Barbados’ top male surfer, Josh Burke kicked off the calendar year with a second straight bronze medal over the weekend, as the World Surf League (WSL) North America circuit opened with the SLO CAL Open at Pismo Beach, California, USA. A men’s and women’s Qualifying Series (QS) 3000 event, the SLO CAL featured some of the top surfers from the USA and the Americas.
The 27-year-old QS veteran fell to Mexico’s Alan Cleland in the semifinals. Cleland would go on to finish second to California’s own Taj Lindblad, the defending champion, though Cleland amassed enough points to move up to first overall in the QS standings.
The cold waters of Pismo Beach made no difference to Burke as he delivered a high-calibre showing to start his SLO CAL campaign. He recovered from a slow start before finding the spark to go from fourth to first place in his heat after unleashing his aerial antics and posting an excellent 8.33. The Bajan champion then found his 6.63 as time ran out to establish himself atop the Round of 64, Heat 14 bout.
“It was a tricky start. There was a wave that came through the pier and I didn’t go on it but I probably should’ve to get my heat started,” Burke said. “But, typical me, waited 10 minutes to start my heat and get in the rhythm half way through and happy to make that one. I didn’t think the 8.33 was the one but I knew it had a closeout and just had to throw an air and make it. Happy to be here, healthy, and looking forward to surfing more.”
Burke placed second in his heat in the Round of 32, as Dimitri Poulos (14.17, 7.67 + 6.50) won Heat 5. But 13.14 (7.07 + 6.07) was enough for Burke to move on, as John Mel (9.93, 5.50 + 4.43) and Sam Reidy (9.34, 5.17 + 4.170 were left back.
Coming to the Round of 16, Burke dominated Heat 4 with a near-perfect 17.17 (9.10 + 8.07), defeating Ryan Huckabee (14.53, 7.83 + 6.70), Owen Moss (13.53, 7.10 + 6.43), and Lucca Mesinas (12.43, 6.30 + 6.13).
In the quarterfinals, Burke’s five waves earned him 12.90 (6.67 + 6.23) to pip Philippe Chagas, with 12.03 (6.20 + 5.83) from nine waves. In the second head of the semifinals, Cleland compiled a score of 14.73 (7.50 + 7.23) from four waves, whilst Burke’s fantastic run came to an end with 7.66 (4.33 + 3.33) from six waves.
Onto the second heat of the semifinals, Cleland compiled a score of 14.73 (7.50 + 7.23) from four waves, whilst Burke’s fantastic run came to an end with 7.66 (4.33 + 3.33) from six waves.
With that, Burke matched his 2024 result, helping push him to No 25 on the rankings, and within striking distance of the Top 7 for 2025 Challenger Series qualification.
(TF)
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