El Salvador Pro: Ramzi Boukhiam and Jackson Bunch shine on Day 1
Bunch upsets Dora in El Salvador debut
WSL El Salvdor Pro Day 1 highlights
Chianca and O’Leary make confident starts
WSL El Salvador Pro Day 1 results
WSL El Salvador Pro Day 2 betting odds
The Surf City El Salvador Pro, Stop No. 4 of the 2025 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), kicked off with the first four heats of the men’s Opening Round before strong winds and inconsistent swell forced organisers to call competition off for the day.
Clean three-to-four-foot surf greeted the field early, but rising winds made conditions unmanageable by mid-morning.
The remaining men’s Opening Round and the women’s Opening Round are now on standby for Thursday, April 3, with a 10:15pm AEDT call and potential 10:33pm start.
Take a look at the Day 1 highlights and the betting odds with the top online bookmakers for WSL El Salvador Pro Day 2 below.
Ramzi Boukhiam Shines in Men’s CT opener at Punta Roca
Moroccan powerhouse Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) delivered one of the best performances of the day, unleashing his trademark backhand to post a 6.60 and take out current World No. 2 Barron Mamiya (HAW) and CT returnee Samuel Pupo (BRA).
Boukhiam is still chasing a career-best result on the CT, but his approach at Punta Roca showed signs that a breakthrough may be on the horison.
“I’ve never really had a good result here yet,” Boukhiam said.
“I really like the wave, but I can never get a heat together. My boards are feeling good, I’m feeling good, and now it’s time to start going. I think it’s just a question of momentum.”
Jackson Bunch upsets Dora in Surf City El Salvador debut
CT rookie Jackson Bunch (HAW) continued to ride his 2025 momentum with a standout Opening Round win over 2024 El Salvador runner-up and reigning Portugal champ Yago Dora (BRA), and Maui’s Ian Gentil (HAW).
Dora also advanced, while Gentil heads to the Elimination Round.
“We’re back in board shorts, and it’s nice to have some warm weather,” Bunch said.
“This wave is insane. It got a bit tricky out there, but the last few days have been pumping.”
WSL El Salvdor Pro Day 1 highlights
João Chianca and Connor O’Leary make confident starts
João Chianca (BRA), returning to the site of his comeback in 2024, found early form to claim a critical Opening Round win.
The Brazilian looked sharp and fluid, shaking off a slow start to the season with a composed performance.
Connor O’Leary (JPN) opened the event with a solid showing against Rio Waida (INA) and Alejo Muniz (BRA), earning a direct spot in the Round of 32.
“I feel like I’m getting into a habit of playing the game too much,” O’Leary said.
“So just kind of freeing up and really attacking is something I’m focusing on. It’s a nice right-hand point, it feels familiar to Lennox. I’ve got a great crew here, and good energy in our little ‘Dog Crew’ household.”
Surf City El Salvador Pro Men’s Opening Round Results
- HEAT 1: Connor O’Leary (JPN) 11.50 DEF. Rio Waida (INA) 11.43, Alejo Muniz (BRA) 8.94
- HEAT 2: Joao Chianca (BRA) 9.40 DEF. Jack Robinson (AUS) 9.17, Edgard Groggia (BRA) 8.90
- HEAT 3: Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) 13.77 DEF. Barron Mamiya (HAW) 10.33, Samuel Pupo (BRA) 9.23
- HEAT 4: Jackson Bunch (HAW) 12.16 DEF. Yago Dora (BRA) 10.26, Ian Gentil (HAW) 9.34
