URBIZTONDO BEACH, San Juan, La Union, Philippines (Saturday, January 10, 2026) – The world’s best junior surfers have arrived in La Union ready for the action to begin at the 2025 World Surf League (WSL) World Junior Championships Philippines Presented by Purefoods and Magnolia. Featuring 24 men and 24 women, the stacked international field is primed for battle at The Point at Urbiztondo Beach, San Juan, where the competition window will open tomorrow, January 11, and run through January 18, 2026. The first call will be tomorrow, Sunday, January 11 at 7:30 a.m. (GMT+8) for a possible 8:05 a.m. start.
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The top two men and two women from each of the WSL’s seven global regions are joined by 10 wildcards per gender, each of whom are Challenger Series or Qualifying Series (QS) standouts. The wide range of surfers, all aged 20 or younger, are looking to claim the prestigious title of 2025 WSL World Junior Champion. Along with adding their name to the history books, the winners will also earn a spot on the 2026 Challenger Series, providing them with the opportunity to qualify for the 2027 Championship Tour (CT).
CT Rookie Bella Kenworthy Brings Elite Experience to La Union
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Back-to-back Challenger Series Finals in 2024, including a win at the Ballito Pro, earned Bella Kenworthy (USA) her CT debut in 2025. The American showcased her powerful approach throughout her rookie season, including one of the heats of the year in El Salvador, which bodes well for her campaign at the similar right point of La Union. With years of experience at her home break of Lower Trestles in San Clemente, California, along with the strongest competitive experience of anyone in the field, Kenworthy will pose a major challenge in the Philippines.
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“I’m very excited to be here,” said Kenworthy. “This place is super special. The wave is super fun. I’ve had a very long break, so I’m excited to get back into competition and see how it goes.”
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In-Form After Injury Comeback, Lukas Skinner Targets World Junior Title
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One the most exciting up-and-coming juniors, Lukas Skinner (GBR) will compete for a WSL World Junior Title for the first time. In 2025, the 17-year-old returned from a major leg injury to claim his second consecutive Boardmasters title, having become the first British surfer in 22 years to win the long-running QS on home soil with his 2024 victory. A two-time Rip Curl International GromSearch champion and two-time ISA World Junior runner-up, Skinner’s explosive and fluid surfing is well suited to the long right-hand walls of La Union and could carry him to the biggest win of his career so far.
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“We’re here in the Philippines for the World Junior Championships, and I’m super excited to compete,” said Skinner. “This wave is really fun. The people are amazing. I’m super excited to try to show my surfing on the big stage. This event is the biggest event I’ve ever been in, so I’m super excited and feeling very ready.”
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Laura Raupp Aims to Extend Brazil’s World Junior Legacy
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Currently in the middle of a successful third full season on the Challenger Series, Brazil’s Laura Raupp (BRA) sits just two spots below the qualification line with two events remaining. A three-time WSL World Junior Championship Quarterfinalist, the 19-year-old is also maintaining a heavy presence on the South American QS rankings, having placed in four Finals and won two events so far this season. Following the historic victory of compatriot Luana Silva (BRA) in 2024, Raupp’s progressive and powerful forehand attack at La Union will look to carry on the legacy for her nation.
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“I’m super excited to be here again,” said Raupp. “I’m super happy for this opportunity that WSL gave me with this Wildcard. I want to do a great job in my heat.”
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Troy Espejon (PHL) is one of four Filipino wildcards, alongside his older brother Toby Espejon (PHL), Mara Lopez (PHL), and Cathleya Casals (PHL). Representing the island of Siargao alongside his brother and Lopez, 19-year-old Espejon is excited to compete in his first WSL World Junior Championship at home in the Philippines.
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“I’m happy to represent the Philippines,” said Espejon. “I love to put more effort in my surfing so I can inspire the next generation in the Philippines.”
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These surfers will compete alongside 2023 World Junior Champion Sierra Kerr (AUS) and 2024 World Junior runner-up Winter Vincent (AUS), 2025 Challenger Series standouts Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) and Arena Rodriguez (PER), as well as rising stars like Dane Henry (AUS), Lucas Cassity (MEX), and Dylan Wilcoxen (INA).
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Women’s Opening Round Matchups:
HEAT 1: Laura Raupp (BRA) vs. Anastasia Venter (RSA) vs. Stella Green (AUS)
HEAT 2: Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) vs. Zoey Kaina (USA) vs. Skai Suitt (HAW)
HEAT 3: Arena Rodriguez Vargas (PER) vs. Maria Salgado (POR) vs. Cathleya Casals (PHL)
HEAT 4: Bella Kenworthy (USA) vs. Catalina Zariquiey (PER) vs. Mara Lopez (PHL)
HEAT 5: Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) vs. Sumomo Sato (JPN) vs. Luara Mandelli (BRA)Â Â Â
HEAT 6: Mirai Ikeda (JPN) vs. Anon Matsuoka (JPN) vs. Carla Morera de la Vall (ESP)Â Â Â
HEAT 7: Talia Swindal (USA) vs. Vaihitimahana Inso (HAW) vs. Emily Jenkinson (RSA)Â Â Â
HEAT 8: Reid Van Wagoner (USA) vs. Sierra Kerr (AUS) vs. Isla Huppatz (AUS)
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Men’s Opening Round Matchups:
HEAT 1: Oliver Zietz (NLD) vs. Willem Watson (AUS) vs. Lukas Skinner (GBR)
HEAT 2: Keoni Lasa (EUK) vs. Nadav Attar (ISR) vs. Hugh Vaughan (AUS)
HEAT 3: Lennix Smith (AUS) vs. Conor Donegan Santos (ESP) vs. Toby Espejon (PHL)Â Â Â
HEAT 4: Winter Vincent (AUS) vs. Riki Sato (JPN) vs. Troy Espejon (PHL)
HEAT 5: Lucas Cassity (MEX) vs. Ryan Kainalo (BRA) vs. Dylan Wilcoxen (INA)
HEAT 6: Connor Slijpen (RSA) vs. Ikko Watanabe (JPN) vs. Gabriel Klaussner (BRA)
HEAT 7: Dane Henry (AUS) vs. Alfonso Suarez (ESP) vs. Ben Esterhuyse (RSA)Â
HEAT 8: Rickson Falcao (BRA) vs. Will Deane (USA) vs. Kingston Panebianco (HAW)Â Â Â
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The 2025 WSL World Junior Championships Philippines will be held at The Point at Urbiztondo Beach, San Juan, Philippines, from January 11-18, 2026.Â