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Sometimes the road of life can be a bit bumpy, and after an injury-plagued stint on the Championship Tour, Costa Rica's Carlos Munoz has clawed his way back to the top of a podium at the 2025 BTMI Barbados Surf Pro.
"My whole life I've been dreaming to win a contest of this caliber and everything just came together," Munoz said after his victory at the WSL Qualifying Series event. "I've been feeling so good here. The people have been treating me amazing and I felt like I was surfing for Barbados to. My friends from Costa Rica supporting me is amazing and I want to say thank you to Jah, to God, and my family I love you guys so much. I'm just so stoked, pura vida."
Costa Rica's Carlos Munoz, formed out in the Caribbean.
Andrew Nichols / WSL
Slowing the roll of Mexico, Munoz had to get by Lucas Cassity in the semifinals and Sebastian Williams in a hard-fought final. The win, only the second Qualifying Series of his career, vaults Munoz to third on the WSL's North American rankings and is a big step forward in his bid to rejoin the Championship Tour in 2026.
On the women's side it was Malibu's Talia Swindal edging out 15-year-old rising star Reid Van Wagoner in the final at Soup Bowls.
Carlos Munoz with the win at the 2025 BTMI Barbados Surf Pro.
Andrew Nichols / WSL
"Probably the best day of my life. I just kept surfing," Swindal said. "Big shout out to the Bathsheba boys for taking care of my backup board and to my mom, it's her birthday. This is just insane.”
And finally, taking top honors in the Live Like Zander Junior Pro was North Carolina's Will Deane, who earned his first WSL win.
"I'm so happy right now. It just feels insane and I'm in disbelief," said the 17-year-old Outer Banks surfer. " Now I just want to keep on my program surfing good boards and surfing good waves. Hopefully more will come. Now it's straight into next week at the Jack's Surfboards Pro and I'm ready to go in there.
Talia Swindal closing out the win in Barbardos.
Andrew Nichols / WSL
And thus ends the season for the 2024/25 North American QS season. Spots for the upcoming Challenger Season have been confirmed with the United States' Kirra Pinkerton and Peru's Lucca Mesinas finishing atop the North American QS rankings. After a great year so far, including her performance at the inaugural Natural Selection event, Pinkerton will competing as a wildcard in the upcoming Surf City El Salvador.
The 2025/2026 North America QS season kicks off with the Vans Jack’s Surfboards Pro presented by 805, which runs from April 3 through 6.
Final 2024/2025 North America Women's QS Rankings:
1. Kirra Pinkerton (USA)
2. Reid Van Wagoner (USA)
3. Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN)
4. Leilani McGonagle (CRC)
Final 2024/2025 North America Men's QS Rankings:
1. Lucca Mesinas (PER)
2. Jett Schilling (USA)
3. Carlos Munoz (CRC)
4. Taro Watanabe (USA)
5. Lucas Cassity (MEX)
6. Dimitri Poulos (USA)
7. Ryan Huckabee (USA)
Continue reading...
"My whole life I've been dreaming to win a contest of this caliber and everything just came together," Munoz said after his victory at the WSL Qualifying Series event. "I've been feeling so good here. The people have been treating me amazing and I felt like I was surfing for Barbados to. My friends from Costa Rica supporting me is amazing and I want to say thank you to Jah, to God, and my family I love you guys so much. I'm just so stoked, pura vida."
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Costa Rica's Carlos Munoz, formed out in the Caribbean.
Andrew Nichols / WSL
Slowing the roll of Mexico, Munoz had to get by Lucas Cassity in the semifinals and Sebastian Williams in a hard-fought final. The win, only the second Qualifying Series of his career, vaults Munoz to third on the WSL's North American rankings and is a big step forward in his bid to rejoin the Championship Tour in 2026.
On the women's side it was Malibu's Talia Swindal edging out 15-year-old rising star Reid Van Wagoner in the final at Soup Bowls.
You must be registered for see images attach
Carlos Munoz with the win at the 2025 BTMI Barbados Surf Pro.
Andrew Nichols / WSL
"Probably the best day of my life. I just kept surfing," Swindal said. "Big shout out to the Bathsheba boys for taking care of my backup board and to my mom, it's her birthday. This is just insane.”
And finally, taking top honors in the Live Like Zander Junior Pro was North Carolina's Will Deane, who earned his first WSL win.
"I'm so happy right now. It just feels insane and I'm in disbelief," said the 17-year-old Outer Banks surfer. " Now I just want to keep on my program surfing good boards and surfing good waves. Hopefully more will come. Now it's straight into next week at the Jack's Surfboards Pro and I'm ready to go in there.
You must be registered for see images attach
Talia Swindal closing out the win in Barbardos.
Andrew Nichols / WSL
And thus ends the season for the 2024/25 North American QS season. Spots for the upcoming Challenger Season have been confirmed with the United States' Kirra Pinkerton and Peru's Lucca Mesinas finishing atop the North American QS rankings. After a great year so far, including her performance at the inaugural Natural Selection event, Pinkerton will competing as a wildcard in the upcoming Surf City El Salvador.
The 2025/2026 North America QS season kicks off with the Vans Jack’s Surfboards Pro presented by 805, which runs from April 3 through 6.
Final 2024/2025 North America Women's QS Rankings:
1. Kirra Pinkerton (USA)
2. Reid Van Wagoner (USA)
3. Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN)
4. Leilani McGonagle (CRC)
Final 2024/2025 North America Men's QS Rankings:
1. Lucca Mesinas (PER)
2. Jett Schilling (USA)
3. Carlos Munoz (CRC)
4. Taro Watanabe (USA)
5. Lucas Cassity (MEX)
6. Dimitri Poulos (USA)
7. Ryan Huckabee (USA)
Continue reading...
