Flying Diamonds Family Dominates at the Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic
The Flying Diamonds Family Dominates at Bells Beach
Bells Beach recently witnessed a spectacular showdown as the Flying Diamonds family took center stage, showcasing their exceptional skills and innovative fin designs. This iconic lineup featured remarkable performances from both male and female athletes, making this year's competition one for the books.
Celebrating the Champs
First things first: A massive congratulations to this year's champions, Taylor Jensen and Soleil Errico! Jensen clinched his victory riding the Power Drive, while Errico dominated on CJ Nelson’s Power Flex. Their triumphs are a testament to their talent, dedication, and equipment.
But they weren’t the only ones making waves—Nearly 25% of all athletes in the competition were riding FD fins. 50% of the surfers in the Quarterfinals ride Flying Diamonds fins and 5 out of 8 surfers in the two Semifinal heats. These include Taylor Jensen, Kai Sallas, Ben Skinner, Kaniela Stewart, Kevin Skvarna, Tony Silvagni, Rogelio Jr. Esquivel, and Ignacio Pignataro and Taka Inouye. The ladies weren’t far behind, with Kelis Kaleopa'a, Soleil Errico, and Keani Canullo representing in style. In the men's quarter-finals, an impressive six out of eight athletes were riding Flying Diamond Fins.
Waves, Skills, and Big Scores
The waves at Bells Beach were solid and contestable, providing ample opportunities for surfers to score big, and the athletes did not disappoint.
Nail-Biting Victories
One of the most thrilling moments of the competition was the 3x World Champ's narrow victory over fellow FDOC teammate and WSL Wildcard Kevin Skvarna by just a .27 scoring difference. This win propelled Jensen into the semi-finals, where he faced off against another FDOC teammate, Kai Sallas, in a highly anticipated rematch.
Epic Rematch in the Semi-Finals
The men's semi-finals featured a rematch between Taylor Jensen and Kai Sallas, each riding their signature fins. Taylor opted for his Power Drive, while Kai rode his Spiral. The competition was fierce, with both surfers pushing their limits. Last year, Kai Sallas emerged victorious, but this year, Taylor Jensen turned the tables, carrying his momentum all the way to the finals.
Outstanding Performances
Kai Sallas and Ben Skinner both delivered outstanding performances, each securing equal third-place finish in the semi-finals. Ben Skinner showcased his skills using his Sub Center fin, while Kaniela Stewart impressed in earlier heats with his signature fin, ultimately finishing 5th in the quarterfinals.
Women's Competition Shines Bright
On the women's side, Kelis Kaleopa'a impressed with her SALLAS X KELIS personal model, securing a spot in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Soleil Errico rode CJ Nelson's Power Flex fin to victory, capturing the prestigious Bells title. Adding to the excitement, Keani Canullo made her WSL wildcard debut, bringing fresh energy and enthusiasm to the competition. Her presence highlighted the emerging talent in the sport and the bright future of surfing.
Flying Diamonds: DNA
We work with some of the best surfers in the world to develop their personal “dream quiver” of fins. Fins that they have developed and honed to achieve the exact outline, foil, flex, and feel for their style of surfing and the boards that they use every day. We then bring their exact fins to market so all surfers can enjoy the same performance as these elite athletes do.
