Reigning World Champion Caity Simmers (USA), 2023 World Champion Caroline Marks (USA), and two-time World Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) kicked off their 2025 Championship Tour (CT) campaigns in dominant fashion, winning their Opening Round heats at the Lexus Pipe Pro. Their victories secured direct entry into the Round of 16, avoiding the Elimination Round. They were joined by 2024 World Junior Champion Luana Silva (BRA), who also claimed her first heat win on the elite stage.
Tyler Wright Sets the Standard with Highest Heat Total
Beginning her 13th CT season, Wright showcased her experience and skill, delivering the highest single wave score of the women’s Opening Round with a 7.33 (out of 10). The 2016 and 2017 World Champion locked into a deep Backdoor barrel, followed by aggressive turns to secure a heat-winning total of 13.83 (out of 20).
Wright’s performance came against Lakey Peterson (USA) and Brisa Hennessy (CRC), two former Semifinalists at Pipeline, in what proved to be one of the toughest heats of the round. The 30-year-old Australian, who won the first-ever women’s CT event at Pipeline in 2021 and finished runner-up in 2023, made a strong statement in her season opener.
Reflecting on her performance, Wright shared her mindset going into the season:
“Honestly, it’s just nice to catch some waves. I probably think a lot less [now] and enjoy a lot more. I’ve been doing this, what, 14 years now, and you’re always critical of yourself. I feel like this year, I’m trying to find that balance of actually enjoying what I’m doing. Last year was rough, I was injured a lot and actually, it sucked. I feel good, and I’m healthy, and I’m just enjoying surfing.”
Simmers and Marks Start Strong at Pipeline
Defending Lexus Pipe Pro champion Caity Simmers and 2023 World Champion Caroline Marks also impressed in their season debuts.
Marks, known for her powerful top-to-bottom surfing, dominated her heat with a 7.00 ride at Backdoor, making the famed right-hander look like a high-performance wave. She bested Nadia Erostarbe (ESP) and Bella Kenworthy (USA), two CT newcomers. Erostarbe’s critical backhand snaps earned her a spot in the Round of 32, while Kenworthy, the only women’s rookie competing in this event, will face the Elimination Round.
Meanwhile, Simmers picked up where she left off in 2024, scoring a 7.17 for a clean Backdoor barrel in a heat against Moana Jones Wong (HAW) and Isabella Nichols (AUS). With the swell direction and sand conditions favouring Backdoor, Simmers capitalised on the conditions to secure the heat win.
Reflecting on the moment, Simmers said:
“I was feeling good going into it. It just kind of got really beautiful before my heat. The wind died down, and I just had a really nice moment before my heat. I was feeling good, and then I got a good little barrel. I was not expecting a barrel, but then it kind of just happened for me and I’m thankful.”
Nichols narrowly edged out Jones Wong with a 7.93 over a 7.10, securing her place in the Round of 16.
What’s Next?
With Wright, Simmers, Marks, and Nichols advancing straight into the Round of 16, attention now turns to the Elimination Round, where surfers will fight to keep their Lexus Pipe Pro campaigns alive.
Stay tuned for more action as the 2025 Championship Tour kicks off at Pipeline.