The Lexus Pipe Pro 2025, presented by YETI, kicked off the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour in spectacular fashion, with Tyler Wright (AUS) and Barron Mamiya (HAW) emerging victorious at the legendary Pipeline. In an event filled with high-stakes battles and world-class performances, Wright reclaimed her spot at the top, while Mamiya solidified his name among Pipeline greats with a back-to-back win.
Tyler Wright’s Redemption: A Second Pipeline Crown
Two-time World Champion Tyler Wright delivered a commanding performance to secure her second career victory at Pipeline, overcoming reigning World Champion Caitlin Simmers (USA) in a tense final. Wright’s triumph marks her 17th career CT win and places her at the top of the rankings, earning her the prestigious Yellow Leader’s Jerseyheading into Stop No. 2 of the season.
After a challenging 2024 season plagued by injuries, Wright’s victory was a moment of redemption. Reflecting on her journey, she shared:
“This is such a special win. I’m always a little bit scared to love surfing because I’ve been injured so many times. Last year, I was injured a lot more than people thought I was. So to come back and have a really nice off-season with my wife—it’s just so special.”
The Final showdown between Wright and Simmers was a rematch of their 2023 Rio Pro battle, where Simmers had come out on top. This time, however, Wright flipped the script, showcasing her dominant forehand barrel riding. Despite some early priority mistakes and wipeouts, Wright found the defining wave of the heat—a deep Backdoor barrel—to seal the victory.
Wright’s path to the Final wasn’t easy. She took down Caroline Marks (USA), Lakey Peterson (USA), and Molly Picklum (AUS) in a series of heated battles, demonstrating her unmatched barrel-riding technique in the clean, four-to-six-foot swell.
“I really tried to bring in a lot more joy, and that’s what I felt here,” Wright added. “It was so cool to have a Final with Simmers out there. She’s like the queen of Pipeline to me.”
Barron Mamiya Joins Pipeline Royalty with Back-to-Back Win
Hawaiian surfer Barron Mamiya etched his name in the history books, becoming only the sixth man to win consecutive Pipeline events. The 22-year-old joins the ranks of Andy Irons and Rory Russell, the only other Hawaiians to accomplish the feat.
“I really can’t believe it happened again, I’m super grateful,” said Mamiya. “Winning it is a big deal, but going back-to-back? That cements you as one of the best ever out here.”
Mamiya’s flawless approach to Pipeline and Backdoor was on full display. He dominated 2019 World Champion Italo Ferreira (BRA) in the Semifinals, posting an 18.90 heat total, leaving Ferreira in a near-impossible combination situation.
In the Final against Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA), Mamiya wasted no time, locking in an 8.17 at Pipe followed by a near-perfect 9.80 at Backdoor—all within the first six minutes. Fioravanti staged an incredible comeback, scoring a 9.10 on a long Backdoor barrel, but fell just 0.01 points short of the score needed to overtake Mamiya.
“Leo, that was an insane Final,” Mamiya said. “For you to come back like that was crazy. And just yesterday, the heat with John [Florence]—everything was just pretty crazy.”
