Dramatic alley-oop in the final seals the win for the San Clemente surfer in Baja, Mexico.
San Clemente’s Jett Schilling claimed a major triumph at the Pacifico Surf Open Cerritos, marking a career milestone and setting the beach alight in celebration. Hosted for the first time at the picturesque Cerritos, a tranquil beachbreak on the Pacific side of Baja California less than an hour north of Cabo San Lucas, the World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series event saw powerful five-foot sets fuel an action-packed finals day.
Schilling, renowned for his dynamic aerial maneuvers, delivered an electrifying performance throughout the competition, accumulating multiple nine-point rides. However, his crowning moment came in the final against fellow Californian Taro Watanabe. Facing a steep challenge, Schilling unleashed a stunning alley-oop that earned him a near-perfect score of 9.73, clinching the victory.
“I’m just super stoked and grateful,” Schilling said after his win. “The waves were firing, the people were amazing. Thank you to the locals for sharing your lineup with us. This win is a big confidence booster for the rest of the year. I’m hoping to keep the momentum going and win more competitions.”
A Battle of Elite Talent
Watanabe, fresh off a runner-up finish earlier this month at the La Marginal Surfing Pro, started the final strong with an impressive 9.17 ride, putting Schilling under early pressure. Schilling responded with an eight-point wave, but Watanabe countered with an 8.53 to extend his lead. As time ticked down, Schilling needed a 9.53 to overtake his rival. Rising to the occasion, he launched his decisive alley-oop, securing the winning score and leaving spectators in awe.
“Taro is one of the best surfers in the world,” Schilling said. “Big shoutout to him for pushing me—it was such a fun battle. I’m grateful for the challenge.”
Watanabe praised Schilling’s performance, acknowledging the dramatic turn of events. “Hats off to Jett. That alley-oop was insane,” Watanabe said. “I had priority but couldn’t capitalize on the wave. He took it and absolutely nailed it. This might be the best event I’ve ever had, so I’m choosing to focus on the positives.”
Local and Regional Talent Shine
The event also showcased strong performances from Mexican surfer Sebastian Williams and Cerritos local Lucas Cassity, both of whom advanced to the semifinals. Cassity, familiar with the nuances of the Cerritos break, has been sharpening his skills through competitions in California—a strategy that is clearly paying dividends.
Looking Ahead
With the Pacifico Surf Open Cerritos setting a high bar, the WSL’s 2024 North American Qualifying Series now shifts to Central California for the SLO CAL Open at Morro Bay. Scheduled to run from December 5 to 8 at Morro Rock, the event promises another thrilling chapter in the series.
Related topics:
- Gabriel Medina: A Decade of Unmatched Dominance at Teahupo’o
- Can Erin Brooks Clinch the World Title in Her Rookie Year?
- Burke Brothers Shine as Barbados’ Soup Bowl Delivers Epic Swell