Zeke Lau wins his second Vans World Cup at Sunset Beach. Photo: Keoki/WSL
Zeke Lau was downright triumphant on Thursday. After finding a handful of sneaky tube sections and putting all of his 202-pound, six-foot-two frame on rail through the final at heavy eight-to-twelve-foot Sunset Beach, the Hawaiian was victorious for the second time in his career at the Vans World Cup, beating out Jesse Mendes, Joan Duru, and Griffin Colapinto. Here’s a quick recap:
With Zeke’s win capping off the Qualifying Series season, the dust has effectively settled for 10 Championship Tour hopefuls – many of whom have already tasted life on the Dream Tour and spent the last year clawing their way back. Here’s a look at the 2019 (not so) rookie class:
1. Griffin Colapinto* (USA)
2. Seth Moniz (HAW)
3. Ryan Callinan (AUS)
4. Peterson Crisanto (BRA)
5. Jesse Mendes (BRA)
6. Deivid Silva (BRA)
7. Ricardo Christie (NZL)
8. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)
9. Jadson Andre (BRA)
10. Soli Bailey (AUS)
Still on the bubble: Jack Freestone (AUS)
*You’ll notice Griffin Colapinto, who is currently on tour, is listed here. That’s because Griff is currently ranked 20th on the CT. Because it’s the top 22 who carry over to next year, if he can hold his spot he may double qualify. If that happens, fellow Billabong teammate Jack Freestone will rejoin the CT ranks.
Of the ten “rookies” only four are true rookies. Let’s meet them.
Seth Moniz
Hawaiian wunderkind, son of legendary Tony Moniz, brother of two-time World Longboard Champion Kelia Moniz and QS heavy hitter Josh Moniz. You may remember Seth for the little number above heard ’round the world earlier this year. The 21-year-old has game.
After taking two years off competitive surfing, Peterson Crisanto showed up to a QS event in Israel and absolutely dominated. Photo: Masurel/WSL
Peterson Crisanto
Crisanto first emerged on the scene competing against the likes of Gabriel Medina and the rest of the Brazilian Storm on the QS in 2011. But, his sponsors pushed him to pursue the World Juniors instead of qualifying for the CT. Since, he’s had to battle back to prove he can take down the best of ’em.
Deivid Silva took out the Vissla Sydney Surf Pro earlier this year giving him momentum to rack up some solid results. Photo: Dunbar/WSL
Deivid Silva
Silva’s been grinding it out on the QS for four years, and built up the momentum to finally qualify this year after stacking up results in Australia, Portugal, and Hawaii.
Soli Bailey
Soli Bailey’s been on our radar since at least two winters ago. In February of 2017, he became the first Australian to win the Volcom Pipe Pro – only three other surfers have won the event in its seven-year history (John John, Kelly, and JOB). A little shy of a year later, he’s full-fledged Dream Tour status, as everyone knew he would be.
Our sincerest congratulations to all the CT rookies.
