NSSA Southwest Open Event #3 — Ponto, Carlsbad 2026
About this event
The National Scholastic Surfing Association brings Southwest Open Event #3 to Ponto in Carlsbad on October 17-18, 2026, now with a consequential event-week schedule change. NSSA's current first-party October 14 post says the divisions left unfinished from Event #2 at Huntington Beach - Mini Grom U12, U10 Boys, Women's, Girls U16, Super Girls U14 and Mini Grom Girls U12 - will make up their Event #2 competition at Ponto on Saturday, October 17. Event #3 still runs for all Open divisions across the weekend. The organizer's exact update places Men's, Juniors U16 and Boys U14 Event #3 preliminaries on Saturday; any remaining rounds for those divisions plus Event #3 Mini Grom, U10 Boys, Women's, Girls, Super Girls and Mini Grom Girls are assigned to Sunday. The post does not explicitly place Longboard or U10 Girls by day, so those entrants must check NSSA or LiveHeats before travel. NSSA forecasts solid 4-6 foot swell, but exact first calls, heat times, check-in and awards timing remain unpublished and conditions can change. All 11 Event #3 variants remained visibly available in the official shop during the October 16 audit. Because the regular deadline passed October 13 at 5:00 PM Pacific, current checkout prices reflect late entry: $170 for Men's, Juniors, Longboard, Boys, Women's and Girls; $145 for Mini Grom, Super Girls and Mini Grom Girls; and $130 for U10 Boys and U10 Girls. Acceptance remains space-dependent; do not interpret an active selector as guaranteed seeding. Current NSSA membership is separate and required. The public may watch free from the beach; parking may cost extra. Monitor the exact organizer post, official schedule and LiveHeats immediately before arrival.
At a glance
Open Season is NSSA’s highest regional level and is open to student surfers who hold current NSSA membership. It is not described as invitation-only. Current 2026–27 shop divisions use age cutoffs as of January 1, 2027. Competitors seeking West Coast Championships qualification must physically surf five of the seven Southwest Open events; the organizer publishes limited make-up rules.
open
Ponto Beach
In person
Event links
NSSA 2026–27 Southwest Open live schedule
NSSA Southwest Open schedule page
NSSA Southwest Open entry shop
Southwest Open Men’s entry product and Event #3 variant
NSSA — How to Compete
NSSA membership
California State Parks — South Carlsbad State Beach
Visit Carlsbad — South Ponto Beach
California coast beach-access resources
Directions to South Ponto Beach
NSSA event-week Ponto update and Event #2 makeup notice
NSSA live heats, draws and results
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