The hype is real heading into the Surf City El Salvador Pro Presented by Corona Cero

PUNTA ROCA, La Libertad, El Salvador - The hype is real heading into Stop No. 5 of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour, the Surf City El Salvador Pro Presented by Corona Cero, beginning June 5 through 15.

Following the first-ever CT in New Zealand, all eyes shift to El Salvador's tropical waters, where the World Title race prepares for more high-performance action with a pumping forecast on the horizon.

2025 event victor Gabriela Bryan (HAW) returns wearing the yellow leader jersey, her second time this season atop the rankings, alongside recent Corona Cero New Zealand Pro winner Italo Ferreira (BRA). An abundance of swell on the forecast is lining up to kickstart proceedings right away, and push the world's best performances to their peak against Wildcards Bryan Perez (SLV), Kirra Pinkerton (USA), and men's trials winner Melvin Ayala (SLV).

Event organizers will convene tomorrow, Friday, June 5 at 7:00 a.m. CST for a likely 7:30 a.m. start. 

Bryan and Ferreira Look to Retain No. 1 Ranks in Punta Roca Arena

With one-third of the 2026 CT season in the rear view, Gabriela Bryan (HAW) returns to El Salvador ranked No. 1 for her event title defense, the second time she's worn the yellow leaders jersey this season. Bryan is regarded as one of the Tour's most powerful competitors, and the now-24-year-old showcased that all the way to the podium at Punta Roca in 2025. Now, Bryan returns with her goals of a World Title this season well intact, and a swell that could provide fireworks from start to finish for Bryan and the world's elite women looking for a big result of their own. 

"This wave is similar to home, just with its power on some sections and being in the tropics. It's such a fun place, and I've had some success here, so hoping I can keep that going," said Bryan. "It's cool think about getting the yellow jersey back. Last year, I maybe felt like I didn't belong there yet, that I was still the underdog and wanting to chase it. But when I lost it this year, I wanted it back. I know I can do better, and I'm really happy with my surfing and having a really good time. There's a lot of new things for me this year and just learning. It's just really exciting and such a long year still ahead, and I can't wait to get things going here."

Kauaʻi's Bryan will face familiar, formidable opponents, including the likes of previous event champs, eight-time World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 2023 World Champion Caroline Marks (USA), and a recent surge from Tour icon Carissa Moore (HAW), looking for more momentum. Plus, a field of proven World Title contenders and rising CT staples are all ready to lock in for Punta Roca's test.

Fellow No. 1 Italo Ferreira (BRA) unleashed his world-class forehand at Raglan to secure an 11th CT victory and now returns to his electric backhand on the walls of La Punta. One of the most exciting surfers in the world, Ferreira has shown his prowess under pressure in El Salvador after an impressive rematch with Wildcard favorite Bryan Perez (SLV) last season. The 2019 World Champion, Ferreira, reached the Quarterfinals last season at this event, but will look to continue his winning momentum atop the podium once more.

The Brazilian Storm swept through the first four stops of 2026 so far, including six of the Top 10 men and Luana Silva (BRA) holding firm at No. 2 on the women's ranks. Now, three-time World Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA), reigning World Champion Yago Dora (BRA), and the Pupo brothers, Miguel and Samuel Pupo (BRA), look to hold their Top 5 spots against the rising Australian surge and multi-World Title contender Griffin Colapinto (USA) and Italy's Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) who look to push back in the Top 10.

"It's really exciting to be back here. This wave is so fun, and being second on the rankings makes me want to keep pushing and fight for the Title," said Miguel Pupo. "It's a different feeling thinking about the Brazilian Storm and where we're at now. We rose fast and quick, and now we're more mature, so we're making smarter decisions in heats. I'm just happy to still be here among those guys. Every year, there's a new wave of energy. We've had Joao [Chianca] and Sammy [Pupo], and this year it's Mateus [Herdy]. I feel like they are new waves, and they make you want to stay a little longer."

Wildcards Perez, Pinkerton, and Trials Winner Ayala Ready to Cause Major Disruption

El Salvador's own Bryan Perez (SLV) remains the country's pride in the water and was chosen as the Event Wildcard for 2026, with 2018 World Junior Champion and 2025 Wildcard Kirra Pinkerton (USA) returning to the Punta Roca arena. Perez has a history of rattling the rankings at this event, soaring past 2019 World Champion Italo Ferreira (BRA) in 2024, and pushing the likes of three-time World Champion John John Florence (HAW) and reigning World Champion Yago Dora (BRA). Now, the "Pink Panther" joins fellow compatriot and men's trials winner Melvin Ayala (SLV) as the Wildcards looking to make their country proud.

"Every year the Tour comes here is a dream come true. Myself, all the locals want to see them ripping this wave, so just to see that is a pleasure," said Perez. "It's fun to push my surfing against these guys. They are the best in the world, and especially when it's a good wave like we have on offer the last few days and tomorrow, it makes you want to surf harder. But, I really just want to have fun in the water. When the waves are good, I just want to surf like I do every day. I can't wait to do that and just see everybody, and just enjoy it all."

A pristine morning of conditions provided the men's trials an opportunity to showcase a deeper look into what El Salvador's talent embodies. Melvin Ayala (SLV), Marvin Geovanny Moreno Rodriguez (SLV), Ericson Ortiz (SLV), and Daniel Monterrosa (SLV). Ayala found his opportunities to showcase a variety of backhand flair and now prepares for the world's best. 

"I was just so happy, and just started crying seeing all the crew, all my friends from my town who were here cheering for me," said Ayala. "I couldn't believe it. Those are three of my friends, and I was ready to support whoever won the heat. I just had to sit in the water for a while, thinking this is so great to be able to share this event with Bryan [Perez] at this WSL contest. It's going to be amazing. It's so cool to be able to share the waves with all these amazing surfers."

Hennessy Returns to Central America Waters In Hopes of A Momentum Swing

In 2022, Costa Rica's Brisa Hennessy (CRC) fought in her maiden World Title showdown and then, in 2023, had to bounce back from relegation on the Challenger Series. But, Hennessy wasted no time rejoining the world's best, where she finished No. 5 once again. Now, a tough start to the season has Hennessy fighting for her place on Tour once again, but she starts that road at a venue where she earned a Quarterfinal finish last season in El Salvador. 

"There are so many reasons that set this place apart. The tropical nature and vibe, it's a beautiful right-hand point break over cobblestones, which makes it so unique," said Hennessy. "It just goes forever. There are so many sections, and it's one of the most rippable waves on Tour. And the energy is great here. The locals are lovely, the culture here is great, and it's hot, but it's just such a beautiful place to be. Seeing this place become what it has, I think, is the idea. All the young boys and girls surfing now, all the great waves like this one, it's really special."

WSL Fantasy LIVE Training Day Takes Punta Roca Perfection

Fans were able to get a glimpse of their favorite surfers taking over Manu Bay for their dedicated Training Day, with the full session streaming live. As the first dedicated high-performance left on Tour in recent years, WSL Fantasy players had the opportunity to check out how the CT surfers approached a new wave on Tour. The footage can be streamed online, with WSL Fantasy teams locking as soon as the first heat starts.

Men's Surf City El Salvador Pro Round One Matchups:

HEAT 1: Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) vs. Matthew McGillivray (RSA)
HEAT 2: Luke Thompson (RSA) vs. Melvin Ayala (SLV)
HEAT 3: Eli Hanneman (HAW) vs. Bryan Perez (SLV)
HEAT 4: Seth Moniz (HAW) vs. Oscar Berry (AUS)

Women's Surf City El Salvador Pro Round One Matchups:

HEAT 1: Vahine Fierro (FRA) vs. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
HEAT 2: Erin Brooks (CAN) vs. Yolanda Hopkins (POR)
HEAT 3: Nadia Erostarbe (ESP) vs. Francisca Veselko (POR)
HEAT 4: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Tya Zebrowski (FRA)
HEAT 5: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Anat Lelior (ISR)
HEAT 6: Isabella Nichols (AUS) vs. Bella Kenworthy (USA)
HEAT 7: Alyssa Spencer (USA) vs. Brisa Hennessy (CRC)
HEAT 8: Caroline Marks (USA) vs. Kirra Pinkerton (USA)