Zippers, 2018 Los Cabos Open of Surf. Photo: WSL / ANDREW NICHOLS
What a year. This season, hurricanes Aletta and Bud sent two pulses of swell that made the sixth edition of the Los Cabos Open of Surf the biggest ever. And it’s strokes of fortune like this that make this women’s QS-6000 and Jr. Pro event among the favorites of many aspiring surfers to earn points, climb up the rankings, and have a great time while they’re at it. It’s fair to say that this isn’s simply a surfing comp. It’s a cultural, culinary and musical experience that gives the beach a festival vibe no one can pass up to start the summer.
With that said, let’s look at some of the event’s most noteworthy moments as shared on social media.
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To celebrate International Surfing Day, some locals and visitors made a splash during a night surfing session put together right after we found out Dimity Stoyle can DJ at the official event party. This day was truly special and definitely one for the books because it delivered amazing waves during heats and free surf sessions all around the coast.
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Crosby Colapinto took home the Pro Jr. Men’s event, proving that the Colapinto lineage will make a gigantic-sized dent in the professional surfing world. Let me refresh your memories and remind you that Griffin Colapinto took out this contest two years ago and look at what he has accomplished since. He went on to win the Vans Triple Crown and currently ranks #12 on the 2018 CT after finishing third at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast and a strong fifth at the Corona Bali Protected.
There’s no doubt San Clemente is home to some great competitive surfers, which leads us to the women’s Pro Jr. event, as Kirra Pinkerton (also from SC) got her third Pro Jr. win in a row. It’s a feat no female surfer has ever accomplished. She first took the Live Like Zander Junior Pro, then went on a roll to win the Ron Jon Roxy Junior Pro before having all that built up momentum, unleashing it and going left on a wave where surfers ride mostly rights. She absolutely ripped through the event and I’m really excited to watch her surf in the future.
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Caroline Marks battled it out in the final against Tatiana Weston Webb. Not only is the teenager the youngest surfer to ever make it to the CT, she is currently on a roll and ranked #7. Both goofy footers are redefining power surfing in women’s competitive events. Tatiana finished third at Bali and Rio and then took that momentum was the runner-up at Uluwatu, all before Cabo. She racked up some points in the standings that have placed her at #3 and possibly within grasp of a World Title. But this also makes Caroline’s win in Baja look all the more impressive.
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Another noteworthy piece of the puzzle from this year’s event was Alana Blanchard’s return to competition after recently becoming a mother. She was actually taken down by Marks and finished in a sturdy ninth. Furthermore, last year she chose the Los Cabos Open to launch her foundation dedicated to supporting young aspiring surfers in their travels all over the world, which we know isn’t easy or cheap. This year she awarded Zoe Mcdougall with $2,500.
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All in all, the Los Cabos Open of Surf delivered the waves, the surfers put on the show, and the organizers worked with not one but two hurricane swells that created perfect waves, no wind, amazing beach vibes, and the best damn week before summer ever. In my opinion, of course.
