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Natural Selection Surf: the strike mission competition in the rawest waves

Natural Selection Surf: twelve surfers competing in consequential waves and raw environments | Photo: Red Bull

There was a time in the history of professional surfing when there were talks and rumors about creating a parallel "rebel" tour.

All eras have their heydays and downfalls.

After taking surfing into the mainstream stage in the 1990s and 2000s, the ASP World Tour started to lose its mojo and momentum around the 2010s.

At some point, Kelly Slater was (rightfully or not) involved in designing an alternative pro surfing circuit that could meet the fan's desire to see something different and new.

The rebel tour never quite materialized, and the World Surf League soon took over.

The Natural Selection Tour Concept

Sometimes, change is the only way to get things moving forward.

Created by snowboarder Travis Rice, the Natural Selection Tour (NST) brings together the world's top athletes - from Olympians to film legends - to compete in some of the most breathtaking and untamed places on Earth.

At its core, Natural Selection is about more than competition - it's a mission to inspire a deeper connection with Mother Nature while also blending elite athleticism and breathtaking cinematography.

It all started in the white powder cliffs.

Then, four years after creating the first Natural Selection snowboarding event, Rice expanded the concept to four disciplines: surfing, biking, snowboarding, and skiing.

The inaugural Natural Selection Tour Surf unfolds in Micronesia, where surfers chase a perfect swell on a secluded reef in a raw and unpredictable environment.

The event is guided by legendary surf explorer Martin Daly, adding an element of old-school surf exploration.

The goal is to have 12 top surfers ride massive, untamed, consequential waves fueled by powerful ocean swells.

Unlike traditional contests, the judging is based on instinct and artistry, focusing on performance and connection with the ocean rather than rigid scoring systems.

NST Surf aims to become a strike mission-based movement. The judging panel includes Brad Gerlach, Pam Burridge, and Ian Crane.

Who gets invited to the Natural Selection Tour? According to Travis Rice and his team, "The mad ones."

In other words, the surfers who thrive on spontaneity, embrace challenges head-on, and bring unpredictable, raw energy to the lineup.

The NST seeks powerful, sometimes unpolished, occasionally unproven, but undeniably talented athletes who live for adventure, compete with a rebellious edge, and are the kind of people you'd want on a surf trip for weeks - always ready, always down.

The Inaugural Surf Roster

Every surfer is taking their A-game to Natural Selection. The first 12 members of the inaugural NST Surf are:

Michael February

South Africa's Michael "Mikey" February is pure style on a surfboard - effortless, smooth, and endlessly emulated. While he's settled into a dream life of free surfing, NST will hopefully reignite his competitive fire. The experimental format is the perfect playground for his unique flow and precision.

Coco Ho

Hawaiian surf royalty Coco Ho brings a perfect blend of grace and grit to every lineup. With a legendary competitive career and a free-spirited approach, she makes surfing look fun, effortless, and inspiring. At NST Surf, she balances carefree flair with fierce determination - proving why she's an icon.

Kauli Vaast

Tahiti's Kauli Vaast is built for heavy waves, and the shallow reef of NST Surf is right in his wheelhouse. A gold medalist and future competitive star, he takes on Micronesia's waves like a seasoned warrior - plus, his fishing skills keep the crew well-fed.

Milla Brown

At just 17, Australia's Milla Brown is already a force. Fearless in massive barrels, stylish in the air, and sharp-witted on land, she's a glimpse into surfing's future. She arrives at NST Surf and is ready to send it.

Noah Beschen

Whether threading monster barrels or launching insane airs, Noah Beschen does it all with a smile. A natural fit for NST Surf, he brings his signature spontaneity and stoke to every wave, making him one of the event's most electrifying riders.

Eithan Osborne

Wild, raw, and relentless, Eithan Osborne turns NST Surf into his personal playground. From charging waves to going full survival mode - hunting, fishing, even sacrificing his hair - he lived every moment to the fullest. Unpredictable? Always. Entertaining? Absolutely.

Anne dos Santos

Brazil's Anne dos Santos never hesitates - if a wave looks terrifying, she's paddling for it. From Teahupoo to Jaws, she's proven herself on the world's heaviest breaks. In Micronesia, she shows up, sends it, and solidifies her rep as a fearless charger.

Victor Bernardo

No one surfs quite like Victor Bernardo. Stylish, explosive, and always switching up his boards, he keeps everyone guessing. At NST Surf, his creative lines and crazy air game make every session must-watch surfing.

Kirra Pinkerton

California's Kirra Pinkerton has been on the verge of a breakout for years - NST Surf proves she's already arrived. With powerful turns and fearless commitment, she makes it clear she isn't just here to compete - she is here to dominate.

Harry Bryant

Aussie wildcard Harry Bryant is equal parts raw talent and full-send mentality. He brings his "six beers a day" energy to NST Surf and backs it up with powerful, no-nonsense surfing - turning chaos into controlled brilliance.

Alan Cleland Jr.

Mexico's Alan Cleland Jr. is a throwback to surfing's golden era - passionate, fearless, and unapologetically himself. Whether charging Teahupoo or winning the U.S. Open, he's all-in, all the time. At NST Surf, he makes sure everyone knows his name.

Soli Bailey

Tube maestro Soli Bailey lives for perfect barrels, making NST Surf's reef break his dream setup. Always ready to drop everything for a strike mission, he brings elite wave-reading skills, fishing expertise, and an easygoing vibe - an absolute legend to have on board.

2025 Natural Selection Surf | Semifinals and Finals

Men's Semifinals

Eithan Osborne (USA)
Alan Cleland Jr. (MEX)

Soli Bailey (AUS)
Noah Beschen (HAW)

Women's Final

Milla Coco Brown (AUS)
Kirra Pinkerton (USA)


Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com



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