The World Surf League (WSL) Longboard World Champions will once again be crowned at perhaps the most idyllic and well-known longboard wave in the world, Malibu, California, at the 2022 Cuervo Classic Malibu Longboard Championship.
The 2022 Longboard Championship returns to Malibu, Calif., October 3 -13. Credit: © WSL
The third and final stop on the WSL Longboard Tour holds a competition window from October 3 - 13, 2022, and a promising forecast may provide for a likely start to the event in the opening days. With 10,000 points, World Title implications, and requalification for the 2023 WSL Longboard Tour on the line, the stakes are high and competitors will be putting it all on the line. "The Cuervo Classic is such an exhilarating event because it’s the final stop on the Longboard Tour which makes the stakes really high,” said Kirra Seale, Senior Manager of the WSL Longboard World Tour. "Malibu is a culmination of excitement and anticipation as we watch the World Title scenarios unfold. I can’t wait to see the competitors battle their hearts out and most importantly, crown our World Champions!"
Scenic view of the contest site during the 2021 Malibu Longboard Classic, Malibu, CA, United States. Credit: © WSL / Ito
About the Venue: One of Southern California's Dream Destinations
Malibu’s First Point has long been regarded as the "perfect” wave with its long, peeling, righthand walls breaking over cobblestone reef and sand. The name itself is synonymous with the history and evolution of surf culture, making it the ultimate venue for showcasing traditional lines and nose rides with updated, progressive approaches.
The best swell direction for Malibu is south, or southwest, generally created by large storms in the Southern Hemisphere, making October an ideal time for holding competition.
"I can’t think of a more fitting location to crown Longboard World Champions than Malibu,” said Jessi Miley-Dyer, WSL SVP of Tours and Head of Competition. "I’m excited to see the world’s best longboarders perform on one of the most iconic waves in the world, it’s going to be a great celebration of our sport!”
Rankings leader Kaniela Stewart (HAW) with an effortless noseride on a Malibu wall. Credit: © WSL / Ito
Event Format Rundown, World Title Race Wide Open
The event will include the Longboard Tour's Top 18 men and Top 18 women and see six rounds of competition. Round 1 will feature three surfers in six heats, with the top two spots advancing through to Round 3. The last-place finishers of Round 1 will be relegated to the first elimination heats in Round 2. Competitors who survive elimination will join the head-to-head matchups in Round 3, where the top surfer advances into the Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Finals.
Following the Final, the man and woman with the highest point totals from their best two out of three results will be crowned this year’s World Champions.
Honolua Blomfield and Kaniela Stewart Lead Rankings Coming Into Malibu
Leading the rankings coming into Malibu are Honolua Blomfield (HAW) and Kaniela Stewart (HAW) from Hawaii. The three-time World Champion Blomfield is looking for a record breaking fourth World Title here at Malibu, which would make her the most decorated female longboarder of all time. Known in the surfing community as the “style master,” Stewart hopes to take home his first World Title this year. The young Hawaiian has shown improvements in the jersey and now finds himself in a second World Title hunt after finishing fourth on the rankings in 2019.
Coming off their wins at the Vans US Open of Surfing Duct Tape Invitational, Kelis Kaleopaa (HAW) and Taylor Jensen (USA) have put themselves in a good place for title contention. Jensen is also chasing a 4th World Title, his last title being won in 2017. Also looking to make history is Chloe Calmon (BRA), who comes to Malibu ranked No. 2 and hopes to be the first Brazilian woman to be crowned a surfing World Champion.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
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