|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The Corona Cero Surf Open Cerritos 2025, a World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series 2000 event, concluded with Hayden Rodgers (USA) securing the Men’s victory and local favorite Coral Bonilla (MEX) defending her title in the Women’s division at Playa Cerritos, Baja California Sur.
Held from November 20 to 23, the event drew a record-breaking field of 137 athletes from 14 countries, cementing the region’s status as a key destination on the international surf calendar.
Event Details
The Pacific coast of Baja California Sur, specifically Playa Cerritos, has rapidly emerged as a significant surf epicenter in Mexico. The introduction of a WSL QS event in 2024, the inaugural Pacifico Surf Open Cerritos, marked a historic moment for the community, elevating it to the international stage.
The 2025 edition, now the Corona Cero Surf Open Cerritos, has built on that foundation, increasing participation and solidifying its role as a crucial qualifying event for the elite Challenger Series. The tournament maintains the tradition of showcasing the world’s best emerging talent alongside a strong contingent of local Mexican surfers.
This Edition: Competition Highlights
The Men’s final saw a masterful performance from Californian Hayden Rodgers, who defeated fellow American Ryan Huckabee with a total score of 16.25, including a dominant 9.75 on his best wave. Rodgers, who utilized a precise, high-flying aerial style, secured a significant win that underscores the high level of competition.
In the Women’s final, local hero Coral Bonilla of Pescadero successfully defended her title, becoming the back-to-back champion of the event. Affectionately known as ‘Coco’, Bonilla delivered a dominant performance to defeat her sister, Moana Bonilla, Summer Sivori, and Lilo González.
The outstanding performance of the local standout, 17-year-old Lucas Enrique Senkbeil Cassity, also marked the event. Cassity, who is the only Mexican to compete recently in the Challenger Series in Portugal and a silver medallist at the WSL QS 3000 SLO CAL Open, advanced to the Men’s Quarterfinals. His deep knowledge of the Cerritos break and his ability to push top-ranked international competitors signal his trajectory as a central figure in Mexican surfing.
Accessibility and Innovation
A notable and well-received addition to the competition was the Parasurfing exhibition, also known as Adaptive Surfing. This specialized category allows athletes with diverse physical disabilities, such as visual impairment, amputations, or spinal cord injuries, to participate in the sport.
Instead of a traditional competition, this exhibition showcased the incredible skill, courage, and balance of surfers who utilize specially adapted equipment, such as customized boards or assistance from support staff, to ride the waves.
The demonstration highlighted the event’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion, proving that the ocean’s currents are not an obstacle to passion. The pioneering exhibition generated immense enthusiasm and applause from spectators, marking the first time the adaptive form of the sport was presented at Playa Cerritos.
Festival & Cultural Program
The Surf Open Cerritos is celebrated as much for its competition as for its comprehensive festival program. Daily activities adhered to a consistent schedule: WSL QS competition heats took place in the morning, typically from 7:00 to 14:00, to capitalize on optimal wave conditions.
The afternoons were dedicated to cultural and community programming. Non-competitive activities included a local market, surf lessons at the Mario Surf School, and environmental workshops such as a “Cero Basura” (Zero Waste) compost session and a beach cleanup rally.
Evenings featured cine al aire libre (open-air cinema), live music, and themed nights, such as a Reggae & Photo Night, creating a vibrant community atmosphere that extended well beyond the waves.