The latest stops on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour have unleashed a wave of surprises, with wildcards making a major impact and unexpected results rocking the leaderboard. From the powerful breaks of Margaret River to the dramatic showdowns in Brazil and El Salvador, surfing fans are witnessing an unforgettable season.
Key Takeaways
- Wildcard surfers are proving instrumental, disrupting top seeds across multiple events.
- The Margaret River Pro saw new faces rise due to wildcard entries and replacements.
- Recent competition rounds in Brazil and El Salvador delivered high-profile eliminations and dramatic shifts in rankings.
Wildcards Redefining The Field
The Margaret River Pro, a standout stop in Australia’s robust surf calendar, welcomed a number of wildcards and replacement surfers following withdrawals from several top competitors. These wildcards, often selected for their performance at prior events or local trials, faced the same rigorous judging criteria as full-time tour surfers.
Among the notable wildcards stepping up in Margaret River were Nadia Erostarbe, Bronte Macaulay, and Ian Gentil, joined by local talents such as Mikey McDonagh and Jacob Willcox. Their presence injected unpredictable energy, challenging established names and, in some cases, pulling off dramatic upsets.
Upsets At The VIVO Rio Pro
The unpredictable nature of the Tour continued in Brazil at the VIVO Rio Pro, where the women’s elimination round saw top-ranked surfers exit earlier than anticipated. The No. 1 seed, Gabriela Bryan, and last year’s standout Caity Simmers both faced disappointments, falling short in tight contests. These losses caused immediate shakeups in the rankings, with Molly Picklum climbing the leaderboard.
Another major upset involved Bettylou Sakura Johnson, previous champion of both the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro and Lexus Trestles Pro, who was ousted by Tyler Wright. With new contenders stepping forward, the race for the world title is now wide open.
El Salvador Brings More Wildcard Surprises
Further south, the Surf City El Salvador Pro featured its own set of wildcards making headlines, including Bryan Perez, Alyssa Spencer, Levi Slawson, Kirra Pinkerton, and Nadia Erostarbe. Many wildcards were matched against high seeds early in the competition, delivering closely fought heats.
The promise of wildcards causing upheaval holds true, with several possessing significant experience at their home breaks or recent proven success. Their unpredictability remains one of the biggest storylines of the 2025 season.
What’s Next On The Tour
With the Championship Tour entering its halfway mark, anticipation grows as to which surfers—Tour veterans or rise-from-nothing wildcards—will dominate the remaining eight stops, from Bells Beach to the climactic Lexus WSL Finals in Fiji. The evolving field, frequent upsets, and the rise of wildcards ensure that no lead is secure, and every heat now counts more than ever.
Sources
- Wildcards Gearing Up for Action at WSL Western Australia Margaret River Pro, Sports Illustrated.
- WSL Surf City El Salvador Pro Wildcards Gearing Up for Tough Competition, Sports Illustrated.
- Top Surfers Face Upsets During Elimination Round at WSL VIVO Rio Pro, Sports Illustrated.
