- WSL / Tim Hain
- WSL / Tim Hain

Competition has commenced at one of the world's most perfect right-hand tubes, Cloud 9, for the 25th annual Siargao Cloud 9 Surfing Cup QS1,500. Competitors traded perfect two-to-three foot tubes for the first 10 heats of Round 1 at the Qualifying Series (QS) event.

Lineup The Iconic Cloud 9 Lineup. - WSL / Tim Hain

Local surfer Carlito Nogalo was the standout performer on the opening day of competition, posting the only excellent score of the day with an 8.15 (out of a possible 10) for a super deep tube ride on a Cloud 9 nugget. Nogalo then backed it up with another impressive tube to score a 7.25 and a winning two-wave combination of 15.40 (out of a possible 20).

"It feels really good to post a good score in my first heat, "Nogalo said. "there are so many amazing surfer's hear from around the world so It gives me the confidence to know I can post heat-winning totals. The conditions are so fun right now, there are just perfect tubes with no one out."

Carlito Nogalo Carlito Nogalo on his 8.17. - WSL / Tim Hain

Sunshine Coaster Alister Reginato reveled in the dreamy early morning conditions, pulling into clean Cloud 9 tubes to post a pair of 7.50's to take out Heat 7 of Round 1. The young natural footer couldn't believe his luck, getting perfect tropical pits with only four other guys out, winning a close battle with Noah Beschen and Rio Waida with some epic critical turns.

"It's pretty unreal to get perfect waves like this in a QS event," Reginato said. "It's an amazing place to come with epic food and such beautiful scenery not to mention the perfect waves. It was such a fun heat and I'm really looking forward to getting back out there and getting some more barrels."

Alister Reginato Alister Reginato. - WSL / Tim Hain

Fresh from competing at a QS6,000 recently in Europe, kiwi competitor Elliot Paerata-Reid (NZL) has arrived in the Philippines looking for a solid result to improve his seeding. Known for his ability in the tube, Paerata-Reid is pegged as an event favorite and proved why as he took out his opening heat with a two-wave total of 13.45.

"It's great to be back in the Philippines," Paerata-Reid said. "The waves are so fun right now and it looks like staying pretty similar all week so I'm stoked. My aim is to do a post-heat interview after every heat I surf in because that means I'll be winning."

Elliot Paerata-Reid Elliot Paerata-Reid. - WSL / Tim Hain

Be sure to tune in tomorrow at competition continues and some of the events top seeds hit the water in the remaining heats of Round 1.

The Siargao Cloud 9 Surfing Cup will run from October 4 - 9 2019.

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