<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Isabella Nichols</strong> (AUS) and <strong>Jordan Lawler</strong> (AUS) claimed victory at the <strong>GWM Sydney Surf Pro presented by Bonsoy</strong>, Stop No. 2 of the 2024 World Surf League (WSL) Challenger Series (CS). In front of a packed beach at North Narrabeen, the Aussie duo was able to overcome a massive international field to take the win in super clean two-to-three-foot surf. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Lawler Claims Biggest Career Win on Home Soil</strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">North Narrabeen local <strong>Jordan Lawler</strong> (AUS) has claimed a famous victory today in front of a huge home crowd, winning the 2024 GWM Sydney Surf Pro, the biggest result of his career. Having missed qualifying for the Challenger Series in 2024, Lawler came into the event this week as a wildcard. With low expectations on himself, he was able to cruise through the draw and claim the memorable win. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Honestly, the last few months have been a real rollercoaster,” Lawler said. “After not qualifying for the Challenger Series this year, I was honestly thinking about calling it quits, so I’m just stoked I stuck with it. I was pretty low there for a while, and I hadn’t had a good result for a while, so I’m just so stoked right now. To make it to the Championship Tour has been my goal for so long and to win an event of this size can really help with that, I just can’t believe it.” </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the 35-minute Final, Lawler came up against former Championship Tour (CT) competitor <strong>Alejo Muniz</strong> (BRA) in a classic frontside versus backside battle on the North Narrabeen lefts. Muniz had been in solid touch all week but it was the local knowledge and hometown support that got Lawler an early lead. Local boy Lawler was then able to build momentum throughout the matchup, eventually posting a 15.75 (out of a possible 20) two-wave total, his highest of the event and enough to put Muniz in a combination situation. In the dying minutes, Muniz found a 7.20 (out of a possible 10) to break the combination but was unable to back it up, leaving Lawler to claim victory. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Winning at home in front of all of these familiar faces is so amazing, I’m speechless,” Lawler said. "Growing up, I looked up to so many of these surfers, and to be competing against them and getting the win is like a dream come true, especially at home. I’ve worked so hard to be here, and I’m keen to get it done this year qualifying for the Championship Tour.” </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Nichols Goes Back-to-Back at GWM Sydney Surf Pro</strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Only three weeks after falling short of the Mid-season Cut and being relegated from the Championship Tour to the Challenger Series, <strong>Isabella Nichols</strong> (AUS) has bounced back with a massive win at North Narrabeen, her second at this location in as many years. Nichols looked on point all week, posting solid scores and taking down some of the event's big names, including <strong>Sally Fitzgibbons</strong> (AUS), in the Semifinals. Nichols’ win today has locked her in a second on the Challenger Series rankings and, along with her third-place finish on the Gold Coast, has put her in a great position to find her way back to the CT by the year’s end. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“There’s a lot going through my mind right now,” Nichols said. “I came into this event feeling really positive and good about things, which has worked for me. Last year, I came into this event feeling super down, and that obviously worked for me, but it is nice to have less pressure and emotion being in the same position and still getting a result. It’s been so good being in such a good headspace compared to last year. It just shows, regardless of your headspace, if you go through the process, you can get it done.” </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nichols saved her best performance for last when she came up against the form surfer of the Challenger Series, <strong>Erin Brooks </strong>(CAN). Nichols surfed a smart heat, holding on to priority for long stretches and executing on the best-set waves of the matchup. Brooks was left needing a solid score and almost got it with a huge frontside full-rotation air-reverse but fell, leaving Nichols to take the win with a two-wave total of 15.27 (out of a possible 20). Today’s result locks Nichols in at second on the rankings ahead of the next event in South Africa, the Ballito Pro. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I want to give a shout-out to Erin Brooks," said Nichols. "She inspires me so much, and I feel so fortunate to have spent time with her over the last few years. She is so dedicated, so driven, and so incredibly talented. She’s like a little sister to me, and I’ve really enjoyed spending time with her over the last few weeks. I also just want to thank Matt (Grainger), who has been coaching me this week. The energy he brings is amazing, and it obviously works for me with two wins now.” </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Erin Brooks and Alejo Muniz Finish Runners-Up</strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Today <strong>Erin Brooks</strong> (CAN) made her third Challenger Series event Final in as many events. The 16-year-old has been the form surfer of this season, and it showed today, especially in the Semifinal, when she almost posted another perfect score. Unlike last week, where she went perfect for a huge, backside tube ride, today, Brooks landed a super quick frontside air-reverse to earn a near-perfect 9.57 (out of a possible 10). This runner-up finish consolidates Brooks’ position on top of the rankings as she pushes for CT qualification in 2025. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“To make another Final feels really good,” Brooks said. "I want to thank Bella (Nichols) for giving me a run for my money. I got her in Snapper, so she got one back on me here, but it’s all good. Making the CT is definitely my goal, but there are a lot of events left this year and so many amazing girls competing, so we will just have to wait and see. If I get there, I’ll definitely take up that opportunity.” </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Alejo Muniz</strong> (BRA) has had a challenging few years recovering from different injuries whilst trying to navigate re-qualification and find results on the Challenger Series. The 34-year-old veteran has had success on the Northern Beaches before, having finished runner-up at Manly in 2018. Muniz fell short of the win today, but his runner-up finish, coupled with a 9th on the Gold Coast, is enough to see him move to second on the rankings as he continues to fight for a spot on the CT in 2025. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I’m really happy to be here standing on this podium,” Muniz said. "I’ve been working so hard for so long to get back to the top level. I’ve been through two surgeries and have missed out on qualifying by a small amount twice, so to be back in the Finals means so much to me. When I left home, I promised my son I’d bring him home a trophy from one of the events in Australia, so daddy has kept his promise.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For highlights from the GWM Sydney Surf Pro Presented by Bonsoy, please visit <a href="https://www.worldsurfleague.com/" target="_blank">WorldSurfLeague.com</a>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>GWM Sydney Surf Pro Presented By Bonsoy Men's Final Results:</strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">1. Jordan Lawler (AUS) 15.76</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. Alejo Muniz (BRA) 14.33</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>GWM Sydney Surf Pro Presented By Bonsoy Women’s Final Results:</strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">1. Isabella Nichols (AUS) 15.27</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. Erin Brooks (CAN) 12.43</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>GWM Sydney Surf Pro Presented By Bonsoy Men's Semifinal Results:</strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">HEAT 1: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 15.10 DEF. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 12.87</div><div style="text-align: justify;">HEAT 2: Jordan Lawler (AUS) 13.90 DEF. Gatien Delahaye (FRA) 13.20</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>GWM Sydney Surf Pro Presented By Bonsoy Women’s Semifinal Results:</strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">HEAT 1: Erin Brooks (CAN) 16.57 DEF. Nadia Erostarbe (EUK) 6.16</div><div style="text-align: justify;">HEAT 2: Isabella Nichols (AUS) 12.63 DEF. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 10.16</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>GWM Sydney Surf Pro Presented By Bonsoy Men's Quarterfinal Results:</strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">HEAT 1: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 14.40 DEF. Ian Gouveia (BRA) 9.54</div><div style="text-align: justify;">HEAT 2: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 14.43 DEF. Samuel Pupo (BRA) 11.33</div><div style="text-align: justify;">HEAT 3: Jordan Lawler (AUS) 16.43 DEF. Eli Hanneman (HAW) 15.90</div><div style="text-align: justify;">HEAT 4: Gatien Delahaye (FRA) 13.00 DEF. Taro Watanabe (USA) 10.70</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For more information, please visit <a href="https://www.worldsurfleague.com/" target="_blank">WorldSurfLeague.com</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Next Stop on the 2024 Challenger Series: Ballito Pro Presented by O'Neill</strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The next stop on the 2024 Challenger Series will be the <a href="https://www.worldsurfleague.com/events/2024/cs/235/ballito-pro/main" target="_blank">Ballito Pro Presented by O'Neill</a>. The competition window opens on Monday, July 1, and closes on Monday, July 8, 2024. The competition will be broadcast LIVE on <a href="https://www.worldsurfleague.com/" target="_blank">WorldSurfLeague.com</a> and the free <a href="https://www.worldsurfleague.com/app" target="_blank">WSL app</a>. <a href="https://www.worldsurfleague.com/waystowatch" target="_blank">Check out more ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>The 2024 GWM Sydney Surf Pro Presented by Bonsoy is proudly sponsored by GWM, Destination NSW, Bonsoy, Northern Beaches Council, NRMA, Vaikobi, Boost Mobile, Coopers, Oakberry, Bioglan, Bailey Ladders, Bond University, and Weatherguard.</em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For more information, please visit <a href="https://www.worldsurfleague.com/" target="_blank">WorldSurfLeague.com</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>