Huntington Beach, CA – The 2025/26 World Surf League (WSL) season is off to a strong start with a significant shift in sponsorship and a revamped points system for the Vans Jack’s Surfboards Pro, set to kick off on April 3. Vans, the iconic footwear brand based in Costa Mesa, has signed on as the new title sponsor for the event, marking a milestone in the company’s long-standing connection to surf culture in Southern California.
The Vans Jack’s Surfboards Pro is a key event on the North American Qualifying Series (QS), with past winners including world champion Caity Simmers and 2024 Rookies of the Year Sawyer Lindblad and Crosby Colapinto. The event, first held in 2017, serves as a critical stepping stone for surfers vying for a spot in the prestigious Challenger Series.
“We’re thrilled to have Jack’s Surfboards, with Jamal Abdelmuti leading the charge, on board alongside Vans to launch the QS season,” said Meg Bernardo, North America Regional Manager for WSL, in a press release. “This partnership reflects our commitment to growing the event and supporting the future of surfing.”
Jack’s Surfboards co-owner Jamal Abdelmuti echoed the sentiment, stating, “This marks the 8th edition of the Jack’s Pro, and we are proud to welcome 805 back as our presenting sponsor. With the support of our partners, we are eager to make this year’s event the biggest and best yet.”
In addition to the new sponsorship, the 2023 edition of the event will feature a major change to the points system. The WSL has announced that QS 1,000, QS 3,000, and QS 5,000 events will be elevated to QS 2,000, QS 4,000, and QS 6,000, respectively. This adjustment is aimed at improving competitive sustainability by narrowing the point disparity between lower and higher-tier events, which previously spanned five times the point difference.
The Vans Jack’s Surfboards Pro promises to be an exciting start to the season, with new energy brought by its updated sponsorship and structure. Surfers from across North America will be vying for valuable points as they begin their journey toward the Challenger Series.
The event will take place at Huntington Beach Pier, with the competition officially starting on April 3.