Surfing
Surfing
Queen of the waves Molly Picklum claims her first WSL crown at Cloudbreak
The number one women's seed delivered when it mattered and surfed to her first WSL Championship Tour title at Cloudbreak, as Caroline Marks, Griffin Colapinto and Jordy Smith also make the podium.
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The 2025 WSL Championship Tour is reaching a new level of intensity as surfers tackle some of the world’s most iconic breaks. From J-Bay’s powerful barrels to other top stops, the competition is fierce and the race for the WSL world title is tighter than ever. Here’s a roundup of the latest surfing action, results, and highlights from every event on the tour.
01
Lexus WSL Finals Fiji
44 min
WSL Finals Fiji wrap show
The WSL commentary crew recap the winners and losers on a historic day of surfing at the 2025 WSL Finals Fiji.
Molly Picklum came into the Lexus WSL Finals Fiji at Cloudbreak as the in-form surfer of the women's field after wins in the previous two Championship Tour stops and she duly delivered when it mattered most by surfing to the Lexus WSL Finals Fiji win and her first World Championship crown, as Brazilian Yago Dora took home the men's title.
The 2025 WSL Championship Tour saw Picklum hold the number one ranking for most of the season after two event wins, with 2023 world champ and 2024 Olympic gold medallist Caroline Marks beating Bettylou Sakura Johnson, defending 20204 world champion Caitlin Simmers and Gabriela Bryan to set up a thrilling finale against Picklum.
Second for former champion Caroline Marks in 2025
© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool
Marks struck first in the final to win the opening waves, but after that slow start, Picklum came back with a vengeance in the second match. She posted a 15.83 two-wave total that included an 8.83 for a long tube ride, to take it to a title-deciding match. She continued the charge, posting the highest single-wave score of the event and the highest two-wave total of the finals – 16.93 points – to take an unassailable lead over Marks and become the first Australian World Champion since Stephanie Gilmore in 2022.
"I really feel like this is the cherry on top of what I've done to my career and my personal life, really turning things around," said 22-year-old Picklum. "It's such a trip and something you can never take away from me to be a world champion. To get this after such an amazing season is so special and something I'll remember for life. I'm just so grateful to get the opportunity to do what I love."
Marks had to be happy with second place and another podium finish in the WSL Finals, while Gabriela Bryan completed the end of season podium.
Griffin Colapinto scored his best-ever season with second at Cloudbreak
© Jimmy Wilson/Red Bull Content Pool
In the men's contest, 2019 champion Italo Ferreira started out strong by defeating in-form Jack Robinson 14.33 to 5.83. The Brazilian came unstuck against Griffin Colapinto in the next match however, as the American put on a surfing masterclass to reel off a 16.33 to 13.67 victory.
Colapinto dug deep next time out to end the fairy-tale season of South African veteran Jordy Smith 15.43 to 13.50, but Dora was the class act in the last match of the 2025 season and out-surfed Colapinto to take the title 15.66 to 12.33.
02
Lexus Tahiti Pro
44 min
WSL Tahiti Pro wrap show
WSL’s panel of expert analysts break down the best of the highlights and lowlights of the 2025 Tahiti Pro.
Australia's Molly Picklum reigned supreme on the fearsome waves of Teahupo’o to win her second WSL Championship Tour in a row, the Lexus Tahiti Pro, the 11th and final regular season event, to secure the leader's jersey ahead of the World Surf League Finals Fiji at the end of August.
Hot on the heels of her win at the J-Bay Open in South Africa, Picklum - the best backhand tuberider on the women's tour - eventually coming out on top in the final against reigning WSL champion Caitlin Simmers to win her first Tahiti Pro event and extend her lead in the Championship Tour rankings.
Picklum got the better of France's Vahine Fierro in the quarter-finals and then American Caroline Marks – who won Olympic gold on Teahupo'o waves last summer – in the semi-finals - thanks to a close 9.73 to 9.33 win. This set up a final against Simmers, who had seen off Australian Tyler Wright in the last eight and then Hawaiian Gabriela Bryan in the semi-finals.
Picklum put on a masterclass in huge waves during the final to triumph 17.26 to 4.94 and celebrate a second successive win as the season reaches its climax. Those two late-season wins and no less than six more podiums across the season confirmed her status as the women's favourite heading into the WSL Finals that start on August 27.
Molly Picklum's Tahitian win set up her epic Fijian world title campaign
© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool
"What a special place, Tahiti. You feel all the energy. It's just so nice. It's where the dream comes alive. And Fiji’s next; I'm going to enjoy it for what it is. I finished number one this year and that's a massive step in the right direction," said the 22-year-old.
Simmers finished the Championship Tour season ranked third with Bryan second and Marks fourth, as American Bettylou Sakura Johnson earned the fifth and final spot for the Fiji finals.
In the men's event, Jack Robinson delivered an incredible clutch performance when it mattered most to claim a crucial victory that moved him up four spots in the Championship Tour standings into fourth place and secure him a Final 5 spot at the last possible moment.
The 27-year-old, who won the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach earlier in the season, came through two close contests in the Round of 16 and quarter-finals - where he held off Brazilian Ítalo Ferreira by 15.80 to 14.07 - to set up a semi-final with American Crosby Colapinto. There, Robinson stepped up a level to win 18.10 to 11.66 and earn a crucial final place.
Jack Robinson absolutely slayed Teahupo'o to win big in 2025
© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool
In the final he faced American Griffin Colapinto and, with the bit between his teeth, he came out on top 16.90 to 13.67 in the final to book his Fiji place. Colapinto himself jumped up three places in the rankings thanks to that final appearance, securing spot third overall.
Brazilian Yago Dora ended the regular season first in the rankings, while South African Jordy Smith finished second overall as he chases a career-first world crown after 18 years on tour. 2019 world champion Ferreira took the fifth Finals spot.
Now, for the top five in each field it's on to the nail-biting, winner-takes-all Lexus WSL Finals at Cloudbreak, Fiji. Who's going to take it? We can't wait to find out.
03
Corona Cero Open J-Bay
44 min
WSL J-Bay Open wrap show
The WSL commentary team reviews the top stories and key takeaways from the 2025 Corona Cero J-Bay Open.
Hot on the heels of her win at the Vivo Rio Pro, Molly Picklum retained her lead at the at the top of the WSL Championship Tour standings thanks to a second-place finish in South Africa's Corona Cero Open J-Bay.
Molly Picklum surfed to second place at the Corona Cero Open J-Bay
© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool
The Australian had already clinched her spot in the WSL Final 5 in Brazil and arrived on the Eastern Cape riding a wave of confidence. Picklum excelled in her quarter-final heat against American Lakey Peterson, securing 15.84 points and victory to book a place in the semi-finals against the in-form Isabella Nichols. The all-Australian clash was tight, but Picklum made the most of the excellent conditions and edged it 13.64 to 12.00 to advance to the final against American Gabriela Bryan.
Having taken out 2023 world champion Caroline Marks in the semis, Bryan was full of confidence and took a narrow lead in the final with just 90 seconds left. Picklum waited for the ideal wave, but eventually ran out of time and slipped to a narrow 13.60 to 13.34 defeat.
The J-Bay Open podium
© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool
Victory meant that Bryan secured her place in the Top 5. So too did Caity Simmers, whose run to the quarter-finals was enough to secure a spot in the WSL Finals. Marks currently sits in sixth, but will be confident of delivering a strong showing at the Lexus Tahiti Pro, an event she won in 2023.
In the men’s competition, Griffin Colapinto moved to within striking distance of a place in the Top 5 after beating Japan’s Kanoa Igarashi in the quarter-finals. The American then suffered a narrow defeat in the semi-finals to eventual winner Connor O'Leary, but is now sixth in the world rankings.
The next stop on the 2025 Championship Tour will be the Lexus Tahiti Pro, which starts on August 7 and is the final regular-season event before the one-day, winner-takes-all Lexus WSL Finals at Cloudbreak, Fiji.
04
Vivo Rio Pro
44 min
WSL Vivo Rio Pro wrap show
The WSL panel hands down its verdict after the Vivo Rio Pro served up no shortage of Championship Tour drama.
Molly Picklum jumped up two places to top spot in the 2025 World Surf League's women's rankings after wrapping up victory on Sunday at the VIVO Rio Pro stop as Griffin Colapinto enjoyed an impressive week to finish second in the men's event.
Picklum is looking to land her first World Surf League title this season and, after second places at the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro and previous Lexus Trestles Pro events, she was in form and out to shine.
She topped her first heat from Caroline Marks with Canadian Erin Brooks first in Heat 1 as reigning WSL champion Caitlin Simmers was ousted by local favourite Luana Silva in the elimination round.
The Rio Pro podium
© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool
Sunday's final saw a clean, three-to-four-foot swell build throughout the day - focusing its energy on the right of Praia de Itaúna initially - before the left came to prominence as the tide and swell grew, Picklum reeling off a strong single backhand hit for a 6.83. She then posted the highest single wave score of the event for the women, an 8.17, thanks to a dramatic finish to a critical two-turn combo on the right. Her 15.00 heat total was also the highest of the event for the women as Silva failed to impress on the day.
After moving into first place overall, Picklum said: "I've worked so hard this year to really put my best foot forward. Actually, before I was going out I felt nearly emotional because I was just like, 'OK, I get another chance to try and get a victory'. I've dreamt so much of winning here in Rio, too. I'm a real energetic person, I love the Brazilian energy."
On the men's side of the contest, Colapinto put in an excellent showing to remove South African Jordy Smith - who retained his overall men's lead - in the quarter-finals with 2019 WSL champion Italo Ferreira unable to get past Australian Ethan Ewing in the final last-eight clash after a 14.43 to 13.40 showing.
Griffin Colapinto snagged the wave of the contest to score 8.23
© Camila Othon/World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool
Cole Houshmand booked his final place after defeating home hope Miguel Pupo with Colapinto edging Ewing by 14.84 to 14.20, Houshmand stepping up a gear in the final to grab the title following a brilliant performance against friend Colapinto that ended a near decade-long Brazilian win streak.
Colapinto, who found the biggest wave of the event to snap a huge backhand hit and 8.23 score, said: "Congratulations to one of my best friends for taking the win. I think [this week was about] just trusting life and not getting too stressed out about the results, and just letting the ocean call the shots because that's really what it comes down to."
05
Lexus Trestles Pro
44 min
WSL Trestles Pro wrap show
The WSL’s expert panel break down the 2025 Trestles Pro’s key takeaways, biggest stories, triumphs and upsets.
Molly Picklum earned her second runner-up spot of the 2025 Championship Tour season with another impressive performance on finals day at the Lexus Trestles Pro, while Kanoa Igarashi also finished second in Bells Beach to improve his overall ranking to third.
Igarashi, who grew up competing in Southern California, came up against Yago Dora in the final of the men's contest. The Brazilian, who overcame Griffin Colapinto in his semi-final, launched himself into the air on the first section before multiple searing carves to post a near-perfect 9.53.
Kanoa Igarashi cuts Lower Trestles to ribbons
© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool
It takes a lot more than me standing on a surfboard to get results like this, so it's been an amazing year and we aim to keep going
Igarashi answered with a 7.77, but Dora’s relentless form posted another excellent score of 8.00. A pivotal exchange at the 10-minute mark then saw Igarashi take to the air on an impressive Kerrupt Flip before finishing the wave to post an 8.30, short of the 9.51 requirement. While Igarashi took the right, Dora unleashed his forehand attack once more before finishing on an air-reverse to post an 8.37 of his own and seal his victory.
Igarashi, 27, said: “We came to California and we got blessed with amazing waves, so thank you to the surf gods. And thanks to all the fans. You guys really brought the heat this week, and you know I'm really excited to keep going the rest of the year. I’m really thankful for the waves we got this week and the team that I have around me. It takes a lot more than me standing on a surfboard to get results like this, so it's been an amazing year and we aim to keep going.”
All four finalists show off their trophies at the Lexus Trestles Pro
© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool
For her part, Picklum advanced through the women’s draw in impressive fashion and began her finals day with a blistering victory over reigning world champion Caity Simmers. The Australian took full control of the heat, posting the top single-scoring wave of the women’s 2025 CT, a 9.60 out of a possible 10.
In the final itself, Picklum came up against fellow event stand-out Bettylou Sakura Johnson, who started the heat in impressive fashion with a score of 8.00 on her first wave. The American then scored a 9.00 to heap even more pressure on her Australian adversary.
Picklum scored 9.60 in her head-to-head with Caity Simmers
© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool
I’m really happy with second place. I feel like this year, more than any other year, I've been pushed inside and outside of the water
Picklum needed to find a near-perfect score to overtake Johnson, but eventually ran out of time as she scored a combined 14.23. The second-place finish means she holds firm at number three in the rankings as she hunts a third Final 5 appearance in just her fourth season on Tour.
Picklum, 22, said: “I’m really happy with second place. I feel like this year, more than any other year, I've been pushed inside and outside of the water. I'm so happy to have gotten one over Caity Simmers as she beats me every time, and then Bettylou [Sakura Johnson], I got her a few times early on in our career, and now she's starting to get me. Every time you mention her, it's so exciting and fun for me. Obviously, you see the smile that it brings. She inspires me in the water, and it's just incredible. Everyone's just so capable of beating everyone, and I'm so happy to be here.”
06
Margaret River Pro
44 min
WSL Western Australia Margaret River Pro wrap show
The WSL team break down all the triumphs, highlights and mid-year heartbreaks at the 2025 Margaret River Pro.
Jordy Smith won the Margaret River Pro, defeating Griffin Colapinto in the final and rising to top spot in the WSL rankings. In a season defined by comebacks, Smith’s is one of the most remarkable: from an eight-year winless drought to two event victories in just two months, he now leads the world title race by 5,000 points and has seemingly unstoppable momentum as we wrap up the Australian leg of the tour.
Jordy Smith celebrates his triumph at the Margaret River Pro 2025
© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool
This latest win builds on Smith’s emotional breakthrough at the Surf City El Salvador Pro, where he stormed past former World Champion Italo Ferreira on the way to an all-South African final.
"This means everything," commented Smith. "It’s been a long road back, but I never stopped believing I could be here again. I feel strong, and I’m loving every moment on tour.
Jordy Smith carves out another event win
© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool
This means everything. It’s been a long road back, but I never stopped believing
On the women's side of the draw, reigning world champion Caity Simmers missed out in the final as Hawaiian rival Gabriela Bryan notched the highest combined score of the 2025 women's tour so far with 17.33.
The four finalists
© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool
07
Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro
44 min
WSL Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro wrap show
The WSL team dissect the top stories, triumphs and upsets of the 2025 Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro.
Kanoa Igarashi dug deep in the last-eight clash to get past recent Surf City El Salvador Pro champion Jordy Smith 14.34 to 13.84, however wildcard Julian Wilson was a different proposition in the semi-final. The Australian, who defeated championship leader Italo Ferreira in the Round of 32, got the upper hand with a great performance to book his final spot against Brazilian Filipe Toledo.
Igarashi jumped up the rankings with his Burleigh Heads performance
© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool
With Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach winner Jack Robinson defeated in the Elimination Round and Lexus Pipe Pro runner-up Leonardo Fioravanti also out early, 2022 and 2023 WSL champion Toledo took the chance to bag his first 2025 victory thanks to a brilliant final showing of 17.60.
2019 WSL champion Ferreira still leads the title race from compatriot Yago Dora, with Smith just behind in third place and Igarashi up two spots to fourth place and with momentum now behind him.
In the women's contest, American Caroline Marks couldn't replicate her MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal win from earlier in the season as she was bundled out in the last 16 by France's Vahiné Fierro. Reigning WSL champion Caity Simmers was also unlucky not to progress beyond the Round of 16 after a 12.84 to 12.50 loss to eight-time WSL champion Stephanie Gilmore
Erin Brooks took out her hero Stephanie Gilmore
© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool
That heat was so crazy, I'm so lucky that I was able to surf against Steph. I've looked up to her my whole life
Canadian Erin Brooks excelled on the other side of the draw to defeat American Lakey Peterson in the Round of 16 and then produced a masterclass in the last eight to see off Gilmore. Brooks said: "That heat was so crazy, I'm so lucky that I was able to surf against Steph. I've looked up to her my whole life and I'm just glad to get the win off of her because she's so amazing."
08
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach
44 min
WSL Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach wrap show
The WSL team analyse the highs, lows and defining moments of the 2025 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach contest.
Australian Jack Robinson won the iconic Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach event for the first time. The fifth stop of the 2025 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) saw Robinson out for his first season win after seeing the likes of Ítalo Ferreira and Jordy Smith win already this year on the circuit.
Robinson sneaked through top of a tough Heat 7 to start his challenge, then saw off Jackson Bunch in the Round of 32 with an imperious display and score of 16.13 before having an easier time of it in the Round of 16 against Filipe Toledo - thanks to a winning score of 16.53.
Jack Robinson carves it up at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach
© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool
After a long week of waiting for waves, Finals Day saw the Bells Bowl continue to deliver with semi-clean surf in the four-to-six-foot range as all finalists put on a show for thousands of fans. Robinson came up against childhood friend Kanoa Igarashi, who was contesting his first final of the season after a solid run through the field this week. Igarashi surfed multiple waves while Robinson played a patient game, only surfing two scoring waves.
After climbing up to world number three in the rankings, Robinson stated; "It's a special day. I have my whole family here, everyone is here. All my team, my whole crew. Right before the semi-finals, we were watching footage of [Joel Parkinson] Parko and Mick [Fanning] surfing Bells and I was all fired up. I drew some inspiration from those guys. I just channelled that and thought, 'be in the moment'."
Jack Robinson rings up a famous victory Down Under
© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool
It's a special day. I have my whole family here, everyone is here. All my team, my whole crew
In the women's event, defending WSL champion Caitlin Simmers, Caroline Marks, Molly Picklum and Erin Brooks all departed at the Round of 16 stage as Isabella Nichols produced a series of brilliant displays to make her way through to the final where she easily saw off Brazil's Luana Silva 16.26 to 12.67.
09
Surf City El Salvador Pro
44 min
WSL Surf City El Salvador Pro wrap show
The WSL commentary crew break down the 2025 Surf City El Salvador Pro’s winners and losers.
Jordy Smith secured his seventh championship tour victory and first in eight years as he overcame Matthew McGillivray in a historic all-South African final at the Surf City El Salvador Pro.
Smith backed up his strong start and held a commanding lead heading into the back half of the final. McGillivray was able to respond and get in the heat with a 5.00, but as time dwindled, Smith found another Punta Roca wall that allowed him to showcase more of his powerful style and post a 6.93 to take the win.
Dream come true for Jordy Smith
© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool
I wanted to ride my father’s board in this final and win on it, and to do it is incredible
Smith, whose remarkable career spans 18 years among the world’s best on the CT, said: “I think just for South Africa in general, this means a lot. I can’t believe it, to be honest. If I could dedicate this to two people, my wife and my father. I wanted to ride my father’s board in this final and win on it, and to do it is incredible."
Over in the women’s event, American Gabriela Bryan secured back-to-back Surf City El Salvador finals appearances and the second CT victory of her career. The 2022 Rookie of the Year eliminated reigning World Champion Caity Simmers in the semi-finals to book a place in the final against Isabella Nichols of Australia.
Caitlin Simmers flies down the line at Punta Roca
© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool
10
MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal
44 min
WSL MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal wrap show
Who was crowned king and queen of Supertubos? Watch highlights of finals day at MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal.
Caroline Marks put on a dominant performance at Supertubos, claiming her second Portugal title and reinforcing her status as one of the tour’s top contenders. Navigating tricky conditions, she edged out Gabriela Bryan in the final, securing her seventh career win. Meanwhile, reigning WSL champion Caitlin Simmers fell just short in the quarter-finals but retains the yellow jersey as the tour heads to El Salvador.
Marks tamed Supertubos for her second win here
© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool
It wasn't the prettiest final, but we'll take it. It was really challenging, but winning feels so good, I'm so pumped
The 2024 Olympic champion from Florida, Marks revealed: "It wasn't the prettiest final, but we'll take it. It was really challenging, but winning feels so good, I'm so pumped. The last couple of years, it felt like I was building momentum in the second half of the season, so to start off with a win and just be really consistent to be in the Finals Day for every event so far has felt really good. It feels really special to share this one with my dad. He doesn't come to many events, so to have him here is really good."
Over in the men's event, Brazilian Italo Ferreira continued his strong start to the WSL season with an impressive run to the final in Portugal. Taking down top contenders along the way, he showcased his trademark power and aerial brilliance, landing the highest single-wave score of the final.
Though compatriot Yago Dora edged him out with a creative backup ride, Ferreira’s runner-up finish keeps him firmly in the yellow jersey. With momentum on his side, he now looks ahead to El Salvador, ready to defend his lead in the title race.
This air helped Italo Ferreira take down Joel Vaughn in the Round of 16
© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool
We still have a long season ahead, so let's keep it going
Ferreira, 30, said: "It was a long week, and I was really confident, but I made a few mistakes in the Final. It's always a pleasure to compete against Yago, congratulations to him. I love this place. I have a lot of good memories. We still have a long season ahead, so let's keep it going."
11
Surf Abu Dhabi Pro
44 min
WSL Abu Dhabi Pro wrap show
The WSL commentary crew review all of the action after Caitlin Simmers's and Italo Ferreira's victories.
After the two-week-marathon of the Lexus Pipe Pro, the waves and pace of this weekend's Surf Abu Dhabi Pro could not have provided a bigger contrast. The United Arab Emirates played host to the second stop of the 2025 Championship Tour, and the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro, the first-ever WSL event to take place in the Middle East, ran flat out in three frantic days.
Griffin Colapinto gets to know the Abu Dhabi playing field
© Thiago Diz/World Surf League
Amazingly, for an event that ran in the controlled environment of the world's latest and greatest wave pool, there was no shortage of variables, as wild winds, human error, and even a sandstorm did all they could to throw curveballs at the contest. Despite all of that, or maybe because of it, the last surfers standing seemed likely from the first time they stepped in the world's first saltwater wave pool.
The winners
Italo Ferreira and the alley oop that saw him soar to the top of the podium
© World Surf League/Thiago Diz
The megawatt smile of Surf Abu Dhabi's brightest light, Italo Ferreira
© World Surf League/Manel Geada
The rail game that made Italo Ferreira the Abu Dhabi Pro's final boss
© World Surf League/Manel Geada
Italo Ferreira and coach Rainos Haynes deep in the Red Bull Athlete Zone
© World Surf League/Thiago Diz
With the momentum from his sizzling season-opening performance still maxed out, Brazilian powerhouse Italo Ferreira looked like the man to beat as he bulldozed his way through the Championship Tour field. From launching huge aerials to ripping waves to ribbons with vicious carves and tying it all together without missing a beat, rhythmical from the moment he took off till he kicked out at the other end of the pool, Italo's UAE performances were showstoppers.
Ferreira reflected on a good day's work: "That was a really great day! I was waiting for this moment! It was my first time in Abu Dhabi, and it was really special. I put all my heart into this, everything that I did was with a lot of emotion."
King Italo ascends the throne
© World Surf League/Thiago Diz
I put all my heart into this, everything that I did was with a lot of emotion
In the final, which you can watch in the video above, Ferreira came up against an Indonesian man on a mission, Rio Waida. Although the Brazilian was a clear favourite, Waida fuelled his run to the end game on spirited self-belief, pushing his bulletproof surfing to new limits and not shying away from saying how much he wanted to win in post-heat interviews.
Caity Simmers lets another win sink in
© World Surf League/Thiago Diz
The Caity Simmers roundhouse cutback that makes every surfer's heart sing
© World Surf League/Max Physick
Caitlin Simmers, sitting happy in the UAE's midday heat
© World Surf League/Manel Geada
Caity Simmers and coach Tom Whitaker laughing all the way to the podium
© World Surf League/Manel Geada
Similarly, Californian Simmers' win seemed a solid bet from her opening heat. Although Simmers' casual demeanour sits on the other end of the character spectrum to Ferreira's outgoing bombast, it can't hide the steely competitor barely buried beneath her effortlessly stylish exterior. While Ferreira's outrageous energy signals his every intent, Simmers's slacker stylings leave the viewer wondering what's coming next, as she zigs where others zag, with not a wasted movement or drop of water out of place.
"It really feels good when you can do well under pressure, it makes your mind stronger when you’re put in those situations," she explained. "It feels really good to get a win. It was crazy to see Molly did good on both of her waves so I had to get a score and was happy I got it."
Caity Simmers lets her fins sing
© World Surf League/Manel Geada
It really feels good when you can do well under pressure, it makes your mind stronger when you’re put in those situations
If Ferreira surfs quantitatively, Simmers is qualitative. Both are equally compelling viewing, both work.
Although the world champions tackle life at wildly contrasting paces, they ended the weekend in the same place, alongside each other atop the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro podium, draped in the world number one's yellow jerseys, as the CT heads to Portugal.
The rivalry
Caity Simmers and Molly Picklum: surfing's friendliest rivalry
© World Surf League/Thiago Diz
Simmers accounted for Molly Picklum in the final of the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro to take her head-to-head lead over the Aussie to a staggering 6-0. It is staggering because the two are evenly matched, as seen in last year's historic Pipeline final.
"It was fun watching Molly, and I feel like we'll be doing this a lot more in the future, so..." said Simmers. "Molly pushes me so hard, she’s a really spontaneous surfer, she’s a fun human, lot of energy, she can pull it together so well."
Molly pushes me so hard, she’s a really spontaneous surfer, she’s a fun human, lot of energy, she can pull it together so well
The talking points
Beyond the winners, there was a lot to unpack at surfing's latest wave-pool event. The main takeaway was the type of surfing required to not only encourage the panel to punch big numbers into their tablets but also win over surfing's real judges: the viewing audience.
Molly Picklum unleashes in the UAE
© World Surf League/Manel Geada
Jack Robinson flying high in the Middle East
© World Surf League/Max Physick
Jackson Bunch launched into the highest-scoring wave of the Abu Dhabi Pro
© World Surf League/Thiago Diz
It's a pool party, Abu Dhabi style
© World Surf League/Beatriz Ryder
Standard surfing was not the formula for success; if it seems safe in the ocean, you can be guaranteed that it looks bland in the pool. Those who attacked sections they might normally shy from or dared to roll the dice on lines they wouldn't take at the beach were rewarded handsomely. Jackson Bunch stole the show on the opening day, deliberately avoiding the tube to allow more runway to launch three aerials back-to-back-to-back and drop the highest score of the whole event.
Simmers' suave swerves were punctuated in the final by a foot-to-the-floor run to the shoulder, normally a wave-pool faux pas, followed by a big, on-rail roundhouse cutback that would have been more at home at Bells than Abu Dhabi. It led to her best wave in the final.
Jack Robinson showed that his catlike reflexes work in manmade waves too, with turns and aerials used as wild stalls that pitched him into the tube from never-before-seen angles, the point of difference forcing big numbers from the judges.
Didn't want to chance aerials? Rio Waida, Gaby Bryan and Ethan Ewing showed that insanely committed on-rail turns, bordering on the edge of disaster, will score exponentially higher than well-executed but risk-free versions.
Caroline Marks and Luke Egan en route to the Abu Dhabi Pro quarters
© World Surf League/Max Physick
Joao Chianca tearing in the UAE
© Manel Geada/World Surf League
Caity Simmers, locked in
© World Surf League/Thiago Diz
Emiratees, expats and diehard fans loved having the Abu Dhabi Pro in town
© World Surf League/Thiago Diz
The podium
Winners are grinners, dripping in gold jerseys, as the CT leaves the UAE
© World Surf League/Max Physick
- Caity Simmer (USA) and Italo Ferreira (BRA)
- Molly Picklum (AUS) and Rio Waida (IDR)
- = Vahine Fierro (TAH), Gabriela Bryan (HAW) and Ethan Ewing (AUS), Jack Robinson (AUS)
12
Lexus Pipe Pro
44 min
WSL Lexus Pipe Pro wrap show
Barron Mamiya and Tyler Wright won the Lexus Pipe Pro. The WSL broadcast crew break down how it went down.
The first event of the 2025 WSL Championship Tour, the Lexus Pipe Pro, wrapped up sensationally on Hawaii's North Shore with hometown hero Barron Mamiya going back-to-back at his beloved Pipeline. On the women's side of the draw, two-time world champion Tyler Wright became the first female two-time Pipe Pro champion, accounting for Caity Simmers in a wave-starved final.
Hometown hero Barron Mamiya goes back-to-back at Pipeline
© Brent Bielmann/World Surf League
To go back-to-back, I feel like that cements you as one of the best ever out here
Mamiya beat Leo Fioravanti in a controversial finish after both men registered 17.97 two-wave totals. Mamiya won on a countback, his top-scoring 9.80 besting Fioravanti's high scoring 9.10, locked in while chasing a 9.11 for the win. After the judges took an eternity to confirm the crucial number hearts broke around the world for Fioravanti, competing in his second Pipe final in the last three years and still chasing a maiden win on the CT.
Leo Fioravanti finished second at Pipe, but first in the minds of many
© Tony Heff/World Surf League
"Needing a 9.11 and getting a 9.10, it's tough," said Fioravanti on the podium, "but I'm very proud of myself for coming back and giving myself that chance. Congratulations to Barron. He is one of the greatest Pipe surfers of all time."
Tyler Wright wins the Pipe Pro and redlines to the top of the CT rankings
© Brent Bielmann/World Surf League
"This is such a special win!" said Wright. "I think I really tried to bring in a lot more joy. It was so cool to have a final with Caitlin out there. She's like the queen of Pipeline to me."
This is such a special win! I think I really tried to bring in a lot more joy
"I wish the final was a barrel shootout," said Simmers, "But the ocean definitely slept during our heat. Tyler is a very smart competitor and she just got the waves. Congrats to her."
Casual style in critical waves has fast become a Caity Simmers calling card
© Brent Bielmann/World Surf League
In the semi-finals, Simmers beat Molly Picklum in a repeat of last year's iconic final, in an equally thrilling encounter, while for the men Mamiya pulled together a near-perfect heat to end Italo Ferreira's spirited run. Lakey Peterson and Ian Gouveia were the other two defeated semi-finalists.
The waves
Surfing's ultimate playing field delivered for the Pipe Pro
© Tony Heff/World Surf League
The 2025 WSL Championship Tour season got off to a flying start with fun conditions for the opening days of the Lexus Pipe Pro. An unusually large build-up of sand saw longer pointbreak-style waves running down the beach at Backdoor Pipeline, allowing for high performance, rather than the usual high stakes, surfing.
Kelly Slater's timeless and unmistakeable Pipeline silhouette
© Brent Bielmann/World Surf League
Italo Ferreira's Pipe performance reflected his epic North Shore campaign
© Tony Heff/World Surf League
"Welcome to the tour, rookie!" Australian George Pittar's Pipeline baptism
© Tony Heff/World Surf League
Molly Picklum squared off with Caity Simmers in a classic Backdoor showdown
© Brent Bielmann/World Surf League
Competition was then put on hold for over a week with solid conditions looming on the horizon. The forecasts proved true, with insane waves at both Backdoor and Pipeline for the final two days of the event, and the champions crowned in front of a packed house on Oahu's famed North Shore.
The 10s
2023 Pipe Pro champion Jack Robinson locked in his first ever 10 on the Championship Tour, riding as big of a Backdoor wave as you'll ever see to perfection, before failing to find a back-up and being eliminated by tour rookie Al Cleland.
"That’s how it goes sometimes," reflected Robinson later, "This is the game."
Jack Robinson rolling into the first perfect 10 of the 2025 season
© Brent Bielmann/World Surf League
Jack Robinson earned the first 10 for 2025 with this Backdoor beast
© Tony Heff/World Surf League
Barron Mamiya shows the commitment required for a perfect 10 at Pipeline
© Brent Bielmann/World Surf League
John John Florence and a 9.63 the world thought was a 10
© Tony Heff/World Surf League
Barron Mamiya added a 10 of his own, for an incredible Pipeline late drop that led to an almighty tube that put defending world champion John John Florence on the ropes. Florence struck back with a wild wave of his own that most fans declared a 10 from the moment he was spat from the tube, but the judges declared it a 9.63, and Mamiya advanced.
Mamiya had a string of excellent wins en route to claiming the trophy, but dethroning Florence, one of Pipeline's all-time greats, was surely the sweetest.
The colour
As well as broadcasting every day of competition on the WSL Championship Tour in 2025, Red Bull TV have partnered with Stab to bring a fresh take to three very different days of competition across the 2025 Championship Tour season. Channel 51 made its debut on the final day of the Lexus Pipe Pro, with another event in Australia and the WSL Finals Fiji slated to cop the Stab treatment later in the year.
WSL Lexus Pipe Pro Finals – Stab commentary
As Pipe's final day unfolds, Stab’s studio jockeys bring you all the winners, losers and unseen storylines.
Starring Damien Fahrenfort and Coco Ho in the studio, cheeky Aussie wondergrom Hughie Vaughan roaming the sidelines, and a string of guests including everyone from Jordy Smith to Jamie O'Brien, imagine Channel 51 as the loudest locals at your favourite beachside carpark hosting a podcast and you might be getting close.
If you missed Channel 51 the first time you should definitely hit play on the wrap-up video, and get excited for the team to return in Australia in a few months time.
Channel 51's roaming reporter Hughie Vaughan corners Kelly Slater
© Jesse Jennings/World Surf League
Molly Picklum's honest appraisal of her Pipe Pro performance
© Tony Heff/World Surf League
Italo Ferreira is a man on a mission in 2025
© Tony Heff/World Surf League
Kanoa Igarashi, all smiles, all the time
© Tony Heff/World Surf League
The podium
Your 2025 Lexus Pipe Pro champions!
© Tony Heff/World Surf League
- Tyler Wright (AUS) and Barron Mamiya (HAW)
- Caitlin Simmers (USA) and Leo Fioravanti (ITA)
- = Molly Picklum (AUS), Lakey Peterson (USA) and Ian Gouveia (BRA), Italo Ferreira (BRA)
Be sure to download the free Red Bull TV app and catch the surf action on all your devices! Get the app here
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