The third stop of the Challenger Series takes place this weekend

The competition is entering a crucial stage in the race to determine the rankings. From September 26 to October 3, the São Sebastião Pro will take place in Maresias, Brazil.

Official award presented at the Banco do Brasil São Sebastião Pro press conference. WSL / André Santos

The renowned Praia de Maresias, located on the northern coast of São Paulo, will host a Challenger Series event for the first time. Known for its deep-rooted surfing tradition in Brazil and for helping shape major talents such as Gabriel Medina, the spot will welcome 128 surfers (80 men and 48 women) looking to earn valuable points at a crucial stage of the season.

The area is also known for the quality and consistency of its waves, which were among the factors considered in bringing the Challenger Series to this part of the São Paulo coastline. Its powerful breaks, characterized by their speed, challenging sections, and opportunities for barrels, will test competitors throughout the event's eight-day window.

The event sign at Praia de Maresias for the Banco do Brasil São Sebastião Pro. WSL / Aleko Stergiou

The Banco do Brasil São Sebastião Pro will also feature Brazilian surfers Sophia Medina and Caio Costa, who have received special invitations (wildcards) to compete against international surfers on the circuit.

Sophia arrives at this event as the current leader of the WSL South America regional rankings, having secured two victories at the Banco do Brasil Surf Circuit events held in Imbituba and Ubatuba. The surfer will have the opportunity to compete in the waves of her hometown and take on competitors from the Challenger Series.

Sophia Medina, event wildcard. WSL / Aleko Stergiou

Meanwhile, Caio Costa will also have the opportunity to compete on home turf after narrowly missing out on qualification for the Challenger Series by just one spot. The Brazilian already has experience on the circuit, having competed at an event in Saquarema, but this edition will hold special significance as he competes in front of his family and home crowd.

Caio Costa, event wildcard. WSL / Laurent Masurel

As for the 2026 Challenger Series, the season is entering its second half, and every heat is becoming increasingly important for surfers looking to climb the rankings. In the women's division, Sierra Kerr arrives in Maresias at the top of the leaderboard with 20,745 points, followed by Teresa Bonvalot with 13,590 and Eden Walla with 13,150. Francisca Veselko sits in fourth with 12,545, while Ariane Ochoa rounds out the current Top 5 with 11,465.

In the men’s division, the gap between the top-ranked surfers is much narrower. Weslley Dantas leads the standings with 15,700 points, just 295 points ahead of Jackson Bunch, who has 15,405. Further down the rankings are Jake Marshall with 14,745, Cole Houshmand with 13,320, and Ryan Kainalo in fifth with 10,995.

CS Top 5 ranking, women's and men's. WSL

With more events still to come, the São Sebastião Pro represents another opportunity to earn points and shake up the top of both rankings. At the end of the season, the top 10 men and top six women in the Challenger Series rankings will qualify for the 2027 Championship Tour. Every result will therefore be crucial in the race to reach the highest level of professional surfing.