WSL Abu Dhabi Pro Day 2 recap: Quarterfinals decided for last day

Picklum and Bryan Lead the Charge as Next Generation Takes Control

Leading the charge for the new generation, Molly Picklum (AUS) and Gabriela Bryan (HAW), along with rookies Erin Brooks (CAN) and Bella Kenworthy (USA), scored big wins in the Qualifying Round over seasoned CT veterans who have traditionally excelled in Kelly Slater Wave Company (KSWC) wave basin events. Their dominant performances secured them direct advancement to the Quarterfinals.

It was pure aggression from the start for Bryan, who unleashed her progressive power surfing to defeat two-time Surf Ranch Semifinalist Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) and CT legend Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS). The 22-year-old has now secured her best result in a CT wave basin event.

Bryan’s heat total was only topped by Picklum, who posted the highest score of the round with a 13.83 total, sending 2021 Surf Ranch Pro winner Johanne Defay (FRA) into the Elimination Round alongside Vahine Fierro (FRA). Fierro was a strong contender throughout, but Picklum sealed the heat with the best left-hand score of the round, a 7.23.

“You can only take it so serious, it’s fun,” Picklum said. “It’s been so fun to hang out and just like, cruising, singing. I’m happy to be through and just miss that Night Session completely.”

Young Guns Brooks and Kenworthy Shine

17-year-old Erin Brooks (CAN) and 18-year-old Bella Kenworthy (USA) claimed their first CT heat wins, proving their wave pool experience was invaluable.

Brooks overcame a shaky start, recovering from incomplete first waves to overtake two-time World Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) and 2024 Rookie of the Year Sawyer Lindblad (USA). Wright had a final chance to reclaim the lead, but a small error allowed Brooks to hold firm and claim the win.

“I surf a lot of wave pools, so I feel very comfortable in them,” Brooks said. “I’m just so glad that we get to have an event here. It’s so special, and it’s so much fun knowing that you’re going to have perfect waves.”

Meanwhile, Kenworthy made history, winning the first-ever women’s CT heat in the UAE. The Californian’s sharp and consistent surfing in both directions was enough to defeat Brisa Hennessy (CRC) and Lakey Peterson (USA). Despite Hennessy earning the highest wave score of the heat (6.33), Kenworthy’s well-rounded approach secured the win.

“I was super nervous,” Kenworthy said. “I was kind of just telling myself, I was like, ‘You’re not nervous.’ I was trying to gaslight myself to not be nervous. But it didn’t work because I was super nervous. I’m pretty happy.”

WSL Abu Dhabi Pro Day 2 Day Session Highlights

World Champions Marks and Simmers Stay in the Hunt

The two most recent women’s World Champions, Caroline Marks (USA) and Caitlin Simmers (USA), continued their strong runs, advancing straight to the Quarterfinals.

Marks, the 2023 World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist, held on to her heat lead despite a huge 7.67 ride from Isabella Nichols (AUS). Nichols’ barrel-to-turn combination nearly stole the heat, but Marks’ consistency sealed the victory.

“I love the high-pressure situations,” Marks said. “I think these Surf Ranch events are a great test on our minds. It’s fun to see if we can all rise to the occasion.”

Simmers, the reigning World Champion, overcame a slow start in her heat against Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) and wildcard Macy Callaghan (AUS). Simmers’ smooth, skate-inspired style helped her lock in a pair of deep barrels, securing her spot in the Quarterfinals.

“It was so funny, like all of us kind of just did not do well on our first couple waves, so we were kind of just laughing about it,” Simmers said.

WSL Abu Dhabi Pro Day 2 Night Session Highlights

Lindblad and Fierro Survive Night Session Eliminations

The Elimination Round saw Sawyer Lindblad (USA) and Vahine Fierro (FRA) rise to the occasion, posting the two best scores of the round to advance.

Lindblad’s 7.00 on her powerful forehand carves secured her Quarterfinal berth, while Fierro earned a 6.70 to edge out Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW). Two-time World Champion Tyler Wright (AUS), Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA), Johanne Defay (FRA), and Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) were eliminated.

Fierro will now face Marks in Quarterfinal 2, while Lindblad meets Bryan in Quarterfinal 4.

Major Upsets as Colapinto and Toledo Exit

In the men’s Round of 16, Jordy Smith (RSA) posted the first excellent score of the event, an 8.17, but fell short to Miguel Pupo (BRA), who secured back-to-back Quarterfinal appearances.

The biggest shock of the day came when rookie Jackson Bunch (HAW) eliminated World No. 3 Griffin Colapinto (USA). Before Colapinto hit the water, Bunch had already posted a massive 15.73 heat total, including the highest single wave score of the event so far, a 9.23.

“Going up against Griffin, he is pretty much one of the best surfers in the world,” Bunch said. “I just knew I had to bring my A-game and pull out all the tricks.”

Meanwhile, Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) knocked out two-time World Champion Filipe Toledo (BRA), scoring the highest heat total of the event (15.77).

“Competing against Filipe, it’s the easiest strategy because you just have to give it your all,” Igarashi said. “You’re not thinking about scores, you’re not thinking about what you can do. You just give everything you have.”

Also advancing to the men’s Quarterfinals were Ethan Ewing (AUS), Rio Waida (INA), Jack Robinson (AUS), and Yago Dora (BRA).

Surf Abu Dhabi Pro Men’s Qualifying Round Results

• HEAT 1: Connor O’Leary (JPN) 10.87 DEF. Jake Marshall (USA) 9.83, Edgard Groggia (BRA) 4.96
• HEAT 2: Jackson Bunch (HAW) 13.10 DEF. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 11.30, Barron Mamiya (HAW) 11.06
• HEAT 3: Jack Robinson (AUS) 12.96 DEF. George Pittar (AUS) 10.73, Ian Gentil (HAW) 8.17
• HEAT 4: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 13.73 DEF. Mateus Herdy (BRA) 12.17, Matthew McGillivray (RSA) 11.10
• HEAT 5: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 14.57 DEF. Imaikalani deVault (HAW) 10.27, Kauli Vaast (FRA) 9.03
• HEAT 6: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 12.90 DEF. Bronson Meydi (INA) 11.30, Joel Vaughan (AUS) 10.50
• HEAT 7: Yago Dora (BRA) 12.20 DEF. Samuel Pupo (BRA) 12.00, Cole Houshmand (USA) 11.94
• HEAT 8: Jordy Smith (RSA) 11.77 DEF. Seth Moniz (HAW) 8.97, Deivid Silva (BRA) 8.57
• HEAT 9: Rio Waida (INA) 14.34 DEF. Ryan Callinan (AUS) 10.63, Alejo Muniz (BRA) 9.94
• HEAT 10: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 14.50 DEF. Ian Gouveia (BRA) 10.03, Marco Mignot (FRA) 8.77
• HEAT 11: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 13.87 DEF. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 13.66, Alan Cleland (MEX) 6.20
• HEAT 12: Liam O’Brien (AUS) 12.70 DEF. Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) 11.87, Joao Chianca (BRA) 10.83

Surf Abu Dhabi Pro Women’s Qualifying Round Results

• HEAT 1: Bella Kenworthy (USA) 11.77 DEF. Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 10.66, Lakey Peterson (USA) 9.07
• HEAT 2: Caroline Marks (USA) 12.67 DEF. Isabella Nichols (AUS) 12.07, Luana Silva (BRA) 7.74
• HEAT 3: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 12.23 DEF. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 9.50, Macy Callaghan (AUS) 9.24
• HEAT 4: Molly Picklum (AUS) 13.83 DEF. Vahine Fierro (FRA) 12.84, Johanne Defay (FRA) 9.63
• HEAT 5: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 13.34 DEF. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 12.33, Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 9.07
• HEAT 6: Erin Brooks (CAN) 11.80 DEF. Sawyer Lindblad (USA) 10.40, Tyler Wright (AUS) 10.30

Surf Abu Dhabi Pro Women’s Elimination Round Results

• 1: Sawyer Lindblad (USA) 7.00
• 2: Vahine Fierro (FRA) 6.70

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• 3: Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 6.67
• 4: Johanne Defay (FRA) 6.57
• 5: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 6.47
• 6: Tyler Wright (AUS) 5.77
• 7: Lakey Peterson (USA) 5.70
• 8: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 5.30
• 9: Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 5.27
• 10: Luana Silva (BRA) 5.17
• 11: Isabella Nichols (AUS) 5.07
• 12: Macy Callaghan (AUS) 3.43

Surf Abu Dhabi Pro Men’s Round of 16 Results

• HEAT 1: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 13.60 DEF. Deivid Silva (BRA) 8.80
• HEAT 2: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 13.34 DEF. Jordy Smith (RSA) 11.50
• HEAT 3: Jackson Bunch (HAW) 15.73 DEF. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 10.17
• HEAT 4: Rio Waida (INA) 13.90 DEF. Connor O’Leary (JPN) 13.33
• HEAT 5: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 15.17 DEF. Mateus Herdy (BRA) 12.60
• HEAT 6: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 15.77 DEF. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 12.60
• HEAT 7: Jack Robinson (AUS) 13.83 DEF. Liam O’Brien (AUS) 13.00
• HEAT 8: Yago Dora (BRA) 13.67 DEF. Joel Vaughan (AUS) 12.67

WSL Abu Dhabi Pro Women’s Heat Winner Matchups & Odds

WSL Abu Dhabi Pro Men’s Quarterfinal Matchups & Odds