- WSL / Ted Fletcher
- WSL / Ted Fletcher

California's central coast has some of the most beautiful coastline one can find and the Qualifying Series (QS) will get a glimpse of it February 27 - March 1 for the SLO CAL Open at Morro Bay QS 1,000. Both men and women return to the water for North America's second stop of its regional competitions at the iconic Morro Rock for the first time in WSL history.

Its beautiful backdrop will play host to some of the region's top QS threats alongside a plethora of upcoming competitors looking to make their mark at this inaugural event.

Dive Deeper: Morro Rock

Morro Bay. Location of the SLO CAL Open at Morro Bay February 27 - March 1. The landscape above Morro Bay's rugged lineup captured by Ted Fletcher. - WSL / Ted Fletcher

While this notes WSL's first appearance at the notable Morro Rock, it has played host to events in the past such as California's West Coast Board Riders competitions as recent as the end of January. Predominantly a left-hand break, rights are not something to be overlooked when the swell provides and competitors are seated in the shadow of Morro Rock itself.

A northwest swell is ideal for the beach break and if east winds are on hand, competitors are in for a treat to get a taste of what the lineup can deliver. Morro Bay local Sydney Beckett, 15, will be taking part in her first-ever event and knows the wave, along with its surroundings, better than the majority of her competition coming to take part.

"I surf the rock on a regular basis and it's such a great beach break that picks up swell very well," said Beckett. "I spend my summers doing junior guards and exploring the rock and jumping off it like 'BS' rock. It's such a great spot to explore and I'm so excited to be a part of this event."

Morro Bay. Location of the SLO CAL Open at Morro Bay February 27 - March 1. BS rock, as its so affectionately referred to by many, plays as backdrop for surfers to line up next to. - WSL / Ted Fletcher

SLO CAL Open at Pismo Beach Semifinalist and one of its own Braden Jones matched his best-career performance at home and now looks to continue that form at a wave he's all-too familiar with.

"It gets fun on northwest swells in the winter and it's a cool place with lots of cool spots to surf by yourself or with a couple buddies out," said Jones. "My most memorable sessions at Morro Bay was a day when it was glassy and peaky surfing down the beach with two of my buddies getting insane waves. There is always something to surf at Morro but sometimes it can turn on and get really fun."

Braden Jones (USA) earning runner-up in his Round 3 heat at the Pismo Beach Open QS 1,000 pres. by Dignity Health. Jones looks to continue his strong start to 2020 close to home. - WSL / Jon Reis

The SLO CAL Open at Morro Bay will run February 27 - March 1 and will be webcast live throughout the event window.

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