The waves at Ericeira vanished on Saturday, leaving the EDP Ericeira Pro in a holding pattern. This Challenger Series event, a key stop on the surfing calendar, saw its schedule interrupted. Surfers and fans alike watched the flat ocean. Event organizers quickly decided to push the remaining action to Sunday. This means the finals will now be decided on the last possible day.
Local favorite Yolanda Hopkins still carries the hopes of her country. She is the only Portuguese surfer left in the competition. Hopkins will face Alyssa Spencer, an American who was once a top-ranked professional. Their quarter-final heat, the third of the day, promises an exciting clash. The forecast calls for prime surfing conditions on Sunday, setting the stage for an epic finale.
Before the ocean quieted down, two women’s quarter-finals managed to finish. France’s Tya Zebrowski, a finalist at Ribeira d’Ilhas in 2024, showcased her skill. She beat American Kirra Pinkerton in a close battle. Zebrowski posted a strong score of 12.83 points out of a possible 20. Her best two waves earned her 6.50 and 6.33 points. Pinkerton fought hard but scored 10.00 points, with waves of 5.50 and 4.50.
Next up, Anat Lelior from Israel secured her spot. She took on Japan’s Amuro Tsuzuki. Lelior scored 11 points with her top two rides, getting 5.67 and 5.33 points. Tsuzuki put up a fight, but her 9.83 points were not quite enough. Her best waves were a 5.40 and a 4.43.
The fourth women’s quarter-final heat is still waiting for the green light. It will feature India Robinson from Australia. She faces off against Canada’s Sanoa Dempfle-Olin for a spot in the semi-finals.
On the men’s side, the competition has been just as fierce. Eight surfers have already punched their ticket to the quarter-finals. This global lineup of talent includes:
- George Pittar (Australia)
- Lucas Vicente (Brazil)
- Luke Thompson (South Africa)
- Lucca Mesinas (Peru)
- Kauli Vaast (France)
- Adur Amatriain (Basque Country, Spain)
- Morgan Cibilic (Australia)
- Eli Hanneman (Hawaii, United States)
This event is more than just a trophy. It’s the fourth of seven stops on the World Surf League’s secondary tour. Top finishers here earn valuable points toward their rankings. These points are crucial for qualifying for the prestigious 2026 Championship Tour. Ten spots are available for men, and seven for women. The entire competition kicked off Monday at Ericeira’s Ribeira d’Ilhas Beach. The official waiting period for waves extends until Sunday.