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Surfers from around the globe battling at the Vans Jack’s Surfboard Pro in Huntington Beach

April 23, 2026

Surfers from around the world are battling it out on the south side of the Huntington Beach Pier at the Vans Jack’s Surfboards Pro, with plenty of Southern California surfers hoping to take home the title.

The event kicked off on Wednesday, April 22, with waves showing up strong for the early rounds and dozens of sponsors setting up booths on the sand for beachgoers and surf fans expected to hang out through the end of the event on Sunday, April 26.

Dylan Hord competes in heat 1 of the menâs round...

Dylan Hord competes in heat 1 of the men’s round of 96 of the Vans Jack’s Surfboards Pro south of the pier in Huntington Beach, CA, on Thursday, April 23, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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The Jack’s Pro draws 128 men and 48 women to compete.

Tommy Granger, of Encinitas, was one of the local surfers to advance in his first round heat, calling the waves tricky, but fun. As with most pro surfers who grew up in the region, Granger has done his fair share of contests at the famed pier.

“I’ve surfed a bunch of heats here, so I’m pretty prepared,” he said.

Most of the year, Granger and the other competitors are traveling the world to enter events, with hopes of gaining points to land on the World Surf League Challenger Series, then eventually on the elite World Tour, the major leagues of the sport.

“I get to sleep in my own bed,” he said of the Jack’s Pro being so close to home in San Diego. “It’s nice for me, I feel like I’m always in a hotel bed, which is not always the best.”

David and Etta McMahon, of Salona Beach, were on the sand to support their son Lucas, who has competed in the event for several years. The couple nabbed a spot at the nearby RV campsite, making a mini vacation out of the weekend.

“We love the fact we can come up here, we just bought a camper van this week, we have a spot on the beach,” David McMahon said.

But the event also draws surfers from around the globe, with athletes coming in from Brazil and Australia, and some surfing for countries they hope to one day represent at the Olympics.

Lucas McMahon, for example, has recently started a Finnish National Team and represented his mother’s homeland at the International Surfing Association World Games. He’s hoping to do well at upcoming Olympic qualifying events.

Enzo Ackermann is one of the rising star surfers representing Mexico, the competitor splitting time between Salulita and San Clemente, where his girlfriend lives.

He’s come to compete at the Jack’s Pro the last four years, never making it past the first round. That changed for the first time on Wednesday after he clinched the heat win.

Ackermann is coming off a big win in Barbados at the Live Like Zander Pro, his momentum carrying over to Huntington Beach.

Each winner of their heats gets the added perk of cash from the Got Milk sponsors, Ackermann clutching a $50 bill following his heat win.

“It was really the best Huntington I’ve surfed since I’ve been here,” he said. “I paddled out and got a good start, relaxed a little and took off the edge, found a peak down by the pier and was able to catch some fun waves.”

The goal, same as the other surfers, is to eventually land on the World Tour and then become world champion, he said. “But I’m just taking it step by step.”

If he earns enough points and can land on the Challenger’s Series tour, Ackermann would be able to compete at the US Open of Surfing, also at the Huntington Beach pier, following in the footsteps of Alan Cleland Jr., who became the first Mexican surfer to win the event in 2024.

“It’s really cool in Mexico, we have a lot of world-class waves, so many good waves and so many good surfers from all around,” Ackermann said. “It’s really cool to be able to wear my flag on my shoulder. It’s nice to represent where I’m from.”

The Jack’s Pro dates back to 2017, adding its women’s event in 2021.

Huntington Beach’s Brett Simpson was one of the surfers who competed in the early competitions, but in recent years has taken on coaching the younger generation. This year, he’s a commentator for the live webcast.

“I’ve had my day in the sun,” said Simpson, two-time US Open of Surfing winner, as he watched the surfing action. “It’s been fun, and I like just being here in support.

He’s keeping an eye on San Clemente surfer Taj Lindblad, and local Huntington Beach surfers Sara Freyre and Bailey Turner, he said.

The event also includes an “After Surge” after party on Friday, April 24, with craft Monster Energy cocktails and mocktails at the Bungalow Huntington Beach, with a live DJ set and freebies. There will also be the Salt Life x Jack’s Beach Cleanup at 5 p.m. on the final day of the event.

To watch the event online, go to: WorldSurfLeague.com

Surfers from around the globe battling at the Vans Jack’s Surfboard Pro in Huntington Beach Orange County Register

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Surfers from around the globe battling at the Vans Jack’s Surfboard Pro in Huntington Beach

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