Oceanside CA— The Paul Mitchell Supergirl Pro — the largest all-women’s surf contest in the world and the only WSL Women’s QS6000 event in the continental U.S. — wrapped day two in front of packed crowds at the Oceanside Pier as Supergirl Pro veterans battled with newcomers to earn a coveted spot in todays Round of 16. Fourteen of 17 competitors from the Women’s Championship Tour (CT) contested some of the best QS standouts in three-to-four foot wave conditions.
Two-time Paul Mitchell Supergirl Pro champion Sage Erickson (USA) began her campaign to claim her third title and a chance to earn the most #1 spots in the event’s nine-year history Saturday morning in Round Five with a heat victory and an 8.10. Coco Ho (HAW), who also won two previous Supergirl pink capes, advanced to Sunday’s heats to join Erickson in vying for a shot at a historic third championship.
Advancing into the Round of 16 with a runner-up performance in her second heat of the day, Erickson feels right at home and ready for tomorrow’s challenges. Her presence is recognized from anywhere on the beach, as all the young and aspiring surfer girls surround her as she leaves the water. “The camaraderie at this event is so great,” Erickson said. “I keep asking myself what the winning formula is for having success here in the past and can’t really attribute to anything else but my family and friends here supporting me. It’s the most amazing feeling to have that support coming from all the younger girls and its an opportunity for us to step up and be role models for the younger girls who come out to watch.”
Topping Erickson in her second heat win of the day, Meah Collins (USA) broke new ground in her Paul Mitchell Supergirl Pro and QS career by advancing into Round Seven. The Huntington Beach, Calif. native is finding more and more success on the QS this year at the young age of 16. Still plenty of time to gain the vital experience needed to become a full-time professional surfer, Collins is relishing the opportunity to be in tomorrow’s final day of action.
“I’m so ecstatic right now,” Collins said. “I’ve never done well in this contest, just never putting together the performance I needed, so to make it the farthest I have in any QS event is so great. I’m so in awe of surfing against these girls and just want to keep progressing so I can surf against even more of the top pros.”
Making her third consecutive appearance at the contest, 14-year-old phenom Caroline Marks (USA), from Melbourne, FL, also earned a spot in the final 16 for the very first time. Marks held her own against CT powerhouses in today’s heats and ultimately advancing alongside WCT #3-ranked Carissa Moore (HAW) in Saturday’s Round of 24.
“I’m super stoked to make the Round of 16 and really humbled to have moved on against so many great surfers,” Marks noted. “I’m really hungry and really excited for tomorrow. This weekend so far has been great, the waves have been so much fun and Supergirl is just such a cool event. It’s not just a surf contest. There’s a skate contest, and music… there are so many things to experience.”
The free event comes to a close today and will feature live performances on the Supergirl stage with concerts by multi-platinum artist Daya, Olivia Holt, and Alexi Blue, plus the new Supergirl Leadership Summit, meet-and-greets with top pros, Supergirl Skate Pro skateboarding presented by Active Ride Shop, a Celebrity Surf Contest, a beer garden, and complimentary hair styling by Paul Mitchell in their on-site style salon.
SUNDAY CONTEST AND EVENT SCHEDULE

• 8:15 a.m. – 11:35 a.m. Round of 16 Surf Heats
• 12 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Supergirl Leadership Summit
• 1:15 p.m. – 2:05 p.m. Surf Semi-finals
• 2 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Celebrity Surf Invitational
• 2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Paul Mitchell Supergirl Pro Surfing Finals
• 3 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Supergirl Concert Series: Olivia Holt
• 3:35 p.m. – 4 p.m. Supergirl Pro Awards Ceremony
• 4 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Supergirl Concert Series: Alexi Blue
• 5 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. Supergirl Concert Series: Daya