Impressive Waves and Breakout Performances from New-Comers as Field Of 114 Gets Narrowed To 64 At The WSL Women’s Qs6000 Event
Weekend Line-up Also Includes Free Concert Series with Daya, Cody Simpson, Olivia Holt; Free Festival Village, Paul Mitchell Hair Styling, Autograph Signings, Beer Garden, Active Ride Shop Supergirl Pro Skate Contest and More
Oceanside CA— Day one of the three-day Paul Mitchell Supergirl Pro — the largest women’s surf contest in the world and the only WSL Women’s QS6000 event in the continental U.S. — saw a field of 114 narrowed down to 64 on Friday, grinding through four rounds and eight heats. Thousands of beachgoers witnessed truly high-powered surfing during opening day as new-comers and some usual suspects debuted in consistent, three-to-five foot conditions on the south-side of the Oceanside Pier.
The event resumes tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. PST with the remaining Round Four heats and the start of Round Five, which will see many WCT powerhouses hit the water to battle for a coveted spot on Sunday’s roster.
17-year-old Kahanu Delovio (HAW) put on a dominating performance and posted the day’s highest heat total (16.90 out of a possible 20) and single-wave score (8.73 out of a possible 10), in Round Three. Hailing from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, Delovio will be in the first heat back in the water tomorrow as Round Four closes out.
“It was such good heat. Getting that eight really early boosted my confidence so high, then I found another one,” Delovio said. “I was stoked to be able to do that right away!”
The young Hawaiian is relishing the competition experience at Supergirl Pro as she prepares for an even bigger year in 2017. “I’m looking forward to getting my career started with events like this,” Delovio added. “I’m planning on doing the QS next year. But, I’ve been here the whole summer and I love it. There are just so many waves to practice on and a lot of good opportunities out here.”
Making her first appearance at Paul Mitchell Supergirl Pro, Ariane Ochoa (EUK)— a Basque Country, Spain, native— is making every second count. Ochoa earned a Round Four heat win after making it through two previous rounds then clinched a spot into Round Five with a last-second ride,
“This is my first year here at Supergirl Pro and competing in the QS. I even can’t explain how happy I am to make it through all three heats today. I’m just so excited,” Ochoa said. “I was just trying to catch a little one as the heat died down, but kept finding closeouts and taking that last one in the final seconds felt great to get that score. Now I’ll get some rest and come back ready for tomorrow.”
Tomorrow, Ochoa and Delovio will find themselves competing against a field of 48 that includes many WCT top seeds— defending Supergirl Pro champ, Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW), 20; Sage Erickson (USA), 25; Courtney Conlogue (USA), 23; Carissa Moore (HAW), 23; Lakey Peterson (USA), 21; Malia Manuel (HAW), 22; Coco Ho (HAW), 25; Silvana Lima (BRA), 31; Nikki Van Dijk (AUS), 21; Laura Enever (AUS), 24.
The free event runs through the weekend and is packed with entertainment, including live music at the Supergirl Concert Series featuring Daya, Cody Simpson, Olivia Holt, Ellise and more, and the Active Ride Shop Supergirl Skate Pro contest. Plus, fans can explore the Festival Village with complimentary hair styling at the onsite Paul Mitchell style salon, meet-and-greets with the pros, an expanded beer garden, vendors and more. Entrance to the contests, concert and Festival Village are free and open to the public.
For todays schedule of events visit; http://supergirlpro.com/event-info/schedule/