Sierra Kerr and Ryan Kainalo Win ABANCA Pantin Classic Galicia Pro
by: WSL PIO
Published: August 30, 2026
Ryan Kainalo (BRA) and Sierra Kerr (AUS), the winners of the ABANCA Pantin Classic Galicia Pro QS 6,000. Photo: Laurent Masurel
PLAYA DE PANTIN, Valdoviño, Galicia - Spain...Sierra Kerr (AUS) and Ryan Kainalo (BRA) won the World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series 6,000 International (QS 6,000 INTL) Stop No. 1, the ABANCA Pantin Classic Galicia Pro in three-to-four foot surf and offshore winds. It was a long week waiting for waves, but when the swell arrived, the international field of surfers really answered the call to produce some of the best surfing in Pantin for the inaugural QS 6,000 INTL. It’s a quick turnaround for the next stop in Matosinhos, Portugal at the Norte Surf Fest from Tuesday, September 1-6, 2026.
Sierra Kerr’s Progressive Surfing Secures QS 6,000 INTL Victory
Sierra Kerr (AUS), the winner of the ABANCA Pantin Classic Galicia Pro QS 6,000. Photo: Laurent Masurel
The Challenger Series leader, Sierra Kerr (AUS), added another massive victory to her name and 6,000 points that will contribute to her rankings on the path to Championship Tour (CT) qualification. Kerr, who won her first Challenger Series at the US Open of Surfing last month, was surfing with a smile and a grateful heart for being healthy and strong enough to compete and have fun doing what she loves.
“It feels so amazing,” said Kerr. “it’s been so long since I’ve won back-to-back competitions, especially after this past year. It feels great, like I’m finally coming back. It’s amazing to have my dad here, he got like a ten-point ride here back in 2005, so it’s so special that he gets to share this with me.”
Kerr opened up the Final with a 7.50 (out of a possible 10) for a long ride, a combination of strong turns with technical variety in each maneuver. The ocean slowed down and there weren’t a lot of opportunities available, and Maria Salgado (POR) struggled to find the right waves. Kerr lucked into an insider, hammering one huge turn into the closeout section for a 5.60 and it was enough to secure the victory.
Earlier in the Semifinals, Kerr put on quite a show to defeat good friend and Californian ripper, Eden Walla (USA).
“I’m stoked, it’s such a good result. Eden is such a good surfer, she’s got such a bag of tricks it’s always exciting going up against her. The conditions change so quickly out here, so it’s been fun to try and adapt to that.”
Now a two-time runner-up in Pantin, Maria Salgado (POR) had a great run and showed her versatility and skill set to earn a solid result that will count towards her Challenger Series rankings. Salgado surfed a really smart heat in the Semifinals to dispatch European QS rankings leader Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK), her lethal backhand attack and powerful forehand snaps earning her some big scores.
Ryan Kainalo Performs Under Pressure For Biggest Career Win
Ryan Kainalo (BRA), the winner of the ABANCA Pantin Classic Galicia Pro QS 6,000. Photo: Laurent Masurel
Brazil’s Ryan Kainalo was a standout from the start of the event, punting massive airs and posting excellent scores. With every heat win, the 20-year-old from Ubatuba started building confidence, making very few mistakes, strengthening the belief that he could win. His first year doing the Challenger Series full time, collecting the 6,000 points here today is a massive step in the right direction for Kainalo’s CT qualification campaign.
“I can’t believe it, I don’t have words right now,” said Kainalo. “The win wasn’t with that last wave, the win was this whole week, all the training this year leading up to this moment. It’s the belief that I could do this.”
Kainalo came head-to-head in the men’s Final with another event standout in Kobi Clements (AUS). It was an explosive heat from the start of the buzzer, with Kainalo opening with a 7.17 for his strong rail game. Clements turned up the heat with a huge two-turn combo for an 8.67. For the first time this week, Kainalo was under pressure and not leading the heat. One last opportunity came through in the final two minutes, and Kainalo started with a big carve, eyeing a ramp and landed a clean full rotation, requiring a 6.68 for the win. After the final horn sounded, the score came through at 6.77, giving Kainalo one of the biggest victories of his career.
“It’s the biggest win of my career, and with the points going to the Challenger Series rankings, I’m now in the game,” said Kainalo. “Thanks to my sponsors, my family, the Brazilian crew here supporting me on the beach. We all said one of us should win it, and I can’t believe it was me.”
Good friends and roommates, Kainalo and Ian Gouveia (BRA) met each other in the Semifinals for a fun battle for a spot in the Final, with the youngster getting the win.
An exciting clash between Jorgann Couzinet (FRA) and Kobi Clements (AUS) in the Semifinals saw Couzinet score an incredible 9.17, but with a small mid-range backup, Clements got the edge with a 13.90 (out of a possible 20) total to move onto the Final.
Stop No. 2 of the QS 6,000 INTL is the Xacobeo Norte Surf Fest in Matosinhos, Portugal, which runs from Tuesday, September 1-6, 2026.
ABANCA Pantin Classic Galicia Pro Men’s Final Results:
1- Ryan Kainalo (BRA) 13.94
2- Kobi Clements (AUS) 13.84
ABANCA Pantin Classic Galicia Pro Women’s Final Results:
1- Sierra Kerr (AUS) 13.10
2- Maria Salgado (POR) 5.17
ABANCA Pantin Classic Galicia Pro Men’s Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Ryan Kainalo (BRA) 14.03 DEF. Ian Gouveia (BRA) 5.57
HEAT 2: Kobi Clements (AUS) 13.90 DEF. Jorgann Couzinet (FRA) 13.34
ABANCA Pantin Classic Galicia Pro Women’s Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Maria Salgado (POR) 12.16 DEF. Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) 9.27
HEAT 2: Sierra Kerr (AUS) 15.00 DEF. Eden Walla (USA) 13.20
ABANCA Pantin Classic Galicia Pro Men’s Quarterfinal Results:
HEAT 1: Ryan Kainalo (BRA) 11.57 DEF. Levi Slawson (USA) 9.23
HEAT 2: Ian Gouveia (BRA) 14.94 DEF. Eden Hasson (AUS) 13.67
HEAT 3: Kobi Clements (AUS) 13.13 DEF. Hans Odriozola (DEU) 8.04
HEAT 4: Jorgann Couzinet (FRA) 14.84 DEF. Caleb Tancred (AUS) 9.93
ABANCA Pantin Classic Galicia Pro Women’s Quarterfinal Results:
HEAT 1: Maria Salgado (POR) 12.50 DEF. Carla Morera De La Vall (ESP) 8.40
HEAT 2: Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) 11.66 DEF. Nanaho Tsuzuki (JPN) 9.77
HEAT 3: Eden Walla (USA) 11.83 DEF. India Robinson (AUS) 11.00
HEAT 4: Sierra Kerr (AUS) 13.83 DEF. Anon Matsuoka (JPN) 8.97