JEFFREYS Bay top-surfer Steven Sawyer, reigning men’s World Longboard Champion, is set to defend his title at the 2019 World Longboard Championships in Taiwan.
The World Surf League (WSL) event will take to the waves from November 23 to December 7 – promising to be bigger than ever with the addition of a Men’s Qualifying Series (QS) 3 000 event to this year’s schedule.
After three events on the new-look WSL World Longboard Tour, the rankings have been set and the top 24 men and top 24 women have been decided ahead of the final event at the Taiwan Open of Surfing.
It will be the third year in a row that the WSL World Longboard Champions will be crowned in Taiwan, and WSL World Longboard Tour Director Devon Howard can’t wait to see the action unfold at Jinzun Harbour.
“There were a lot of new faces at the three events at some amazing locations this year, including Noosa in Australia, Galicia in Spain and then New York City,” said Howard.
“With a range of surfers finding results throughout the year, there is an awesome spread on the leader board, which is going to make the grand finale in Taiwan super exciting.”
Currently sitting third on the rankings, reigning men’s World Longboard Champion, Steven Sawyer from Jeffreys Bay, is thrilled to return to Taiwan – a place where he achieved his dreams in 2018.
“I am always excited to return to Taiwan as it’s my favourite place on tour,” Sawyer said.
“The people, the food and the waves are all amazing. It it definitely a wave-rich place. I really feel at home there.
“There is nothing like jumping in the car and cruising up and down the coast looking for waves. There are so many left point breaks there, it’s like heaven for a goofy-footer.
“There are always swells and plenty of opportunity for competitors, which will make for an epic showdown this December.”
