Top Seeds Start Campaign at Morocco Mall Junior Pro Casablanca

Day 2 at the World Surf League (WSL) Junior Qualifying Series (JQS) 1,000, the Morocco Mall Junior Pro Casablanca, moved swiftly through the women's Round of 56 and Round of 48, before completing the men's Round of 64 and the women's Round of 32.

Pictured: Erica Maximo (POR) earned the highest heat total of 15.00 (out of a possible 20) at the Morocco Mall Junior Pro Casablanca today. Credit: © WSL / Laurent Masurel

The top seeds opened their campaign in Casablanca, narrowing down the field as the competition starts to take shape. The next call will be on Friday, May 8 at 2:00 p.m. GMT+1 for the men's Round of 32. There will be no women's competition tomorrow.

The day started with fireworks when Erica Maximo (POR) earned the first excellent score of the competition in the first heat of the women's Round of 56. Maximo is in her final year as a junior, and the goofy-foot from Carcavelos showed her power and precision on a great wave to get rewarded with an 8.00 (out of a possible 10). Maximo started well, but ended on an even higher note when she stitched together an impressive total of 15.00 (out of a possible 20) with another excellent ride against Carla Morera De La Vall (ESP) to move into the Quarterfinals. De La Vall also produced an excellent 8.33 to book her spot in the Quarters.

Rose Calvez (GLP) was another standout in the women's draw today. In the Round of 48, Calvez comfortably won her heat with a solid total of 12.17, but her next heat was a lot more stressful with tricky conditions and lower scores. Calvez kept her composure and edged past Lily Hirigoyen (FRA) to take the win and book her spot in the Quarterfinals.

It was a tough day for the Moroccan contingent, with all but one athlete eliminated from the competition. Maria Elouedrhiri is the last Moroccan surfer in the event, and she advanced to the Quarterfinals after finishing runner-up to Naïa Monte (FRA) in the Round of 32. In the men's Round of 64, Pietro Garroux (ITA) and Lukas Skinner (GBR) put on an entertaining heat, feeding off each other's scores and competitive energy. Garroux came out on top with a total of 13.30, while Skinner secured second place with 13.17, eliminating Jay Phipps (FRA) and Eli Perrins-Davies (GBR).

Marley Benesenes Masse (FRA) posted the highest heat total of the round with 14.30. The 14-year-old is making an impressive start to the season after officially becoming a pro junior in 2025. Meanwhile, the 2025 European Junior champion, Alfonso Suarez (ESP) opened up with a confident performance in his first heat, taking out the win ahead of Ryan Coelho (BRA). Also earning heat wins were Hans Odriozola (DEU), Leonardo Apreda (ITA) and Aaron Bacon (FRA).

The next call will be on Friday, May 8 at 2:00 p.m. GMT+1 for the men's Round of 32.