WSL El Salvador Day 3 wrap: Wildcard shakeups and redemption runs
Lindblad drops excellent score to stay alive
WSL El Salvdor Pro Day 3 highlights
Alan Cleland Jr. delivers in crunch time
WSL El Salvador Pro Day 3 results
WSL El Salvador Pro Day 4 betting odds
The Surf City El Salvador Pro, Stop No. 4 of the 2025 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), saw six surfers eliminated as the men’s and women’s Elimination Rounds played out in clean three-to-four-foot waves.
Friday’s action at Punta Roca delivered upsets, breakout performances from event wildcards, and set the stage for the men’s Round of 32 and women’s Round of 16.
Take a look at the Day 3 highlights and the betting odds with the top online bookmakers for WSL El Salvador Pro Day 4 below.
Bryan Perez, Slawson, Spencer deliver wildcard shakeups
El Salvador local Bryan Perez (SLV) electrified the home crowd in the men’s Elimination Round, posting a 7.33 and 6.80 to dispatch CT rookie Edgard Groggia (BRA) and move through alongside Miguel Pupo (BRA).
Perez’s local knowledge shone through at Punta Roca, as he navigated the lineup with confidence.
“I just wanna have fun in the water,” Perez said.
“I’m here with my family, with my coach, with the people that come to the city to support me. It’s beautiful to see.”
Fellow wildcard Levi Slawson (USA) made his presence felt with a 7.00 to win his heat over Alejo Muniz (BRA) and Liam O’Brien (AUS), eliminating the Australian in the process.
“I actually almost broke my ankle right before this event,” Slawson revealed.
“Every wave I catch is excruciating. But being here with Jake [Marshall] and Alyssa [Spencer], all from Encinitas, makes it really special.”
In the women’s draw, wildcard Alyssa Spencer (USA) took second place behind Luana Silva (BRA) to eliminate CT veteran Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS).
Silva posted a 13.00 heat total with a 7.00 and 6.00 to dominate the heat.
“This wave has so many factors,” said Silva.
“The sun in your face, the heat — you have to feel the wave and go all in.”
Lindblad drops excellent score to stay alive
Sawyer Lindblad (USA), the 2024 Rookie of the Year, bounced back from a tough loss in the Opening Round to post the women’s highest score of the event so far — an 8.17 — and win her Elimination Round heat.
“I had to regroup after yesterday,” Lindblad said. “I was pretty crushed, but I’m happy I made it through.”
Her explosive backhand attack on a late set wave secured the victory over Kirra Pinkerton (USA) and Nadia Erostarbe (ESP), sending Erostarbe home.
The Californian is hunting for her first Finals Day appearance of 2025 after finishing in the Top 10 last season.
With the pressure on, Lindblad’s composed approach and smart wave selection gave her the edge. She now moves into the Round of 16 with renewed confidence and the potential to go deep at Punta Roca.
WSL El Salvador Pro Day 3 highlights
Samuel Pupo resets for redemption run
2022 Rookie of the Year Samuel Pupo (BRA) put a tough start to 2025 behind him with his best heat total of the season so far: a 14.07.
“I just wanted to reset and trick my mind into thinking it’s the first heat,” Pupo said. “I finally got some better conditions and could show my surfing more.”
The Brazilian found rhythm and confidence in the clean morning conditions, linking multiple explosive manoeuvres and staying busy throughout the heat.
With renewed focus and composure under pressure, Pupo looks poised to deliver on the promise he showed in his breakout rookie year. A deep run here could turn his season around.
Alan Cleland Jr. delivers in crunch time
CT rookie Alan Cleland Jr. (MEX) avoided elimination with a buzzer-beater wave in the final heat of the day, eliminating Ian Gentil (HAW) and advancing alongside Cole Houshmand (USA).
“The waves were pretty slow, but I got lucky at the end with a three-wave set,” Cleland said.
“It ended up being the best one, and I felt good to come up on top.”
The performance marked Cleland’s most composed CT heat yet, as he battled nerves and tricky conditions with maturity beyond his years.
A standout in heavy surf, the young Mexican is eager to prove he can compete in all conditions.
Escaping the Elimination Round could be the spark he needs to string together consistent results, starting here in El Salvador.
Surf City El Salvador Pro Women’s Elimination Round Results
- HEAT 1: Sawyer Lindblad (USA) 13.37 DEF. Kirra Pinkerton (USA) 13.10, Nadia Erostarbe (ESP) 11.64
- HEAT 2: Luana Silva (BRA) 13.00 DEF. Alyssa Spencer (USA) 11.33, Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 10.00
Surf City El Salvador Pro Men’s Elimination Round Results
- HEAT 1: Bryan Perez (SLV) 14.13 DEF. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 13.10, Edgard Groggia (BRA) 10.90
- HEAT 2: Levi Slawson (USA) 13.10 DEF. Alejo Muniz (BRA) 11.47, Liam O’Brien (AUS) 10.33
- HEAT 3: Alan Cleland (MEX) 13.84 DEF. Cole Houshmand (USA) 12.46, Ian Gentil (HAW) 11.17
- HEAT 4: Samuel Pupo (BRA) 14.07 DEF. Ryan Callinan (AUS) 13.07, Imaikalani deVault (HAW) 11.47
