The stage is set for three days of world-class surfing action as Korea’s premier wave facility prepares to host the most anticipated event of the Asia Pacific season
SIHEUNG, South Korea – The surfing world’s attention turns to South Korea as over 150 of the Asia Pacific’s most talented up-and-coming surfers have arrived for the highly anticipated 2025 Siheung Korea Open World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 6000 and Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) events.
Running from July 18-20 at the state-of-the-art Siheung Wave Park, this year’s competition marks a triumphant return to Korean shores – the first WSL event in the country since the successful 2023 debut.
Bigger, Better, and More Competitive Than Ever
The stakes have never been higher. What began as a QS 3000 event in 2023 has evolved into a prestigious QS 6000 competition, bringing significantly more ranking points and attracting elite talent from across the globe. As Stop No. 3 on the coveted 2025 Bonsoy Asia Super Series, the event promises to deliver championship-level action.
Current series leaders Dylan Wilcoxen (Indonesia) and Anon Matsuoka (Japan) face their most formidable challenge yet, with defending champion Keijiro Nishi (Japan) and women’s runner-up Minami Nonaka (Japan) ready to reclaim their dominance on home turf.
Star-Studded International Field
All eyes will be on Australia/Oceania’s top seeds Charli Hately and Reef Heazlewood, who bring their world-class skills to Korea’s artificial waves. The competition reaches fever pitch with the inclusion of reigning WSL World Junior Champion Bronson Meydi (Indonesia), whose explosive surfing style could shake up the entire field.
Longboard Excellence Takes Center Stage
The LQS division promises equal excitement, headlined by Japanese powerhouses Shohei Akimoto and Natsumi Saoka. Local hero Kanoa Hee-Jae (Korea) adds extra intrigue as he boldly contests both LQS and QS divisions, showcasing the incredible depth of Korean surfing talent alongside nine other Korean competitors.
For these longboard athletes, the stakes couldn’t be higher – strong performances here could secure coveted spots on the 2026 WSL World Longboard Tour.
Festival Atmosphere and Global Coverage
The action kicks off with an Opening Ceremony on July 18th, followed by the electrifying Party Summer Beat Festival featuring world-renowned DJ’s and Korea’s hottest musical acts.
Fans worldwide won’t miss a moment of the action, with comprehensive live coverage across Korea’s major television networks MBC and OBS, plus global streaming on WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL YouTube channel, and the WSL App.
The 2025 Siheung Korea Open represents more than just competition – it’s a celebration of surfing’s growing influence in Asia and Korea’s emergence as a premier surfing destination.
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