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> News > Isabella Nichols and Jordan Lawler Take the Win at 2024 GWM Sydney Surf Pro

surfing News

Isabella Nichols and Jordan Lawler Take the Win at 2024 GWM Sydney Surf Pro

Pictured: Winners of the 2024 GWM Sydney Surf Pro Presented by Bonsoy Jordan Lawler (AUS) and Isabella Nichols (AUS). Image credit: / WSL / Cait Miers

15 May 2024

- Nichols Goes Back-to-Back at GWM Sydney Surf Pro - Lawler Claims Biggest Career Win on Home Soil - 16-Year-Old Erin Brooks Finishes Runner-Up in Third-Consecutive Challenger Series Final - Former Championship Tour Competitor Alejo Muniz Earns Second-Place Result

Isabella Nichols (AUS) and Jordan Lawler (AUS) claimed victory at the GWM Sydney Surf Pro presented by Bonsoy, 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.

Lawler Claims Biggest Career Win on Home Soil

North Narrabeen local Jordan Lawler (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.

“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.”

In the 35-minute Final, Lawler came up against former Championship Tour (CT) competitor Alejo Muniz (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.

“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.”

Nichols Goes Back-to-Back at GWM Sydney Surf Pro

Only three weeks after falling short of the Mid-season Cut and being relegated from the Championship Tour to the Challenger Series, Isabella Nichols (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 Sally Fitzgibbons (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.

“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.”

Nichols saved her best performance for last when she came up against the form surfer of the Challenger Series, Erin Brooks (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.

“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.”

Erin Brooks and Alejo Muniz Finish Runners-Up

Today Erin Brooks (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.

“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.”

Alejo Muniz (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.

“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.”

For highlights from the GWM Sydney Surf Pro Presented by Bonsoy, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

GWM Sydney Surf Pro Presented By Bonsoy Men's Final Results:

1. Jordan Lawler (AUS) 15.76

2. Alejo Muniz (BRA) 14.33

GWM Sydney Surf Pro Presented By Bonsoy Women’s Final Results:

1. Isabella Nichols (AUS) 15.27

2. Erin Brooks (CAN) 12.43

GWM Sydney Surf Pro Presented By Bonsoy Men's Semifinal Results:

HEAT 1: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 15.10 DEF. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 12.87

HEAT 2: Jordan Lawler (AUS) 13.90 DEF. Gatien Delahaye (FRA) 13.20

GWM Sydney Surf Pro Presented By Bonsoy Women’s Semifinal Results:

HEAT 1: Erin Brooks (CAN) 16.57 DEF. Nadia Erostarbe (EUK) 6.16

HEAT 2: Isabella Nichols (AUS) 12.63 DEF. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 10.16

GWM Sydney Surf Pro Presented By Bonsoy Men's Quarterfinal Results:

HEAT 1: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 14.40 DEF. Ian Gouveia (BRA) 9.54

HEAT 2: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 14.43 DEF. Samuel Pupo (BRA) 11.33

HEAT 3: Jordan Lawler (AUS) 16.43 DEF. Eli Hanneman (HAW) 15.90

HEAT 4: Gatien Delahaye (FRA) 13.00 DEF. Taro Watanabe (USA) 10.70

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Next Stop on the 2024 Challenger Series: Ballito Pro Presented by O'Neill

The next stop on the 2024 Challenger Series will be the Ballito Pro Presented by O'Neill. The competition window opens on Monday, July 1, and closes on Monday, July 8, 2024. The competition will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app. Check out more ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners.

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.

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

About the WSL

The World Surf League (WSL) is the global home of competitive surfing, crowning World Champions since 1976 and showcasing the world’s best surfing. The WSL oversees surfing’s global competitive landscape and sets the standard for elite performance in the most dynamic playing field in all of sports. With a firm commitment to its values, the WSL prioritizes the protection of the ocean, equality, and the sport’s rich heritage, while championing progression and innovation.

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.