El Salvador’s Punta Roca recently hosted the Surf City El Salvador Pro, the fourth stop on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour. This event showcased the country’s potential as a premier surfing destination, with its world-class right-hand point break providing ideal conditions for high-performance surfing. The competition also highlighted the impressive performance of Canadian surfer Erin Brooks.
Punta Roca: A Surfing Paradise
Punta Roca, located in La Libertad, El Salvador, proved to be an exceptional venue for the Surf City El Salvador Pro. Known for its perfect right-hand point break, the warm waters and consistent waves breaking over cobblestone rocks created an ideal environment for top-tier surfing. The highly anticipated swell on Day 7 delivered world-class showdowns and powerful displays from the athletes.
- The event ran from April 2nd to April 12th, 2025.
- The judging criteria emphasized speed, power, and flow, perfectly suited for Punta Roca’s conditions.
Wildcards Make Their Mark
Six wildcard athletes added an exciting dynamic to the competition, eager to challenge the established tour professionals. These wildcards are selected based on their skill, local knowledge, or past performances. Notably, Bryan Perez, who previously defeated Italo Ferreira in 2024, faced Ferreira again in the opening round, setting the stage for intense battles.
Canadian Surfer Erin Brooks’ Strong Showing
Canadian surfer Erin Brooks delivered a notable performance at the Surf City El Salvador Pro, finishing ninth after a close Round of 16 battle. This result continues her strong season on the Championship Tour, where she has consistently placed well:
- Surf Abu Dhabi Pro: 5th place
- Lexus Pipe Pro (season opener): 9th place
- MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal: 3rd place
Brooks, the first Canadian to earn full-time status on the Championship Tour, has a history of disrupting the field, including a wildcard victory at the Fiji Pro last August where she defeated Olympic silver medalist Tatiana Weston-Webb.
The Championship Tour Continues
The Surf City El Salvador Pro marked the halfway point of the 2025 Championship Tour. The tour features 12 stops globally, each presenting unique challenges. Following El Salvador, the tour will proceed to:
- Australia (three consecutive events)
- United States
- Brazil
- South Africa
- Tahiti
The season will culminate with the WSL Finals in Fiji from August 27th to September 4th. The tour also features a mid-season cut, reducing the 18-competitor women’s field to 12 and the 36-competitor men’s field to 24, before the final five compete for the championship.
Sources
- Highlights: Surf City El Salvador Pro 2025 – Day 7, World Surf League.
- Results – Surf City El Salvador Pro 2025, World Surf League.
- WSL Surf City El Salvador Pro Wildcards Gearing Up for Tough Competition, Sports Illustrated.
- Canadian surfer finishes ninth in El Salvador after close round-of-16 battle, Lethbridge News Now.
