Reigning World Champion Soleil Errico Remains Undefeated at Bells

When finals day of the season opener of the WSL World Longboard Tour dawned at Bells Beach on Sunday, the conditions were what every longboarder hopes for – clean, shoulder-high, uniform lines wrapping around the iconic ochre cliffs. And from the first heat of the morning, it was game on.

Throughout the event the judges sent a clear message to the surfers – if it’s not in the pocket, don’t bother. They were clearly rewarding flow, dishing out big scores to the surfers who kept their boards constantly moving, driving down carves on rail and tight noserides in the most critical part of the wave. On the women’s side of the draw, it was reigning World Champion and 2023 Bells winner Californian Soleil Errico who smashed this criteria, dropping a 9.5 in her semi against Honolua Blomfield and heading above nine again in the final.

“Today is a day I’ll remember for the rest of my life.” Soleil said. “I felt so calm all day," she said. "The waves were reminding me so much of home; that’s how Malibu gets when the winds are calm and the tide is high. I’m just really glad it all worked out.”

Soleil claimed victory over Japanese surfer Natsumi Taoka, who requalified for the tour through the Asia LQS after finishing last year just outside of the top 10. Natsumi ousted last year’s runner-up and multiple WLT event winner Alice Lemoigne in the round of 16 to book a spot on finals day, where she then disposed of Hawaiian young gun Kelis Kaleopa’a in the semis to secure a spot in her first final. Natsumi’s surfing was seamless all event, with precise footwork and perfectly controlled critical noseriding. But it wasn’t enough when she met Soleil in the final.

Soleil led the heat from early on, dropping an eight-point ride with an unrivalled ability to time each maneuver, linking, weaving and carving with style. Soleil’s surfing blends both traditional style and flair with power, her noserides always deep in the pocket, her upper body still and composed. Natsumi showed signs of pushing back, but Soleil ran away with the lead, dropping a 9.33 and bringing home her second Bells Bowl.

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On the men’s side of the draw, finals day opened with the last two heats of the round of 16 still needing to be surfed. It was Californian veteran Taylor Jenson up first, who seared his way through to the quarters as a rainbow appeared on the horizon in the morning sun. In the quarters, Taylor fought a hard battle against goofy footer Kevin Skvarna, who dropped the highest-scoring wave of the heat but was left chasing a score as the clock timed out. Taylor sent reigning World Champion Kai Sallas packing the semis, to meet first-time finalist, Hawaiian John Michael Van Hohenstein in the final.

John “Johnny the Ripper” Van Hohenstein’s surfing was spicy, edging out Ben Skinner in the semis with an 8.33 and 7.73 and locking in his WLT final debut. Johnny’s noseriding was perfectly timed, his surfing fast and powerful as he drove through his signature drop knee cutback and the judges loved it. With six minutes to go, Johnny dropped a 9.33, leaving Taylor needing 7.34 for the win. With two minutes remaining, Taylor took off on a wave, hanging 10 out the back, wrapping through a powerful roundhouse and finding another noseride section on the inside and riding out clean. He dropped an 8.07 and moved into the lead. With seconds on the clock, Johnny took off on a wave, needing a 7.08, his surfing still looking lively and smooth. His score fell just short, coming in at a 6.63, handing victory to Jensen.

Jensen will add the Bells Bowl trophy to the family cabinet, alongside his father-in-law, Australian legend Nat Young’s collection: “I’ve been looking at all of the Bells trophies at the house over the last few weeks and wondering if I’ll get my own Bells Bowl to bring home,” he said. “They are the heats you want that go down to the wire and put on a show for everyone.

“To go back and forth with Johnny is amazing; he is so talented and will be winning world titles in no time," Taylor added. "So to win against him here at Bells, in perfect surf, is a dream come true."

Now, the tour will head to Huntington, California, for stop number two kicking off on August 3, to test the world’s best in a beachie. Stop number three’s location is still under wraps but unconfirmed rumors are flying that the WLT will make its first appearance in the Middle East. WSL has not given any indication of whether or not this is true, but have signaled the announcement will be made shortly.

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