The World Surf League (WSL) announced the dates and location of the 2023 SAMBAZON World Junior Championships Hosted by Best Western.
2023 SAMBAZON World Junior Championships
The event will take place at the Oceanside Pier in San Diego, Calif., with a competition window from January 9 through January 14, 2024. The 2023 SAMBAZON World Junior Championships Hosted by Best Western will feature the world’s best up-and-coming surfers aged 20 and under, who will compete for the titles of men’s and women’s WSL Junior Champions.
Regional qualifying events around the world over this past year determined the field for the World Junior Championships and the best Pro-Junior surfers will gather in San Diego to determine who will be crowned the 2023 World Junior Champions.
Pictured: Sawyer Lindblad (USA) finished runner-up at the SAMBAZON World Junior Championships Hosted by Best Western last year and hopes to take home the win this year. Credit: © WSL / Morris “Last year’s event was a true showcase of what the next generation is capable of and we’re excited to bring this event back to Southern California again this year,” said Jessi Miley-Dyer, WSL Chief of Sport. “Some of these competitors are making a name for themselves on the Challenger Series right now. We even have a rookie CT athlete in the mix, Alyssa Spencer. This event is a great way to kick off the new year.”
About the Venue: Oceanside Pier
Oceanside Pier, an exposed beach break in Oceanside, California, provides consistent surf year-round. The sand bottom offers a multitude of left and right peaks, and when conditions align, quality barrels can be found. The pier and surrounding infrastructure make this venue a natural amphitheater for surfing. Oceanside is also the home of several professional surfers, including WSL Final 5 competitor, Caitlin Simmers.
“Surfing is woven deeply into the fabric of Oceanside, so hosting the best junior surfers in the world for a premier competition at Oceanside Pier is a natural fit,” said Oceanside Mayor Esther Sanchez. “This is a perfect complement to our lineup of world class surfing events that also includes the wildly popular WSL-sanctioned Super Girl Surf Pro, which takes place in late summer.”
“We look forward to welcoming the athletes, their families, and thousands of spectators who will help boost our local tourism economy during what’s traditionally a slow season,” said Tyler Garcia, Visit Oceanside’s Vice President of Business and Brand Development. “We are also excited to have Oceanside on display for people around the world through the broadcast and social media."
About the Fields: Next Generation To Take Center Stage
The men’s and the women’s fields will each feature 24 surfers, comprised of two regional qualifiers from each of WSL’s seven regions, and 10 wildcards selected by the WSL Tours and Competition team. The event winners will be crowned men’s and women’s 2023 World Junior Champions and will each be awarded a place on the 2024 WSL Challenger Series, giving them the opportunity to further showcase their talent on a global stage.
The Hawaiian Islands HIC Haleiwa Pro, taking place in Oahu, Hawaii, November 26 through December 7, 2023, will determine the remaining competitors for the SAMBAZON World Junior Championships Hosted by Best Western.
The SAMBAZON World Junior Championships Hosted by Best Western are proudly supported by SAMBAZON, Best Western, Cup Noodles, Visit Oceanside, Original Sprout, Sun Diego, Boxed Water, Board and Brew, and Tractor Beverage Co.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.