The World Surf League (WSL) has officially announced the schedules for the 2025 Challenger Series and Longboard Tour, promising thrilling competitions across multiple global locations. The Challenger Series will feature five events, providing surfers a pathway to qualify for the elite Championship Tour, while the Longboard Tour returns to four iconic venues to crown the World Longboard Champions.
Key Takeaways
- Challenger Series: Five events across five countries for Championship Tour qualification.
- Longboard Tour: Four events celebrating traditional surfing, culminating in El Salvador.
- Increased Women’s Participation: More women will qualify for the Championship Tour in 2026.
Challenger Series Overview
The 2025 Challenger Series is set to kick off at Merewether Beach in Newcastle, Australia, from June 2 to June 8. This series serves as a crucial qualification pathway for surfers aiming to join the elite Championship Tour in 2026. The series will feature:
- 80 Men and 48 Women competing across five events.
- Top 10 Men and Top 7 Women will qualify for the 2026 Championship Tour.
2025 Challenger Series Schedule
- Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia: June 2 – 8
- Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: June 30 – July 6
- Huntington Beach, California, USA: July 29 – August 3 (US Open festival window: July 26 – August 3)
- Ericeira, Portugal: September 29 – October 5
- Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: October 11 – 19
Travis Logie, WSL Senior Tour Manager, expressed excitement about the new changes, particularly the increase in women’s qualifiers, which reflects the WSL’s commitment to gender equality in the sport.
Longboard Tour Highlights
The 2025 Longboard Tour will celebrate traditional surfing with four events, showcasing the best longboarders in the world. The tour will kick off at the Huntington Beach Longboard Classic and conclude with the World Longboard Championships in El Salvador.
2025 Longboard Tour Schedule
- Huntington Beach, California, USA: July 26 – 30 (US Open festival window: July 26 – August 3)
- Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia: September 17 – 21
- Surf Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE: October 21 – 26
- El Sunzal, El Salvador: November 5 – 9
The Longboard Tour will feature 24 men and 24 women, with competitors aiming to qualify for the finals in El Salvador. The top eight men and women after the third event will secure their spots in the championship.
Conclusion
The 2025 WSL Challenger Series and Longboard Tour schedules promise an exhilarating season for surfers and fans alike. With increased opportunities for women and a competitive field, the upcoming events are set to showcase the best of surfing talent on a global stage. As the surfing community gears up for these events, anticipation builds for the thrilling performances that lie ahead.
