Round 1 was completed for all classifications, with Round 2 kicking off the elimination rounds in multiple divisions. Most divisions are functioning in a round robin format, meaning that positioning on the overall leaderboard for each division determined who continued in competition and who was eliminated.
Trickier conditions in the afternoon meant that the leaderboards in the Men’s Prone 2, Stand 3 and Prone 1 classifications didn’t see too much of a shake-up.
Competing in his first WSPC, Caleb Swanepoel (RSA) is extremely proud to represent his country. The 27-year-old shark attack survivor lost his leg in 2015.
“Everyone thinks, ‘Shark attack survivor, you must have been a surfer,’ but I actually only learned to surf after I lost my leg,” Swanepoel said. “I was actually bodysurfing with my brothers when there was a great white shark in the water in South Africa. It came for me, took my whole right leg off above the knee. It’s a miracle that I’m still here today.
“The journey to surfing happened a few years after that. I say that the ocean has taken away from me, but it’s also given a lot back. It’s a privilege to wake up every single day and know that life’s a gift, so make the most of every single day.”
Competition will resume at Pismo Beach Pier with Women’s Stand 2, Round 2 at 7am, Thursday, December 8.