Oceanside, Calif. — The Super Girl Surf Festival celebrated its 20th anniversary this weekend with a final that delivered exactly the kind of moment the event was built for: a 14-year-old writing herself into the record book.

Ruby Stringfellow (USA) beat San Clemente’s Mia McLeish in Sunday’s final to become the youngest surfer ever to win the event’s signature cape, breaking a record that had stood since it was previously set by Eden Walla — the same surfer Stringfellow had to get past in the semifinals to reach the title match.

“This is insane that it’s the 20th year, and I’m the youngest to ever win, it’s just the cherry on top of the cherry,” Stringfellow said afterward. “This gives me a lot of confidence. I just want to keep continuing my surfing, keep getting results, and being the best role model I can be.”

The final lived up to the stakes. Stringfellow’s forehand carried the first exchange, and she extended her lead with a strong backhand attack before McLeish clawed back into contention with a scoring wave of her own. McLeish had one last shot in the closing seconds but couldn’t find the wave she needed, and Stringfellow closed it out.

It capped a brutal draw for the teenager, who had to work through multi-event winner Talia Swindal in the Round of 16, Tahitian CT-qualification threat Aelan Vaast in a Quarterfinal that went to the final horn, and then Walla — the reigning North America QS regional champion — in the semis.

For McLeish, the runner-up finish was a breakthrough in its own right. She fought through the Round of 96 to reach her first-ever Super Girl final, a run that will lift her from No. 45 to No. 7 in the rankings.

“It feels amazing to make a final. I put so much time into surfing, and it’s amazing to see it work out,” McLeish said. “This might be my favorite place to make my first final. Having all my family, friends, and coaches supporting me on the beach — it’s incredible.”

Home-Water Storylines

Oceanside’s own Reid Van Wagoner tried to pull off a rare double, entering both the shortboard and longboard divisions on Finals Day. She reached the Quarterfinals in shortboard before Walla ended her run, then advanced to the Semifinals in longboard before falling to defending longboard champion Alana Johnson. Two events, two tough draws, and still a run that stood out on her home beach.

“Competing in both longboard and shortboard this year was so much fun,” Van Wagoner said. “I was so excited to show my surfing on both sides of the pier. The Super Girl Pro is one of my favorite events, and I’m so happy it’s right in my backyard.”

Johnson, a Hawaii native, backed up last year’s title with a repeat win in the longboard final over San Diego’s Summer Romero, riding smooth footwork on the outside rights to seal back-to-back capes.

“It was great sharing a heat with Summer — I look up to her so much,” Johnson said. “Winning another cape feels really great. I always love coming back to Super Girl.”

Cherry Bomb and Mad Honey Bring the Energy to the Festival Village

The music lineup did its part to keep the Festival Village packed between heats. Cherry Bomb and Mad Honey both drew strong crowds on the main stage, adding to the all-female and female-fronted lineup that’s become as much a part of the Super Girl identity as the surfing itself.

Full Results — Super Girl Surf Festival, Oceanside

Final:

1. Ruby Stringfellow (USA) — 11.67
2. Mia McLeish (USA) — 11.46

Semifinals:

• Ruby Stringfellow (USA) 11.90 def. Eden Walla (USA) 10.83
• Mia McLeish (USA) 12.14 def. Eweleiula Wong (HAW) 10.64

Quarterfinals:

• Ruby Stringfellow (USA) 10.77 def. Aelan Vaast (PYF) 10.66
• Eden Walla (USA) 13.00 def. Reid Van Wagoner (USA) 11.30
• Mia McLeish (USA) 10.30 def. Chelsea Tuach (BRB) 9.67
• Eweleiula Wong (HAW) 11.33 def. Lanea Mons (USA) 2.10

Round of 16:

• Aelan Vaast (PYF) 9.67 def. Kohai Fierro (PYF) 8.04
• Ruby Stringfellow (USA) 10.17 def. Talia Swindal (USA) 7.70
• Reid Van Wagoner (USA) 11.90 def. Lola Fleming (USA) 6.76
• Eden Walla (USA) 9.77 def. Zoe McDougall (HAW) 8.23
• Mia McLeish (USA) 12.17 def. Moana Jones Wong (HAW) 12.00
• Chelsea Tuach (BRB) 9.83 def. Vaihitimahana Inso (HAW) 7.16
• Lanea Mons (USA) 11.37 def. Kaikora Nauenberg (USA) 9.17
• Eweleiula Wong (HAW) 11.00 def. Zoie Zietz (NLD) 6.23