(l-r) Avalon Gall of the United States and Tommy Coleman of the United States after winning the Final at the Lexus US Open of Surfing on July 28, 2026 at Huntington Beach, California, United States. ©World Surf League. CR: Tommy Pierucki/World Surf League.
By PETERSON GONZAGA
Front Row Features
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA.— Avalon Gall successfully defended her Lexus US Open of Surfing longboard title Sunday, while wildcard Tommy Coleman capped a breakthrough week by winning the men’s championship in his first World Surf League Longboard Tour event.
Gall, a 23-year-old from Laguna Beach, California, became the first woman to win consecutive US Open longboard titles since the event returned to the WSL schedule. Her victory follows fellow American Rachael Tilly’s triumph in 2025 and reinforces Gall’s status as one of the top contenders for the 2026 WSL Longboard world title after finishing second in last year’s rankings.
“I really can’t believe it,” Gall said. “It was such a fun day and so many good waves. I’m just really happy.”
Gall rallied in the final against Japan’s Hiroka Yoshikawa after trailing midway through the heat. She posted a 6.00 before capitalizing on a priority mistake by Yoshikawa, earning a 7.83 with a polished noseride and strong rail surfing to secure the victory.
Gall advanced to the championship heat by defeating two-time event winner Kelis Kaleopa’a of Hawaii in the semifinals.
Yoshikawa, competing in just her second career Longboard Tour final, continued her breakout performance after eliminating three-time world title runner-up Chloe Calmon of Brazil in the quarterfinals and Sophia Culhane of Hawaii in the semifinals.
“This stage is my dream,” Yoshikawa said. “I was just trying to find the good waves and show my surfing and my style.”
Tommy Coleman of the United States surfing in the finals at the Lexus US Open of Surfing on July 28, 2026 at Huntington Beach, California. ©World Surf League. CR: Megan Youngblood/World Surf League.
On the men’s side, Coleman completed a Southern California sweep with an improbable run to the title. The 22-year-old from San Clemente competed as a wildcard on a board he hand-shaped only days before the competition began.
“It’s pretty cool. I don’t really know what to say, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to surf as a wildcard,” Coleman said. “I’ve been watching all these guys surf my whole life.”
Coleman defeated Australia’s Declan Wyton in the final with a two-wave total of 14.00 out of a possible 20. After Wyton briefly took the lead with a 6.00, Coleman answered with rides worth 6.50 and 7.50 to pull away. Wyton needed an 8.00 in the closing minutes but was unable to find a scoring wave.
Coleman’s path to the title included victories over former world No. 3 John Michael Van Hohenstein of Hawaii, reigning Longboard Tour runner-up Edouard Delpero of France, 2023 event champion Kaniela Stewart of Hawaii and Jomarie Ebueza of the Philippines.
Wyton, who reached his second career Longboard Tour final, said the runner-up finish was an encouraging start to the season.
“If you told me before I got here that I’d make the final, I would’ve been over the moon,” Wyton said. “So much respect to Tommy and how he surfs.”
The Lexus US Open of Surfing marked the opening event of the 2026-27 World Surf League Longboard Tour season.
The tour resumes Dec. 2-6 at the Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic in Australia.
