This is the first time Sunset has hosted a Championship Tour competition in 12 years. The last CT, held at Sunset in 2010, saw two-time WSL Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) defeat Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), seven-time WSL Champion Stephanie Gilmore and Coco Ho (HAU) at the O’Neill Women’s World Cup. Sunset Beach is also known for hosting other high profile competitions. For many years it served as the last major event on the men’s qualifier series schedule, as well as the stage for several women’s Pro Junior events.
Hurley Pro Sunset Beach Wildcards and Substitute Surfers
Moana Jones Wong (HAW) sits at No. 1 in the world after winning the Billabong Pro Pipeline and earning the wildcard for the Hurley Pro Sunset pres. by SHISEIDO. Kai Lenny (HAW) and Billy Kemper (HAW) also take part in the men’s draw as event wildcards.
Three-time WSL Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) has retired from Hurley Pro Sunset Beach and will be replaced by Caio Ibelli (BRA).
World No. 6 Caroline Marks (USA) has withdrawn from Hurley Pro Sunset Beach due to medical reasons: “Obviously I was really looking forward to competing at Sunset but unfortunately after consultation with my team I have to take time away from CT to deal with some recurring medical and health issues. I’m looking forward to watching the tour from home and can’t wait to return once I’m back in full force.
Marks is replaced by Bronte Macaulay (AUS).
Yago Dora (BRA) continues his recovery from his preseason injury and will be replaced by Matthew McGillivray (ZAF). Liam O’Brien (AUS) and Carlos Munoz (CRI) suffered injuries in Pipeline and are continuing their recovery. They will be replaced by Jordan Lawler (AUS) and Barron Mamiya (HAW), respectively.
The world’s best surfers are ready for Hurley Pro Sunset Beach, presented by SHISEIDO
When the women’s competition is called ON, rookie Gabriela Bryan (HAW), who won back-to-back Pro Junior events at Sunset in 2018 and 2019, ranks first against Molly Picklum (AUS) and Johanne Defay (FRA).
Now seated as world No. 2, Moore has another chance to win a heat against Jones in heat three of the opening round. Jones and Moore also join rookie Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW), who has spent a good chunk of her surfing life free-surfing, and is competing at Sunset Beach. Johnson reached the Pro Junior finals in 2020 at the age of 15.
“I’m really looking forward to competing at sunset and surfing in front of my home crowd,” said Moore. “It’s one of the most challenging but historic and special waves on the North Shore so I’m really excited to get back into a jersey out here. I’ve been fortunate to have worked with incredible Sunset locals Pancho Sullivan and Myles Padaca in the past for this event and this year’s Love Hodel. I am so grateful for their time and for sharing their years of knowledge and experience with me. I would not be where I am today without the support and love of so many people.”
During the Oahu Activation, Hurley will assist Moore in hosting an event in partnership with her nonprofit, the Moore Aloha Foundation. The intimate event will host 15 aspiring female athletes who will spend the day with Moore enjoying yoga, lei-making, a surf session and beach clean-up.
“I’m excited to pass it on through our Moore Aloha event and Sunset, share some of my experiences and resources with the next generation of aspiring Hawaiian surfers,” Moore continued. “Love Hodel, Megan Abubo, Brett Simpson and some of the CT girls will be joining in the fun. It’s going to be a great two weeks!”
Eleven-time world champion Kelly Slater (USA) earned his 56th CT victory on the world-famous Banzai Pipeline and heads to Sunset Beach as the world number one. In the opening Round 1, Slater meets rookie Callum Robson (AUS) and event wildcard Mamiya, who fulfilled his dream of surfing the surfing legend in last week’s Billabong Pro Pipeline. In a must-see bout, Mamiya pressured the eight-time Pipeline Champion throughout the heat and maintained the lead on the scoreboard until the closing seconds, when Slater was a gifted buzzer-beater, almost perfect and took the win with a 9.23 (out of a possible 10).
WSL Champion Italo Ferreira (BRA) takes on local hero Ezekiel Lau (HAW) and event wildcard Kemper in Heat 5 of Men’s Opening Round 1 in hopes of moving up the WSL rankings and a better result than his current 9th place finish to achieve.
Also in 9th place on the leaderboard is Filipe Toledo (BRA), who finished the 2021 season as world No. 2 and looks forward to using Sunset’s infamous rights in his favour. Toledo meets rookie Joao Chianca (BRA) and event wildcard Lenny in heat 6.
“There’s no doubt that right-handers like Sunset work in my favor,” Toledo said. “I spent a lot of time at Sunset Beach testing my boards and catching a few waves. I’m learning where and how to position myself best to look for the best waves there. I’m more comfortable with the wave and more confident in fighting for a good result in this event.”
Sitting as world No. 2, local surfer Seth Moniz (HAW) is looking to maintain his momentum and secure his spot among the world’s best. In the opening round 1 he has to prevail against Kolohe Andino (USA) and Nat Young (USA).
SHISEIDO returns as WSL’s global sustainability partner
Today, WSL announces a renewed partnership with SHISEIDO, which sees them return in 2022 for a second year as WSL’s Global Sustainability Partner. In 2022, WSL remains committed to protecting and preserving the global ocean and this season, with the support of SHISEIDO, is focusing on doing so at the WSL Championship Tour (CT) 2022 events through grassroots, community-led activities to improve to bring to life.
SHISEIDO is the presenting partner of the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach. Along with WSL’s SHISEIDO Blue Project and We Are One Ocean™, there will be an activation during the event window in partnership with Nā Kama Kai and the North Shore Community Land Trust.
Hurley Pro Sunset Beach presented by SHISEIDO Women’s Opening Round 1 Matchups:
Heat 1: Johanne Defay (FRA), Gabriela Bryan (HAW), Molly Picklum (AUS)
Heat 2: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA), Malia Manuel (HAW), Bronte Macaulay (AUS)
Heat 3: Carissa Moore (HAW), Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW), Moana Jones Wong (HAW)
Heat 4: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Brisa Hennessy (CRI), Luana Silva (HAW)
Heat 5: Lakey Peterson (USA), Isabella Nichols (AUS), Courtney Conlogue (USA)
Heat 6: Tyler Wright (AUS), Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), India Robinson (AUS)
Hurley Pro Sunset Beach presented by SHISEIDO Men’s Opening Round 1 Matchups:
Heat 1: Jordy Smith (ZAF), Ryan Callinan (AUS), Matthew McGillivray (ZAF)
Round 2: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN), Lucca Mesinas (PER), Caio Ibelli (BRA)
Heat 3: Kelly Slater (USA), Callum Robson (AUS), Barron Mamiya (HAW)
Round 4: Conner Coffin (USA), Jadson Andre (BRA), Jordan Lawler (AUS)
Round 5: Italo Ferreira (BRA), Ezekiel Lau (HAW), Billy Kemper (HAW)
Round 6: Filipe Toledo (BRA), Joao Chianca (BRA), Kai Lenny (HAW)
Heat 7: Morgan Cibilic (AUS), Samuel Pupo (BRA), Imaikalani deVault (HAW)
Heat 8: John John Florence (HAW), Ethan Ewing (AUS), Owen Wright (AUS)
Heat 9: Griffin Colapinto (USA), Deivid Silva (BRA), Jackson Baker (AUS)
Heat 10: Seth Moniz (HAW), Kolohe Andino (USA), Nat Young (USA)
Heat 11: Miguel Pupo (BRA), Jack Robinson (AUS), Jake Marshall (USA)
Round 12: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA), Frederico Morais (PRT), Connor O’Leary (AUS)
watch live
The hold period for the SHISEIDO presented Hurley Pro Sunset Beach, the second stop of the 2022 Championship Tour, runs from tomorrow, February 11th to February 23rd, 2022. The competition will be broadcast LIVE WorldSurfLeague.com and the WSL YouTube channel as well as the free one WSL app. Check local directories for coverage from WSL’s broadcast partners. For fans watching in Brazil, coverage of the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach presented by SHISEIDO Quarterfinals and Beyond continues exclusively worldsurfleague.com and Sports TV.
Presented by SHISEIDO, the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach is proudly supported by our partners Hurley, SHISEIDO, Red Bull, Oakley, Hydro, Flask, Havaianas, Expedia, Flying Embers, Pura Vida, Spectrum Hawaii, 805 and Da Fin.
COVID-19 Updates
The health and safety of our athletes, staff and local community is of the utmost importance and we have worked closely with local authorities to put in place a robust set of procedures to protect everyone. This includes pre-event screening, testing protocols and minimal on-site staffing. In accordance with CDC guidelines and Oahu’s COVID guidelines, onsite mask guidelines are recommended.
About the WSL
Founded in 1976, the World Surf League (WSL) is home to the world’s best surfers. A global sports, media and entertainment company, WSL oversees international tours and competitions, a studio division that creates over 500 hours of live and on-demand content, and through subsidiary WaveCo, home of the world’s largest high-performance man-made platform, Wave. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, WSL has regional offices in North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific and EMEA.
The WSL selects the surfing world champions every year. The Global Touring and Competitions Division oversees and conducts more than 180 global competitions each year on the Championship Tour, developmental levels including the Challenger, Qualifying and Junior Series, as well as longboard and big wave facilities.
Founded in 2019, WSL Studios is an independent producer of unscripted television projects, including documentaries and series, that provide unprecedented access to athletes, events and locations around the world. WSL events and content are distributed on linear television to over 743 million homes worldwide and across digital and social media platforms around the world, including WorldSurfLeague.com.
WaveCo includes the facility of Surf Ranch Lemoore and the use and licensing of the Kelly Slater Wave System.
WSL is dedicated to changing the world through the inspiring power of surfing, creating authentic events, experiences and storytelling to inspire a growing global community to live with purpose, originality and enthusiasm.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
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