From regional qualifiers in Hawaii to the Championship Tour (CT) in just three years, 20-year-old Jackson Bunch has made waves in the surfing world.
In 2023, six American surfers, including those from Hawaii, qualified for the CT. This year, however, Bunch stood out as the sole representative. Despite his young age, Bunch quietly achieved a remarkable season on the Challenger Series in only his second year of competition. His journey to qualification reached a nerve-wracking climax at Saquarema, Brazil, where he entered the final event ranked seventh. After a Round 1 loss, Bunch had to anxiously await the outcome, ultimately securing his spot by a narrow margin, finishing just 330 points ahead of Alan Cleland, who placed 11th.
Typically, it takes years, if not decades, for surfers to reach the elite level, but Bunch defied the odds by qualifying in just two years. We caught up with him at his home in Maui to discuss his achievement and future aspirations.
Congratulations on qualifying for the CT! Has it sunk in yet?
“Yeah, I think it has now that I’m back home. It’s pretty cool to see how much support I have over here. I’m just really stoked on making it to the CT.”
2023 marked your first year on the Challenger Series, and qualifying after just two years is impressive. Did that happen sooner than you expected?
“Definitely. I had a solid year, but it wasn’t extraordinary. I made one quarterfinal and one semifinal, while the rest of my performances were average. Going into Brazil, I knew it would be tight since several competitors below me had strong finishes. But what unfolded in Saquarema was pretty insane.”
Bunch highlighted a pivotal month that included a fifth-place finish in South Africa and a third-place finish at the US Open. He attributed his success during that stretch to the camaraderie of friends like Kade Matson, Eli Hanneman, Jett Schilling, and Shion Crawford, which alleviated pressure and allowed him to find his rhythm in favorable conditions.
“South Africa was the first contest where I stayed with friends, which made it a lot of fun. The waves in Ballito were ideal for my style, and I was just in a good flow. However, my foot injury in Tahiti meant I barely surfed before the US Open. Surprisingly, that kept me from overthinking things, and I ended up enjoying the competition at Huntington, which led to my third-place finish.”
What was it like watching the competition unfold in Brazil after your Round 1 loss?
“It was nerve-wracking. I was ranked seventh, so I could have dropped significantly. But honestly, I wasn’t overly bummed or nervous. I had already achieved my goal of finishing in the top 20, which meant I wouldn’t have to requalify through regionals. However, as finals day approached, I realized only three competitors could surpass me. That kept me awake the night before; it was the most nervous I’ve ever felt.”
Bunch expressed relief when he finally secured his CT spot, noting the dramatic nature of the events that unfolded. “Watching it all play out was crazy. I wasn’t rooting for others to lose, but I felt the stakes rising as each heat concluded.”
How significant is it that your qualification hinged on just a few hundred points?
“Every heat matters. For instance, in Portugal, finishing third instead of fourth in the third round was crucial. That performance ultimately helped me qualify.”
Looking ahead, what are your thoughts on the 2024 CT schedule, which features seven events before the midseason cut?
“I’m pumped! Starting my rookie year at Pipe is exciting. I’m also looking forward to Abu Dhabi and the return of Snapper and El Salvador to the tour.”
Have you surfed the wave pool in Abu Dhabi yet?
“Not yet, but I’ve heard it’s a bit easier since it’s saltwater. I’m intrigued by the prospect of competing in a pool environment. After Brazil, we watched a skate contest, and I thought about how that atmosphere might feel for us at the surf pool.”
What do you consider your biggest strength as a surfer?
“I love getting tubed and enjoy going backside, which aligns well with the types of waves on the CT, especially now that Snapper and J-Bay are back.”
What areas are you focusing on improving?
“I believe I can compete with the best if I catch good waves. The challenge lies in consistently finding those quality waves during heats. Sometimes I struggle to establish a rhythm early on, which can lead to missed opportunities. I’m working on that by surfing more in better conditions at home.”
At just 20 years old, are you excited about settling into the CT routine for the next decade?
“That’s the hope. My goal is to take it one heat, one contest, and one year at a time while continuously improving. Ultimately, I want to surf professionally for as long as I can—that’s the dream.”
As Jackson Bunch gears up for the challenges of the Championship Tour, his trajectory suggests a bright future ahead in professional surfing.
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