The World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour is heading back to one of its most iconic breaks as the Lexus Trestles Pro Presented by Outerknown kicks off from June 9–17 in San Clemente, California. Marking Stop No. 8 on the 2025 Championship Tour, the event sees Lower Trestles return to regular-season action for the first time since 2017, bringing with it a crucial stretch in the race to the World Title.
After the Mid-season Cut narrowed the field, only 22 men and 10 women remain in contention. These elite surfers, along with select wildcards to complete the 24-man and 12-woman draws, are now locked in a high-stakes battle as the road to the Lexus WSL Finals in Fiji heats up.
Current World No. 1s Jordy Smith (RSA) and Gabriela Bryan (HAW) are leading the charge after both claimed their second wins of the season at the Western Australia Margaret River Pro. Smith, entering his 18th season, returns to Trestles for the first time in eight years, drawing on past victories at the break in 2014 and 2016 to stay ahead in the rankings. Bryan, meanwhile, will make her Lower Trestles debut fresh off her history-making back-to-back Margaret River titles, and opens against Luana Silva (BRA) and an event wildcard.
Chasing them are a strong field of title contenders and tour veterans. The men’s draw includes 2019 World Champion Italo Ferreira (BRA), World No. 3 Yago Dora (BRA), and seasoned threats like Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) and Barron Mamiya (HAW). For the women, two-time World Champion Tyler Wright (AUS), 2023 and 2024 title contender Molly Picklum (AUS), and rising star Isabella Nichols (AUS) are all aiming to secure their spots in the Final 5. World No. 2 Caity Simmers (USA) is also set to return to Trestles after clinching her maiden World Title there last season.
Adding a local edge to the competition, 2024 Rookie of the Year Sawyer Lindblad (USA) joins the event as a wildcard. Surfing at her home break, Lindblad will look to capitalise on her familiarity with the wave as she faces Simmers and Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) in the Opening Round. Though she narrowly missed the Mid-season Cut, the 19-year-old is already confirmed to return to the CT in 2026, when the women’s field expands.
Also eyeing a shake-up is surfing icon Kelly Slater (USA). The 11-time World Champion, who claimed his first professional win at Trestles back in 1990, has six career CT victories at the venue, including an unmatched three-year run from 2010 to 2012. Now 53, Slater awaits the results of the Burton Automotive SURFEST Newcastle to determine his wildcard status and re-entry into the Trestles lineup.
As the countdown to the Lexus Trestles Pro begins, anticipation is high. With familiar faces, rising stars, and wildcard spoilers all converging at one of surfing’s most revered locations, the battle for the 2025 World Title is about to kick into high gear.
Watch the WSL roll into town at Lower Trestles from June 9
