SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., USA (Tuesday, June 10, 2025) – A high-performance spectacle unraveled at the Lexus Trestles Pro Presented by Outerknown, Stop No. 8 of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), in solid four-to-six-foot conditions before the world’s best overpowered testy afternoon winds.
The first day of competition saw World Title contenders make stellar debuts at Trestles with the completion of the men’s and women’s Opening Round, including current World No. 1s Gabriela Bryan (HAW) and Jordy Smith (RSA). Both continued their Margaret River Pro victory momentum to advance to the next rounds. While hometown heroes Griffin Colapinto (USA) and Cole Houshmand (USA), and Californian Lakey Peterson (USA) started strong with heat wins.
The next call will be tomorrow, Wednesday, June 11, at 7:45 a.m. for a possible 8:00 a.m. PDT start.
World Title Frontrunners Shine in High-Performance Opening Day at Trestles
A dominant display from World No. 1 Gabriela Bryan (HAW) put the field on notice in her CT debut at Lower Trestles. Bryan’s power on the wave face from start to finish posted an excellent 8.17 (out of a possible 10) and 7.00 for a total heat score of 15.17 (out of a possible 20) to overtake local wildcard Kirra Pinkerton (USA) and 2024 World Junior Champion Luana Silva (BRA).
“I think I’ve been telling myself that this Yellow Jersey and being No. 1 in the world is just a reward for all the hard work I’ve done, so if I continue to do that, I’m not going to change anything because it’s working,” said Bryan. “I saw the girls in my heat paddling for the first wave of the set, and I saw the second one out the back. I just knew that if I got a set and could do some big carves and it would be a pretty good score. I got a little bit caught on the second turn, but I think a big key for me on this wave is patience and quality over quantity.”
Jordy Smith (RSA) already has two Lower Trestles event titles to his name (2014 and 2016), and coincidentally was also wearing the Yellow Leader Jersey when he competed here last. The current World No. 1’s control of the lineup and ability to strike at opportune moments provided a solid heat win over San Clemente’s own Crosby Colapinto (USA) and wildcard threat Dimitri Poulos (USA). Smith will look to continue his momentum into the Round of 16.
Brazil’s World Champions Italo Ferreira and Filipe Toledo Turn On for Lowers Return
World-class performances went next level when current World No. 2 Italo Ferreira (BRA) stormed the lineup with his signature progression and aerial antics to post an impressive 15.17 (out of a possible 20) heat total. Ferreira is back with unfinished business after earning the World Title runner-up here at Lower Trestles in 2024. The 31-year-old made his presence known by overtaking 11-time World Champion and six-time Lower Trestles event victor Kelly Slater (USA) and 2025 CT Rookie standout Marco Mignot (FRA).
“For the goofy, it’s pretty good to surf both sides,” said Ferreira. “All the surfers are looking for their rights. Then I can get the left and the right, whatever I want, and then I can mix it with my surfing. So that is what I really like. I always have fun here. Especially when we surf against only two guys in the water because in a free surf, it’s one-hundred guys. It’s pretty hard to find good waves but just keep the flow. The last two events at Trestles, I got second-place, and that hurt, so I’m trying to do it differently this year.”
California Collective Hold Down Home Waters
Hometown hero Griffin Colapinto (USA) found his winning form in home waters with the men’s best performance of a 15.40 (out of a possible 20) heat total. The 26-year-old overcame Australians Ethan Ewing (AUS) and Joel Vaughan (AUS).
“After being on the road in Australia for almost a month and a half, just being home and seeing all the friends and family feels amazing. Then to have a contest on top of it is the perfect storm,” Colapinto said. “We’ve just been having so much fun and the change of energy. Obviously, in Australia, you’ve got everyone going for the Aussies. It’s a hometown feeling and everyone on the beach is backing you. It definitely goes a long way, but I noticed that I was a bit more nervous with that. You want to perform for everyone so badly and I don’t know, it’s just Lowers is one of my favorite waves in the world, so a little more nerves, but yeah, I’m enjoying it.”
Lakey Peterson’s (USA) outstanding start earned the highest heat score of the women’s Opening Round with 15.53 (out of a possible 20). Peterson’s aggressive forehand power laid into a two-turn combination to set the tone before unleashing her backhand attack on a running left to push the scale toward excellence of the 8.03 (out of a possible 10). She moves onto the Round of 16 over Top 5 Aussie duo, 2016 event winner, Tyler Wright (AUS) and current World No. 4 Isabella Nichols (AUS).
“Obviously I’m from Santa Barbara, but I grew up surfing down here so much,” said Peterson. “It’s so cool I can come back. I’ve surfed here in a CT before, but I don’t know, just being a little bit older now and just how special it is. It feels really, really good to be here, and just at home and enjoying it. You see so many huge moments in competitive surfing out here throughout the years. I think for the women, especially in the Final 5 the last few years, that progression has been pushed so much. I’m sure some girls will be doing some airs at this event. The wave offers so much variety and so much progression. It’s what makes it so fun for us surfers to be able to surf here because it’s a big open canvas.”
Cole Houshmand (USA) kicked off the men’s Opening Round with a victory over 2023 World Title contender Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) and progressive standout Rio Waida (INA). Houshmand took advantage of the Lower Trestles left to showcase his forehand power for a 7.00 and 6.80 backup to take a massive heat win for himself and the local supporters on the beach.
Following the Opening Round bout with Houshmand, Igarashi returned to the Lower Trestles arena in the Elimination Round against wildcard threat Dimitri Poulos (USA) to keep his current No. 4 ranking intact. Honing his talents just up the highway in Huntington Beach, Igarashi’s relentless forehand continued to impress and overpowered Poulos’ form to earn his spot into the Round of 16.
North Shelly Boardriders Represent with Picklum’s and Vaughan’s Success on Opening Day
Perennial World Title threat Molly Picklum (AUS) joins Bryan into the Round of 16 as the only other Top 5 contender to do so. While reigning World Champion Caity Simmers (USA), 2016 event winner Tyler Wright (AUS), and current World No. 4 Isabella Nichols (AUS) were all sent to the Elimination Round. Picklum’s timing and power on the familiar face of Lower Trestles clicked into an excellent 8.00. The 22-year-old looks for her first major breakthrough in Southern California and to push the requirement of points needed to overtake her.
“I wanted to kind of get a long ride at the start, and then it just didn’t really pan out that way. I really do like going left, and that wave presented itself. I was third priority so I just bounced over there, and I’m happy that it really walled up and gave me some opportunity on that wave. The vibe’s definitely different, the crowd was just mellower, the whole town’s a bit mellower. It’s nicer vibes, but it’s so cool to just come here. The girls’ level at the moment is insane and there’s some high scores to be done out there.”
Also finding success today was Rookie Joel Vaughan (AUS), who is through to the Round of 16 after defeating Miguel Pupo (BRA) in Heat 2 in the men’s Elimination Round. Vaughan managed to advance with two six-point rides after falling short in his Opening Round heat against Griffin Colapinto (USA) and Ethan Ewing (AUS).
Initial Eliminations Ensue, Men’s Top Seeds Salvage World Title Race Points
A massive turnaround for Barron Mamiya (HAW) kept his No. 5 ranking intact after besting the sport’s greatest, Kelly Slater (USA). A tough afternoon battle pushed Mamiya to near-elimination with the 11-time World Champion, six-time Lower Trestles winner, as Slater found his rhythm. But, Mamiya responded with under three minutes remaining to post the heat’s best score of a 6.10 to eliminate Slater from his wildcard run.
Ethan Ewing’s (AUS) connection with Lower Trestles is undeniable after monstrous performances in the 2023 WSL Finals, and he now looks to find that form after pushing through the Elimination Round. Ewing bested Brazil’s CT veteran Alejo Muniz (BRA) in signature form to post a and has his eyes set on a big result to ramp up his bid for another World Title chase.
“Alejo’s really like a veteran and knows the game and a super good surfer so I knew it was going to be a tough heat,” said Ewing. “This morning was kind of rough. I didn’t get as many opportunities as I liked, so I was kind of bummed on that, but I just wanted to just ride waves and do my thing. The last few years I’ve loved coming here, but it’s a different feel now, like mid-season coming here. I love this wave, and everyone’s been treating me really well. I just love being here and looking for a bigger result, so let’s get it going.”
For more information and highlights from today’s competition at the Lexus Trestles Pro Presented by Outerknown, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
Lexus Trestles Pro Men’s Opening Round Results:
HEAT 1: Cole Houshmand (USA) 13.80 DEF. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 13.20, Rio Waida (INA) 10.24
HEAT 2: Yago Dora (BRA) 11.54 DEF. Connor O’Leary (JPN) 10.93, Alejo Muniz (BRA) 9.63
HEAT 3: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 15.17 DEF. Marco Mignot (FRA) 8.77, Kelly Slater (USA) 7.53
HEAT 4: Jordy Smith (RSA) 11.86 DEF. Crosby Colapinto (USA) 11.84, Dimitri Poulos (USA) 9.53
HEAT 5: Jake Marshall (USA) 13.24 DEF. Barron Mamiya (HAW) 12.90, Seth Moniz (HAW) 8.20
HEAT 6: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 15.40 DEF. Joel Vaughan (AUS) 11.04, Ethan Ewing (AUS) 10.10
HEAT 7: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 12.40 DEF. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 11.77, Joao Chianca (BRA) 11.13
HEAT 8: Jack Robinson (AUS) 11.74 DEF. Alan Cleland (MEX) 10.33, Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 6.87
Lexus Trestles Pro Men’s Elimination Round Results (Heats 1-5):
HEAT 1: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 13.73 DEF. Dimitri Poulos (USA) 10.50
HEAT 2: Joel Vaughan (AUS) 12.13 DEF. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 6.27
HEAT 3: Barron Mamiya (HAW) 11.97 DEF. Kelly Slater (USA) 10.40
HEAT 4: Joao Chianca (BRA) 12.93 DEF. Rio Waida (INA) 11.70
HEAT 5: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 14.93 DEF. Alejo Muniz (BRA) 14.37
Lexus Trestles Pro Men’s Elimination Round Matchups (Heats 6-8):
HEAT 6: Connor O’Leary (JPN) vs. Alan Cleland (MEX)
HEAT 7: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) vs. Seth Moniz (HAW)
HEAT 8: Marco Mignot (FRA) vs. Crosby Colapinto (USA)
Lexus Trestles Pro Women’s Opening Round Results:
HEAT 1: Lakey Peterson (USA) 15.53 DEF. Isabella Nichols (AUS) 10.70, Tyler Wright (AUS) 10.50
HEAT 2: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 15.17 DEF. Kirra Pinkerton (USA) 12.77, Luana Silva (BRA) 9.27
HEAT 3: Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 14.47 DEF. Sawyer Lindblad (USA) 13.80, Caitlin Simmers (USA) 10.50
HEAT 4: Molly Picklum (AUS) 12.67 DEF. Erin Brooks (CAN) 12.26, Caroline Marks (USA) 11.80
Lexus Trestles Pro Elimination Round Matchups:
HEAT 1: Caitlin Simmers (USA) vs. Kirra Pinkerton (USA)
HEAT 2: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Erin Brooks (CAN)
HEAT 3: Isabella Nichols (AUS) vs. Sawyer Lindblad (USA)
HEAT 4: Caroline Marks (USA) vs. Luana Silva (BRA)
Watch LIVE
The Lexus Trestles Pro Presented by Outerknown will hold a competition window through June 17, 2025. The event will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, and the free WSL App. Check out more ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners.
This event is proudly sponsored by Lexus, Outerknown, Red Bull, YETI, Apple Watch Neutrogena, Surfline, True Surf, I-SEA, Dakine, 805 Beer, Pacifico, Suncruiser, Hoag, Flexfit, Eero, Open Water, and John Wayne Airport.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
About the WSL
The World Surf League (WSL) is the global home of competitive surfing, crowning World Champions since 1976 and showcasing the world’s best surfing. The WSL oversees surfing’s global competitive landscape and sets the standard for elite performance in the most dynamic playing field in all of sports. With a firm commitment to its values, the WSL prioritizes the protection of the ocean, equality, and the sport’s rich heritage, while championing progression and innovation.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
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