PUNTA ROCA, La Libertad, El Salvador (Friday, June 5, 2026) – An incredible start to the Surf City El Salvador Pro Presented by Corona Cero, Stop No. 5 of the 2026 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), powered through opening day in pumping six-to-eight-foot wave faces, consistently plus sets with high-performance showcases ensuing in the building swell. Men’s Round One, women’s Round One, and men’s Round Two, Heats 1 – 6, were put to the test at Punta Roca with breakthrough performances from Brisa Hennessy (CRC), Eli Hanneman (HAW), Tyler Wright (AUS), and Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR). Day one also saw upsets from Callum Robson (AUS) and Anat Lelior (ISR) taking down event favorites.
Event organizers will reconvene at 5:45 a.m. CST for a possible 6:05 a.m. start.
Hennessy and Hanneman Hone In For Excellent Start at Punta Roca
A Quarterfinal in 2025 for Brisa Hennessy (CRC) noted one of her best results last season, and the Costa Rican carried that confidence into a battle with current No. 9 Alyssa Spencer (USA). Hennessy’s powerful forehand matched the pumping Punta Roca conditions with multiple to accrue an excellent 8.50 (out of a possible 10) before Spencer answered with a 7.00 of her own. But, Hennessy’s final 15.00 (out of a possible 20) heat total was too much for the Californian to surmount. Now Hennessy prepares for five-time World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Carissa Moore (HAW).
“That was an emotional one. Making the first round doesn’t seem like a lot, but it’s all those inner battles, and all the behind-the-scenes work,” said Hennessy. “I’m so lucky to have Britt [Merrick] and the crew here. We’ve been working super hard on the offseason. I feel like this board fits the wave of Punta Roca so well, and it’s important to have magic boards and special people in your corner. I do my best surfing when I have a good why. I think representing a country that has given me so much, taught me how to surf, and taught me a love for surfing is a good reason why. To be in Central America and to feel their love meant so much, and I just try to surf from the heart.”
Following an exciting morning of competition from men’s Round One and women’s Round One, the men’s upper echelon began making their debuts with early success from Liam O’Brien (AUS), Callum Robson (AUS), and reigning World Champion Yago Dora (BRA). But, it was Eli Hanneman (HAW) who stood apart with a major season shift needed and dominated both his Round One and Round Two heats on opening day. Hanneman’s variety of multiple maneuvers on a massive Punta Roca wall earned an excellent 8.83 to backup his 7.33, and deliver a major upset to current World No. 2 Miguel Pupo (BRA).
After dismantling El Salvador’s star Bryan Perez (SLV) in Round One, Hanneman went lights out against World No. 2 Miguel Pupo (BRA) as the waves continued to pulse with building sets. The steadfast contender, Hanneman found his form after a string of Round Two eliminations to start the season and delivered an impeccable 16.16 heat total
“It’s better late than never to make a heat, I guess. Gallagher was joking that he was going to chair me up after that one,” said Hanneman. “It feels like it’s been a weird wall for me, and once it happened, the floodgates were going to open. It happened on the Challenger Series, and it took me three years to get ninth there, and I just had to let go of it. I travel around the world surfing perfect waves. It’s a good life. In New Zealand, I made the first heat, then lost that same day to Medina, but nothing has really changed. I put a lot into what I do and sometimes I put a lot of pressure on myself. I know my surfing’s there. I know it’s good enough, and I just want to be the best person I can be.”
Wright and Dora Excel Amid Upsets Unraveling
Two-time World Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) proved her case in pumping conditions against 16-year-old phenom Tya Zebrowski (FRA). Wright’s formidable forehand attack earned the heat’s best nod of a 7.00 and pushed Zebrowski to respond. In the final moments, an exchange from Wright didn’t better her back up, leaving Zebrowski needing a 6.34. The score came just shy of the requirement, earning a 6.23, and Wright held firm to keep her hopes of surging toward a second Surf City El Salvador Pro Final.
“I give a lot of credit to Tya [Zebrowski] and see a little bit of myself in her and her determination. She’s on Tour so young and I know it’s a hard challenge. Being in these first round heats, it’s so tricky when you come up against people who have been on Tour for 16 years, and you’re only 16 years old,” said Wright. “She’s one of the best, and I know she’ll be a World Champ one day. I’m surrounded by good people. Working with Dog [Richard Marsh], and his team, it breathes so much life into it. Without laughing as much as we have, and so much joy around the team he’s created, it can get lonely. You do get to a point when you’ve been away from your family so much and to put the fun back into getting better at something, I feel like it’s turning a corner.”
Fellow, and reigning, World Champion Yago Dora (BRA) also held firm with the scattered upsets to avoid elimination from an in-form Luke Thompson (RSA), and powered into Round 3.
An all-rookie clash provided a spark to competition featuring Nadia Erostarbe (ESP) and 2022 World Junior Champion Francisca Veselko (POR). Erostarbe’s clutch form sent her flying into Round 2 alongside fellow rookie Yolanda Hopkins (POR), before a massive upset rattled the ranks as CT rookie Anat Lelior (ISR) put on a showcase of backhand searing all her own against eight-time World Champion and 2022 event victor Stephanie Gilmore (AUS). Lelior stayed busy throughout the heat to keep building her score line as Gilmore waited patiently for the right wave in pulsing conditions with some massive walls steamrolling into Punta Roca’s lineup.
“My legs are still shaking. I feel like this heat for me against Steph [Gilmore] was definitely nerve-racking, and this format, where you lose the first round, is difficult,” said Lelior. “It’s been hard believing. But, there’s enough idols on this Tour to get inspiration from whether it’s Carissa [Moore] or Steph, but it doesn’t take away that I want to beat them. I’m feeling all the cardio work paying off. It’s harsh one for everyone, but we’re all enjoying it at the same time. And I’m just going to pick better waves, be more patient, and be smarter and better.”
Following that upset, CT sophomore Bella Kenworthy (USA) delivered a rattle in the ranks of her own after taking down 2025 event runner-up Isabella Nichols (AUS) in a back-and-forth battle for her first CT heat win of 2026. The ensuing rankings shuffling continued into men’s Round Two, following an exciting performance by Liam O’Brien (AUS), holding firm as the higher seed, but Callum Robson (AUS) sent a message to the world’s best after besting event favorite and multi-World Title contender Ethan Ewing (AUS).
Boukhiam and Moniz Earn First Heat Wins of 2026
Joining Kenworthy with his first heat win of the year, the backhand power of Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) was on full display in his Round One, Heat 1 bout with 2025 event runner-up and Injury Replacement competitor, Matthew McGillivray (RSA). Boukhiam’s early-season struggles vanished in a dominant showing against McGillvray’s strong forehand attack, pushing the South African in the need of excellence after a 7.83 and 14.50 heat total after breaking his board on the first wave. Now, Boukhiam will face current World No. 1 Italo Ferreira (BRA) in an all-goofy-footed clash.
“There was a lot of build up and some really amazing practice days. Everyone was ripping and that wasn’t the way I wanted to start, especially breaking my board,” said Boukhiam. “It was pretty much my magic board, but I saw a big one and thought it was really cuppy, and did the first turn but then I realized I didn’t want to try and stomp it. So I jumped and tried to avoid it, but broke the board, got back out, and readjusted. Matthew [McGillvray] has a Semifinal and a Final here, he deserves to be on Tour and will be back. It was a big heat, and it was a little more bumpy than the practice days, so I’m really happy I stayed composed.”
Joining Boukhiam into Round 2 and awaiting a heavyweight clash, Seth Moniz’s (HAW) first heat win of 2026 prepares him for three-time World Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA).
Men’s Surf City El Salvador Pro Round One Results:
HEAT 1: Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) vs. Matthew McGillivray (RSA)
HEAT 2: Luke Thompson (RSA) vs. Melvin Ayala (SLV)
HEAT 3: Eli Hanneman (HAW) vs. Bryan Perez (SLV)
HEAT 4: Seth Moniz (HAW) vs. Oscar Berry (AUS)
Women’s Surf City El Salvador Pro Round One Results:
HEAT 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 9.87 DEF. Vahine Fierro (FRA) 8.93
HEAT 2: Yolanda Hopkins (POR) 9.17 DEF. Erin Brooks (CAN) 5.16
HEAT 3: Nadia Erostarbe (ESP) 12.16 DEF. Francisca Veselko (POR) 10.80
HEAT 4: Tyler Wright (AUS) 12.00 DEF. Tya Zebrowski (FRA) 11.90
HEAT 5: Anat Lelior (ISR) 9.80 DEF. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 8.50
HEAT 6: Bella Kenworthy (USA) 12.20 DEF. Isabella Nichols (AUS) 11.34
HEAT 7: Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 15.00 DEF. Alyssa Spencer (USA) 12.93
HEAT 8: Caroline Marks (USA) 12.10 DEF. Kirra Pinkerton (USA) 10.67
Men’s Surf City El Salvador Pro Round One Two (Heats 1 – 6) Results:
HEAT 1: Liam O’Brien (AUS) 14.93 DEF. Jake Marshall (USA) 13.10
HEAT 2: Callum Robson (AUS) 12.30 DEF. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 11.47
HEAT 3: Eli Hanneman (HAW) 16.16 DEF. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 12.16
HEAT 4: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 14.17 DEF. Alejo Muniz (BRA) 12.03
HEAT 5: Marco Mignot (FRA) 12.87 DEF. Rio Waida (INA) 6.67
HEAT 6: Yago Dora (BRA) 11.60 DEF. Luke Thompson (RSA) 9.56
Women’s Surf City El Salvador Pro Round Two Matchups:
HEAT 1: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) vs. Yolanda Hopkins (POR)
HEAT 2: Sawyer Lindblad (USA) vs. Anat Lelior (ISR)
HEAT 3: Luana Silva (BRA) vs. Nadia Erostarbe (ESP)
HEAT 4: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Brisa Hennessy (CRC)
HEAT 5: Molly Picklum (AUS) vs. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
HEAT 6: Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) vs. Caroline Marks (USA)
HEAT 7: Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Tyler Wright (AUS)
HEAT 8: Caitlin Simmers (USA) vs. Bella Kenworthy (USA)
Men’s Surf City El Salvador Pro Round One Two (Heats 7 – 16) Matchups:
HEAT 7: Samuel Pupo (BRA) vs. Joel Vaughan (AUS)
HEAT 8: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) vs. Mateus Herdy (BRA)
HEAT 9: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR)
HEAT 10: Crosby Colapinto (USA) vs. Morgan Cibilic (AUS)
HEAT 11: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Kauli Vaast (FRA)
HEAT 12: George Pittar (AUS) vs. Joao Chianca (BRA)
HEAT 13: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Seth Moniz (HAW)
HEAT 14: Jack Robinson (AUS) vs. Cole Houshmand (USA)
HEAT 15: Connor O’Leary (JPN) vs. Barron Mamiya (HAW)
HEAT 16: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Alan Cleland (MEX)
Watch LIVE: Surf City El Salvador Pro Presented by Corona Cero
The Surf City El Salvador Pro holds a competition window beginning June 5 through 15 at Punta Roca, La Libertad, El Salvador. Once called ON, the event will be broadcast on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app. Also, check out more ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners.
The Surf City El Salvador Pro Presented by Corona Cero is proudly supported by Surf City, Corona Cero, Red Bull, True Surf, Surfline, I-SEA, and YETI.
About the WSL
The World Surf League (WSL) is the global home of competitive surfing, crowning World Champions since 1976 and showcasing the world’s best surfing. The WSL oversees surfing’s global competitive landscape and sets the standard for elite performance in the most dynamic playing field in all of sports. With a firm commitment to its values, the WSL prioritizes the protection of the ocean, equality, and the sport’s rich heritage, while championing progression and innovation.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.