WSL Pipe Pro: Simmers, Picklum, and Peterson make statements

Nichols stuns with highest score of the WSL Pipe Pro event

Isabella Nichols (AUS) delivered the performance of the event, securing an 8.67—the highest single-wave score of the competition—against rival Gabriela Bryan (HAW).

The two have been in a back-and-forth battle since their first head-to-head meeting at the 2022 Margaret River Pro. Nichols’ mastery of Pipeline’s Backdoor barrels solidified her dominance, earning a heat total of 14.17 to Bryan’s 13.33.

“I don’t know where that wave came from, but I’m very happy that it came to me in that heat,” Nichols said.

“I’ve been putting in the time, surfing it when it’s bad and when it’s good. I was sitting out there dreaming, thinking, ‘Imagine how sick it would be if I could get one of these waves and get a vision and get barrelled in the heat,’ and then it happened.”

Simmers outduels Jones Wong in clash of former champions

Defending event winner Caity Simmers (USA) and 2022 champion Moana Jones Wong (HAW) went head-to-head in the Round of 16. In an evenly matched contest, Simmers stayed patient up the reef, hoping for a longer barrel.

That strategy paid off when she secured an 8.00, reclaiming the lead and eliminating the local wildcard.

“I was kind of late to that wave because Moana [Jones Wong] went on the wave before,” Simmers said.

“I just knew there would be another wave, so I started paddling out before I even saw it. I knew I needed a big score, and I saw the wave setting up, and I thought, ‘Alright, it’s going to barrel,’ and then it did.”

Simmers will face fellow Californian and close friend Sawyer Lindblad (USA) in the Quarterfinals.

Lindblad advanced after overcoming Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW), who had earlier produced a thrilling Elimination Round comeback to knock out Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS).

WSL Lexus Pipe Pro Day 2 Highlights

Picklum overcomes brooks in highly anticipated rematch

A rematch from the 2024 season played out as 2024 event runner-up Molly Picklum (AUS) faced rookie Erin Brooks (CAN) in the final heat of the Round of 16.

A slow lineup tested both surfers, but Picklum’s patience paid off as she delivered strong, committed turns to edge out Brooks and advance.

“I feel right at home when it’s all crazy out there,” Picklum said.

“It’s always hard with those non-priority heats, but I’m just happy to have gotten it done. Turns or barrels, whatever, I’m stoked to be making heats.”

Picklum, who has improved her placement at Pipeline every year, will face Brisa Hennessy (CRC) in the Quarterfinals.

Peterson returns to Finals Day with commanding performance

Lakey Peterson (USA), competing as the 2025 Season Wildcard, opened the Round of 16 with a decisive victory over Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA).

Determined to avoid an early exit like in 2024, Peterson set her two-wave total early, maintaining control throughout the heat.

Weston-Webb attempted to find a scoring barrel but was unable to exit, leaving Peterson to secure her third Finals Day appearance at Pipeline.

“You really hope to start a heat like that,” Peterson said.

“But then I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, there’s still 35 minutes to go.’ I had a decent heat total, but I knew I’d need to improve, and at the same time, I was just trying to keep her off a five. It was a long 35 minutes.”

Colapinto, Miguel Pupo survive Men’s Elimination Round

Griffin Colapinto (USA) found himself in unfamiliar territory in the Elimination Round but capitalised on a missed opportunity from wildcard Eli Hanneman (HAW) to thread a Backdoor barrel for a 6.50 and advance.

“Happy to get through that round because that’s always a gritty round,” Colapinto said. “Everyone’s lost their first heat, so you get a little nervous. I’m psyched to move on.”

Former CT surfer Alejo Muniz (BRA) also made his return to the Tour with a victory, while 2025 rookies Jackson Bunch (HAW) and Joel Vaughan (AUS) advanced into the Round of 32.

Miguel Pupo (BRA) narrowly avoided elimination with a last-minute backhand hit, saving his campaign while his brother Samuel Pupo (BRA) was eliminated.

In a major upset, Yago Dora (BRA) was also knocked out, suffering just the second Elimination Round exit of his six-year CT career.

Lexus Pipe Pro Presented by YETI Women’s Opening Round Results

• HEAT 1: Luana Silva (BRA) 12.60 DEF. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 9.16, Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 6.17
• HEAT 2: Caroline Marks (USA) 11.83 DEF. Nadia Erostarbe (EUK) 7.17, Bella Kenworthy (USA) 6.67
• HEAT 3: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 12.67 DEF. Isabella Nichols (AUS) 7.93, Moana Jones Wong (HAW) 7.10
• HEAT 4: Tyler Wright (AUS) 13.83 DEF. Lakey Peterson (USA) 10.16, Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 9.87
• HEAT 5: Molly Picklum (AUS) 9.16 DEF. Vahine Fierro (FRA) 5.83, Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 4.80
• HEAT 6: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 7.67 DEF. Sawyer Lindblad (USA) 7.66, Erin Brooks (CAN) 6.83

Lexus Pipe Pro Presented by YETI Women’s Elimination Round Results

• HEAT 1: Moana Jones Wong (HAW) 8.40 DEF. Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 6.17, Bella Kenworthy (USA) 4.33
• HEAT 2: Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 10.10 DEF. Erin Brooks (CAN) 7.73, Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 5.90

Lexus Pipe Pro Presented by YETI Women’s Round of 16 Results

• HEAT 1: Lakey Peterson (USA) 10.17 DEF. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 7.07
• HEAT 2: Isabella Nichols (AUS) 14.17 DEF. Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 13.33
• HEAT 3: Caroline Marks (USA) 9.07 DEF. Nadia Erostarbe (EUK) 1.57
• HEAT 4: Tyler Wright (AUS) 8.26 DEF. Luana Silva (BRA) 7.60
• HEAT 5: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 11.00 DEF. Moana Jones Wong (HAW) 9.24
• HEAT 6: Sawyer Lindblad (USA) 9.17 DEF. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 3.50
• HEAT 7: Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 9.27 DEF. Vahine Fierro (FRA) 8.60
• HEAT 8: Molly Picklum (AUS) 10.83 DEF. Erin Brooks (CAN) 7.33

Lexus Pipe Pro Presented by YETI Women’s Quarterfinal Matchups

• HEAT 1: Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Isabella Nichols (AUS)
• HEAT 2: Caroline Marks (USA) vs. Tyler Wright (AUS)
• HEAT 3: Caitlin Simmers (USA) vs. Sawyer Lindblad (USA)
• HEAT 4: Brisa Hennessy (CRC) vs. Molly Picklum (AUS)

Lexus Pipe Pro Presented by YETI Men’s Elimination Round Results

• HEAT 1: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 10.67 DEF. Deivid Silva (BRA) 8.00, Eli Hanneman (HAW) 4.90
• HEAT 2: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 7.83 DEF. Jackson Bunch (HAW) 5.40, Yago Dora (BRA) 2.60
• HEAT 3: Ryan Callinan (AUS) 8.33 DEF. Joel Vaughan (AUS) 8.10, Samuel Pupo (BRA) 4.10
• HEAT 4: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 8.56 DEF. Liam O’Brien (AUS) 7.10, Imaikalani deVault (HAW) 5.57

Lexus Pipe Pro Presented by YETI Women’s Quarterfinal Matchups & Odds

Lexus Pipe Pro Presented by YETI Men’s Round of 32 Matchups & Odds