The Longboard Qualifying Series is a quick one, as there are only about 10 events worldwide through which the world's best longboarders can work toward a chance at even competing for a World Title. So each event is important for everyone and surfers often travel huge distances for a chance to wear the WSL jersey.
The definition of a perfect longboard wave. - WSL / Laurent Masurel
In Europe, surfers have three opportunities during their season to build their regional ranking, in which they try to qualify for the World Longboard Championship and secure the highly coveted European Title.
The season started last month in Caparica, and is about to head to Stop No. 2: the Longboard Pro Gaia, Portugal. This event will unfold from June 9-11 and once again welcomes surfers from all corners of the globe.
Lemoigne and Sphaier, winners of the inaugural event of 2017. - WSL / Laurent Masurel
Among the pros flocking to Gaia, a few names on the entry list pop out: two former World Champions, Lindsay Steinriede and Rachael Tilly, the current leader in the Women's European title race, Alice Lemoigne, as well as the winner in Caparica, Rodrigo Sphaier.
Last year's conditions brought awesome longboarding waves, long waist-high lefts with perfect noseriding sections and the spectacle was incredible, so let's hope mother nature delivers once again next week.
Antoine Delpero & Chloe Calmon take out the inaugural Longboard Pro Gaia in great conditions on final day of competition.
Catch all the results, photos, videos and updates on the event site.
Top Longboarders Head Back to Gaia, Portugal
Nicolas Leroy
The Longboard Qualifying Series is a quick one, as there are only about 10 events worldwide through which the world's best longboarders can work toward a chance at even competing for a World Title. So each event is important for everyone and surfers often travel huge distances for a chance to wear the WSL jersey.
In Europe, surfers have three opportunities during their season to build their regional ranking, in which they try to qualify for the World Longboard Championship and secure the highly coveted European Title.
The season started last month in Caparica, and is about to head to Stop No. 2: the Longboard Pro Gaia, Portugal. This event will unfold from June 9-11 and once again welcomes surfers from all corners of the globe.
Among the pros flocking to Gaia, a few names on the entry list pop out: two former World Champions, Lindsay Steinriede and Rachael Tilly, the current leader in the Women's European title race, Alice Lemoigne, as well as the winner in Caparica, Rodrigo Sphaier.
Last year's conditions brought awesome longboarding waves, long waist-high lefts with perfect noseriding sections and the spectacle was incredible, so let's hope mother nature delivers once again next week.
Catch all the results, photos, videos and updates on the event site.
Rodrigo Sphaier
The 20-year-old Hawaiian has won her second World Longboard title in Taiwan while Rodrigo Sphaier takes the win of his career at The Left.
Rodrigo Sphaier and Honolua Blomfield take the event win at the Taiwan Open World Longboard Champs on a firing day at "the Left".
Europe's bestup their game to overcome the elements at the Longboard Pro Espinho with Justine Dupont and Edouard Delpero coming out on top
French duo shine in challenging conditions to emerge victorious.
The Longboard Pro Espinho launched in big surf at the thumping beach break of Praia de Baia in the North of Portugal.
Longboard Pro Gaia
Chloe Calmon and Emilien Fleury win the second edition of Longboard Pro Gaia in High Level Action.
Carioca derrotou duas campeãs mundiais no sábado e Emilien Fleury ganhou a final francesa com Edouardo Delpero.
Excellent surfing continues as event champions emerge on second day in Gaia.
Men and women longboarders had to compose with 3-5 foot walls on the opening day of Europe's stop 2 of the Longboard Qualifying Series.
Big performances unfold in testing conditions on the opening day of competition in Portugal.