Style and Determination Determine Finals Day at Surfing For Hope Longboard Classic

Action got underway at the Surfing For Hope Longboard Classic, a World Surf League (WSL) Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) 1,000-level event, and some of the region’s premier talents put on a showcase of style and poise to determine Finals Day draws. Three-to-four-foot, occasional plus sets provided a canvas for big performances and clutch moments to power through the men’s Round of 48, women’s Round of 32, and men’s Round of 32 to set up Quarterfinal matchups.

Defending Event Champ Cole Robbins Starts Razor-Sharp

Cole Robbins picked up right where he left off in 2024 as he looks to requalify for the Longboard Tour and opened up his title defense with a 15.60 (out of a possible 20) heat total. Robbins’ fast, calculated footwork and flow earned WSL Longboard Tour veteran an excellent 8.10 (out of a possible 10) as Robbins and Jonathan Melendres went back-and-forth until the final horn, leaving Kevin Dewald and Aidan Cruz chasing excellent numbers.

“It’s a heat-by-heat mentality. I’ve been doing this for so long and nowadays the whole field is so competitive,” said Robbins. “I feel like I have a decent amount of rhythm at Pismo and I’ve spent some time in these waters so I’m comfortable. I’m happy I got first here last year and it’s really everything for me to be doing this. I’m so thankful to travel the world for these amazing competitions and I want that World Title, so I’m going to keep going until I get it.”

Cole Robbins (USA) wasted no time reinforcing his world-class form with an electric start. – WSL / Andrew Nichols

Lia Diaz’s Dominant Debut Leads Women’s Debuts

An absolute showcase of nose-riding and footwork from Costa Rica’s Lia Diaz set the standard for the women’s Round of 32. Diaz’s ability to find a running left allowed her to showcase her time on the nose with an elongated hang ten after a long hang-five to post an excellent 8.17. Now, the 21-year-old looks to continue her run into Finals Day alongside some of the region’s best.

“I fell on my first wave, and I got really nervous. But, I just told myself it’s just about good wave selection and then I saw that left coming and knew it was such a good wave,” said Diaz. “I just had to surf, and I was stoked I did. I really like to build up my scores and just pick the best waves. I noticed the lefts were better, but there were some rights, and I love going right.”

Diaz joins the likes of North America regional standouts such as former Longboard Tour competitors Liv Stokes and Kaitlin Mikkelsen, former WSL Longboard Champion Summer Romero, and recent Longboard Tour contender Luana Soares with Round of 32 wins.

The Costa Rican Lia Diaz found her form right away, posting an excellent 8.17 and a 15.10 heat total in her Round of 32 start over top seeds Chloe Coleman and Star D’Elia, with Coleman advancing.

Recent Longboard Tour Wildcards Cash Hoover and Kai McPhillips Shine

Cash Hoover spent time among the world’s best longboarders in 2025 and brought that experience back to the Surfing For Hope Longboard Classic to earn a convincing debut heat win. Hoover’s ability to go straight to the nose and hold through sections helped push the emerging star to an 11.60 heat total as she looks for her second-career LQS win.

I’m so happy. The waves are so much fun, a lot better than last year and I’m just really happy with the clean conditions,” said Hoover. “I’m super stoked to go to some of the Longboard Tour events this year and surf with Malia [Ilagan]. Hopefully we don’t have a heat against each other because we both want to requalify.”

A more tamed swell set the stage for a big day of competition at the Surfing For Hope Longboard Classic and Cash Hoover (USA) to thrive. – WSL / Andrew Nichols

Similar to Hoover, 2024 event finalist Kai McPhillips also earned wildcards into the Lexus US Open of Surfing and the Surf Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic. McPhillips and his father, three-time WSL Longboard Champion Colin McPhillips, thrived in their respective starts with Kai posting a 7.67 in his Round of 32 heat following his father’s Round of 48 victory.

“We may be roughing it camping in the rain, but we’re scoring conditions here in Pismo,” said McPhillips. “The wind has been light all day, and the waves are chest-to-head high, so I couldn’t ask for much more. My dad is always up here for my events, and this year he entered, which is great. He always coaches me, so now it’s cool to kind of give him some pointers on which waves to look for, so he’s all fired up, and it’s been really fun having him here for sure.”

The 2024 finalist and multi-2025 WSL Longboard Tour event wildcard, Kai McPhillips, posted an impeccable 7.67 in his debut as his father, three-time WSL Longboard Champion, Colin McPhillips, also earned a Round of 48 heat win before advancing through the Round of 32.

Plus, former event victor Jack Van Wagoner ended the day with a brilliant 15.00 heat total, and joins WSL Longboard Tour veteran Tony Silvagni, Cormac O’brien, who posted a 7.83 in his Round of 48 debut, Agustin Cedeno, Nico Espinosa, Gavin Idone, and Tommy Coleman also earned marquee Round of 32 wins.

Event organizers will recovene at 7:30 a.m. PST for a likely 8:00 a.m start.

Watch LIVE
The Surfing For Hope Longboard Classic holds a competition window through Sunday, November 16. Watch LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app.