French female surfers shine at the 2026 US Open of Surfing
The Lexus US Open of Surfing, the second stop on the 2026 Challenger Series, is a crucial step toward the Championship Tour. In Huntington Beach, the French female surfers are determined to earn valuable points in the race for qualification.
A strong French showing right from the first round
Teams that qualified after the first day:
Aelan Vaast, Kauli Vaast's sister, continues her excellent start to the Challenger Series by winning her heat.
Tessa Thyssen proves her experience and advances to the Round of 32.
The other French women continue to gain experience competing against a very strong international field.
An ambitious new generation in France
Women's surfing in France now boasts one of the most promising lineups in the world.
With a mix of experienced female surfers and young talents, the next generation is already well established.
Among the names that will continue to headline the season:
Johanne Defay
Vahine Fierro
Tya Zebrowski
Aelan Vaast
Tessa Thyssen
This diversity allows France to consistently qualify for the final stages of the biggest tournaments.
Huntington Beach, a challenging spot
Unlike the powerful waves at Teahupo'o or Pipeline, Huntington Beach is a beach break that is constantly changing.
Female surfers must:
quickly assess the sandbars and, if necessary, weave through the Huntington Beach Pier;
choose the best TV shows;
be patient;
be able to perform a variety of maneuvers on waves that are sometimes irregular.
This versatility makes the Lexus U.S. Open a particularly challenging competition.
What are the challenges involved in qualifying for the Championship Tour?
Each qualification earns you essential points.
With only two stages completed, the standings are still wide open, but some early trends are already emerging.
A spot in the quarterfinals—or even the semifinals—can give a female surfer a significant lead in the race for the Championship Tour.
For the French women, the goal is clear: to stay in contention with the best teams ahead of their upcoming matches in Brazil, Portugal, and then Australia.
Series to Watch
The Round of 32 promises several high-level matchups.
French fans will be paying close attention to:
Aelan Vaast's upcoming series;
Tessa Thyssen's continued journey;
the entry into the competition of the other French competitors, Vahine Fiero and Johanne Defay;
potential matchups against the circuit's top contenders, notably Erin Brooks and Bettylou Sakura Johnson.