The Rise of America Men Heading to the WSL’s Championship Tour
American male surfers, especially those emerging from California, are poised to make a substantial impact in the upcoming 2024 season on the Championship Tour (CT). In recent years, the CT witnessed a noticeable absence of drive from American male surfers, as the Brazilian storm and Aussie dominance took center stage. Surfers like Kolohe Andino, Nat Young, and Kelly Slater, who showcased immense talent, struggled to translate their performances into success on the tour. However, a resurgence of talent from America is on the horizon, though significant pressure remains.
The commencement of the year and subsequent cuts will prove challenging for both rookies and returning surfers. Failing to make the mid-season cut could potentially leave Griffin Colapinto as the sole male representative for America in the latter half of the year, assuming he secures a spot himself. Yet, the emergence of these American surfers, primarily hailing from San Clemente, brings a major energy shift and numerous opportunities. Their close-knit group encourages each other throughout heats while traveling to the top surf venues in the world, presenting a united front. The incoming rookies for the 2024 season have flourished and fueled each other's success to the top.
While Kolohe Andino struggles to reclaim his place on tour through the Challenger Series (CS), he remains a vital part of the CT, having founded the group known as 2%. Comprising individuals like Cole Houshmand, Crosby Colapinto, Kade Matson, Griffin Colapinto, Jett Schilling, and others from the San Clemente community, their triumph and dominance in the CS this past season have been undeniable. Griffin has assumed the mentorship role for Kolohe, coaching these surfers to their rise on the CS.
THE ROOKIES
Cole Houshmand, having qualified as the number one seed at the fourth stop of the CS at the US Open of Surfing, maintained his top-ranking position throughout the year. Utilizing his large frame to his advantage, Cole showcased formidable surfing skills in various conditions. Although he has proven his worth among elite rising surfers, the real test lies in whether he can handle the heightened pressure of performing at the highest level with the world's best.
Crosby Colapinto, the younger brother of the world's third-ranked surfer, Griffin Colapinto, will join the CT after concluding the CS season as the fourth-ranked surfer. It was only a matter of time before Crosby ascended to the upper echelons, given his powerful and stylish surfing. Like Griffin, Crosby has been open about the mental struggles of being a professional surfer and practices mental exercises along with meditation to reach success.
Hailing from Hawaii rather than the town of San Clemente, Eli enters the tour as the number five seed from the CS. A close friend of the 2% team, Eli represents a rising tide of American and Hawaiian male surfers. His technical air game is unlike any on the CS, and his energetic confidence is high. His friendship with the team is telling, as his own heat victory in Saquarema, Brazil advanced Kade Matson onto the CT.
Kade Matson, coming from San Clemente, demonstrated his big and smart surfing, which rose him to the top as he secured the second-to-last spot open for qualifications on the CS, entering him onto the CT. Many are interested to see how his success on the CS will transition onto the CT.
THE RETURN
Jake Marshall, who completed a whole season as a rookie on the CT in 2022, as well as a half-season in 2023 after being relegated to the mid-season cut, makes his return in 2024. Traveling around the world, we often see Jake gravitating around the 2% crew as they all boost each other up. Hailing from Encinitas, San Diego, Jake represents himself in the American push heading onto the tour with his unique approach to surfing.
NOTABLE MENTIONS
Unable to accompany his best friends and fellow San Clemente locals on the tour this season, Jett Schilling’s arrival to the CT in the coming years is highly anticipated. Just below the top 10 to qualify, he finished the CS at number 15. Jett keeps himself busy in the water as he puts together heats with powerful and confident surfing. He secured a third-place finish at the start of the CS on the Gold Coast but wasn’t as consistent throughout the remainder of the year, with his next best result being a 9th in California at the US Open. However, following the CS tour, he won the World Junior Title in Oceanside, California.
The momentum shift of the 2% group and fellow American men is eagerly awaited, as the last Californian to claim a world title was Tom Curren in 1990. These men, preparing for their debut and return, have recently spent time on the North Shore at Pipeline and Sunset, where the CT will kick off its first two events. Not only are they representing America, but they will also be part of the generational shift occurring among the world’s best. They bring high energy, as well as progressive and innovative styles and techniques. Can we expect to see these surfers give fans a compelling season, or will they be relegated back to the CS?