Surf pundits are quick to point out the shortcomings of wave pool surf contests. What the WSL calls “perfection,” armchair pundits are quick to label “boring.” Regardless of where you side on the issue of surf contests held at Kelly Slater Wave Co facilities (each technology has its own pros and cons when it comes to comps), it can be argued that cross-stepping onto the nose is more graceful and watchable than the repeated barrel-to-air combo of the men’s and women’s CT events. Longboard wave pool contests just might have an edge.
This weekend, the world’s best longboarders hit new performance highs in the artificially generated waves of Surf Abu Dhabi for the Surf Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic held at Hudayriyat Island in the United Arab Emirates. Full contest wrap below.
Honolua Blomfield (HAW) and Edouard Delpero (FRA) won the Surf Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic, Stop No. 3 of the 2025 World Surf League (WSL) Longboard Tour. During an action packed Finals Day, the world’s best Longboarders took on the wave technology from the Kelly Slater Wave Company (KSWC) with style and excellence.
Having shared wins at the inaugural Longboard Tour competition in the KSWC technology at the Surf Ranch in 2021, Blomfield and Delpero also share the distinction of becoming first-time parents in 2025. The pair defeated Avalon Gall (USA) and Steven Sawyer (RSA), in the Finals, respectively.
Honolua Blomfield Claims Sixth Career Win in Remarkable Postpartum Performance
In a remarkable return to form, Honolua Blomfield (HAW) has claimed the sixth Longboard Tour win of her career barely six months after giving birth to her first child. Having last claimed victory at the 2022 GWM Sydney Surf Pro, the three-time World Longboard Champion backed up her 2021 Surf Ranch win, where she famously delivered a Perfect 10-point ride.
Blomfield earned the two highest single-wave scores of this year’s Surf Abu Dhabi event, both 9.80’s, and posted excellent two-wave totals in every heat. The win boosted the 26-year-old all the way to the No. 3 seed headed into the Longboard Championships, where she will feature in Match 3.
“All of it’s a lot to take in really,” Blomfield said. “I feel like I’ve had such blessings in the past few days, all my great waves, it’s kind of hard to be disappointed, even if I did lose. Sharing a Final with one of my besties, of course.”
Edouard Delpero Climbs the Ratings Ladder
Bouncing back from one of his worst seasons on Tour in 2024, 2017 World Longboard Title runner-up Edouard Delpero (FRA) has taken the No. 1 seed headed into the Longboard Championships with today’s victory. After finishing last place at the US Open of Surfing, Delpero arrived at Bells Beach low in the rankings days after his first child was born.
The French veteran turned that special moment into motivation, marching into the Semifinals there and now taking it even further for his third Longboard Tour win and first since 2021, when he also won in KSWC technology. Entering the Longboard Championships at El Salvador on top of the rankings spells danger for his competitors, especially after the 35-year-old topped the podium at the ISA World Longboard Championships at the same location earlier this year.
“I just love it, man, getting eight barrels, positioning, that was the best,” Delpero said. “I really enjoy the wave, the setup this year was amazing and I had fun and that was the most important. I was really looking forward to getting barreled this year and I got, so the win is a bonus. It’s amazing.”
Delpero was unstoppable throughout the event, consistently delivering excellent performances. Setting the pace for the field from his very first heat in the Opening Round, Delpero’s Finals Day run continued that trajectory. An impressive 9.10 (out of a possible 10) aided the elimination of Oliver Packham (RSA) in the Quarterfinals, before his Semifinal defeat of reigning World Longboard Champion Taylor Jensen (USA). Delpero needed only his first run of the Final to defeat defending event winner Steven Sawyer (RSA) after the South African fell on both of his rights.
“My last win was in the pool too, so I’m stoked,” Delpero continued. “It wasn’t my best heat so far, but it played out my way. So yeah, I’m happy. I just want to go back home as fast as possible and be close to my little family and that’s the only thing that really matters now.”
South African Steven Sawyer On High
Steven Sawyer (RSA) earned his way to a back-to-back Surf Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic Final with consistent performances and style. The 2018 World Longboard Champion kicked off his Finals Day run defeating Declan Wyton (AUS) in the Quarterfinals before meeting good friend and long-time travelling partner Kevin Skvarna (USA) in the Semifinals. Although Sawyer earned the highest single wave score of the men’s field in his last wave with a 9.60 (out of a possible 10), the 31-year-old hadn’t been able to improve his numbers on his second run on the right. Sawyer now heads into the Longboard Championships as seed No. 6.
“Last year and this year have been the closest I’ve ever been to the Lord in any aspect of my sports. And I mean, just tapping into the presence has been something so surreal for me,” Sawyer said. “It’s so cool to get here two years in a row and have final positions. Two Finals in a row, that is proof of it. It’s surreal, honestly.”
Surf Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic Women’s Finals Results:
1 – Honolua Blomfield (HAW) 16.60
2 – Avalon Gall (USA) 16.43
Surf Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic Men’s Finals Results:
1 – Edouard Delpero (FRA) 15.80
2 – Steven Sawyer (RSA) 14.43
Surf Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic Women’s Semifinals Results:
HEAT 1: Avalon Gall (USA) 16.33 DEF. Rachael Tilly (USA) 13.66
HEAT 2: Honolua Blomfield (HAW) 17.20 DEF. Chloe Calmon (BRA) 16.14
Surf Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic Men’s Semifinals Results:
HEAT 1: Edouard Delpero (FRA) 16.94 DEF. Taylor Jensen (USA) 15.33
HEAT 2: Steven Sawyer (RSA) 16.06 DEF. Kevin Skvarna (USA) 11.34
