chances to qualify. I would love to get that first win, and what better place than to do it at home. Having a good result here, will be that final barrier I need to cross to stay in contention.”
Without the pressure of making the CT qualification cut off this year, former CT competitor Frederico Morais (POR) still wants to perform at his best at home. Morais has been making a slow and steady return to competition after a serious ankle injury, and every heat win is a boost in confidence.
“The expectations are always high when you compete at home,” said Morais. “You want to show up, make some heats and impress, but I just want to take it step by step and enjoy the process and we’ll see where it takes me. I will have one more after Brazil to remove the metal parts in my ankle, and after that I will have more confidence to commit to the big turns and heavy sections that I really want to do.”
After a difficult Challenger Series season last year, Guilherme Ribeiro (POR) received the EDP wildcard to compete in Ericeira. Ribeiro won his first major Qualifying Series (QS) title last month in Pantin, determined to make it back to the Challenger Series stage.
“I just want to show everything I’ve improved in my surfing,” said Ribeiro. “I feel more ready than ever to attack the Challenger Series. I’m in a good spot to qualify and I just want to enjoy the momentum I have right now and give it my all. I love being in this environment, surfing with the best Portuguese surfers and supporting them in their journey too.”
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.
Events
