Dana Point’s Rachael Tilly has twice taken the runner-up, silver medal spot – but this time, the surfer rode her way to gold.
The longboard surfer clinched a gold medal win at the 2025 International Surfing Association World Longboard Championship last week, continuing to make waves in the sport. The victory follows her second World Surf League World Longboard Championship earned in October.
Tilly, 27, who grew up in Capistrano Beach and learned to ride waves at nearby Doheny State Beach, used her signature style and grace during the event, which brought longboard surfers from around the world to compete in El Salvador last week.
Longboard surfing uses bigger boards, harkening back to the early-era of the sport, with riders navigating the planks of their boards with signature moves such as “Hang 10” nose rides where all 10 toes reach the tip of the surfboard; soul arches with their heads and upper back arching backward while riding; and big, sweeping turns.
“I’m absolutely speechless. This was the goal,” Tilly said in a post-heat interview. “I’ve gotten two silver medals and I really, really wanted to win gold, but I knew it was going to be a tough heat with the level of competition.”
“I can’t believe I’m standing here now,” she added. “We have such an incredible team and the support that they’ve given us here at this event is unmatched to any other event that I’ve participated in.”
It was also a stellar finish for the USA Surfing team — with Tilly’s win and other standout performances, the USA Surfing team earned silver, just behind Team France. Team Philippines took bronze and Brazil earned copper.
“This was a special team,” said team manager Bing Cosby. “They surfed with heart, supported each other, and brought out the best in one another. The support crew — from coaching to nutrition — kept everyone focused, healthy and performing at their peak.”
The team was led by San Clemente’s Coach Colin McPhillips, a three-time WSL World Longboard Champion and USA Surfing’s coach in 2018 when it won team gold.
“I really, really enjoyed my time watching their talents shine, giving advice and keeping things fun,” he said in an ISA interview.
Tilly’s performances solidify her spot among the world’s best longboard surfers. She first entered the scene as a young talent — earning her first championship at age 17 in 2015.
She also last summer won the U.S. Open of Surfing in the longboarding division.
“Rachael’s gold and this team silver represent everything USA Surfing stands for — grace under pressure, performance excellence, and deep connection to the ocean,” said Becky Fleischauer, USA Surfing CEO. “This crew gave it their all and made the U.S. proud.”
The International Surfing Association events are different than others on tour because the surfers compete as a team, cheering for the country’s athletes, whereas in most other events the surfers compete just as individuals, Tilly said.
Tilly earned her first ISA silver medal in 2013, her first-ever international event.
“Back then, I couldn’t even believe I made the finals,” she said.
She decided last year to do the event once again, and again earned a silver medal.
“I was feeling good all event and again was just happy to be in the final. Of course I wanted the gold, but was happy with my performance,” she said about the 2024 contest.
But this year, her intention was different, she said. She had already won a WSL world title at the same surf spot, El Sunzal, and said she knew she could win the event if she kept her mental game focused.
“I definitely went in with a lot of intention; that was the goal,” she said.
After living in Australia for six years, Tilly moved back to San Clemente recently, putting her near family and the waves she grew up riding.
It’s been a whirlwind year, she said, winning the WSL world title and now an ISA gold medal — and now she’s basking in the moment.
“I feel like I’m just riding the wave of it all, and I’m so grateful it is all coming together in the way it has and I’ve worked hard for it,” she said. “I’m trying to be present and enjoy it.”
But her rest won’t be for long. Soon, she’ll be training to defend her U.S. Open of Surfing title.
Up-and-comers
USA Surfing has named its 2025 ISA World Junior Championship Team and several Orange County surfers have been selected to represent the country against the world’s best junior surfers.
San Clemente has a handful of athletes, including Laird Lavik (U18 boys) King Nicol (U16 boys) Avery McDonald (U18 girls) and Eden Walla (U16), as well as Huntington Beach’s Makai Castle (U16) and Bailey Turner (U16 girls).
“This team is loaded with talent, experience and heart,” said head coach Ryan Simmons. “We’ve got a team of true competitors who love to battle, train hard, and bring out the best in each other. They’re proud to wear the USA jersey, and they’re hungry to make history.”
The location for this year’s championship has not yet been announced. Team USA earned gold in 2015 in Oceanside.
“This anniversary brings extra motivation,” Simmons said. “We’re building on a legacy, and this team has what it takes to honor that history and bring home more gold.”