# 2021 World Surf League

The 2020-21 World Surf League was the 44th season of all iterations of the tour circuit for professional surfers. After the 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, limiting international travel between and within countries namely Australia, Indonesia, Portugal and South Africa. The championships took a break for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The board changed the tour to a wraparound season of 2020-21, which allowed major changes to the tour schedule, with the Billabong Pipe Masters becoming the first round of the tour.
The season also saw some new events introduced due to COVID-19 outbreaks and restrictions on travel within countries, notably Australia, who required surfers to quarantine in Sydney for 14 days upon arrival. Narrabeen was chosen as a replacement for the Gold Coast, while Newcastle returned to the tour for the first time in 10 years to replace Bells Beach. The women's championship tour will compete in Teahupo'o, French Polynesia for the first time in 15 years, while Mexico was added to the championship for the first time to replace the round left vacant by Jeffrey's Bay, due to the COVID outbreak in South Africa.
For the first time, the season will end at Lower Trestles, in San Clemente, USA, with the top five seeded men and women from the season going head to head to determine the champion at the WSL Finals. This was put in place after the positive response to the men's championship event in 2019, as well as allowing surfers who had to isolate with COVID-19 an opportunity to still win the title.
Carissa Moore and Ítalo Ferreira were the defending champions.

## Schedule

The championship series will consist of the following events, subject to change due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Round | Date | Event | Location |
| 1 | December 8–20 | Billabong Pipe Masters | Banzai Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii |
| 2 | April 1–11 | Rip Curl Newcastle Cup | Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia |
| 3 | April 16–26 | Rip Curl Narrabeen Classic | Narrabeen, New South Wales, Australia |
| 4 | May 2–12 | Boost Mobile Margaret River Pro | Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia |
| 5 | May 16–26 | Rip Curl Rottnest Search | Rottnest Island, Western Australia, Australia |
| 6 | June 25–27 | Jeep Surf Ranch Pro | Lemoore, California, United States |
| 7 | August 10–20 | Corona Open Mexico | Barra de la Cruz, Oaxaca, Mexico |
| 8 | September 9–17 | Rip Curl WSL Finals | San Clemente, California, United States |
Events cancelled or moved during the 2021 season :
| Date | Event | Location | Reason |
| December 4–20 | Maui Pro presented by ROXY | Honolua Bay, Maui, Hawaii | Nearby fatal shark attack. Contest moved to Pipeline with Men's event. |
| February 2–12 | Santa Cruz Pro | Santa Cruz, California, United States | COVID-19 outbreak in Southern California, restrictions on public events. Originally brought in to replace Portugal. |
| February 18–28 | MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal | Supertubos, Peniche, Portugal | COVID-19 outbreak and restrictions on international travel into Europe. |
| April 1–11 | Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach | Torquay, Victoria, Australia | Deal with New South Wales Government to quarantine surfers in Sydney. Event moved to Newcastle. |
| May 3–13 | Corona Open Gold Coast men's event / women's event | Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia | COVID-19 travel restrictions to Queensland from Sydney. Event moved to Narrabeen. |
| June 25- July 9 | Corona Open J-Bay | Jeffreys Bay, Eastern Cape, South Africa | COVID-19 outbreak of South African variant. Replaced by Corona Open Mexico. |
| Scheduled June | Quicksilver Pro G-Land | Alas Purwo National Park, East Java, Indonesia | COVID-19 outbreak and travel restrictions within Indonesia. |
| August 11–16 | Oi Rio Pro | Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | COVID-19 |
| August 24- September 3 | Outerknown Tahiti Pro | Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia | |

## Results and Standings
### Event Results

| Round | Event | Men's Champion | Men's Runner Up | Women's Champion | Women's Runner Up |
| 1 | Billabong Pipeline Masters | John John Florence (HAW) | Gabriel Medina (BRA) | Tyler Wright (AUS) | Carissa Moore (HAW) |
| 2 | Rip Curl Newcastle Cup | Italo Ferreira (BRA) | Gabriel Medina (BRA) | Carissa Moore (HAW) | Isabella Nichols (AUS) |
| 3 | Rip Curl Narrabeen Classic | Gabriel Medina (BRA) | Conner Coffin (USA) | Caroline Marks (USA) | Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) |
| 4 | Boost Mobile Margaret River Pro | Filipe Toledo (BRA) | Jordy Smith (ZAF) | Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) | Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) |
| 5 | Rip Curl Rottnest Search | Gabriel Medina (BRA) | Morgan Cibilic (AUS) | Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) | Johanne Defay (FRA) |
| 6 | Jeep Surf Ranch Pro | Filipe Toledo (BRA) | Gabriel Medina (BRA) | Johanne Defay (FRA) | Carissa Moore (HAW) |
| 7 | Corona Open Mexico | Jack Robinson (AUS) | Deivid Silva (BRA) | Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) | Malia Manuel (HAW) |
| 8 | Rip Curl WSL Finals | Gabriel Medina (BRA) | Filipe Toledo (BRA) | Carissa Moore (HAW) | Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) |

### Men's Standings

Points are awarded using the following structure:
| Position | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 5th | 9th | 17th | 33rd | INJ | WTD | DNC |
| Points | 10,000 | 7,800 | 6,085 | 4,745 | 3,320 | 1,330 | 265 | 265 | 265 | 0 |
| Position | +/- | Surfer | WCT 1 | WCT 2 | WCT 3 | WCT 4 | WCT 5 | WCT 6 | WCT 7 | Finals | Points |
| 1 | | Gabriel Medina (BRA) | 2nd | 2nd | 1st | 9th | 1st | 2nd | 5th | 1st | 43,400 |
| 2 | 1 | Filipe Toledo (BRA) | 17th | 3rd | 9th | 1st | 17th | 1st | 17th | 2nd | 30,735 |
| 3 | 1 | Italo Ferreira (BRA) | 3rd | 1st | 9th | 5th | 3rd | 9th | 5th | 3rd | 31,660 |
| 4 | | Conner Coffin (USA) | 33rd | 5th | 2nd | 17th | 5th | 9th | 5th | 4th | 25,355 |
| 5 | | Morgan Cibilic (AUS) | 17th | 3rd | 5th | 17th | 2nd | 9th | 9th | 5th | 25,270 |
| 6 | | Griffin Colapinto (USA) | 17th | 9th | 3rd | 3rd | 17th | 3rd | 17th | | 22,905 |
| 7 | | Jordy Smith (ZAF) | 5th | 9th | 9th | 2nd | 9th | INJ | INJ | | 22,505 |
| 8 | | Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) | 5th | 9th | 5th | 9th | 17th | 3rd | 17th | | 22,215 |
| 9 | | Yago Dora (BRA) | 17th | 9th | 5th | 17th | 5th | 5th | 9th | | 20,875 |
| 10 | | Frederico Morais (PRT) | 17th | 9th | 3rd | 9th | 17th | 9th | 5th | | 20,790 |
| 11 | | John John Florence (HAW) | 1st | 17th | 9th | 5th | INJ | INJ | INJ | | 19,660 |
| 12 | | Jack Robinson (AUS) | 9th | 17th | 9th | 17th | 17th | 33rd | 1st | | 19,300 |
| 13 | | Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) | 5th | 17th | 33rd | 17th | 9th | 9th | 3rd | | 18,800 |
| 14 | | Deivid Silva (BRA) | 17th | 5th | 17th | 17th | 17th | 17th | 2nd | | 16,535 |
| 15 | | Ryan Callinan (AUS) | 9th | 5th | 17th | 5th | 17th | 17th | 17th | | 15,470 |
| 15 | | Adriano de Souza (BRA) | 33rd | 5th | 17th | 17th | 9th | 5th | 17th | | 15,470 |
| 15 | | Ethan Ewing (AUS) | 17th | 17th | 5th | 17th | 17th | 5th | 9th | | 15,470 |
| 18 | | Kelly Slater (USA) | 3th | INJ | INJ | INJ | INJ | 5th | 9th | | 14,680 |
| 19 | | Jadson André (BRA) | 9th | 33rd | 9th | 9th | 33rd | 17th | 9th | | 14,610 |
| 20 | | Jérémy Florès (FRA) | 5th | 17th | 17th | 9th | 33rd | WTD | 9th | | 14,045 |
| 20 | | Julian Wilson (AUS) | 17th | 9th | 17th | 9th | 5th | WTD | - | | 14,045 |
| 20 | | Seth Moniz (HAW) | 17th | 17th | 17th | 5th | 9th | 9th | 17th | | 14,045 |
| 20 | | Miguel Pupo (BRA) | 9th | 17th | 17th | 17th | 5th | 9th | 17th | | 14,045 |
| 24 | | Matthew McGillivray (ZAF) | 9th | 33rd | 33rd | 3rd | 17th | 17th | 17th | | 13,395 |
| 25 | | Owen Wright (AUS) | INJ | 9th | 17th | 17th | 9th | 9th | 17th | | 12,620 |
| 25 | | Caio Ibelli (BRA) | 9th | 17th | 9th | 9th | 17th | 17th | 17th | | 12,620 |
| 27 | | Peterson Crisanto (BRA) | 9th | 17th | 17th | 9th | 33rd | 17th | 17th | | 10,630 |
| 28 | | Michel Bourez (FRA) | 17th | 17th | 17th | 17th | 9th | INJ | 17th | | 8,640 |
| 28 | | Jack Freestone (AUS) | 9th | 17th | 17th | 33rd | 17th | 17th | INJ | | 8,640 |
| 28 | | Wade Carmichael (AUS) | 17th | 9th | 17th | 17th | 17th | 17th | 17th | | 8,640 |
| 28 | | Connor O'Leary (AUS) | 17th | 17th | 33rd | 17th | 9th | 17th | 33rd | | 8,640 |
| 32 | | Mikey Wright (AUS) | 17th | 33rd | 17th | 33rd | 9th | 33rd | 17th | | 7,575 |
| 33 | | Alex Ribeiro (BRA) | 33rd | 17th | 17th | 17th | 17th | 17th | 33rd | | 6,650 |
| 34 | | Liam O'Brien (AUS) | - | - | - | - | 3rd | 33rd | - | | 6,350 |
| 35 | | Mateus Herdy (BRA) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 3rd | | 6,085 |
| 36 | | Adrian Buchan (AUS) | INJ | 17th | 33rd | 17th | INJ | 17th | 17th | | 5,585 |
| 37 | | Kolohe Andino (USA) | 17th | INJ | INJ | INJ | INJ | INJ | 9th | | 5,445 |
| 38 | | Reef Heazlewood (AUS) | - | - | 9th | 33rd | - | - | - | | 3,585 |
| 39 | | Rio Waida (IDN) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 9th | | 3,320 |
| 40 | | Jacob Willcox (AUS) | - | - | - | 17th | 17th | - | - | | 2,660 |
| 41 | | Joshua Moniz (HAW) | 17th | - | - | - | - | - | - | | 1,330 |
| 41 | | Sebastian Zietz (HAW) | 17th | - | - | - | - | - | - | | 1,330 |
| 41 | | Crosby Colapinto (USA) | - | 17th | - | - | - | - | - | | 1,330 |
| 41 | | Jackson Baker (AUS) | - | 17th | - | - | - | - | - | | 1,330 |
| 41 | | Dylan Moffat (AUS) | - | - | 17th | - | - | - | - | | 1,330 |
| 41 | | Mick Fanning (AUS) | - | - | 17th | - | - | - | - | | 1,330 |
| 41 | | Stuart Kennedy (AUS) | - | - | - | - | 17th | - | - | | 1,330 |
| 41 | | Kael Walsh (AUS) | - | - | - | - | 17th | - | - | | 1,330 |
| 41 | | Nat Young (USA) | - | - | - | - | - | 17th | - | | 1,330 |
| 41 | | Michael Dunphy (USA) | - | - | - | - | - | 17th | - | | 1,330 |
| 41 | | Patrick Gudauskas (USA) | - | - | - | - | - | 17th | - | | 1,330 |
| 41 | | Eli Hanneman (HAW) | - | - | - | - | - | 17th | - | | 1,330 |
| 41 | | Lucas Vicente (BRA) | - | - | - | - | - | 17th | - | | 1,330 |
| 41 | | Lucca Mesinas (PER) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 17th | | 1,330 |
| 55 | | Miguel Tudela (PER) | 33rd | - | - | - | - | - | - | | 265 |
| 55 | | Matt Banting (AUS) | - | 33rd | - | - | - | - | - | | 265 |
| 55 | | Cyrus Cox (AUS) | - | - | - | 33rd | - | - | - | | 265 |
| 55 | | Taj Burrow (AUS) | - | - | - | - | 33rd | - | - | | 265 |
| 55 | | Jabe Swiercocki (USA) | - | - | - | - | - | 33rd | - | | 265 |
| 55 | | Jhony Corzo (MEX) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 33rd | | 265 |
| 55 | | Diego Cadena (MEX) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 33rd | | 265 |

### Women's Standings

Points are awarded using the following structure:
| Position | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 5th | 9th | 17th | INJ | WTD | DNC |
| Points | 10,000 | 7,800 | 6,085 | 4,745 | 2,610 | 1,045 | 1,045 | 1,045 | 0 |
| Position | +/- | Surfer | WCT 1 | WCT 2 | WCT 3 | WCT 4 | WCT 5 | WCT 6 | WCT 7 | Finals | Points |
| 1 | | Carissa Moore (HAW) | 2nd | 1st | 3rd | 3rd | 3rd | 2nd | 3rd | 1st | 37,770 |
| 2 | | Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) | 3rd | 9th | 2nd | 1st | 17th | 3rd | 5th | 2nd | 34,715 |
| 3 | | Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) | 3rd | 9th | 5th | 5th | 1st | 3rd | 3rd | 3rd | 33,000 |
| 4 | 1 | Johanne Defay (FRA) | 9th | 5th | 5th | 5th | 2nd | 1st | 5th | 4th | 32,035 |
| 5 | 1 | Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) | 5th | 5th | 5th | 2nd | 9th | 5th | 1st | 5th | 32,035 |
| 6 | | Caroline Marks (USA) | 9th | 3rd | 1st | 9th | 9th | 5th | 9th | | 26,050 |
| 6 | | Tyler Wright (AUS) | 1st | 9th | 9th | 5th | 3rd | WTD | 9th | | 26,050 |
| 8 | | Isabella Nichols (AUS) | 9th | 2nd | 17th | 5th | 5th | 9th | 5th | | 24,645 |
| 9 | | Courtney Conlogue (USA) | 9th | 5th | 3rd | 17th | 9th | 5th | 5th | | 22,930 |
| 10 | | Malia Manuel (HAW) | 5th | 17th | 9th | 9th | 5th | 9th | 2nd | | 22,510 |
| 11 | | Bronte Macaulay (AUS) | 17th | 5th | 9th | 3rd | 9th | WTD | 9th | | 18,660 |
| 11 | | Keely Andrew (AUS) | 17th | 3rd | 5th | 9th | 9th | 9th | 9th | | 18,660 |
| 13 | | Nikki van Dijk (AUS) | 9th | 9th | 9th | 9th | 5th | 9th | INJ | | 15,185 |
| 13 | | Sage Erickson (USA) | 5th | 17th | 9th | 9th | 9th | 9th | 9th | | 15,185 |
| 15 | | Brisa Hennessy (CRC) | 9th | 9th | 9th | 9th | 17th | 9th | 9th | | 13,050 |
| 15 | | Macy Callaghan (AUS) | 9th | 9th | 9th | 9th | 9th | WTD | 9th | | 13,050 |
| 17 | | Amuro Tsuzuki (JPN) | - | - | 9th | 9th | 5th | 17th | - | | 11,010 |
| 18 | | Lakey Peterson (USA) | 5th | 9th | INJ | INJ | INJ | INJ | INJ | | 10,490 |
| 19 | | Coco Ho (HAW) | - | - | - | - | - | 5th | - | | 4,745 |
| 20 | | Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) | 9th | - | - | - | - | - | - | | 2,610 |
| 20 | | Phillipa Anderson (AUS) | - | 9th | - | - | - | - | - | | 2,610 |
| 20 | | Mia McCarthy (AUS) | - | - | - | - | 9th | - | - | | 2,610 |
| 20 | | Kirra Pinkerton (USA) | - | - | - | - | - | 9th | - | | 2,610 |
| 20 | | Alyssa Spencer (USA) | - | - | - | - | - | 9th | - | | 2,610 |
| 20 | | Silvana Lima (BRA) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 9th | | 2,610 |
| 26 | | Laura Enever (AUS) | - | - | 17th | - | - | - | - | | 1,045 |
| 26 | | Willow Hardy (AUS) | - | - | - | 17th | - | - | - | | 1,045 |
| 26 | | Caitlin Simmers (USA) | - | - | - | - | - | 17th | - | | 1,045 |
| 26 | | Shelby Detmers (MEX) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 17th | | 1,045 |
| 26 | | Regina Pioli (MEX) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 17th | | 1,045 |

## Challenger Series
### 2021 Men's Challenger Series

| Round | Event | Men's Champion | Men's Runner Up |
| 1 | US Open of Surfing Huntington Beach | Griffin Colapinto | Jake Marshall |
| 2 | MEO Vissla Pro Ericeira | Ezekiel Lau | Jackson Baker |
| 3 | Quiksilver Pro France | Connor O'Leary | Michel Bourez |
| 4 | Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold Haleiwa Challenger | John John Florence | Jack Robinson |
| Position | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 7th | 9th | 13th | 17th | 25th | 37th | 49th | 73rd |
| Points | 10,000 | 8,000 | 6,500 | 6,100 | 5,000 | 4,900 | 3,500 | 3,400 | 2,000 | 750 | 650 | 400 | 350 |
| Ranking | +/- | Surfer | Events | Events | Events | Events | Events | Points |
| Ranking | +/- | Surfer | Carry Over | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Points |
| 1 | | Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) | - | 3rd | 25th | 3rd | 3rd | 19,500 |
| 2 | | Ezekiel Lau (HAW) | - | 9th | 1st | 49th | 5th | 18,600 |
| 3 | | Liam O'Brien (AUS) | 5.000 | 5th | 25th | 25th | 7th | 14,900 |
| 4 | | Connor O'Leary (AUS) | - | 73rd | 37th | 1st | 9th | 14,250 |
| 5 | | Griffin Colapinto (USA) | 750 | 1st | - | - | 13th | 14,150 |
| 6 | | Jake Marshall (USA) | 2.500 | 2nd | 17th | 25th | 9th | 14,100 |
| 7 | | Jack Robinson (AUS) | 5.000 | 25th | - | - | 2nd | 13,750 |
| 8 | | Callum Robson (AUS) | - | 5th | 9th | 17th | 7th | 13,400 |
| 9 | | Samuel Pupo (BRA) | - | 73rd | 9th | 9th | 4th | 13,100 |
| 10 | | Nat Young (USA) | 5.000 | 49th | 3rd | 49th | 49th | 12,100 |
| 11 | | Imaikalani deVault (HAW) | 3.500 | 17th | 3rd | 37th | 49th | 12,000 |
| 12 | | Lucca Mesinas (PER) | 2.500 | 17th | 9th | 5th | 33rd | 11,000 |
| 12 | | João Chianca (BRA) | 4.000 | 25th | 9th | 9th | 25th | 11,000 |
| 14 | | Jackson Baker (AUS) | 2.000 | 73rd | 2nd | 49th | 33rd | 10,700 |
| 15 | | Carlos Munoz (CRC) | - | 37th | 5th | 5th | 49th | 10,650 |
| 16 | | Jordan Lawler (AUS) | - | 25th | 5th | 9th | 25th | 10,300 |
| 17 | | John John Florence (HAW) | - | - | - | - | 1st | 10,000 |
| 17 | | Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) | 10.000 | - | - | - | - | 10,000 |
| 19 | | Michel Bourez (FRA) | - | 37th | 73rd | 2nd | 49th | 9,250 |
| 19 | | Mateus Herdy (BRA) | 750 | 49th | 17th | 3rd | 49th | 9,250 |
| 19 | | Lucas Silveira (BRA) | 750 | 5th | 49th | 9th | 33rd | 9,250 |
Legend Note: The top 12, non-CT men from the 2021 Challengers Series qualified for the 2022 Championship Tour.
* Men's CT 2022
Source

### 2021 Women's Challengers Series

| Round | Event | Women's Champion | Women's Runner Up |
| 1 | US Open of Surfing Huntington Beach | Caitlin Simmers | Gabriela Bryan |
| 2 | MEO Vissla Pro Ericeira | Luana Silva | Gabriela Bryan |
| 3 | Roxy Pro France | Brisa Hennessy | India Robinson |
| 4 | Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold Haleiwa Challenger | Bettylou Sakura Johnson | Gabriela Bryan |
| Position | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 7th | 9th | 13th | 17th | 25th | 33th | 49th |
| Points | 10,000 | 8,000 | 6,500 | 6,100 | 5,000 | 4,900 | 3,500 | 3,400 | 2,000 | 1,800 | 700 | 600 |
| Ranking | +/- | Surfer | Events | Events | Events | Events | Events | Points |
| Ranking | +/- | Surfer | Carry Over | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Points |
| 1 | | Gabriela Bryan (HAW) | - | 2nd | 2nd | 33rd | 2nd | 24,000 |
| 2 | | Brisa Hennessy (CRC) | 6.500 | 25th | 5th | 1st | 9th | 21,500 |
| 3 | | Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) | - | 5th | 5th | 49th | 1st | 20,000 |
| 4 | | Caitlin Simmers (USA) | - | 1st | 33rd | 3rd | 17th | 18,700 |
| 5 | | India Robinson (AUS) | - | 25th | 9th | 2nd | 4th | 17,600 |
| 6 | | Carissa Moore (HAW) | 10.000 | - | - | - | 3rd | 16,500 |
| 7 | | Luana Silva (BRA) ** | 1.500 | 49th | 1st | 33rd | 13th | 14,900 |
| 8 | | Molly Picklum (AUS) ** | 5.000 | 33rd | 17th | 5th | 7th | 14,900 |
| 9 | | Vahine Fierro (FRA) | 4.000 | 9th | 17th | 5th | 7th | 13,900 |
| 10 | | Alyssa Spencer (USA) | 3.500 | 9th | 9th | 5th | 5th | 13,600 |
| 11 | | Sawyer Lindblad (USA) | - | 5th | 49th | 3rd | 25th | 13,300 |
Legend Note: The top 6, non-CT women from the 2021 Challengers Series qualified for the 2022 Championship Tour.
* Luana Silva wins the tiebreaker (best two event results) over Molly Picklum for the sixth and final CT qualification spot.
* Women's CT 2022