Head-to-head bouts heat up to determine first eliminations in Huntington Beach I 805 Post Show Day 2

The Longboard Tour contenders fought for their Lexus US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico survival with heavy early eliminations dealt. The Philippines were loud and proud to end Day 2 with Jomarie Ebueza taking control to lock in for a massive Round of 16 showing. But, it was all about the women taking over HB to start a pivotal day, and Waikiki’s perennial standouts, Kelis Kaleopa’a and Sophia Culhane, delivered brilliance ahead of Malia Ilagan locking in more US Open of Surfing success of her own to keep their 2026 chase thriving. Culhane’s 7.67 held as the women’s top single-wave score before a bit of history was made as Lia Diaz, Costa Rica’s first-ever LT qualifier, earned a massive heat win over Sive Jarrard to take her country to the Round of 16 in her rookie start. Then, the men’s Elimination Round provided fireworks with Southern California duo Jack Van Wagoner and Tommy Coleman taking down the Waikiki Longboard Title threat mainstays Kai Sallas and John Michael Van Hohenstein in their respective bouts. But, Kaniela Stewart got one back for the Waikiki disrupters to bounce back toward a second US Open of Surfing title. An old-fashioned LT veteran showdown ensued between Tony Silvagni and Ben Skinner, with Silvagni earning a massive heat win to keep his dreams alive. First eliminations in, and the action is just starting to cook in the SoCal summer sun with Round of 16 bouts standing by as the Southern Hemisphere and local Tropical Storms continue to churn for a solid forecast outlook. Next call, Monday, July 27 at 7:00 a.m. PT for a likely 7:35 a.m. start. World Surf League https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=215w9_0gtnI