8 New Surfers, 7 Challenges And $100K Up For Grabs: Surf100 Is Back

The Surf100 Challenge Series presented by Pacifico returns on June 3.

news // May 26, 2026

Words by Stab

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Presented by Pacifico.

In the mid-2000s, surf brands were swimming in cash — fueled largely by boardshort and T-shirt sales in middle America. And they were happy to share the wealth with their teams.

At the time, pro surfers didn’t need to be on tour to make a six figure salary. They didn’t even need a great cutback if we’re honest. A little talent and marketability was enough to sustain a multi-decade career and set them up for life. Mind you, even $100k at that time was worth about $153k in today’s currency.

Today, pro surfers face a different reality. The depth and breadth of global surfing talent is greater than ever, and yet our stars are getting paid less and less. Supply and demand may play a role, but our industry-wide drawback is the biggest culprit. Brands just don’t have the cash they once did to support surfers chasing the dream.

Of these eight surfers, only Jackson Bunch is sponsored by one of surfing’s legacy brands. Others have adorned their nose with a shoe/culture brand, a workout brand, a country/western brand, a surf/fish brand, and a traction/accessories brand, and one surf apparel brand. Dimitri Poulos has no main sponsor whatsoever. Photo: Billy Watts

Nowadays, making six figures is reserved for pro surfing’s 1%. The rest are lucky to survive off their sponsorship and event earnings. Many work second jobs to support their first job.

That’s why we’re supremely proud to partner with Pacifico for another season of Surf100 — their support not only allows us to create one of our favorite projects, it also gives one deserving surfer a legitimate leg up financially.

“Never do something you’re good at for free,” goes the adage. Fortunately for Dimitri, he’s got $100k dangling over this layback.

How Surf100 pres. by Pacifico works

Surf100 has two stages: the Challenge Series and the Finale.

There will be eight surfers at the start of the Challenge Series and four in the Finale.

The Challenge Series will span seven episodes, each at a different location and featuring a unique surf-based challenge. One surfer will be eliminated at every location.

Only two of our original eight surfers will survive the Challenge Series. These surfers will both advance to the Finale, where they’ll meet two additional (pre-seeded) surfers at a world-class wave.

If you’re wondering why those two surfers are pre-seeded into the Finale, you won’t once you find out who they are.

These four surfers will then partake in a 100-minute surf off. Top two waves count, as judged live by our Premium audience. Winner gets the $100k.

In 2025, Eithan Osborne took home the fan-voted title, snatching $100,000 after surviving seven challenges and one final, 100-minute surf-off against Julian Wilson, Bobby Martinez, and Sebastian Williams.

He put that money toward his first home.

Where we’re going this year

In 2026, we’ll see a mix of new and returning spots across the United States of America. Wedgy beach breaks, powerful reefs and chlorinated air sections all come into play. In addition to head judge Yadin Nicol, there will be guest judges at every stop, including Peter Mel, Brett Barley and Skip McCullough, to name a few.

Here are the venues that our surfers will visit for Surf100:

San Diego, CA (2 stops)
Santa Cruz, CA (2 stops)
Outer Banks, NC
New Smyrna, FL
Waco, TX

Just like last year, Surf100 will culminate in a 100-minute finale in pumping surf at a undisclosed location (not listed above).

Meet The Challengers

Zeke Lau

Age: 32
Hometown: Honolulu, Oahu
IG Followers: 327k
Quick word: “We all love to compete. And I just love the element of not knowing what we’re going to do.”

Dimitri Polous

Age: 23
Hometown: Ventura, California
IG Followers: 13.2k
Quick word: “Anyone at any given moment could blow up and be the one to beat.”

Big man, tight radius. Finn provides the recipe for maximum damage. Photo: Watts

Finn McGill

Age: 25
Hometown: North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii
IG Followers: 37.3k
Quick word: “We’re all weirdos, ego’d out and cocky, and we want to beat each other every day. But we’re still going to have a beer with each other after.” [a Pacifico, of course]

Jackson recently made the semifinals at Stab High. Let’s see if he can go a step further in Surf100. Photo: Wilson.

Jackson Bunch

Age: 22
Hometown: Paia, Maui, Hawaii
IG Followers: 31.1k
Quick word: “It’s an amazing opportunity. We’ve got a good crew here, and it’s going to be a battle, for sure.”

Kyuss had a few options here, and we believe he chose correctly. Photo: Watts

Kyuss King

Age: 25
Hometown: Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia
IG Followers: 81k
Quick word: “$100k up for grabs, and I don’t even know what we’re in for.”

Dakoda Walters

Age: 24
Hometown: Angourie, New South Wales, Australia
IG Followers: 30k
Quick word: “To have a chance to win $100 grand, with everyone here it’s going to take a lot of bloody good surfing.”

Benji Brand

Age: 30
Hometown: Haleiwa, Hawaii
IG Followers: 43.5k
Quick word: “Can’t really have a strategy if you don’t know what’s coming at you.”

Ryan Huckabee

Age: 22
Hometown: Flagler Beach, Florida
IG Followers: 17.3k
Quick word: “I don’t think we’re all going to play nice. We might all hate each other by the end of the trip.”

Wave check for Challenge #1. It was moderately firing. Photo: Watts.

Release Schedule

The second season of Surf100 Challenge Series Presented by Pacifico goes live June 3 on Youtube, but Premium members will get to watch each episode two days early (watch your email).

Here’s the full Youtube release schedule:

Ep 1: Wednesday, June 3
Ep 2: Wednesday, June 17
Ep 3: Wednesday, July 1
Ep 4: Wednesday, July 14
Ep 5: Wednesday, July 29
Ep 6: Wednesday, August 12
Ep 7: Wednesday, August 26
Live Finale: Wednesday, September 9*

*Watch the finale online exclusively on Stab Premium, or join us in person for the big song and dance (all comers welcome, details TBA).