Rachael Tilly, Taylor Jensen Score Big Surf City Wins

Among Southern California’s most accomplished on a longboard, Rachael Tilly and Taylor Jensen just took out the second stop of the WSL's World Longboard Tour in convincing form. For San Clemente native and 2015 World Champion, Tilly it was a return to dominance as she rose to the occasion against reigning world champion Soleil Errico in the final.

Winning in front of friends and family on the beach, Tilly looked unstoppable throughout the event. Dropping a 9.00 ride in the quarterfinals to take out Hawaiian Honolua Blomfield, Tilly’s semifinal against Japanese surfers Natsumi Taoka was one of the best of the event. With the lead changing back and forth for the second half of the heat, Taoka needed 6.38 in the final seconds. Hanging ten out the back, she weaved her way through to the beach, leaving the judges with a decision to make. Ultimately, it wasn’t enough, coming in at a 6.17 and sending Tilly to the final.

With quick precise footwork and classic nose riding, by the time the final came around Tilly had clearly settled in and looked comfortable in the clean Huntington conditions. She got ahead of Errico early and never really looked back.

“My whole family is here. My brother flew in this morning and came straight to the beach. To have this moment here at my home with my family, my heart is exploding,” Tilly said afterwards. “I have to dedicate this to Gretchen Harris, we just lost her and she’s such a big influence on our Southern California longboard community and touched so many people. I was thinking about her while I was out there and this means so much.” She added.

On the men’s side of the draw Jensen was once again too good for the rest. After a convincing victory at Bells Beach in Australia, he made it look easy in the small, clean California conditions. Jensen faced Filipino surfer Rogelio Jr. Esquievel in the final, and while there were plenty of Filipino flags proudly waving on the beach, Jensen’s experience was simply too much.

“I'm just having fun. Honestly, I’m just in a different head space this year and I’m just enjoying my time on Tour. Getting in, surfing good waves, and having fun with all my friends, it seems to kind of be working out.” Jensen said.

Now, attention turns to the much anticipated, but still unannounced, third stop of the tour in late September. The rankings have a number of world title favorites sitting lower down the leaderboard than one might expect at this stage. 2023 runner-ups Kaniela Stewart and Kelis Kaleopa’a are both sitting outside the top five, needing a strong result at the next event if they’re to contend for the World Title this year. The Huntington result has left Ericco and Jensen at the top of the rankings, with Tilly and Esquieve settling into second. With just one event remaining to decide who will head to the finals in El Salvador, we could see some fresh faces in the top eight.

Related: Reigning World Champion Soleil Errico Remains Undefeated at Bells