Monnojo Yahagi (JPN) was a standout on Day 1 of the 2025 Siargao International Surfing Cup QS 6000
CLOUD 9, Siargao Island, Philippines (Friday, October 24, 2025) – Competition has kicked off at the 2025 Siargao International Surfing Cup World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 6000 event with the early rounds running at the picture-perfect peak of Cloud 9. Competitors in the men’s Round of 128 and the first two heats of the women’s Round of 56 were treated to super clean surf in the two-to-three foot range to set up what is sure to be an epic week of competition at one of Asia’s premier surf spots.Â
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Australian junior Harry O’Brien (AUS) delivered two critical hits on his forehand to post a 7.00 (out of a possible 10), the highest single wave score of the round. With a 6.00 backup, the 13.00 (out of a possible 20) two-wave heat total was also the highest of the day. The 19-year-old from Lennox Head faced competition from a surprising name, surfing legend Christian Fletcher (USA).
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“I was stoked to snag one at the start and then get into priority and get another one,” O’Brien said. “Frothing to make it through. It’s pretty pumping out there, just lucky I got some waves. And yeah, I got a fun one at the end. So sick, so stoked [to compete against Christian Fletcher]. I caught the plane over with him. And yeah, sick, I had him in the heat.”
Credited with major contributions to the origins of aerial surfing, Fletcher, who is days away from his 55th birthday, was competing in his third event at Cloud 9 in the past decade. O’Brien progressed ahead of Shoma Nishimura (JPN), while Fletcher was eliminated alongside one of last year’s early standouts, Jayden Wilcoxen (INA). Regardless of the result, Fletcher was full of stoke.
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“Where I grew up, you never get conditions like this for a surf contest,” Fletcher said. “The water’s warm, the waves are good, shallow reef, the competitors have got big smiles. Everybody’s happy. That’s the whole reason I came to this contest. I mean, I’m 55 years old. I don’t even surf contests. But when I had the opportunity to come here, I wouldn’t have missed this for anything. Shaka, smile, get barreled and launch some airs. And most of all, have fun. Have fun and try to show other people respect.”
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Of the 21 Filipino surfers in the round, nine were able to progress. Marnie Rodela (PHL) claimed the highest heat total of the local contingent at 11.83, while Jayuard Alciso (PHL) posted the highest single wave score, a 6.83. Local Siargao legend Philmar Alipayo (PHL) showed his incredible backhand read of his home break, progressing into the Round of 96 as he eyes another Finals Day finish at the elite level.Â
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“It’s amazing to see how much surfing here has grown,” Alipayo said. “Before, we were surfing broken boards or ones without fins, even half a board sometimes. Now the kids have their own boards, and it’s really good to see. I’ve been wanting to win this event for so long, and I’m not giving up. I’ll keep trying because I love it. This event means a lot to us; it used to be just a dream to see something like this here.”
Kent Brian Solloso (PHL), Robert Magaluna (PHL), Elvis Legaspi (PHL), and Piso Alcala (PHL) also advanced in first place in their respective heats, while Lemar Delamide (PHL) moved through in second behind Legaspi.
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The last two heats of the day saw the opening matchups of the women’s Round of 56 contested, with Aussie duo Nyxie Ryan (AUS) and Milla Brown (AUS) taking decent wins to progress into the seeded Round of 48.Â
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The 2025 Siargao International Surfing Cup QS 6000 presented by Philippine Sports Commission is proudly supported by the Municipality of General Luna, the Provincial Government of Surigao Del Norte, and SISA. Sponsored by PAGCOR, Kudosurf, Vissla, Lamari, and SDMI Sports.
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