Team USA Claims Historic First at Lakeside Surf’s Continental Cup

Team USA won its first Continental Surf Cup at Lakeside Surf in Chelan, defeating Team Europe 27.75–23.25 as Cash Hoover claimed the women’s title.

Team USA Claims Historic First at Lakeside Surf’s Continental Cup

Team USA captured its first Continental Surf Cup at Lakeside Surf in Chelan, Washington, ending Team Europe’s three-year winning streak. The Americans prevailed 27.75–23.25 after a weekend of standout performances, local breakthroughs and high-pressure finals. Cash Hoover won the women’s title, while Germany’s Lenny Weinhold secured his fourth consecutive men’s championship.

Key takeaways

Team USA’s historic victory was built on depth across multiple disciplines and a strong showing from its women’s team.

  • Team USA defeated three-time defending champion Team Europe, 27.75–23.25.
  • Cash Hoover won the women’s overall and best trick titles.
  • Lenny Weinhold claimed his fourth men’s individual championship.
  • Jose “Cacaro” Lopez led the U.S. men in points and won men’s best trick.
  • The next Continental Surf Cup is scheduled for Labor Day weekend 2028.

A breakthrough for Team USA

The American squad entered the final day with a five-point advantage, but Europe steadily narrowed the margin to 1.5 points before the women’s final. Team USA’s depth ultimately proved decisive, with strong results in the Surfing Classic, standard heats and best trick rounds preserving the lead.

After four rounds, the Americans held a three-point cushion. Their finalists expanded that advantage under intense pressure, securing the country’s first title in the event’s history.

Hoover leads a dominant women’s effort

Hoover was Team USA’s biggest individual contributor, earning the maximum 9.5 team points available. She and her teammates won six of eight women’s heats during the opening rounds, creating the foundation for the overall victory.

In the women’s final, Chelan’s Reese Bordner set the tone with an 8.83 after landing her first air-reverse in a standard heat. Hoover responded with a nearly matching opening score, and both Americans improved on their second runs. Their performance clinched the team championship before Hoover completed her final attempt.

Hoover also won the women’s overall and best trick titles. It was her second individual Continental Surf Cup championship and her third consecutive major victory at Lakeside Surf. Bordner finished second overall and contributed seven team points, while Maya Cowan and Sierra White added valuable points for the United States.

U.S. men deliver crucial points

The American men won six of eight heats across the Surfing Classic and best trick rounds. Lopez, a Panama national champion and Team USA wildcard, won men’s best trick with a 9.23 and finished as the U.S. men’s leading points scorer with 4.5 points.

Cash Eygabroad of Chelan reached the men’s final after contributing four points. He finished second behind Weinhold, who posted 19.33 to edge Eygabroad’s 18.80. Maximilian Lex and Lopez completed the top four.

Ben Benson also played a pivotal role, scoring 9.08 on his opening run in the consolation competition and extending the U.S. lead before the overall finals. Kielan Jardini won three of four heats, while Elijah Moody, Austin Fernand and Logan Watson also supplied important points.

Lakeside Surf’s growing role

The competition drew capacity crowds to Lakeside Surf, whose 16-meter citywave venue has become a prominent destination for standing-wave surfing. The facility’s adjustable wave settings support a wide range of maneuvers and competition formats, helping attract elite international riders to Chelan.

With four Continental Surf Cups now completed at the venue, the event has become a major Labor Day attraction for the region. The next edition is expected to return to Lakeside Surf in 2028.

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