QS 6000 Imbituba Kicks Off Amid Controversy Over Reduced Women’s Field
- Ayelet Fuentes Guerra
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
This Wednesday, March 25, the QS 6000 of the Banco do Brasil Surf Circuit kicked off at Praia da Vila, marking the first stop of the 2026–2027 South American Qualifying Series. The event offers 6,000 points, making it a key opportunity in the race to qualify for the 2027 Challenger Series, amid controversy surrounding the reduction of the women’s field.
The event, organized by the World Surf League, runs from March 25 to 29 in the state of Santa Catarina, as part of the South American calendar and marks the beginning of the path toward the elite level of world surfing. As a result, the reduction in the women’s division has raised concerns regarding competition opportunities and representation for female surfers in the region.
The controversy emerged prior to the start of the competition, as the event initially planned for 72 female surfers. This led many athletes from across the continent to travel to Imbituba. However, once on site, several were informed that they would not be able to compete, leaving around 40 surfers out of the competition.
A total of 92 men entered the men’s field, while only 32 women secured spots in the women’s division. The situation generated criticism among athletes, particularly considering travel, accommodation, and preparation costs. Additionally, this decision mainly affected emerging surfers looking to earn their first points of the season, in what is a key stage for the development of women’s surfing in South America.
Despite the controversy, the competition is already underway and, during the opening rounds, Brazil led participation, followed by delegations from Peru, Argentina, Chile, and Ecuador. Attention is now focused on the development of the event and how this situation could impact female representation throughout the South American calendar.
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