Malia Ilagan and Tony Silvagni Win Coastal Edge Steel Pier Classic Presented by Katin
Ilagan Earns Fourth LQS Win In Dominant Form, First Steel Pier Classic Win, Silvagni Goes Back-to-Back, Plays Ultimate Spoiler In North America Finale, Plus Van Wagoner and Diaz Claim 2025/2026 North America Longboard Regional Victories
Author: WSL
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., USA (Monday, May 25, 2026) - Today, Malia Ilagan (ASM) and Tony Silvagni(USA) claimed wins at Coastal Edge Steel Pier Classic Presented by Katin, a men's and women's World Surf League (WSL) Regional Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) 1,000-level event, in clean, less consistent two-to-three-foot conditions to test competitors' patience and ability to capitalize when opportunities arose. Ilagan and Silvagni found their chances to show a high-caliber of style and poise under pressure amid the North America Longboard Regional title scenarios unfolding. Through Ilagan and Silvagni's performances, Lia Diaz (CRC) and Jack Van Wagoner (USA) earned the 2025/2026 regional victories after Cole Robbins (USA) and Cash Hoover (USA) finished runner-up in Virginia Beach.
Ilagan Earns Fourth QS Win In Dominant Form, First Steel Pier Classic Win
One of the region's premier longboarders, Malia Ilagan (ASM) earned her maiden regional victory for the 2024/2025 season and spent her rookie year on the WSL Longboard Tour in 2025. But, narrowly missing out on requalification, Ilagan returned to the regional LQS looking to rejoin the world's best. A tough result in Pismo removed her from the running, but Ilagan reminded the region's standouts that she hasn't lost her form and added a fourth LQS victory to her name today in Virginia Beach, her first Steel Pier Classic win.
"It's so exciting and the waves really provided this year. I got third two years ago and second last year, so to win it this year is really special for me," said Ilagan. "I'm just so grateful for this journey and so blessed, and it's been so awesome. Last year was a hard loss in Abu Dhabi and then getting back for the qualifiers was hard for me to recover from that. But, it feels good to get a few heat wins under my belt. Everyone is so talented and it's just super special to be able to compete alongside such amazing surfers."
Ilagan squared off with recent 2026/2027 WSL Longboard Tour qualifier Cash Hoover(USA) in the Final after eliminating regional title hopeful Liv Stokes (CAN) in the Semifinals. Ilagan found a solid start, posting a 5.50 (out of a possible 10) before Hoover answered with a 5.83, but Ilagan's 4.17 backup had her in a slim lead. Then, Ilagan tapped into her Finals Day form and posted a 6.00 before locking into a 1st Street Jetty gem, holding a beautiful nose ride before showcasing her footwork and rail game, and then finding more time on the nose to post a 7.17. Needing a 7.34, Hoover looked for an opportunity to match Ilagan's form, but Ilagan wasn't done and secured a massive win after posting an excellent 8.17 and claim a fourth LQS win.
Silvagni Goes Back-to-Back, Plays Ultimate Spoiler In North America Finale
One of the most in-form surfers of the event, Tony Silvagni (USA), showed his world-class caliber throughout the weekend which included the best performance in his Quarterfinal heat of an 18.67 heat total. Silvagni carried that momentum into Finals Day for back-to-back Steel Pier Classic victories. The East Coast's own held firm against West Coast standouts, No. 1 Jack Van Wagoner (USA) in the Semifinals and No. 2 Cole Robbins (USA) in the Final, playing ultimate spoiler for both in search of the 2025/2026 regional victory.
"This feels amazing. I was pushing for this whole weekend, staying focused and enjoying the moments, and having a really good time out here," said Silvagni. "I've been wanting to win this contest all year long, and I really wanted to give it my best shot to qualify for the Longboard Tour. I put in a lot of effort going to the Philippines and putting in a lot of efforts to do really well in these regional events. Virginia Beach definitely delivered some nice waves for us all weekend long, and it was a great display of longboarding the entire event. Everybody was ripping, and just stoked to get a win over such a stacked field. Our region has some of the best surfers in the world."
Silvagni and Robbins were among the event's top contenders, posting excellent scores and impressive heat totals throughout their run to the Final. But, a quick start for Silvagni and Robbins' patience had Silvagni in a solid position after posting a 6.50 to take control of the heat and a mid-range backup had Robbins needing an excellent 8.67. But, the Santa Barbara, Calif. competitor, Robbins, found his opportunity to get back into the heat and posted a 4.17 to lower his requirement to a 7.83. However, Silvagni pushed his requirement back to an excellent 8.00 after finding another chance to strike. Heading into the final moments, Robbins had priority and found a gem to showcase more of his style. But, when as the horn sounded and the score came in, it was just under at a 7.33 and Silvagni earned the victory.
Van Wagoner and Diaz Claim 2025/2026 North America Longboard Regional Victories
Jack Van Wagoner (USA) and Lia Diaz (CRC) earned the 2025/2026 North America Longboard Regional wins in nail-biting fashion. - WSL / Nichols
The No. 1 ranked surfers entering the event, Jack Van Wagoner (USA) and Lia Diaz (CRC), held firm atop the rankings leaving Virginia Beach and earned their spots on the WSL Longboard Tour for the 2026/2027 season. This marks Diaz's first regional victory, and becomes Costa Rica's first full-time Longboard Tour competitor after Ilagan's and Hoover's Semifinal wins helped secure her title.
"When I lost it was the worst day of my life. I tried so hard and it just didn't work," said Diaz. "It literally had to happen as it did for me to qualify, and it's just insane. I can't believe that I did it. I'm so excited for the Longboard Tour and to represent Costa Rica on the world stage. It's such a blessing and I'm just so stoked."
For Van Wagoner, this notches a second North America Longboard Regional victory in three seasons as he prepares to rejoin the world's best in 2026/2027. Van Wagoner, 21, waited anxiously on the side line after facing elimination by eventual winner Tony Silvagni(USA) and in the dying moments of the Final when Cole Robbins' (USA) score came just under the requirement, Van Wagoner had been confirmed once more. Now, the Carlsbad, Calif., competitor eyes a big year alongside Diaz as North America's representatives beginning in Huntington Beach.
"It was definitely a little stressful watching that last heat. It was mixed emotions rooting for Tony after he just beat me (laughs). But, I'm super stoked to be back on Tour after everything played out," said Van Wagoner. "He deserved that heat win and the event win. I feel really good heading back to the WSL Longboard Tour and the year ahead. It'll be a long year, but I'm excited and ready for Huntington Beach, so here we go."
Hoover and Robbins Finish Season with Runner-up Result
Cole Robbins (USA) gave everything trying to secure a must-win scenario. - WSL / Nichols
Reigning North America Longboard Regional victor Cole Robbins nearly surged his way all the way back to the world's best, falling one heat win short today in the Final after besting Kai McPhillips in the Semifinals. A second-place finish in Pismo Beach set up Robbins with the opportunity to requalify for the WSL Longboard Tour, but needed to win the event after Van Wagoner's Semifinal elimination. A multi-World Longboard Title contender, Robbins showed he hasn't lost his form and remains a staple competitor in any heat. Now, he awaits the call up after his buzzer-beating effort didn't surmount Silvagni's performance.
"I've gotten second place three years in a row which stings, and these East Coasters keep getting me. We were gifted some amazing waves this year, but unfortunately they went away in that Final and Tony capitalized on some early smaller opportunities," said Robbins. "Everybody was surfing great. Big congrats to Tony, and to Jack for qualifying again, and it's very competitive on this regional tour. At the end of the day, we do these contests because we're confident and we feel we belong on the Tour. I wouldn't still be here if I didn't think I had a chance at winning a World Longboard Title. I've come close so many times, and I'm not sure what the future looks like for me with the wildcard and me finishing No. 11 last year so we'll see."
Cash Hoover (USA) earned three-straight Finals in Virginia Beach with more impressive style. - WSL / Nichols
After spending 2025 among the world's best longboarders as a wildcard, Cash Hoover earned a massive victory in the Philippines at a WSL Longboard Tour qualifying event and will return in 2026/2027. Hoover's Finals appearances in Virginia Beach is flawless, winning in 2025, and now takes that momentum back to the world's best after playing spoiler to VB's own Story Martinez (USA).
"I'm really happy I got the opportunity to win the event in the Philippines and could come here with no pressure and just have fun," said Hoover. "I really wanted to win again, but to make three-straight Finals is something I can take onto the Longboard Tour later this year. It was a tough event in Huntington Beach last year so I'm hoping to do better, and hopefully I'm not a low seed again after having to surf against Rachael Tilly and Soleil Errico in the first heat every time (laughs)."
Final 2025/2026 Women's North America Longboard Regional Rankings:
- Lia Diaz (CRC)
- Liv Stokes (USA)
- Malia Ilagan (ASM)
- Cash Hoover (USA)
- Story Martinez (PUR)
Final 2025/2026 Men's North America Longboard Regional Rankings:
- Jack Van Wagoner (USA)
- Tony Silvagni (USA)
- Cole Robbins (USA)
- Kai McPhillips (USA)
- Tommy Coleman (USA)
