Well, it’s not exactly what I was expecting, but I’m pretty stoked. If you haven’t heard the news yet, the WSL has officially added a new stop to the 2026 Championship Tour schedule, halfway through the year. Cloud 9 in the Philippines will now be on the 2026 ‘Post Season’ Championship Tour Schedule.
The World Surf League gave an interesting reasoning for this addition in their Press Release:
“The WSL has added an additional location to the CT schedule for 2026 to ensure a minimum of 12 events can be delivered this season should the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro be unable to run as scheduled. This new event ensures that the WSL can protect the integrity of the new CT format and calendar.”
At first glance I was a little taken aback. Social Media comments can do that to you sometimes. I would assume that most of these people did not understand that the Wave Pool comp is likely to be called off, and this is more of a replacement than an addition. Nonetheless, people are pretty pissed. But, as they say in Brazil, and everywhere, for that matter; the cry is free.
“In the middle of the competition?! Imagine the fifa adding new matches between the semi and final of the World Cup non sense!”
“What a joke competitive surfing is becoming”
My thoughts, you ask? Well, as previously mentioned, I’m pretty stoked. The general consensus is that a lot of these guys and gals have not been to this wave before, so that will be a challenge in and of itself – figuring out a new wave. Sure, it might look a little difficult to surf on the backhand (for goofy footers), but have you noticed the scores that judges have been throwing this year for backhand surfing? Miggy Pupo won Bells and Italo just won at El Salvador – two wins for backhanders. It will not be a huge hindrance.
If you are unfamiliar, Cloud 9 is a tight, hollow, speedy right hand reef break in the Philippines. It’s consistently described as a barrel into a huge air section – not too distant in relation to Keramas. This wave is a bit more cupped out, a bit rounder of a barrel. I also would enjoy literally anywhere in the World in an Ocean. I would much prefer that over any Wave Pool comp, so I am stoked. Lastly, I think it was smart of them to add this wave to the ‘Post Season’ rather than throw it into the mix sooner. This will cut the field down, require less heats to get finished, and give this event a good shot at being solid viewing.
A common complaint I am seeing is how this spot can get flat spells. I believe its more like an Outer Reef break, hence the name Cloud 9. Fingers crossed that we can get some swell, but we already know the WSL is basically cursed (for the time).
Anyways, thats enough for now. What do you think? What was your initial reaction? And, now that things have settled a bit, what do you expect from the event?
Until next time.
Cheers,
hwilsin
Drew Stanfield