The World Surf League (WSL) North America Qualifying Series (QS) head from the cold waters of Pismo Beach to the Caribbean's destination of the Dominican Republic.
The Surf and Wind City Cabarete Pro brings back the men's QS contingent vying for valuable points toward 2024 Challenger Series qualification and providing Caribbean competitors with points near home beginning February 7 - 11.
This marks the third consecutive year of competition at the pristine lineup of Playa Encuentro and will be broadcast LIVE for the first time.
Photo: WSL / Ciolko Arts
Cabarete Hosts Men's QS 1,000 at Playa Encuentro's Pristine Reef
The lineup of Playa Encuentro will test competitors over shallow reef with both the left and the right providing a spectacle since 2022. This event provides North America's Caribbean contingent with an opportunity close to home and in familiar waters to get valuable time in the jersey while competing against some of the region's best.
"We’re all stoked to host the WSL once again in our hometown of Cabarete," said Event Director Brian Meija. "It’s become an annual event the surf community looks forward to and it has motivated local surfers of all levels, but especially our next generation of groms. Our local surf competitions by Caribbean Surf Connection have shown elevated participation, the grom tour led by Jorge Mijares and his staff has been a staple and well received by parents, and the surfing levels have shown much improvement across the board."
Meija's initial motivation for bringing the WSL to the Dominican Republic was to promote the north coast surfing scene as a true surf destination. With the help of his team, that motivation has turned into success for the local area and its businesses as they prepare for a third-consecutive year.
Opportunity for Caribbean Competitors to Compete for Points Near Home Returns
Meija's efforts were recognized by the Ministerio de Turismo Republica Dominica and garnered their full support, returning as a pivotal sponsor to the event. With all the success the event has brought back to the island, the tourism board continues to see the impact in Cabarete and the lineup of Playa Encuentro. Now, a live broadcast will stream the event to the world for more eyes on Playa Encuentro than ever before.
"The surf and wind city Cabarete welcomes back the WSL QS for the third consecutive year," said Ivan Herrera of the Ministerio de Turismo Republica Dominica. "It is with the support of the tourism board of the Dominican Republic that Cabarete town and Playa Encuentro have become one of the most important surfing sites in the Caribbean. We're seeing more and more surfers develop here, pushing each other, and this event gives them a glimpse of what is possible in professional surfing with spectators on the beach and now around the world with a live broadcast."
Critical Event for Contenders Looking to Make Up Ground in 2024 Challenger Series Qualification
After the SLO CAL Open Pismo Beach presented by Surfing For Hope concluded, the North America QS rankings shuffled with both the men's and women's garnering new rankings leaders.
Plus, with massive wins, Talia Swindal (USA) and Taj Lindblad (USA) moved closer to securing their places among the 2024 Challenger Series qualifiers with Swindal now sharing No. 1 with Kirra Pinkerton (USA) and Lindblad currently at No. 5.
With the likes of recent SLO CAL Open Pismo Beach runner-up Alan Cleland (MEX), Levi Slawson (USA), Michael Dunphy (USA), John Mel (USA), Lucas Owston (USA), Josh Burke (BRB), plus 2022 event winner and 2023 runner-up Manuel Selman (CHL) and more in attendance, the race for the Top 7 will light up Playa Encuentro.