San Clemente’s own Rachael Tilly has once again proven her dominance in the world of longboarding, securing her third World Surf League (WSL) Longboard World Title at the Surf City El Salvador Longboard Championships on November 6th. The victory marks a significant achievement, solidifying her place among the sport’s elite.
Key Takeaways
- Rachael Tilly won her third WSL Longboard World Title.
- She defended her 2024 title, winning the 2025 event in El Salvador.
- Tilly defeated fellow Orange County surfer Avalon Gall in the finals.
- This is Tilly’s second consecutive world title and third overall.
A Champion’s Journey
Tilly, a 27-year-old San Clemente High graduate, navigated a challenging single-day competition format that featured the top eight surfers of the season. Entering as the No. 7 seed, she displayed remarkable resilience, winning six consecutive heats to reach the final against top seed Avalon Gall. Tilly secured the championship by winning the first two heats of the best-of-three final, with scores of 15.20-12.44 and 13.50-12.54, respectively.
Elite Competition
Along her path to victory, Tilly overcame formidable opponents, including Kelis Kaleopaa, Tully White, Chloe Calmon, Honolua Blomfield, and Soleil Errico. Her closest heat was against Errico, whom she narrowly defeated 13.40-12.97. This win places Tilly in an exclusive group of women with three longboard world titles, joining Honolua Blomfield and Soleil Errico.
A Career-Defining Year
This latest triumph caps a stellar year for Tilly. In May, she also won the ISA World Longboard Championship, also held in El Sunzal, achieving the rare feat of holding both the ISA and WSL titles in the same calendar year. Tilly’s journey began in San Clemente, where she was recognized as Grom of the Year in 2015. Despite her international success, she remains connected to her roots, training at local breaks and co-hosting "The Double Up" podcast focused on women’s surf news.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 WSL Longboard Tour season kicked off earlier in the year at the Lexus US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, with subsequent events in Australia and Abu Dhabi leading up to the El Salvador championships. Tilly’s consistent performance throughout the season underscores her status as a leading figure in women’s longboarding.
Sources
- San Clemente’s Rachael Tilly Wins 3rd WSL Longboard World Title | SC Surf, picketfencemedia.com.
- Results – Surf City El Salvador Longboard Championships 2025, World Surf League.
- Every Excellent Wave: Surf City El Salvador Longboard Championships – Over the years, World Surf League.
- Lexus US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico To Host Marquee Competitions for WSL Longboard Tour and
Challenger Series, New Live Music Performances Announced, World Surf League. - Surf Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic 2025, World Surf League.
