Sierra Kerr qualified for her rookie campaign on the 2027 Championship Tour just two weeks ago. On Monday, the WSL announced the future rookie will get some CT action before next season, awarding her a wildcard in the 2026 Philippines Pro.
“I came here two years ago, and it immediately was one of my favorite places I’ve ever competed at. It’s got really good waves, great food, great people. It’s just a really great place, and I’ve been wanting to come back ever since then,” Kerr said. “Getting this news right after I qualified for the CT next year was surreal. I’m so excited to be on the tour competing against all of my friends and the world’s best surfers, traveling the world and surfing all of the best waves. This is just the start of it, so I’m really excited to get a taste of what it’s all about.”
Kerr’s wildcard will be her second career event at the CT level. She was a wildcard in the 2024 Corona Fiji Pro, where she placed 9th overall, facing Sawyer Lindblad and Caity Simmers in the opening round of the event and falling to Brisa Hennessy in the elimination round.
On the men’s side, Jake Marshall, currently ranked 22, announced he’s been forced to pull out of the event due to an ankle injury.
“Little update since I’ve been quiet on social for a bit but I’ve had to pull out of the Philippines contest due to an injury that happened while I was in Portugal,” Marshall said. “Obviously super bummed to miss an event but I’m confident that I’ll be back to 100 percent for the final event of the season at Pipe! Going to try to heal up asap and finish the season strong!”
The League said in a press release Monday that 2025 Siargao International Surfing Cup QS6000 winner and current Challenger Series competitor Bronson Meydi will replace him.
The Philippines Pro at Cloud 9 will run from October 31 to November 10, replacing the Abu Dhabi Pro on the 2026 CT schedule. The event was a mid-season addition introduced by the league as it became apparent the U.S.-Iran conflict could present security risks for an event in the Middle East.
