Article: Recap: 2025 WSL Lexus Trestles Pro presented by Outerknown
Recap: 2025 WSL Lexus Trestles Pro presented by Outerknown
Press play above to rewatch all of the highlights from the 2025 WSL Lexus Trestles Pro presented by Outerknown, the 8th stop of the World Championship Tour, the first-stop after the midyear cut, and the first main CT stop at Lowers in 8 years. It was an incredible week of surfing watching the best men and women in the world compete at one of the most progressive waves in the world, Lower Trestles. And Finals Day was all-time – the waves were pumping, the beach was packed, and the energy was infectious with non-stop action.
We went to bed Friday evening with a 50/50 chance Finals Day would run that next morning, Saturday, June 14th. Despite Sunday being the bigger day on the charts and the potential for some South winds both days, we woke up and got down to the cobblestones just in time for the WSL to give the green light: today was Finals Day. And watching it from the beach, no surfer could say no to the morning's conditions.
The Men's Final, with Yago Dora of Brazil taking on Kanoa Igarashi of Japan, was nothing short of amazing. There were 18 waves surfed in the Men's Final, the most of the entire event. Yago dropped a 9.53 within the first 20 seconds of the heat, and might have thrown the most airs in any heat during the event. The Brazilian ended his heat with over 4x rides in the excellent range (8.0+). Kanoa put up three sevens and an eight, including a Kerrupt flip that was a crowd favorite. This win puts Yago at World #2, just behind South Africa's Jordy Smith.
The Women's Final, which was just before the Men's, was also incredibly exciting. It seemed as if Hawai'i's Bettylou Sakura Johnson could do no wrong, as she posted a 9 and an 8 for her two-wave total. Australia's Molly Picklum, who on paper was 6-0 over Betty going into the Final, put together a 14 point total and a great effort including some radical late hits on a massive right that came through in the back half of the heat.
The fans were out in full force – locals and visitors from afar – the beach was packed, with standing room only up front.
Both the Men's and Women's Finals were incredibly exciting to watch – both close heats, Molly Picklum fell to an in-form Bettylou Sakura Johnson, and Kanoa Igarashi fell to an untouchable Yago Dora.
The Semifinals were radical to watch – the swell had filled in, offering up solid sets for Finals Day competitors. San Clemente favorite, Griffin Colapinto, lost to Yago when the Brazilian got his last wave with less than three minutes to go – on which he put together a two-piece tail-high air reverse combo on the Lowers left. Jack Robinson gave an incredible performance, but it wasn't enough for Kanoa's pocket 8's.
Oceanside's Caity Simmers couldn't get past Australia's Molly Picklum who got the first wave of the heat, a well-overhead double-up that offered critical sections for a few crucial blows. San Clemente's Sawyer Lindblad lost to an unstoppable Bettylou Sakura Johnson, who posted yet another excellent heat total (16.0+).
Earlier in the contest, 11x World Champion Kelly Slater was the event wildcard, competing in a couple heats at the storied arena that he has won six times. Images captured by Todd Glaser at the event site. 
When Kelly hits the water, the crowd turns on. And this event was no different, it was clear fans came from near and far to watch the greatest of all-time at one of the most progressive waves in the world.
Your 2025 WSL Lexus Trestles Pro presented by Outerknown Finalists: Men's Winner Yago Dora, Women's Winner Bettylou Sakura Johnson, Men's Runner-Up Kanoa Igarashi, and Women's Runner-up Molly Picklum.
Finals Day was 35-minute heats, non-overlapping, with jetski assist. WSL's Kelly Slater Wave Company provided some of their best-in-class water safety operators to look after competing surfers throughout the event. Day 1 and Day too ran without jetski assist, before the swell filled in.
Launching out of the harbor in Dana Point each morning and motoring to Lowers (a 7-8 mile 15-20 minute ride), WSL's Kelly Slater Wave Company had five water safety operators on-site: Ryan Hargrave, Terry Collis, Matt Rohm, Jake Kevel and Craig Miller. Unfortunately we weren't able to get photos of Jake Kevel and Craig Miller because they were on their skis in the water the entire day. A HUGE thank you from all of us at Outerknown, Firewire Surfboards and Slater Designs for all that you do.
This year, 2025, marks Outerknown's 10-year anniversary of building products by making every decision with the highest regard for People and Planet. Partners, ambassadors, friends and family gathered to celebrate at The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano: a farm-to-table Regenerative Organic Certified®️ farm and education center that serves as a hub for southern California's ecological movement (who fix an incredible dinner and experience).
Co-Founders Kelly Slater and John Moore enjoying the music by Todd Hannigan & Xoco, drinks, and good times with a great crew.
Thanks to our partners, ambassadors, friends and family for coming out and making the evening so special.
Partners got a sneak peek at Outerknown's Spring/Summer 2026 collection.
Part of the experience at The Ecology Center included taking a stroll into the strawberry fields to try fruit straight off the plant: as our guide explained, these are the best strawberries because they're "right here, right now," rather than being grown elsewhere and shipped in to our local region for consumption.
Nobody fixes a dinner and experience quite like The Ecology Center.
One of the best shows in surfing – a huge thank you to everyone who came down to the beach and watched on the Internet. See you in the water!
