2021 World Surf League

2020-21 World Surf League
LocationHawaii, Australia, The United States of America, Mexico
DatesDecember 4th 2020 - September 17th 2021
Champions
MenBrazil Gabriel Medina
WomenHawaii Carissa Moore
← 2019
2022 →

The 2020-21 World Surf League was the 44th season of all iterations of the tour circuit for professional surfers. After the 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, limiting international travel between and within countries namely Australia, Indonesia, Portugal and South Africa. The championships took a break for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.[1] The board changed the tour to a wraparound season of 2020-21, which allowed major changes to the tour schedule, with the Billabong Pipe Masters becoming the first round of the tour.[2]

The season also saw some new events introduced due to COVID-19 outbreaks and restrictions on travel within countries, notably Australia, who required surfers to quarantine in Sydney for 14 days upon arrival.[3] Narrabeen was chosen as a replacement for the Gold Coast, while Newcastle returned to the tour for the first time in 10 years to replace Bells Beach.[3] The women's championship tour will compete in Teahupo'o, French Polynesia for the first time in 15 years, while Mexico was added to the championship for the first time to replace the round left vacant by Jeffrey's Bay, due to the COVID outbreak in South Africa.[4]

For the first time, the season will end at Lower Trestles, in San Clemente, USA, with the top five seeded men and women from the season going head to head to determine the champion at the WSL Finals.[5][6] This was put in place after the positive response to the men's championship event in 2019, as well as allowing surfers who had to isolate with COVID-19 an opportunity to still win the title.[7]

Carissa Moore and Ítalo Ferreira were the defending champions.

Schedule

The championship series will consist of the following events, subject to change due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2][8]

Round Date Event Location
1 December 8–20 Hawaii Billabong Pipe Masters Banzai Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii
2 April 1–11 Australia Rip Curl Newcastle Cup Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
3 April 16–26 Australia Rip Curl Narrabeen Classic Narrabeen, New South Wales, Australia
4 May 2–12 Australia Boost Mobile Margaret River Pro Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia
5 May 16–26 Australia Rip Curl Rottnest Search Rottnest Island, Western Australia, Australia
6 June 25–27 United States Jeep Surf Ranch Pro Lemoore, California, United States
7 August 10–20 Mexico Corona Open Mexico Barra de la Cruz, Oaxaca, Mexico
8 September 9–17 United States Rip Curl WSL Finals San Clemente, California, United States
Events cancelled or moved during the 2021 season
Date Event Location Reason
December 4–20 Hawaii Maui Pro presented by ROXY Honolua Bay, Maui, Hawaii Nearby fatal shark attack. Contest moved to Pipeline with Men's event.[9]
February 2–12 United States Santa Cruz Pro Santa Cruz, California, United States COVID-19 outbreak in Southern California, restrictions on public events.[8][10]

Originally brought in to replace Portugal.

February 18–28 Portugal MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Supertubos, Peniche, Portugal COVID-19 outbreak and restrictions on international travel into Europe.[2][4][8]
April 1–11 Australia Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Torquay, Victoria, Australia Deal with New South Wales Government to quarantine surfers in Sydney.[3][8] Event moved to Newcastle.
May 3–13 Australia Corona Open Gold Coast

men's event / women's event

Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia COVID-19 travel restrictions to Queensland from Sydney.[11][12] Event moved to Narrabeen.[3][8]
June 25- July 9 South Africa Corona Open J-Bay Jeffreys Bay, Eastern Cape, South Africa COVID-19 outbreak of South African variant.[2][8] Replaced by Corona Open Mexico.
Scheduled June Indonesia Quicksilver Pro G-Land Alas Purwo National Park, East Java, Indonesia COVID-19 outbreak and travel restrictions within Indonesia.[4][8]
August 11–16 Brazil Oi Rio Pro Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil COVID-19[13]
August 24- September 3 French Polynesia Outerknown Tahiti Pro Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia

Results and Standings

Event Results

Round Event Men's Champion Men's Runner Up Women's Champion Women's Runner Up
1 Hawaii Billabong Pipeline Masters  John John Florence (HAW)  Gabriel Medina (BRA)  Tyler Wright (AUS)  Carissa Moore (HAW)
2 Australia Rip Curl Newcastle Cup  Italo Ferreira (BRA)  Gabriel Medina (BRA)  Carissa Moore (HAW)  Isabella Nichols (AUS)
3 Australia Rip Curl Narrabeen Classic  Gabriel Medina (BRA)  Conner Coffin (USA)  Caroline Marks (USA)  Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA)
4 Australia Boost Mobile Margaret River Pro  Filipe Toledo (BRA)  Jordy Smith (ZAF)  Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA)  Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
5 Australia Rip Curl Rottnest Search  Gabriel Medina (BRA)  Morgan Cibilic (AUS)  Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)  Johanne Defay (FRA)
6 United States Jeep Surf Ranch Pro  Filipe Toledo (BRA)  Gabriel Medina (BRA)  Johanne Defay (FRA)  Carissa Moore (HAW)
7 Mexico Corona Open Mexico  Jack Robinson (AUS)  Deivid Silva (BRA)  Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)  Malia Manuel (HAW)
8 United States Rip Curl WSL Finals  Gabriel Medina (BRA)  Filipe Toledo (BRA)  Carissa Moore (HAW)  Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA)

Men's Standings

Points are awarded using the following structure:

Position  1st   2nd   3rd   5th   9th   17th   33rd   INJ   WTD   DNC 
Points 10,000 7,800 6,085 4,745 3,320 1,330 265 265 265 0
Position +/- Surfer Hawaii

WCT 1

Australia

WCT 2

Australia

WCT 3

Australia

WCT 4

Australia

WCT 5

United States

WCT 6

Mexico

WCT 7

United States

Finals

Points
1 Steady  Gabriel Medina (BRA) 2nd 2nd 1st 9th 1st 2nd 5th 1st 43,400
2 11  Filipe Toledo (BRA) 17th 3rd 9th 1st 17th 1st 17th 2nd 30,735
3 11  Italo Ferreira (BRA) 3rd 1st 9th 5th 3rd 9th 5th 3rd 31,660
4 Steady  Conner Coffin (USA) 33rd 5th 2nd 17th 5th 9th 5th 4th 25,355
5 Steady  Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 17th 3rd 5th 17th 2nd 9th 9th 5th 25,270
6 Steady  Griffin Colapinto (USA) 17th 9th 3rd 3rd 17th 3rd 17th 22,905
7 Steady  Jordy Smith (ZAF) 5th 9th 9th 2nd 9th INJ INJ 22,505
8 Steady  Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 5th 9th 5th 9th 17th 3rd 17th 22,215
9 Steady  Yago Dora (BRA) 17th 9th 5th 17th 5th 5th 9th 20,875
10 Steady  Frederico Morais (PRT) 17th 9th 3rd 9th 17th 9th 5th 20,790
11 Steady  John John Florence (HAW) 1st 17th 9th 5th INJ INJ INJ 19,660
12 Steady  Jack Robinson (AUS) 9th 17th 9th 17th 17th 33rd 1st 19,300
13 Steady  Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 5th 17th 33rd 17th 9th 9th 3rd 18,800
14 Steady  Deivid Silva (BRA) 17th 5th 17th 17th 17th 17th 2nd 16,535
15 Steady  Ryan Callinan (AUS) 9th 5th 17th 5th 17th 17th 17th 15,470
15 Steady  Adriano de Souza (BRA) 33rd 5th 17th 17th 9th 5th 17th 15,470
15 Steady  Ethan Ewing (AUS) 17th 17th 5th 17th 17th 5th 9th 15,470
18 Steady  Kelly Slater (USA) 3th INJ INJ INJ INJ 5th 9th 14,680
19 Steady  Jadson André (BRA) 9th 33rd 9th 9th 33rd 17th 9th 14,610
20 Steady  Jérémy Florès (FRA) 5th 17th 17th 9th 33rd WTD 9th 14,045
20 Steady  Julian Wilson (AUS) 17th 9th 17th 9th 5th WTD - 14,045
20 Steady  Seth Moniz (HAW) 17th 17th 17th 5th 9th 9th 17th 14,045
20 Steady  Miguel Pupo (BRA) 9th 17th 17th 17th 5th 9th 17th 14,045
24 Steady  Matthew McGillivray (ZAF) 9th 33rd 33rd 3rd 17th 17th 17th 13,395
25 Steady  Owen Wright (AUS) INJ 9th 17th 17th 9th 9th 17th 12,620
25 Steady  Caio Ibelli (BRA) 9th 17th 9th 9th 17th 17th 17th 12,620
27 Steady  Peterson Crisanto (BRA) 9th 17th 17th 9th 33rd 17th 17th 10,630
28 Steady  Michel Bourez (FRA) 17th 17th 17th 17th 9th INJ 17th 8,640
28 Steady  Jack Freestone (AUS) 9th 17th 17th 33rd 17th 17th INJ 8,640
28 Steady  Wade Carmichael (AUS) 17th 9th 17th 17th 17th 17th 17th 8,640
28 Steady  Connor O'Leary (AUS) 17th 17th 33rd 17th 9th 17th 33rd 8,640
32 Steady  Mikey Wright (AUS) 17th 33rd 17th 33rd 9th 33rd 17th 7,575
33 Steady  Alex Ribeiro (BRA) 33rd 17th 17th 17th 17th 17th 33rd 6,650
34 Steady  Liam O'Brien (AUS) - - - - 3rd 33rd - 6,350
35 Steady  Mateus Herdy (BRA) - - - - - - 3rd 6,085
36 Steady  Adrian Buchan (AUS) INJ 17th 33rd 17th INJ 17th 17th 5,585
37 Steady  Kolohe Andino (USA) 17th INJ INJ INJ INJ INJ 9th 5,445
38 Steady  Reef Heazlewood (AUS) - - 9th 33rd - - - 3,585
39 Steady  Rio Waida (IDN) - - - - - - 9th 3,320
40 Steady  Jacob Willcox (AUS) - - - 17th 17th - - 2,660
41 Steady  Joshua Moniz (HAW) 17th - - - - - - 1,330
41 Steady  Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 17th - - - - - - 1,330
41 Steady  Crosby Colapinto (USA) - 17th - - - - - 1,330
41 Steady  Jackson Baker (AUS) - 17th - - - - - 1,330
41 Steady  Dylan Moffat (AUS) - - 17th - - - - 1,330
41 Steady  Mick Fanning (AUS) - - 17th - - - - 1,330
41 Steady  Stuart Kennedy (AUS) - - - - 17th - - 1,330
41 Steady  Kael Walsh (AUS) - - - - 17th - - 1,330
41 Steady  Nat Young (USA) - - - - - 17th - 1,330
41 Steady  Michael Dunphy (USA) - - - - - 17th - 1,330
41 Steady  Patrick Gudauskas (USA) - - - - - 17th - 1,330
41 Steady  Eli Hanneman (HAW) - - - - - 17th - 1,330
41 Steady  Lucas Vicente (BRA) - - - - - 17th - 1,330
41 Steady  Lucca Mesinas (PER) - - - - - - 17th 1,330
55 Steady  Miguel Tudela (PER) 33rd - - - - - - 265
55 Steady  Matt Banting (AUS) - 33rd - - - - - 265
55 Steady  Cyrus Cox (AUS) - - - 33rd - - - 265
55 Steady  Taj Burrow (AUS) - - - - 33rd - - 265
55 Steady  Jabe Swiercocki (USA) - - - - - 33rd - 265
55 Steady  Jhony Corzo (MEX) - - - - - - 33rd 265
55 Steady  Diego Cadena (MEX) - - - - - - 33rd 265

Women's Standings

Points are awarded using the following structure:

Position  1st   2nd   3rd   5th   9th   17th   INJ   WTD   DNC 
Points 10,000 7,800 6,085 4,745 2,610 1,045 1,045 1,045 0
Position +/- Surfer Hawaii

WCT 1

Australia

WCT 2

Australia

WCT 3

Australia

WCT 4

Australia

WCT 5

United States

WCT 6

Mexico

WCT 7

United States

Finals

Points
1 Steady  Carissa Moore (HAW) 2nd 1st 3rd 3rd 3rd 2nd 3rd 1st 37,770
2 Steady  Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 3rd 9th 2nd 1st 17th 3rd 5th 2nd 34,715
3 Steady  Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 3rd 9th 5th 5th 1st 3rd 3rd 3rd 33,000
4 11  Johanne Defay (FRA) 9th 5th 5th 5th 2nd 1st 5th 4th 32,035
5 11  Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 5th 5th 5th 2nd 9th 5th 1st 5th 32,035
6 Steady  Caroline Marks (USA) 9th 3rd 1st 9th 9th 5th 9th 26,050
6 Steady  Tyler Wright (AUS) 1st 9th 9th 5th 3rd WTD 9th 26,050
8 Steady  Isabella Nichols (AUS) 9th 2nd 17th 5th 5th 9th 5th 24,645
9 Steady  Courtney Conlogue (USA) 9th 5th 3rd 17th 9th 5th 5th 22,930
10 Steady  Malia Manuel (HAW) 5th 17th 9th 9th 5th 9th 2nd 22,510
11 Steady  Bronte Macaulay (AUS) 17th 5th 9th 3rd 9th WTD 9th 18,660
11 Steady  Keely Andrew (AUS) 17th 3rd 5th 9th 9th 9th 9th 18,660
13 Steady  Nikki van Dijk (AUS) 9th 9th 9th 9th 5th 9th INJ 15,185
13 Steady  Sage Erickson (USA) 5th 17th 9th 9th 9th 9th 9th 15,185
15 Steady  Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 9th 9th 9th 9th 17th 9th 9th 13,050
15 Steady  Macy Callaghan (AUS) 9th 9th 9th 9th 9th WTD 9th 13,050
17 Steady  Amuro Tsuzuki (JPN) - - 9th 9th 5th 17th - 11,010
18 Steady  Lakey Peterson (USA) 5th 9th INJ INJ INJ INJ INJ 10,490
19 Steady  Coco Ho (HAW) - - - - - 5th - 4,745
20 Steady  Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 9th - - - - - - 2,610
20 Steady  Phillipa Anderson (AUS) - 9th - - - - - 2,610
20 Steady  Mia McCarthy (AUS) - - - - 9th - - 2,610
20 Steady  Kirra Pinkerton (USA) - - - - - 9th - 2,610
20 Steady  Alyssa Spencer (USA) - - - - - 9th - 2,610
20 Steady  Silvana Lima (BRA) - - - - - - 9th 2,610
26 Steady  Laura Enever (AUS) - - 17th - - - - 1,045
26 Steady  Willow Hardy (AUS) - - - 17th - - - 1,045
26 Steady  Caitlin Simmers (USA) - - - - - 17th - 1,045
26 Steady  Shelby Detmers (MEX) - - - - - - 17th 1,045
26 Steady  Regina Pioli (MEX) - - - - - - 17th 1,045

Challenger Series

2021 Men's Challenger Series

Round Event Men's Champion Men's Runner Up
1 United States US Open of Surfing Huntington Beach United States Griffin Colapinto United States Jake Marshall
2 Portugal MEO Vissla Pro Ericeira Hawaii Ezekiel Lau Australia Jackson Baker
3 France Quiksilver Pro France Australia Connor O'Leary France Michel Bourez
4 Hawaii Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold Haleiwa Challenger Hawaii John John Florence Australia Jack Robinson
Position  1st   2nd   3rd   4th   5th   7th   9th   13th   17th   25th   37th   49th   73rd 
Points 10,000 8,000 6,500 6,100 5,000 4,900 3,500 3,400 2,000 750 650 400 350
Ranking +/- Surfer Events Points
Carry Over United States 1 Portugal 2 France 3 Hawaii 4
1 Steady  Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) - 3rd 25th 3rd 3rd 19,500
2 Steady  Ezekiel Lau (HAW) - 9th 1st 49th 5th 18,600
3 Steady  Liam O'Brien (AUS) 5.000 5th 25th 25th 7th 14,900
4 Steady  Connor O'Leary (AUS) - 73rd 37th 1st 9th 14,250
5 Steady  Griffin Colapinto (USA) 750 1st - - 13th 14,150
6 Steady  Jake Marshall (USA) 2.500 2nd 17th 25th 9th 14,100
7 Steady  Jack Robinson (AUS) 5.000 25th - - 2nd 13,750
8 Steady  Callum Robson (AUS) - 5th 9th 17th 7th 13,400
9 Steady  Samuel Pupo (BRA) - 73rd 9th 9th 4th 13,100
10 Steady  Nat Young (USA) 5.000 49th 3rd 49th 49th 12,100
11 Steady  Imaikalani deVault (HAW) 3.500 17th 3rd 37th 49th 12,000
12 Steady  Lucca Mesinas (PER) 2.500 17th 9th 5th 33rd 11,000
12 Steady  João Chianca (BRA) 4.000 25th 9th 9th 25th 11,000
14 Steady  Jackson Baker (AUS) 2.000 73rd 2nd 49th 33rd 10,700
15 Steady  Carlos Munoz (CRC) - 37th 5th 5th 49th 10,650
16 Steady  Jordan Lawler (AUS) - 25th 5th 9th 25th 10,300
17 Steady  John John Florence (HAW) - - - - 1st 10,000
17 Steady  Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 10.000 - - - - 10,000
19 Steady  Michel Bourez (FRA) - 37th 73rd 2nd 49th 9,250
19 Steady  Mateus Herdy (BRA) 750 49th 17th 3rd 49th 9,250
19 Steady  Lucas Silveira (BRA) 750 5th 49th 9th 33rd 9,250

Legend Note: The top 12, non-CT men from the 2021 Challengers Series qualified for the 2022 Championship Tour.

Men's CT 2022

Source

2021 Women's Challengers Series

Round Event Women's Champion Women's Runner Up
1 United States US Open of Surfing Huntington Beach United States Caitlin Simmers Hawaii Gabriela Bryan
2 Portugal MEO Vissla Pro Ericeira Brazil Luana Silva Hawaii Gabriela Bryan
3 France Roxy Pro France Costa Rica Brisa Hennessy Australia India Robinson
4 Hawaii Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold Haleiwa Challenger Hawaii Bettylou Sakura Johnson Hawaii Gabriela Bryan
Position  1st   2nd   3rd   4th   5th   7th   9th   13th   17th   25th   33th   49th 
Points 10,000 8,000 6,500 6,100 5,000 4,900 3,500 3,400 2,000 1,800 700 600
Ranking +/- Surfer Events Points
Carry Over United States 1 Portugal 2 France 3 Hawaii 4
1 Steady  Gabriela Bryan (HAW) - 2nd 2nd 33rd 2nd 24,000
2 Steady  Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 6.500 25th 5th 1st 9th 21,500
3 Steady  Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) - 5th 5th 49th 1st 20,000
4 Steady  Caitlin Simmers (USA) - 1st 33rd 3rd 17th 18,700
5 Steady  India Robinson (AUS) - 25th 9th 2nd 4th 17,600
6 Steady  Carissa Moore (HAW) 10.000 - - - 3rd 16,500
7 Steady  Luana Silva (BRA) ** 1.500 49th 1st 33rd 13th 14,900
8 Steady  Molly Picklum (AUS) ** 5.000 33rd 17th 5th 7th 14,900
9 Steady  Vahine Fierro (FRA) 4.000 9th 17th 5th 7th 13,900
10 Steady  Alyssa Spencer (USA) 3.500 9th 9th 5th 5th 13,600
11 Steady  Sawyer Lindblad (USA) - 5th 49th 3rd 25th 13,300


Legend Note: The top 6, non-CT women from the 2021 Challengers Series qualified for the 2022 Championship Tour.

  • Luana Silva wins the tiebreaker (best two event results) over Molly Picklum for the sixth and final CT qualification spot.
Women's CT 2022

References

  1. ^ "World Surf League cancels 2020 season due to coronavirus pandemic". For The Win. 2020-07-17. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
  2. ^ a b c d "Event Schedule". World Surf League. Retrieved 2021-04-15.
  3. ^ a b c d "World Surf League Confirms Championship Tour Events For Australian Leg". World Surf League. Retrieved 2021-04-15.
  4. ^ a b c "Factbox: Surfing-World Championship Tour 2021 schedule". Reuters. 2020-07-17. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
  5. ^ "Rip Curl WSL Finals". www.ripcurl.com. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
  6. ^ "WSL to introduce final-day surf-off for world title from 2021". the Guardian. Australian Associated Press. 2020-04-29. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
  7. ^ Weisberg, Zach. "Opinion: The WSL Finals Is a Huge Improvement to Pro Surfing". The Inertia. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g "2021 Championship Tour Schedule". World Surf League. Retrieved 2021-04-15.
  9. ^ "Finally, the Women's Championship Tour will hold a historic event at Pipeline". For The Win. 2020-12-20. Retrieved 2021-04-15.
  10. ^ "California's COVID-19 surge is receding, but officials still call for holiday caution". Los Angeles Times. 2021-02-12. Archived from the original on 2021-02-12. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
  11. ^ "Here's where you can and can't travel now the Brisbane lockdown has lifted". www.abc.net.au. 2021-04-01. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
  12. ^ "Queensland is changing its border restrictions — here's what you need to know". www.abc.net.au. 2021-01-28. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
  13. ^ "Updated 2021 Championship Tour Schedule Announced". World Surf League. Retrieved 2021-06-20.