The World Surf League (WSL) and Rip Curl have announced a three-year partnership of the Rip Curl WSL Finals – the new one-day competition that will decide the men’s and women’s world surfing champions.
The inaugural Rip Curl WSL Finals will take place in San Clemente, California at Lower Trestles. At the conclusion of the regular season, the top five men and top five women on the Championship Tour (CT) rankings will head to Orange County for this one-day, winner-take-all shot at the world title. The Rip Curl WSL Finals waiting period will run from 8-17 September 2021, a choice time of year for solid Southern Hemisphere swells to light up the cobblestone point.
“I am a huge fan of the decision for the new CT format, it’s like multiple games throughout the year,” said Tyler Wright, two-time WSL champion. “I love the idea of competing head-to-head against the best in the world. It’s at a whole other level of competitiveness and really means you can throw down everything on one day. Trestles is an equaliser, with the potential for the highest of performances and the greatest of heat strategy.”
Cherie Cohen, WSL chief revenue officer, added: “We are thrilled to announce the Rip Curl WSL Finals. Throughout a long tenure as core promoter of professional surfing, Rip Curl has consistently delivered innovation and kept its edge. It makes sense that we would partner to make history and launch the new format to crown a men’s and women’s world champion. We look forward to building a successful franchise together over the next three years.”