URBIZTONDO BEACH, San Juan, La Union, Philippines (Tuesday, January 13, 2026) – The draw was whittled down to the final eight men and eight women as Quarterfinals were determined on day three of the 2025 World Surf League (WSL) World Junior Championships Philippines Presented by Purefoods and Magnolia. The two-to-three-foot rights lining The Point at Urbiztondo Beach continued to provide long walls for the world’s best junior surfers to compete for the prestigious 2025 WSL World Junior Title.
ㅤ
The next call will be tomorrow, Wednesday, January 14 at 8:00 a.m. for a possible 8:35 a.m. start.
Smith and Vincent Reignite 2024 Momentum With Excellent Performances
ㅤ
An extremely patient Lennix Smith (AUS) waited a full 18 minutes before catching his first wave in a high profile match-up against Lukas Skinner (GBR). Smith wasted little energy in the heat, utilizing ideal wave selection and executing on every wave ridden to earn two rides in the 7-point range, along with an 8.33 (out of a possible 10), and post the first excellent heat total of the event, 16.16 (out of a possible 20). The 20-year-old Smith used knowledge gained from a Semifinal run in 2024 that included multiple buzzer-beaters to maintain smart heat management over the younger World Juniors newcomer in Skinner.
ㅤ
“Mate, I’m actually cooked,” Smith said. “Lukas [Skinner] is such a freak. That’s why I’m so gassed, because I had to use all my energy out there. I’m just enjoying my time here with all my mates.”
ㅤ
Another Australian who had a successful run in 2024 was Winter Vincent (AUS), who made it all the way to last year’s Final with his distinct brand of clean and precise rail surfing. Vincent continued his strong campaign in 2025 with a definitive victory over good friend and rising international star Hughie Vaughan (AUS). Staying busy despite earning an early excellent score of an 8.00 and placing large requirements on his competitor, Vincent left nothing to chance, aware of the explosive nature of Vaughan.
ㅤ
“I was so nervous. I don’t really get that heartbeat nervous when I go into heats,” Vincent said. “But my heart was beating because it’s hard not to notice Hughie [Vaughan] this year, or past year, he’s been going on a tear. He’s one of my good mates, so it’s always a hard one, but I was excited for it. I love this place. One of my favorite waves is Keramas, and it doesn’t have that bowl to it, but if you get the right ones, it kind of is a bit similar. I love this wave.”
ㅤ
Vincent will meet Ikko Watanabe (JPN) in the Quarterfinals. The 19-year-old Watanabe defeated Will Deane (USA). Meanwhile, Oliver Zietz (NLD) and Nadav Attar (ISR) closed out their respective heats with their biggest numbers to secure a Quarterfinal meeting. A 7.17 for Zietz in the last 45 seconds delivered an exciting buzzer-beater win over Conor Donegan Dos Santos (ESP), while Attar stamped his authority over his regional North American rival Lucas Cassity (MEX) with an 8.33.
Inso and Zariquiey Advance to Quarterfinals After Elimination Round and Round of 16 Showings
ㅤ
The smooth style of Vaihitimahana Inso (HAW) has brought the Hawaiian goofy-footer much success across a variety of competition, now leading to her first WSL World Junior Championships. Inso opened the day with a strong Elimination Round victory over Australia’s Stella Green (AUS), before following it up with a defeat of 2023 Semifinalist Talia Swindal (USA) in the Round of 16. After trailing Swindal for much of the heat, Inso picked up a long-running wave under the American’s priority, transforming it into a 7.43 and a Quarterfinal berth. Already holding an U/18 World Junior gold medal with the ISA, Inso is excited to have the opportunity to claim the WSL title this week in the Philippines.
ㅤ
“I was pretty nervous to be honest. I kept trying every wave I possibly could, and I just had to tell myself to hold my composure,” Inso said “I was lucky enough Talia didn’t go on that wave with priority. I was able to get the 7.4 and get the lead because it was pretty slow out there. For us, I feel like we were going back-to-back every wave, and it was kind of fun. I felt the little competitive fire in me came out in that heat. Winning this would, of course, mean so much to have a World Title under your name, especially the Juniors. This is my first year competing at it. I’ve watched it the last couple years and I’ve always wanted to be a part of it.”
Catalina Zariquiey (PER) pushed through two stacked heats to move into her first World Junior Quarterfinals. Having survived a battle of current regional Junior Champions against Europe’s Maria Salgado (POR) in the Elimination Round, the Peruvian defeated Laura Raupp (BRA) in the Round of 16, a direct rematch from 2024. Finding critical sections in difficult conditions in both heats, Zariquiey earned some of the highest numbers of both rounds with a wave in each pushing into the 7-point range, allowing her to redeem last year’s loss to Raupp and move into Finals Day.
ㅤ
“I’m super happy to have made this heat. Last year I got the heat with Laura [Raupp] too, and yeah, I just really wanted to make it this time,” said Zariquiey. “I caught a good couple waves, it’s really difficult conditions, but yeah, I’m just going to stay confident, trust in myself, and have fun.”
Regional Rivalries Give Way to Australia vs Brazil Men’s Quarterfinal Clashes
ㅤ
The tight rivalry between the two South American regional qualifiers, Rickson Falcao (BRA) and Ryan Kainalo (BRA), continued onto the international stage when the compatriots met in the Round of 16. The pair maintained near equal totals throughout the heat before Falcao was able to add a 6.47 to an existing 7.50, his seamless backhand power topping the forehand speed of Kainalo. The younger of the two, 18-year-old Falcao, claimed the win, as he did in the tie-break of the regional rankings, defeating the more experienced Kainalo in his first World Junior showing.
ㅤ
“I’m so happy to make this heat, when me and Ryan [Kainalo] are in the heat it’s always firing. I’m so happy to make it into the Quarterfinals, heat-by-heat, make good scores and improve my surfing. I feel amazing, I love surfing backside. The waves today are small but so good. This competition is so incredible with great athletes. It’s my first time here, first time in the World Juniors, first time in the Philippines. I’m liking this place so much. I like this competition so much.”
ㅤ
The other remaining Brazilian in the men’s draw, Gabriel Klaussner (BRA), posted an excellent 8.17 in his defeat of Keoni Lasa (EUK), setting up Australia versus Brazil clashes in the first two Quarterfinals. Falcao will take on Lennix Smith (AUS), while Klaussner will meet Dane Henry (AUS), who claimed the win over fellow Australian Willem Watson (AUS) in a battle of the top-ranked regional qualifiers from Australia/Oceania.
Experience Prevails for Kenworthy and Kerr
ㅤ
Bella Kenworthy (USA) built throughout her heat to defeat Brazil’s Luara Mandelli (BRA) with a 7.83 and 6.17 in her scoreline for a 14.00 heat total, the highest of the women’s Round of 16. Returning to competition after a long off-season, the 2025 Championship Tour (CT) rookie has been enjoying getting back into the competitive arena. Having already matched her 2023 Quarterfinal in the event with today’s performance, the 19-year-old now looks to add a World Junior Champion title to her name.
ㅤ
“I was super happy to make that one,” Kenworthy said. “The waves were super tricky, but happy I got a few. It’s been super nice to take a break from competing. I’ve gone on a bunch of surf trips and just had a lot of fun, but it’s definitely nice to be back in the jersey. I missed it, so happy to be here. I feel like it’s a very big accomplishment to be a World Junior champ. My goal was to come here and get back in the jersey and compete again, but I mean taking a win would be amazing.”
ㅤ
Kenworthy will next meet 2023 World Junior Champion Sierra Kerr (AUS) in the Quarterfinals after the Australian took the win over Reid Van Wagoner (USA). After posting one of the highest scores for the second day running, fellow Australian Isla Huppatz (AUS) will come against Anon Matsuoka (JPN), who claimed victory in an all-Japan match-up against Mirai Ikeda (JPN).
One of the youngest competitors in the draw defeated one of the most experienced when 14-year-old Carla Morera De La Vall (ESP) eliminated 20-year-old Arena Rodriguez (PER), a 2025 Challenger Series standout. While Rodriguez found the highest single-wave score of the heat, a 6.50, Morera De La Vall found consistency with two rides in the 5-point range, highlighted by a critical end-section hit on her backhand. Representing Spain via her home of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, Morera De La Vall carried incredible form across her second year on the European Junior Tour, placing in four Finals out of five events entered, winning two, and now moves into the Quarterfinals of her first World Juniors.
ㅤ
“That was so stressful, I knew I had to push a little bit to make this heat because Arena [Rodriguez] is very good,” Morera De La Vall said. “I’m just very happy that I made it through and happy that I’m in the Quarterfinals. Everyone here is amazing, so you have to do really good to make the heat. I knew I had to go big. I’m feeling very excited for tomorrow. I’m ready and I’m going to give my all.”
ㅤ
Women’s Elimination Round Results:
HEAT 7: Vaihitimahana Inso (HAW) 12.53 DEF. Stella Green (AUS) 6.43
HEAT 8: Catalina Zariquiey (PER) 12.66 DEF. Maria Salgado (POR) 11.10
ㅤ
Women’s Round of 16 Results:
HEAT 1: Carla Morera De La Vall (ESP) 11.40 DEF. Arena Rodriguez (PER) 10.33
HEAT 2: Vaihitimahana Inso (HAW) 12.93 DEF. Talia Swindal (USA) 12.07
HEAT 3: Isla Huppatz (AUS) 13.50 DEF. Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) 10.16
HEAT 4: Anon Matsuoka (JPN) 10.40 DEF. Mirai Ikeda (JPN) 8.20
HEAT 5: Bella Kenworthy (USA) 14.00 DEF. Luara Mandelli (BRA) 9.17
HEAT 6: Sierra Kerr (AUS) 12.84 DEF. Reid Van Wagoner (USA) 10.46
HEAT 7: Catalina Zariquiey (PER) 13.66 DEF. Laura Raupp (BRA) 12.23
HEAT 8: Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) 12.70 DEF. Zoey Kaina (USA) 10.00
ㅤ
Women’s Quarterfinals Matchups:
HEAT 1: Carla Morera De La Vall (ESP) vs. Vaihitimahana Inso (HAW)
HEAT 2: Isla Huppatz (AUS) vs. Anon Matsuoka (JPN)
HEAT 3: Bella Kenworthy (USA) vs. Sierra Kerr (AUS)
HEAT 4: Catalina Zariquiey (PER) vs. Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK)
ㅤ
Men’s Round of 16 Results:
HEAT 1: Lennix Smith (AUS) 16.16 DEF. Lukas Skinner (GBR) 11.93
HEAT 2: Rickson Falcao (BRA) 13.97 DEF. Ryan Kainalo (BRA) 12.94
HEAT 3: Gabriel Klaussner (BRA) 14.10 DEF. Keoni Lasa (EUK) 10.56
HEAT 4: Dane Henry (AUS) 14.14 DEF. Willem Watson (AUS) 12.90
HEAT 5: Winter Vincent (AUS) 14.83 DEF. Hugh Vaughan (AUS) 10.16
HEAT 6: Ikko Watanabe (JPN) 13.33 DEF. Will Deane (USA) 12.64
HEAT 7: Oliver Zietz (NLD) 13.94 DEF. Conor Donegan Dos Santos (ESP) 13.43
HEAT 8: Nadav Attar (ISR) 15.16 DEF. Lucas Cassity (MEX) 12.00
ㅤ
Men’s Quarterfinals Matchups:
HEAT 1: Lennix Smith (AUS) vs. Rickson Falcao (BRA)
HEAT 2: Gabriel Klaussner (BRA) vs. Dane Henry (AUS)
HEAT 3: Winter Vincent (AUS) vs. Ikko Watanabe (JPN)
HEAT 4: Oliver Zietz (NLD) vs. Nadav Attar (ISR)
ㅤ
The 2025 WSL World Junior Championships Philippines will be held at The Point at Urbiztondo Beach, San Juan, Philippines, from January 11-18, 2026.