Western Australia’s Ruby Berry has delivered a breakout performance on the world stage, finishing third at the Florence Pipe Pro on Hawai‘i’s North Shore. Competing in her first international World Surf League Qualifying Series event, the West Oz surfer advanced through a stacked field to reach the Final at Pipeline, where she went head-to-head with five-time World Champion Carissa Moore and Championship Tour contender Gabriela Bryan.
Read the full WSL media statement below.
Carissa Moore and Eli Hanneman Win Florence Pipe Pro Presented by HTA
Carissa Moore (HAW) and Eli Hanneman (HAW) claimed victories at the Florence Pipe Pro Presented by HTA, a World Surf League (WSL) Hawaiʻi/Tahiti Nui Qualifying Series (QS) men’s and women’s QS 2,000-level event. Elite fields battled in tough conditions with the overbearing north swell pushing competition from Pipeline and Backdoor to the sandbar of Gums, with opportunities for more high-performance surfing alongside the rare barrel completion for big scores. But Moore’s and Hanneman’s performances went unmatched, with John John Florence (HAW) and Gabriela Bryan (HAW) earning respective runner-ups to close out the event.
Moore Banks Second WSL Pipe Title, Ready for 2026 CT
A five-time World Champion, Olympic Gold Medalist, and mother, Carissa Moore (HAW) stands apart as one of surfing’s most incredible athletes and showed that form on Finals Day to win the Florence Pipe Pro. Moore claimed a 2023 CT Pipe Pro title and now reestablishes herself heading back for the world’s best in 2026 after a runner-up in Haleʻiwa and now win at Pipe.
A renowned Final encompassed Championship Tour (CT) elite, five-time World Champion Carissa Moore (HAW), and recent World Title contender Gabriela Bryan (HAW), defending QS Regional victor Eweleiula Wong (HAW), and rising Australian talent Ruby Berry (AUS).
Moore showcased her Olympic Gold Medalist form right away with an excellent 8.83 (out of a possible 10) to assert herself in the Final, alongside Bryan’s three-turn power combination, which earned a 7.73. But Berry’s 5.17 kept her in the mix before finding a 6.17 and taking over the lead heading into the 20-minute mark. Then, Moore found an opportunity to strike, needing a minimal score, and pushed her forehand attack to a 4.23 and the lead. Bryan’s multi-2025 CT event-winning forehand was limited to one-turn sections, which helped her move to second, but then found the chance to unleash on multiple sections for a 6.40 and the lead.
But Moore wasn’t to be denied a second WSL win at Pipe and found another barrel to a major swooping turn, posting a 7.83 and all but sealing her win heading into the final minutes, and earning her first chair-up with her baby, Olena, in her arms.
Above: Ruby Berry in action at the WSL QS Florence Marine x Pipe Pro. Credit: WSL QS / Tony Heff.
Hanneman’s Incredible Finals Day Run Takes Him Atop First Pipeline Podium
One of Maui’s former CT elite, Eli Hanneman (HAW), put on a world-class aerial showcase with multiple excellent rides on Finals Day, including a 9.77 and 17.60 (out of a possible 20) in the Semifinals, and his first-ever WSL event win at Banzai Pipeline. Hanneman currently sits at No. 1 on the Challenger Series, with a strong chance of requalifying for the 2026 CT, and will look for his second-career Challenger Series victory at the Lexus Pipe Challenger in 2026.
“It’s incredible. This is my first time winning a Pipe event, and I had probably the gnarliest Final you can have in terms of competitors,” said Hanneman. “It doesn’t feel real, but I’m stoked. I was just entering this event for some practice and to stay moving, stay consistent in competing with 2026 coming up. And to win was just the ultimate cherry on top.”
The men’s Final featured an elite class of competitors including three-time World Champion John John Florence (HAW), back-to-back CT Pipe Pro winner Barron Mamiya (HAW), current Challenger Series No. 1 Eli Hanneman (HAW), and Challenger Series requalification hopeful Shion Crawford (HAW). Defending event victor, Florence, opened the heat with his signature power on a closeout section after a barrel completion to post a 7.83. But, Crawford’s quikc start and aerial antics had him in a slim lead before Hanneman unleashed a solid backhand rotation before slamming the section shut to post an excellent 8.67. With Mamiya waiting for his opportunity, Hanneman stayed busy under priority once more for a massive alley oop and finishing turn to accrue a 17.10 heat total. Under the five-minute mark, Mamiya found a gem with plenty of time in the barrel before laying into his forehand to post an 8.70 and get himself back into the heat.
In the dying moments, Florence found an opportunity to showcase his high-performance arsenal, but it came short of the 9.17 requirement though moving him to second. Mamiya separated himself alone at Backdoor and found his chance with a deep barrel and forced himself through the exit, but both were still needing more as time expired and Hanneman claimed the event win.
John John Florence and Gabriela Bryan Seal Runner-up Finishes
Nearly succeeding in defending his 2021 Pipe Pro QS title, John John Florence (HAW) reminded the world he’s ready for 2026 after jaw-dropping performances from start to finish. Florence’s 18.10 debut in the Round of 64 led to a brilliant Finals day surge that included a 15.40 Quarterfinal heat total, a 9.00 in the Semifinals, and a 15.90 Final heat total. The three-time World Champ, Florence, also relished in the opportunity to help bring this event back to life with his brothers Nathan and Ivan, and the Florence team.
“I think overall, just sponsoring the event was the highlight for me. During the event, it felt cool, but right there, giving awards, it felt more real,” said Florence. “It was a mellow crowd with just more of the local crew, and getting an extra day for all the surfers, and having the webcast was really fun too. Then just surfing I felt really relaxed, and unfortunately, it wasn’t all-time Pipe, but it was super fun to see Gums firing to end it. We’d love to try and keep this thing going, and just trying to get the extra day so we can get everybody in it.”
“I think of all the times in my career where I just got into overthinking things, and it’s not fun anymore. So I think as long as you have that focus on the fun, you can win no matter what. Now I’ll just spend time with the family and get ready for next year, and I try to stay physically active as I can, work on boards, and just have fun.”
A powerful showcase from Gabriela Bryan (HAW) earned her an impressive Semifinals victory in the tough conditions at Gums before unleashing her world-class forehand to push her way toward a runner-up finish. Bryan’s place among the world’s best is locked in for 2026 as she showed she’s prepared for another World Title run with unfinished business.
“It was so good to put the jersey back on. I hadn’t competed in about three months, and I’ve been enjoying the time off, but there were some sick sections today that I was happy with,” said Bryan. “But, Riss got a few barrels and got me on that one. She’s been ripping, and she’s like family to me, so I’m super happy for her. And she’s got baby Olena now, which is amazing, and I’m fired up to keep up my surfing in the offseason and get back to Tour life next year.”
QS Regional Victors and Challenger Series Qualifiers Determined
After Moana Jones Wong (HAW) earned her spot in the Semifinals, she clinched the No. 1 position on the women’s rankings and requalified for the Challenger Series along with her third regional QS title. A brilliant start to the North Shore conclusion from Finn McGill (HAW) witnessed back-to-back event wins and helped secure his place atop the rankings for a maiden QS Regional victory, reassuring his place among the Challenger Series elite.
Joining Jones Wong and McGill, Kiara Goold (PYF), and Aelan Vaast (PYF) held their spots leaving Pipeline to take on Challenger Series contenders in 2026 alongside men’s qualified surfers Mihimana Braye (PYF), Joshua Moniz (HAW), and Luke Tema (HAW) – who qualifies due to CT competitor Barron Mamiya (HAW) also finishing in the Top 5 of the region. Plus, with Eli Hanneman (HAW) currently sitting at No. 1 on the Challenger Series and two events remaining, Shion Crawford (HAW) is provisionally qualified.
The WSL returns to the North Shore for the Lexus Pipe Challenger, Stop No. 6 of the 2026 Challenger Series, beginning January 29 through February 9, 2026. Watch LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL App.
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