Gisborne surfer Hannah Kohn concluded her campaign at the International Surfing Association (ISA) World Longboard Surfing Championship with a 46th-place finish after battling tough conditions at the El Sunzal surf break in El Salvador.
Kohn, part of a four-person New Zealand team, faced fierce competition at the event, which drew 103 surfers from 32 nations. The championship, held at the renowned El Sunzal break, is known for its long, right-hand point waves, though competitors this year contended with challenging onshore winds, shifting tides, and heavy shorebreaks.
In the women’s division, Kohn demonstrated resilience in the early rounds. She placed second in her opening heat with a score of 6.30 but encountered more difficult surf in round two, finishing fourth with a score of 4.07, which pushed her into the repechage round. In the final round, where she had to win to stay in the competition, Kohn managed a score of 6.73 but finished fourth once again, marking the end of her campaign.
Reflecting on her experience, Kohn said the event was both exciting and educational. “We had some wild waves a couple of days with a heavy shorebreak and tricky tides, but being here among the world’s best was so inspiring,” she said. “Watching them handle eight-foot onshore surf was incredible.”
Despite her elimination, Kohn was eager to explore more of El Salvador’s surf scene, planning to tour the area after the event. “We’re hoping to grab the shortboards and explore some of the other waves around. It’s such an amazing place,” she added.
Among her Kiwi teammates, Christchurch’s Jack Tyro delivered the best performance, finishing 13th in the men’s competition. Tyro won both his round 1 and 2 heats before advancing to repechage 5, where he placed third in round 3.
In the women’s division, Gabi Paul from Piha placed 37th-equal, while Auckland’s Oliver Janes finished 37th-equal in the men’s competition.
The event’s final results saw France’s Edouard Delpero emerge victorious in the men’s division with a score of 18.24, while American Rachael Tilly claimed the women’s crown with a score of 15.13.
The El Sunzal surf break once again proved its reputation as a world-class longboard destination, with competitors facing some of the most challenging conditions in recent memory.