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> News > First Stop of WSL Championship Tour Completes!

surfing News

First Stop of WSL Championship Tour Completes!

Caitlin Simmers (USA) and Barron Mamiya (HAW) etched their names into surfing history with incredible victories in the Lexus Pipe Pro Presented by YETI. Image credit: / WSL / Heff

11 February 2024

- Caity Simmers and Barron Mamiya Win Lexus Pipe Pro Presented by YETI - Simmers, Picklum, Sakura Johnson Lead Charge In Historic Day for Women’s Surfing - Australia’s Picklum Earns First Perfect 10 of the Season - Mamiya Finds Magic at Pipeline, Wins with Perfect 10-Point Ride

Caitlin Simmers (USA) and Barron Mamiya (HAW) have won the Lexus Pipe Pro Presented by YETI, Stop No. 1 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2024 Championship Tour (CT). Simmers defeated Molly Picklum (AUS), while Mamiya took down two-time World Champion John John Florence (HAW) in the Finals, held in picture-perfect six-to-eight-foot waves at Pipeline. These victories mark the first CT event wins at Pipeline for both Simmers and Mamiya.

The swell showed up for Finals Day and offered a dreamy canvas for the world’s best athletes to showcase their talent on one of the heaviest waves on earth. A huge day of competition in incredible conditions delivered the first-ever Perfect 10 in a women’s CT at Pipeline, highlighting an iconic day that featured match-ups that will go down in history.

Simmers Wins Pipe, Heads to Sunset as World No. 1

In just her second season among the world’s best surfers, Caitlin Simmers (USA) claimed a statement win at Pipeline, fearlessly attacking the solid Backdoor and Banzai waves all day. This marks the 18-year-old’s third victory on the CT and cements her place as one of the brightest stars of professional surfing.

“This wave is terrifying; I respect everyone who wants a part of it and everyone who doesn’t because it’s really scary out there,” Simmers said. “It starts with all the girls that battled the guys and barely got any waves, and I hope that this event showed the girls can do it. We’re getting spat out all day, and it’s pretty cool to see. I’m really happy to be a part of it.”

The women’s Final featured a battle between last season’s World No. 4 and No. 5, Simmers and Picklum, in the culmination of their success through the draw this week as the event's overall standouts in Hawaiian waters.

Picklum put her foot on the gas first with yet another incredible ride at Backdoor to post a 9.27 (out of a possible 10) as her first score for the early lead. Simmers did not back out of the fight and came back at her opponent with a similarly deep tube on a foamy right for an 8.83 to stay right in the battle. With time ticking down, both surfers were still sitting on minimal backup scores, though a smart, two-turn combination from Simmers gave her the edge to apply pressure on Picklum. The Australian got a last roll of the dice in the dying seconds but failed to make a backhand barrel and Simmers walked away with the win.

“Molly’s a guru, she’s probably the best girl out here in my opinion,” Simmers said of her opponent. “One heat out here is like months of experience, and getting barrelled in a heat with your friend is the most fun thing in the world.”

Earlier in the day, Simmers scored an incredible Backdoor gem, posting a 9.17 (out of a possible 10) for a double overhead clean barrel, only matched by her precise technique to get a clean exit. This near-perfect ride set the Oceanside local on a path to victory in the first event of the season.

Picklum Finds Perfection at Pipe, Secures Runner-Up Position

On her way to the Final, Molly Picklum (AUS) found the first 10-point ride of the 2024 season at the most revered wave on the planet, redefining the boundaries of women’s surfing in the process. The Australian, who has been chasing that perfect backhand tube at the Banzai Pipeline all week, finally found herself in the right position. Dropping very late into a double-up, she barely squeezed under the lip before coming out with the spit to collect the perfect score for her flawless technique and commitment.

The 21-year-old will head to the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach as the defending event champion, in second position on the CT rankings. She will undoubtedly be one of the favorites again next week, especially if the waves keep pumping as expected.

“We were so blessed today to have Pipeline in its absolute best day of days, and to be out there with Caity was amazing,” Picklum said. “I was enjoying every moment and enjoying the rides. It feels like a second home here, and I’m thankful for all the locals that are really encouraging us women, show us around and show us how it’s done.”

Mamiya Finds Magic at Pipeline, Wins with Perfect 10-Point Ride

24-year-old Haleiwa local, Barron Mamiya (HAW), claimed the Lexus Pipe Pro presented by YETI men’s title in fantastic fashion, overcoming Florence in pumping surf to claim an early pole position on the 2024 CT rankings. Mamiya, who arrived on Tour after a wildcard victory in the 2022 Hurley Pro Sunset Beach, is no stranger to wearing the yellow jersey and will be lethal just up the road next week.

“That 10, I literally can’t believe I made it,” Mamiya said. “I was in the barrel and couldn’t believe I came out. Without John, without Jamie (O’Brien), without Uncle D (Derek Ho) I wouldn’t be who I am. I watched these guys surf my entire life, and watching John here is how I learned to get barrels at Pipeline, so I give him lots of credit for the way I surf.”

The all-Hawaiian men’s Final witnessed 2021 Pipe victor and mainstay Florence, and proven Pipe charger, Mamiya, battling in their own backyard. The first exchange was a split of the peak, Mamiya going left and Florence right, with the two-time World Champion getting the nudge, earning a 7.33 over his opponent’s 6.00. Only moments later, both surfers started on back-to-back lefts and while Florence’s first wave of the set looked good, Mamiya behind got way deeper on a bigger wave and rode it to perfection, scoring a Perfect 10-point ride, the second to be claimed on an epic Finals Day. As time slowly ran out, Florence found a few more opportunities, trying to manufacture a score out of lesser quality waves, but was unsuccessful, sealing the deal on Mamiya’s second tour victory, his first at Pipeline.

“Growing up on the North Shore, this is an event that you always want to win,” Mamiya added. “To finally win it, with John in the Final, and to get a 10, I’m literally at a loss for words. I’ll definitely never forget this day for the rest of my life.”

Earlier in the first men’s Semifinal, Mamiya put down a near-perfect heat total with 18.84 points (out of a possible 20) for two of the best rights at Backdoor all week.

Florence Passes the Torch to Fellow North Shore Charger, Settles for Runner-Up

Two-time World Champion John John Florence (HAW) added another impeccable run to a long list of results from his home event, continuing to post incredible scores in most heats on his way to a fourth Final appearance at Pipeline. This marked Florence’s 100th career CT event and he has his eyes set on a big year ahead with renewed vigor for competition.

“Just growing up here and getting to surf this wave my whole life, I feel like it’s a huge privilege,” Florence said. “It was awesome to have Barron in the Final, he’s such a good surfer, that 10 was so crazy. Being a competitor, you don’t want to see it, but that was pretty sick. I’m really excited for this year, I was having a lot of fun competing and I really can’t wait for the next heat.”

At 31 years of age and after nearly 15 years on Tour, Florence’s passion for competing looks intact and his motivation and relaxed attitude promise more exciting battles as the CT continues next week at Sunset.

Women’s Semifinal Will Go Down in Surfing’s History Books

The second women’s Semifinal will go down in surfing history books as arguably the most entertaining showdown ever witnessed on the women’s CT. Picklum and Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) put everything they had on the line at both Banzai Pipeline and Backdoor, locking into deep, radical barrels on multiple occasions throughout their 30-minute matchup.

Picklum had her 10-point ride and seemed untouchable on her way to the Final, but in the dying moments of the heat, Sakura Johnson found an iconic Banzai left and rode it brilliantly with a late take-off, barely making it under the lip. The 18-year-old threaded the barrel high to exit cleanly, earning an 8.33, slightly shy of the 8.61 requirement needed to turn the heat. Regardless, the boundary-breaking match-up will be remembered for decades to come as one of the epic battles of Pipeline.

Earlier in the day, the Hawaiian scored one of the event’s best waves, with a near-perfect 9.70. The wave stood up tall on the Backdoor reef and accelerated as the Hawaiian matched its speed perfectly to take a clean exit after the spit. Sakura Johnson records a second consecutive Semifinal result at Pipeline, further cementing her place as one of the strongest surfers on the North Shore.

“You just really have to put in time out here at Pipeline,” Sakura Johnson said. “I’m really happy we got these waves; these are the days we dream of. That wave came, and Caroline had priority, but she wasn’t really looking, and I thought it was going to hit the reef really well so I just committed, put my head down, and went for it and I made it out, so I couldn’t be more stoked.”

Marks and Ewing Maintain Form With Strong Season Starts

2023 World Champion Caroline Marks (USA) started off strong with an equal 5th place finish, her best result at Pipeline to date. The talented goofy foot stayed patient in the lineup, opting to seek out the clean lefts on the Banzai Pipeline, but unfortunately faced an in-rhythm Sakura Johnson, who found absolute bombs at Backdoor and eliminated the Floridian.

Last year’s runner-up in the World Title race, Ethan Ewing (AUS), also had a stellar start to his season at Pipeline, reaching the Quarterfinals for the first time in his young career and scoring great rides along the way. The Australian, who by his own admission lacked experience in the heavier barreling waves on Tour, clearly put in the work in the off-season and looked comfortable at Pipe, only falling to a slow first heat this morning where he didn’t get many opportunities to showcase his skills.

For highlights from Finals Day at the Lexus Pipe Pro Presented by YETI, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Lexus Pipe Pro Presented by YETI Women’s Final Results:

1 - Caitlin Simmers (USA) 12.66

2 - Molly Picklum (AUS) 10.64

Lexus Pipe Pro Presented by YETI Men’s Final Results:

1 - Barron Mamiya (HAW) 16.00

2 - John John Florence (HAW) 15.33

Lexus Pipe Pro Presented by YETI Women’s Semifinal Results:

HEAT 1: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 7.67 def. Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 2.84

HEAT 2: Molly Picklum (AUS) 15.60 def. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 15.33

Lexus Pipe Pro Presented by YETI Men’s Semifinal Results:

HEAT 1: Barron Mamiya (HAW) 18.84 def. Connor O'Leary (AUS) 7.43

HEAT 2: John John Florence (HAW) 16.10 def. Ian Gentil (HAW) 7.16

Lexus Pipe Pro Presented by YETI Women’s Quarterfinal Results:

HEAT 1: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 15.84 def. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 5.36

HEAT 2: Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 4.00 def. Luana Silva (BRA) 0.97

HEAT 3: Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 15.70 def. Caroline Marks (USA) 6.50

HEAT 4: Molly Picklum (AUS) 12.50 def. Johanne Defay (FRA) 6.63

Lexus Pipe Pro Presented by YETI Men’s Quarterfinal Results:

HEAT 1: Connor O'Leary (JPN) 11.50 def. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 2.73

HEAT 2: Barron Mamiya (HAW) 14.50 def. Jordy Smith (RSA) 4.33

HEAT 3: Ian Gentil (HAW) 12.00 def. Imaikalani deVault (HAW) 7.67

HEAT 4: John John Florence (HAW) 13.67 def. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)10.33

Next Stop: Hurley Pro Sunset Beach

The Hurley Pro Sunset Beach is the next stop on the 2024 Championship Tour. The competition window opens on Monday, February 12, and closes on Thursday, February 22, 2024. The competition will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, the free WSL app, and the WSL’s YouTube channel. Also, check out more ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners. For fans watching in the United States, coverage of the competition's Quarterfinals and beyond will continue on WorldSurfLeague.com and ESPN+.

The Lexus Pipe Pro Presented by YETI is proudly supported by Lexus, YETI, Vissla, Florence Marine X, Red Bull, 805 Beer, Bonsoy, Cup Noodles, Pacifico, Sambazon, SHISEIDO, Turtle Bay, Spectrum Hawaii, True Surf, Surfline, Apple Watch, Mananalu Water, Eventbrite, Pura Vida, Alt Sports Betting, and Hawaii Tourism.

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.