The 2022 World Surf League (WSL) World Championship Tour (WCT) wrapped up its 2022 season at Lower Trestles in San Clemente CA. Our pick to win the WSL World Championship, Felipe Toledo, delivered as predicted. In doing so, ASB (yours truly) ended the year with the highest winning percentage of the entire WSL betting industry. So when it comes to 2022 Haleiwa Challenger Series odds and predictions, there’s no better place for you to be than right here. Who do we like to win at Ali’i Beach Park this November/December? Read below to find out!
Note: The Action Sports Betting (ASB) crew will be on-site at Ali’i Beach Park to cover the Haleiwa Challenger. That means we will be in the middle of the action, and will be updating this article in real-time as we gain insight into who’s hot, who’s not, who may be injured, and who may have partied a little too hard the night before their heat/s. Check back often for updates!
Click the banner to signup and bet on the WSL
Betting Preview for the WSL Haleiwa Challenger Series Men’s Surfing Competition Running from November 26 to December 7 2022
Where: Haleiwa Ali’i Beach Park, Oahu
When: Waiting period runs from November 26 to December 7, 2022
Betting Lines: View WSL betting odds
Streaming Broadcast: WSL website / WSL YouTube
Online Commentary: BeachGrit
FAVORITES
Jack Robinson: 5/1 Odds
WCT Ranking: No.3
Jack Robinson is seething after a very poor performance at the WSL Finals at Lower Trestles. He now looks to this Challenger Series event as an opportunity to remind everyone why he was No.2 in the world at the end of the regular season. Haleiwa is a great place for the Australian to do exactly that. Robbo’s antics at Ali’i Beach Park during the digital VANS Triple Crown events have already become a thing of legend. Then there’s his 2nd place finish at the Haleiwa Challenger last year which backs up his recent authority at the powerful right-hand wave. A Robinson win is predicated on prime swell conditions, but that shouldn’t be a problem. With the way the winter seasons have been shaping up on the North Shore over the last few years, the event will likely run in its WNW sweet spot.
Ethan Ewing: 5/1 Odds
WCT Ranking: No.4
This 5’11” regular footer had a breakout year in 2022. Ethan Ewing chalked-up three 3rds which included Sunset Beach, Bells Beach, and Margaret River along with a big win at Jeffrey’s Bay. The implications are clear – his performances at heavy right-handers this year have been second to none. A strong performance at Haleiwa is essentially a foregone conclusion for Ethan Ewing.
Leonardo Fioravanti: 8/1 Odds
WCT Ranking: Not Ranked
Challenger Series Ranking: No.1
The Italian Stallion has been ripping through the Challenger Series in 2022. He boasts a recent win at the EDP Vissla Pro Ericeira along with a pair of 3rds and a 5th, which has him sitting atop the CS rankings. Fioravanti also has a record of strong performances at Haleiwa, with a 2nd place finish in 2019 and a 5th position in 2018. The Roman is on a roll, and a win at the final Challenger Series event of the annum would make for the perfect conclusion.
SLEEPERS
Zeke Lau: 10/1 Odds
WCT Ranking: Not Ranked
Challenger Series Ranking: No.5
It appears as if Zeke Lau’s on-again off-again relationship with the WCT will persist. In fact, as long as Ali’i Beach Park is a stop on the Challenger Series he’s almost certain to make the cut for the first half of the WCT season. Zeke’s a beast at Haleiwa, even if his results don’t always show it. He did garner a 5th at the Haleiwa Challenger in 2021, which sealed his return to the World Championship Tour at the onset of 2022. Prior to last year, his most notable result at Ali’i (when it was known as the Hawaiian Pro) was a 3rd in 2015. He doesn’t have a great record at this wave by any means, but if you watch his free-surfs during a big WNW swell you’ll witness the Hawaiian’s raw power shine through. If conditions allow Lau to make his hard turns while weaker competitors crumble, he could very well win this thing. Furthermore, with his victory at the 2022 VANS US Open of Surfing, Zeke simply needs a strong result to clinch his spot on the WCT for 2023. He’s extra motivated, making him an excellent sleeper pick.
Kanoa Igarashi: 15/1 Odds
WCT Ranking: No.5
Despite sitting comfortably as a top ranked WCT surfer over the last few years, Kanoa Igarashi has shown that he is not afraid to put time-in on the WQS and Challenger Series. While Kanoa may not come to mind as a contender at Haleiwa, it’s worth reminding bettors that he came in 3rd at the Haleiwa Challenger just last year. And like Jack Robinson, Igarashi is feeling the sting after missing an opportunity at the WSL Finals two months ago. Expect the pride-driven Japanese-American to put forth a concerted effort to win at Ali’i this November/December. He has all of the talent and experience required to claim victory.
LONG SHOT
Joao Chianca: 20/1 Odds
WCT Ranking: Not Ranked
Challenger Series Ranking: No.18
On paper, Joao Chianca is correctly labelled as long shot to win an event. However, anyone who watched this kid at the onset of the 2022 WCT season can attest to the fact that he’s got something special. The young gun is not afraid to take it to the heavy hitters on the World Championship Tour. His performance at the 2022 Billabong Pro Pipeline was beyond impressive, leaving many to believe that he beat an in-form John John Florence in their heat. Further, Chianca almost won the 2022 VANS US Open of Surfing in Huntington this August. A win at Haleiwa would help the Brazilian’s campaign to keep the buzz going and eventually get back on the WCT.
2022 WSL HALEIWA CHALLENGER SERIES MEN’S WINNER PREDICTION
Jack Robinson concludes the 2022 “WSL season” on a high note by winning the Haleiwa Challenger.
Click the banner to signup and bet on the WSL