Cover photo: WSL/Israel Barona 

As of today, Thursday, June 10, 88 surfers, 67 men and 21 women, are confirmed to compete in the Montañita Open, QS 1000, which marks the return of the WSL world tour events to Ecuador after 15 years.

The list available on the event's website shows surfers from Peru, Argentina, Hawaii, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, Chile, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica and locals from Ecuador.

Among the entrants are some big names such as the recent qualifiers for Tokyo 2020: Mimi Barona and Daniella Rosas, Leandro Usuna, Lucca Mesinas and Manuel Selman. In addition to the former member of the CT, Alejo Muniz and the former ISA world champions, Summer Macedo, Nacho Gundensen and Santiago Muñiz.

Other standouts include Brazilian standouts Samuel Pupo, Leo Casal and Joao Chianca, Peruvian youngster Raul Rios, Costa Rican Darshan Antequera and Chilean Guga Dvoroquez.

Coco Cianciarulo, Sol Aguirre and Melanie Giunta are other standouts in the women's category.

See full lists below.

A week later, the second stage of this Ecuadorian leg will take place on FAE beach in Salinas. More than 80 surfers have already registered for the event in both categories.

In a statement sent by the WSL on June 4, one of the tournament organizers and former president of the Ecuadorian federation, Xavier Aguirre, said: "These events will be an extraordinary platform for the economic and tourist reactivation of the coastal strip and the region, affected by the confinement and restrictions caused by the pandemic."

“Montañita and Salinas are two resorts that depend mainly on tourism for their livelihood; surfing has been the main driver of development in the communities that are surrounded by spectacular beaches and world-class wave breaks. The QS will be a boost for the recovery of the tourism operators in the communities and resorts of the province of Santa Elena. Bringing WSL events to Ecuador will mean a great step for national surfing, raising the competitive level of local high-performance athletes, with a view to their preparation for future higher-scoring professional tournaments and competitions in the Olympic cycle,” added the organizer.

List of registered participants for the Montañita QS - Men by DUKE He Scribd

List of registered participants for the Montañita QS - Women by DUKE He Scribd