Heavy-Hitters Ready for Los Cabos Open of Surf

Sage Erickson and nine other of her fellow Championship Tour (CT) competitors are ready for the Los Cabos Open of Surf QS6,000, alongside stop No. 2 of the North America Junior Tour bringinig in an international field. - WSL / Marenelmar

The WSL has returned in full force to the shores of Costa Azul for the Los Cabos Open of Surf Women's Qualifying Series (QS) 6,000 and Pro Junior. An important week is on hand for all involved with 6,000 points on offer to some of the QS elite, and Championship Tour (CT) women in attendance looking to back themselves up on the Tour. This also marks stop No. 2 of the North America Junior Tour for both the men and women as the women hope to fend off the international field and earn maximum points.

Tatiana Weston-Webb returns to Los Cabos after a massive Final at the Outerknown Fiji Women's Pro boosted her to No. 10 on the Jeep Leaderboard. Weston-Webb earned two Quarterfinal results at the start of the QS season which places her at No. 9 on the rankings with a chance to gain even more ground on this front now as well. After a Quarterfinal finish here at Zippers last year, the goofyfooter's backhand attack will be put back to the test this week with nine of her fellow CT competitors and the QS elite set to do battle.

Tatiana Weston-Webb will look to better her Quarterfinal finish last year after a spectacular performance in Fiji. - WSL / MARENELMAR

"I feel that that the Cabo event is such a great event and I am really stoked to be a part of it every year," Weston-Webb said. "It's great points and it's just amazing to be surrounded by such great people, such rich culture and it's a lovely place. It's always nice to go into your next event coming off a good result.

"But, I also have to refocus because Cabo is a different wave than Fiji and it is different being a Qualifying series event. I don't want to get too far ahead of myself. I am really enjoy surfing Zippers and being here in Cabo."

Ryland Rubens will be looking for this feeling once more after winning the Ron Jon Vans Pro Junior to start the year. - WSL / Andrew Nichols

After his first-ever win on the Junior Tour at stop No. 1 in Cocoa Beach, Ryland Rubens comes to Zippers looking to keep that momentum alive and take control on leaderboard. But the San Diego native doesn't isn't putting any pressure on himself. With the opportunity ahead of him and, with a deadly backhand in his arsenal, has plenty to look forward to.   "It feels nice to get out to a good start, but the season just started so I'm trying not to get too ahead of myself," Rubens said. "I don't spend time reflecting on the past, and want to go heat by heat this year and do my best. A good result would be great for sure, but I just want to enjoy my time in Cabo."

More on Pro Junior events.

Alyssa Spencer earned a spot to the World Junior Championships in her debut year and hopes to make her way back there again. - WSL / Kelly Cestari

Since opening its doors to the Pro Junior women, the Los Cabos Open of Surf has been dominated by an international field with two Australians, Isabella Nichols in 2015 and Sophie McCulloch last year, taking the title. But American frontrunner Alyssa Spencer hopes to change that this year along with a strong contingent alongside her. Spencer finds herself in familiar territory returning to Cabo at the top of the rankings, though wants to better her Quarterfinal finish last year -- a result she dropped by year's end.   "It feels so good to start off the year with a win again and I hope I can get a better result this year, but it is going to be very challenging because all of the girls are surfing so good," Spencer said. "It's so amazing to travel to places like Cabo and see different cultures. The people in Mexico are always friendly and fun. I have experienced some really amazing things that I will never forget."

Event organizers will make a Call at 7:30 a.m. MDT to determine a possible 8:00 a.m. Start for either the Los Cabos Open of Surf Women's QS6,000 or Pro Junior events.