Avoca surfer Macy Callaghan (AUS) and Marco Mignot (FRA) won the World Surf League (WSL) Corona Saquarema Pro Presented by Banco do Brasil. Callaghan and Mignot overcame Vahine Fierro (FRA) and Deivid Silva (BRA) in the Final.
The conclusion of the event meant the top 10 ranked men and top five ranked women of the Challenger Series have officially earned their place in the 2025 Championship Tour (CT) class.
Among this number were four Australians; George Pittar and Joel Vaughan secured their spots for their first full year on Tour. They join women’s CT qualifiers, Sally Fitzgibbons and Isabella Nichols.
The GWM Sydney Surf Pro held at North Narrabeen in May 2024 was event 2 of the World Surf League's 2024 Challenger Series. This had been preceded by event 1, the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro.
George Pittar came into the North Narrabeen event on a bit of a roll with consistent form and ability to maintain momentum.
Hailing from just down the road in Manly, George Pittar was finally back on home soil after a whirlwind few months of competition.
Pittar was awarded wildcards into two Championship Tour (CT) events, putting on an incredible performance that saw him earn an equal third-place finish at the Western Australia Margaret River Pro (April 11-21, 2024), even taking down world No. 1 Griffin Colapinto (AUS) along the way.
He picked up more points after gaining a wildcard entry into the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by Bonsoy (March 26-April 25).
George then commenced his Challenger Series season with a solid showing and Semi-final finish on the Gold Coast and continued that form at Narrabeen, picking up 3,320 points in the GWM Sydney Surf Pro presented by Bonsoy for his efforts.
George was working to win a full-time spot on the CT in 2025.
“It’s amazing to be back home and competing at an event of this size whilst sleeping in my own bed and enjoying mum’s home-cooked meals,” Pittar said in May. “It’s amazing to see all of the world’s best lighting up the Northern Beaches. I know it means a lot to the local surfing community.
“The last month has been amazing. It’s been great to get some results and scores at the CT level and show myself I can belong there and it definitely gives me so much confidence ahead of the CS season. It’s given me incentive to qualify and compete at the CT level full-time.”
On qualifying for the 2025 CT Tour, George said:
''Far out that was an unforgettable feeling, I’ve dreamed of qualifying for the tour since I was a kid.
Cheers to all the people I’ve met on this journey, to the Aussie lads I’ve travelled with over the past two years sharing each others highs and lows, to the support I’ve received from Sydney and Vanuatu, to my family for giving me the belief in myself and of course to my sponsors.
So many people in my life helped me achieve this moment but to be able to share it with my best mates was a special experience.
Keen to give next year an honest crack, Cheers everyone!''
George Pittar upon qualifying for the WSL 2025 CT at the Saquarema Pro . Credit: WSL / Thiago Diz
North Shelly beach surfer Joel Vaughan said:
''Wow what a feeling! Still can’t wipe the smile off my face and I feel like it’s only just sinking in. Achieving one of my biggest dreams and goal felt so special especially with a bunch of my mates on the beach! Big thanks to everyone who helped me out over the last few years and everyone who constantly supports me!
So excited for the year to come!''
Joel Vaughan upon qualifying for the WSL 2025 CT at the Saquarema Pro . Credit: WSL / Thiago Diz
And that's not to detract from Macy Callaghan earning her first 2024 Challenger Series event win against runner-up Vahine Fierro, who also secured her place in the last Challenger 2024 event.
Macy scored a 6.67 (out of a possible 10) on consecutive backhand snaps on a left-hander at Praia de Itaúna. She backed it up with a 5.67 to earn a 12.34 total to finish off the 2024 Challenger Series season with a victory. Callaghan closed out the season ranked No. 10, and earned her spot on the 2025 Challenger Series.
“I’m so happy, but I’m actually really tired after that last heat,” said Callaghan.
“This is the reason why I came, and I’m just super stoked to finish off the season with a win. Saquarema is always a fun time, the waves were great, and the weather was really nice after all the fog from the event in Portugal. The weekend when the girls surfed was a blast, the beach was filled with people, and they had that cool airshow. But it’s going to be great going back home, I haven’t been back in three months, so it’ll be nice to see my friends and family again.”
Macy Callaghan wins at the Saquarema Pro . Credit: WSL / Thiago Diz
Vahine Fierro (FRA) had an incredible run at the Corona Saquarema Pro. Fierro’s Quarterfinal win against Sophia Medina (BRA) secured her the fifth and final qualification spot on the 2025 Championship Tour.
In the Final versus Macy Callaghan (AUS), Fierro’s heat total of 10.57 (out of a possible 20) fell short of the win.
“I try to keep it calm in the chaos, but I’m still super happy with everything. I was a little out of rhythm there, but still tried to do my best,” said Fierro. “I just want to thank everyone for watching and all the support, I really feel your mana all the way here. Thanks to my dad too because I know it’s late in Tahiti, but I know he’s watching.”
Earlier this year, Vahine Fierro (FRA) was selected as the Event Wildcard for the 2024 SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro where she went on to win at Teahupo’o.
On finding out she had accomplished her goal of making the Tour alongside CT qualifiers, Fierro has her eyes set on the next step in her career.
“This is a dream come true,” said Fierro. “This year I’ve been through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. So coming out of the Olympics when I was really down and now clinching my spot on Tour is an incredible feeling. Thanks to the support of everyone that’s been with me each and every day and never giving up. Today was scary, but I love the feeling and am super grateful for this moment.”
Vahine Fierro upon qualifying for the WSL 2025 CT at the Saquarema Pro . Credit: WSL / Thiago Diz
Marco Mignot (FRA) defeated Brazil’s Deivid Silva (BRA) to secure his first Challenger Series win. After two consecutive victories by Brazilian athletes at the Corona Saquarema Pro, Mignot became the first international to take home the victory. Mignot joins event winners Gabriel Medina (BRA) in 2022 and Samuel Pupo (BRA) in 2023.
“You know it’s been an amazing year,” said Mignot. “I’ve just been trying to live every second in the present. My time here has been incredible and my goals were to win a Challenger Series event and qualify, and I was able to accomplish it. But it takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but I know there’s a new chapter coming and I feel ready for what’s next.”
2024 Challenger Series Rankings and 2025 CT Qualifiers
Women’s
1 - Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 32,170 points
2 - Bella Kenworthy (USA) 27,290 points
3 - Isabella Nichols (AUS) 26,915 points
4 - Erin Brooks (CAN) 24,440 points
5 - Vahine Fierro (FRA) 23,665 points
Men’s
1 - Samuel Pupo (BRA) 25,865 points
2 - Ian Gouveia (BRA) 22,810 points
3 - Marco Mignot (FRA) 21,600 points
4 - Alejo Muniz (BRA) 20,525 points
5 - Deivid Silva (BRA) 17,760 points
6 - Miguel Pupo (BRA) 17,475 points
7 - Joel Vaughan (AUS) 17,390 points
8 - George Pittar (AUS) 16,050 points
9 - Edgard Groggia (BRA) 14,630 points
10 - Jackson Bunch (HAW) 14,430 points