LOWER TRESTLES, San Clemente, Calif. (Friday, September 6, 2024) – Today, Caity Simmers (USA) and John John Florence (HAW) claimed historic wins at the Lexus WSL Finals, the final event of the season for the World Surf League (WSL) 2024 Championship Tour (CT), and were crowned the 2024 World Champions. Both Simmers and Florence entered the Lexus WSL Finals as the No. 1 seeds and became the first duo to hold their place since the inaugural WSL Finals in 2021, won by Carissa Moore (HAW) and Gabriel Medina (BRA).
Caity Simmers Claims Maiden World Title, Becomes Surfing’s Youngest World Champion on the CT
After a sport-changing season, 18-year-old Caity Simmers (USA) capped off 2024 with her first World Title today as she continues to lead surfing’s progression to another level. The pride of Oceanside, California, Simmers’ incredible showing in the Title Match against reigning WSL Champion Caroline Marks (USA) pushed her performance to historic feats, accruing the highest heat total of the WSL Finals so far, an 18.37 (out of a possible 20). Marking the first women’s World Title for California in 40 years, Simmers was hoisted up by some of her closest friends and surrounded by her family and Oceanside community.
In her second season on Tour, Simmers claimed CT wins at the Lexus Pipe Pro, Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, and Vivo Rio Pro and made her Olympic debut all in just nine months.
“It means so much,” Simmers said. “I literally was going through every single emotion today, and it just feels crazy. I can’t believe it. I was feeling so much love today from everyone. You can look at it that it’s all for yourself or you can look at it like it’s for those people who support me.”
The Women’s Title Match went to three heats for just the second time in Finals history after Marks claimed victory in Title Match 1. Despite Simmers getting the advantage in the opening exchange and posting an excellent 8.50 (out of a possible 10), backed up by an 8.33, Marks kept pace, closing the match out with a near-perfect 9.60, the highest single wave score for women in the Finals.
Undeterred, Simmers opened Title Match 2 with her powerful, progressive form to post a 9.17 and eclipse Marks’ opening wave. Marks answered right back with an 8.00 before Simmers found herself in the spot for a Lower Trestles dreamer to attack from start to finish with her signature flair and power. Her efforts garnered another near-perfect 9.20 that had the Oceanside fans in attendance erupting on the beach as she posted her historic heat total.
Fireworks ensued in the winner-take-all third match. Simmers opened up with her forehand attack to post a 6.33, while Marks’ backhand daggers earned a solid 7.17. But, Simmers eyed down another gem and blasted an excellent 8.33, courtesy of multiple powerful hammers, to seize control and claim her maiden World Title.
“I wanted to go out there and just dance and surf how I wanted to surf and not surf like there was so much weight on it,” Simmers said. “Everyone’s here because surfing is so great. We’re just out there riding waves.”
John John Florence Returns Atop the World for Historic Third World Title
At a young age, John John Florence (HAW) was labeled a future World Title contender, and he made those dreams a reality in 2016 and 2017. After a laborious seven years of injury-plagued seasons that saw him become a two-time Olympian, husband, and father, Florence returned to the top of the world for his historic third World Title.
The 31-year-old spoiled Brazil’s initial storm with his maiden World Title in 2016, after Adriano de Souza (BRA) and Gabriel Medina (BRA) won back-to-back in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Now, after six years of Brazilian dominance, Florence has ended that streak once more to join the likes of Medina, Andy Irons (HAW), Mick Fanning (AUS), Tom Curren (USA), and more with three World Titles.
“I’m tearing up,” Florence said. “I can’t believe it. The last seven years have been so tough. There were so many injuries, and just fighting back to being in this position. My family, my wife, my son, my team, everyone. I couldn’t have done it without them because of the injuries and the down days and just so much going into these last few years to get to this point.”
A battle of WSL Champions unfolded in men’s Title Match 1 between Florence and Italo Ferreira (BRA), the 2019 World Champion. A slow start gave way to a fiery performance from Ferreira, who put Florence in an early combination. Florence answered with a 7.17, before staying extremely patient while Ferreira built his scoreline. Requiring an 8.16 in the fading moments, Florence was gifted a Lower Trestles gem that he unloaded his power and progression on for each critical section to earn an excellent 8.33, turning the heat as the horn sounded.
Taking his confidence from Match 1, Florence opened up the crucial Match 2 with a near-perfect 9.70, the single-highest score in WSL Finals history, to deliver a definitive statement and clinch the victory with his trademark layback. Ferreira posted two excellent rides of his own but was left needing a near-perfect 9.96 when the buzzer sounded, allowing Florence to claim his long-awaited third World Title and even the Title count with his greatest rival, Gabriel Medina (BRA).
“What a day,” Florence said. “It’s been a really hard road getting here. It feels really good to be done and to win again. The list of names that have three World Titles is pretty incredible, and to be part of that now is really fun. I’m stoked to tie it with Gabe [Medina], because he’s such a fierce competitor, and we qualified at the same time.”
Olympic Gold Medalists Caroline Marks and Italo Ferreira Push the Limits as 2024 Runner-ups
Another incredible season for defending World Champion Caroline Marks (USA) sees the 22-year-old Olympic Gold Medalist place runner-up to the World Title for the second time in her career. Heading into the event in the No. 2 seed, the Floridian, who resides in San Clemente, was able to fend off strong competition from 2021 runner-up Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA), in a rematch of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Gold Medal Match.
The first all-goofy-footer battle to take place in the Lexus WSL Finals saw Weston-Webb push Marks to bring out her best. The Brazilian’s form had previously powered through victories over Molly Picklum (AUS) and Brisa Hennessy (CRC) in Match 1 and 2, respectively, but Marks was once again able to win ahead of Weston-Webb to meet Simmers in the Title Match.
Appearing in his third Lexus WSL Finals, Italo Ferreira (BRA) repeated the charge from Match 1 to the Title Match that saw him finish runner-up in 2022. The Tokyo Olympic Gold Medalist displayed his unmatched energy as he defeated Australia’s two World Title hopefuls, Ethan Ewing (AUS) and Jack Robinson (AUS), in Match 1 and 2, respectively, before meeting Griffin Colapinto (USA) in Match 3.
Ferreira brought his bravado once more to start the match against Colpainto, San Clemente’s local hero, posting a 7.60 and taking control. The Californian found his form later in the heat to earn a 7.33 and push Ferreira to respond, with it all coming down to the last exchange. Ferreira’s backhand flair bumped Colapinto’s requirement up to a 7.20 and the World No. 2, Colapinto, fell just short – his 7.00 ride allowing Ferreira one more chance at a second World Title.
For highlights and more information about the 2024 Lexus WSL Finals, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
2024 Lexus WSL Finals Women’s Results: Women’s Title Match 3: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 15.16 DEF. Caroline Marks (USA) 7.17 Women’s Title Match 2: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 18.37 DEF. Caroline Marks (USA) 14.17 Women’s Title Match 1: Caroline Marks (USA) 17.43 DEF. Caitlin Simmers (USA) 16.87 Women’s Match 3: Caroline Marks (USA) 14.20 DEF. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 13.83 Women’s Match 2: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 13.77 DEF. Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 13.17 Women’s Match 1: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 12.74 DEF. Molly Picklum (AUS) 9.40
2024 Lexus WSL Finals Men’s Results: Men’s Title Match 2: John John Florence (HAW) 18.13 DEF. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 16.30 Men’s Title Match 1: John John Florence (HAW) 15.50 DEF. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 15.33 Men’s Match 3: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 14.47 DEF. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 14.33 Men’s Match 2: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 14.57 DEF. Jack Robinson (AUS) 9.94 Men’s Match 1: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 15.47 DEF. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 14.83
The Lexus WSL Finals is proudly supported by Lexus, Pacifico, Red Bull, 805 Beer, SHISEIDO, YETI, Bonsoy, True Surf, Surfline, Pura Vida, Eventbrite, Vissla, Cup Noodles, Hoag, Chase Travel, Rad E Bikes, Surf Water, Blu Green Haircare, Sambazon, Florence Marine X, I-SEA, Onewheel, and iHeart.
CAITLIN SIMMERS Takes down CAROLINE MARKS to win her 1st World Championship! Not since Kim Mearig over 4 decades ago has a Women’s Champ brought it home to California! A new legend has arrived.
LOWER TRESTLES, San Clemente, Calif. (Friday, September 6, 2024) – The 2024 Lexus WSL Finals, the final stop on the World Surf League (WSL) 2024 Championship Tour (CT), is ON at 8:00 a.m. PDT. Clean, three-to-four-foot swell is filling into Lower Trestles, providing extremely fun surf to determine the 2024 World Champions.
The event will begin with Women’s Match 1, followed by men’s Match 1, women’s and men’s Match 2, and women’s and men’s Match 3. The winners of Match 3 will then face the No. 1 seeds, Caity Simmers (USA) and John John Florence (HAW), in a best-two-of-three Title Match.
Match 1 for both women and men will feature regular-footed Australian World Title hopefuls facing goofy-footed Brazilian Olympic Medalists. For the women, the solid power-surfing of Molly Picklum (AUS) will meet the sharp, aggressive attack of Paris 2024 Silver Medalist Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA). Sitting in the No. 4 seed for the second season in a row, Picklum will have the advantage in starting the heat with priority, but Weston-Webb enters her third Lexus Finals with the experience of having advanced through to a Title Match.
On the men’s side, the contrasting styles of Ethan Ewing (AUS) and Italo Ferreira (BRA) couldn’t be more different. A key note in Ewing’s precise and powerful railwork is his patience, both in the face of the wave and in waiting for the ideal wave to come. Meanwhile, Ferreira, the 2019 World Champion and 2020 Olympic Gold Medalist, is more likely to prowl the lineup, ride as many waves as possible, and spend as little time on the face of the wave as he can.
Picklum and Weston-Webb have the daunting task of taking on the season’s most consistent competitor, Brisa Hennessy (CRC), in Match 2 and the reigning World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Caroline Marks (USA) in Match 3. Should they achieve that, Caity Simmers (USA) awaits in the Title Match waiting to throw down her style and progression to claim the title of youngest World Champion and deliver California its first women’s World Title since 1983.
Though all five women have previously competed in the Lexus WSL Finals, only Marks has tasted victory, and you can bet she wants to back that up. With Hennessy and Weston-Webb looking for historic firsts for their nations, Picklum looking to continue a legacy, and Simmers determined to make her mark, one very exciting day awaits.
Ewing and Ferreira have both made it through multiple matches in previous years, with Ewing featured in the Title Match in 2023 and Ferreira in 2022. They face large obstacles this season, however. The winner would need to beat Jack Robinson (AUS) in Match 2 and local hero Griffin Colapinto (USA) in Match 3, for the chance at taking on two-time World Champion John John Florence (HAW) in the Title Match.
Ewing, Robinson, and Colapinto are eager to win their first World Titles and break long droughts for their nations in the process, while Ferreira is hoping to add to his count and continue Brazil’s incredible streak. Current World No. 1 John John Florence (HAW), the only person to break that streak since it began in 2014, is looking to notch his third Title and equal the likes of Andy Irons (HAW) and Gabriel Medina (BRA).
By the day’s end, Lower Trestles will witness the winners make history as the 2024 World Champions. Their names will be etched into the iconic Duke Kahanamoku World Champions Trophy.
LOWER TRESTLES, San Clemente, Calif., USA (Thursday, September 5, 2023) – The Lexus WSL Finals, the final stop on the World Surf League (WSL) 2024 Championship Tour (CT), will likely start tomorrow, Friday, September 6, at 8:00 a.m. PDT. The WSL Commissioner’s Office issued a Yellow Alert, meaning the competition will likely be called ON tomorrow. They will assess the conditions in the morning and make the final decision by 7:30 a.m.
The Lexus WSL Finals is the one-day, World-Title-deciding competition that will see 10 athletes compete for the 2024 World Titles. An elite cast of contenders will compete at Lower Trestles in San Clemente, Calif. to declare themselves the best in the world. Current World No. 1s Caitlin Simmers (USA) and John John Florence (HAW) pushed the world’s best all season long to claim the top honors and now wait to see who will challenge them in their respective Title Matches.
2024 WSL Champions Could be Crowned Tomorrow, Friday, September 6
All eyes have been locked on the forecast to see which day will host the best surfing conditions to kick off competitive surfing’s ultimate, one-day battle for World Titles. With favorable winds and a pulse of S swell set to arrive to provide three-to-four-foot conditions at the famed Lower Trestles, the WSL Champions may be crowned by day’s end tomorrow, on Friday, September 6.
“It looks like tomorrow is going to be a really good for us and Surfline has even just upgraded their prediction for the size,” said Jessi Miley-Dyer, WSL Commissioner. “We’re down here today for the training, and the energy is amazing already. The surfers are looking more ready than ever, and everyone’s super excited about what really looks like an 8:00 a.m. start tomorrow morning.”
Phenom Caitlin Simmers Leads Women’s Formidable Final 5 Back to Lower Trestles
Surfing witnessed an incredible year of progression throughout the CT season. Oceanside, California’s Caity Simmers (USA) led the charge and emerged as the frontrunner following the conclusion of the regular CT season in Fiji. Simmers’ surge through 2024 helped push the standard alongside the world’s best surfers, including Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) and Molly Picklum (AUS). Now, all that remains for Simmers is to fend off Weston-Webb, Picklum, reigning WSL Champion Caroline Marks (USA), and 2023 World Title contender Brisa Hennessy (CRC) as each looks to etch their name into surfing’s most sought-after trophy – the Duke Kahanamoku World Champions Trophy.
“It’s a fast process in my mind, like a tornado,” said Simmers. “I’ve just been trying to slow down and do the things I normally would do, just with a little more effort into surfing. And to do just every little thing I can to be in the best form. I felt a lot more comfortable this year just being more familiar with the places after going to a lot of them for the first time last year.”
Two-time WSL Champion John John Florence Eyes Iconic Third Title
One of surfing’s most well-known names of the modern era, John John Florence (HAW), became the World Champion in 2016 and 2017, nearly matching the legendary Andy Irons (HAW) as the first man to earn three back-to-back Titles since 2004. Though riddled with injury, Florence entered the 2024 season with a new competitive edge that helped drive progression and power to new heights alongside a stacked cast of the world’s best.
“I’m really excited to be a part of it this year because my last World Title was won a completely different way,” said Florence. “So it’s fun to battle for a World Title on the day against No. 2, and it’s just really exciting. I have a lot of good memories here, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Heavy-Hitting Contenders Look to Etch Their Name in History
The No. 1 seeds will wait to see who rises from the list of world-class contenders and then go head-to-head in the Title Match, which is the best two out of three heats.
Residing in San Clemente, reigning WSL Champion Caroline Marks (USA) will return to the Lower Trestles, but this time ranked No. 2 after her surge to a maiden World Title began ranked No. 3 in 2023. Marks will wait to face the winner of Match 2 after Match 1 features Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) and Molly Picklum (AUS) to determine who will go on to battle Brisa Hennessy (CRC).
“It’s been an amazing year, and last year was amazing as well. It’s just a dream to have all my friends and family here,” said Marks. “I’ve looked forward to living out here for a while, and San Clemente has kind of adopted me, which has been really cool. It’s a different feeling this year. You have a target on your back once you’ve already won and you just want to do it again and again and again. I’m just really grateful for the opportunity to be back in this position.”
Southern California’s newest World Title hope, Griffin Colapinto (USA), returns to his home break of Lower Trestles for a redemption run at overtaking the Lexus WSL Finals straight off his Fiji Corona Pro win. San Clemente supporters filled the cobblestones of Trestles, cheering on Colapinto, who was ultimately defeated by 2023 World Title runner-up Ethan Ewing (AUS). Now, Colapinto is back at the No. 2 ranking and awaits his opponent starting in Match 1 between No. 5 Italo Ferreira (BRA) and No. 4 Ewing before they must face No. 3 Jack Robinson (AUS) in Match 2.
“It felt like I was on a good rhythm in Fiji, and things were just going my way,” said Colapinto. “I was just flowing and hanging out with my friends, and I feel like I really thrive in that environment. We’re home now and I’m doing it again, so it’s really nice.”
WSL Surf Night Brings San Clemente and Neighboring Communities Together
The Top 5 contenders joined WSL Surf Night held at San Clemente’s Community Center and the crowd came in the masses. Young kids and adults alike poured into the surf town to get their opportunity to meet the 2024 World Title contenders, enjoy food and giveaways, and see some of the activations surrounding the Lexus WSL Finals. An electric atmosphere MC’ed by Chris Cote was full of smiles, cheers, and words from all 10 of the contenders fresh out of a session at Lower Trestles.
WSL Rising Tides Inspires Surfing’s Next Gen in San Clemente
From Oahu’s North Shore to Portugal, to Brazil, and back to California, WSL Rising Tides continues to spread the stoke and inspire the next generation of young surfers globally. California’s rising talents took over the San Clemente Pier and were treated to a full session alongside 2024 Rookie of the Year and San Clemente’s own Sawyer Lindblad (USA) alongside CT veteran Lakey Peterson (USA). The two stars provided all the smiles, mentorship and a session to help keep pushing the next generation toward chasing World Title aspirations of their own.
“It’s amazing to be here today, and I see a lot of these girls almost every day when I’m home surfing in San Clemente,” said Lindblad. “It’s super cool to give back to the community and have a fun surf with all the girls. There’s a group of girls who go to the middle school I went to, so they’re all on the surf team that I was on, so it’s really cool. I’m definitely seeing more girls in the lineup than ever before, and it’s amazing.”
Watch LIVE
The call for the Lexus WSL Finals is tomorrow, Friday, September 6, at 7:30 a.m. for a possible 8:00 a.m. PDT start. With the official Yellow Alert issued, there is a high probability for the competition to run tomorrow. The competition will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app. Check out more ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners.
EARLIER UPDATES BELOW….
Top 5 Men and Women Prepare For Surfing’s Biggest Single Day of Competition at Lexus WSL Finals
Meet the Surfers Competing for the 2024 World Title
Competition Window Opens on Friday, September 6, 2024
LOWER TRESTLES, San Clemente, Calif., USA (Tuesday, September 3, 2024) – The World Surf League (WSL) Lexus WSL Finals are right around the corner, and the women’s and men’s Final 5 surfers are locked in and ready to battle for the 2024 World Titles at Lower Trestles in San Clemente, Calif. The one-day, winner-take-all competition will hold a waiting period from September 6 through September 14, 2024, and will run on the single best day of waves.
Filled with the season’s best surfers, the Lexus WSL Finals competitors have earned their places in a historic year that has seen new records set, Olympic medalists crowned, and boundaries pushed.
Heading into the fourth year of the Finals format, one thing is clear: Every surfer is determined to be the one to leave Lower Trestles as the 2024 World Champion, and they will bring the belief that they can do it into every match.
Meet the Surfers Competing for the 2024 World Titles
Caity Simmers (USA)
The No. 1 seed, Oceanside, California’s Caity Simmers (USA), enters her second-consecutive Lexus WSL Finals in only her second season on Tour. As one of the frontrunners in waves of consequence, Simmers led the charge at the first event of the season, the Lexus Pipe Pro, taking the win on a defining day for surfing. Victories at Bells Beach and Brazil followed, leaving the stylish and progressive surfer, who featured as a part of Team USA in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, in the yellow Leader’s jersey for much of the season. Her fiery attack at Lower Trestles will be hard to beat as she seeks to claim California’s first women’s World Title since Kim Mearig in 1983.
“It’s pretty not real, but it’s also super real,” Simmers said. “It’s pretty cool. Lowers is a super fun wave, and it’s kind of a ridiculous life situation to be in, so I’ll just try to not think about it at all.”
John John Florence (HAW)
It’s hard to believe that the 2024 Lexus WSL Finals will be the first Finals appearance for two-time World Champion and two-time Olympian John John Florence (HAW). After many seasons of injury, the 31-year-old will fight for the World Title for the first time since his last in 2017. In an incredibly consistent 2024 season, Florence earned his first Championship Tour (CT) event win since 2019 at the Surf City El Salvador Pro and placed runner-up in three additional events. A brand new father, the Hawaiian, representing Oahu’s famous North Shore, is eager to match compatriot Andy Irons’ (HAW) three World Titles. And, maybe even more so, to even the score in modern-day surfing’s biggest rivalry and sit equal with Gabriel Medina’s (BRA) three.
“This will be my first time making it to the Finals, so I’m super stoked on that,” Florence said. “The plan from the beginning of the year was to try to be at Lowers in the No. 1 seed. I’m just having fun competing.”
Caroline Marks (USA)
The reigning World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist, Caroline Marks (USA), returns to the Lexus WSL Finals as the No. 2 seed looking to go back-to-back in her adopted home of San Clemente. While the Floridian’s forehand barrel technique took her to Olympic Gold, it was her aggressive backhand attack that earned her first World Title. The first goofy-foot to win a women’s World Title since 2005, and the only women’s World Champion in the draw, Marks retains the title of both youngest to ever surf in a CT and youngest to qualify for the Tour, as well as the first woman to win equal prize money in 2019. A victory at the Surf City El Salvador Pro elevated Marks into her current rankings position, one place higher than where she claimed her inaugural World Title in 2023.
“I’m really stoked, that was a huge goal of mine to defend my Title,” Marks said. “I feel like I’m coming off a really big high after winning the Gold at the Olympics, but I still feel like there’s work to be done this year. Two really massive goals this year. I got one done and one more to go.”
Griffin Colapinto (USA)
Fresh off of his second CT win of 2024 at the Corona Fiji Pro, hometown hero Griffin Colapinto (USA) will appear as the No. 2 seed in the Lexus WSL Finals for the second year in a row with the opportunity to win California its first men’s World Title since 1990. Born and raised in San Clemente, within a stone’s throw of Lower Trestles, he honed his skills on its precious peak. The 26-year-old Olympian has an incredible amount of support from the local community and his family, especially his brother Crosby Colapinto, who recently claimed the 2024 Rookie of the Year title in their first shared season together.
“It means everything,” Colapinto said. “I put so much into this sport, and my whole life has been going towards what I’m doing now, so I’m just soaking it in.”
Brisa Hennessy (CRC)
Brisa Hennessy’s (CRC) fifth season on Tour has proved her best yet, landing her in her second Lexus WSL Finals in the No. 3 position. Having fallen off Tour at the Mid-Season Cut in 2023 amidst an array of serious health issues, including the discovery of a benign brain tumor and diagnosis of hypothyroidism, Hennessy’s incredible return to form has seen her as the most consistent surfer of 2024. The two-time Olympian placed in four Semifinals before reaching the high point of her season, runner-up in the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro. Hennessy has always placed high value on her family, a fact that much of the world witnessed when a clip of the 24-year-old teaching her 80-year-old grandmother to surf went viral at the start of the year. They, along with all of Hennessy’s fans in Costa Rica, will cheer her on as she competes for her first World Title, potentially as early as Friday, September 6, with the start of the event window.
Jack Robinson (AUS)
Two major life changes have happened since Jack Robinson (AUS) competed in his second WSL Finals in 2023: he became a father, and he became an Olympian, both firsts for the 26-year-old. While winning an Olympic Silver Medal may have highlighted his 2024 competitive season, a second CT win at home in the Western Australia Margaret River Pro, along with victory in the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach, certainly aided in making it an incredible year for Robinson. He’ll be hoping that the third time’s a charm when he dons the jersey as the No. 3 seed in the 2024 Lexus WSL Finals, looking to claim Australia’s first World Title since Mick Fanning in 2013.
Molly Picklum (AUS)
A North Shore season for the history books started Molly Picklum’s (AUS) 2024 season with a bang. Earning the first-ever women’s 10-point ride at Pipeline in the Lexus Pipe Pro, where she placed runner-up, the 21-year-old then nailed the turn seen around the world on the way to winning her second-consecutive Hurley Pro Sunset Beach. Though mixed results followed, her first Olympic experience at Paris 2024 gave way to a Semifinal finish in the Corona Fiji Pro, which clinched her position at No. 4 in the Lexus WSL Finals, equaling her seed in her first Finals experience in 2023.
Ethan Ewing (AUS)
The exceptional railwork of Ethan Ewing (AUS) has set the standard in modern-day surfing, and it has now taken him to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and his third consecutive Lexus WSL Finals. In 2023, the 25-year-old marched through to the Title Match, where he placed runner-up to the World Title, Australia’s best finish since 2018. His fifth season on Tour was highlighted by a Final at the MEO Rip Curl Pro and a Semifinal in the recently finished Corona Fiji Pro, where his often-overlooked backhand lit up the lefts of Cloudbreak, allowing him to clinch the No. 4 seed as he once again pursues his first World Title.
“This year’s been a lot of ups and downs, and towards the end of this year, I was just holding on,” Ewing said. “I made a lot of mistakes in a few of the comps, so it feels good to secure that and get another opportunity at a World Title.”
Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA)
Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) chose the right moment to push through to her first Final of 2024, making the Gold Medal Match in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where she earned the Silver Medal. Her form continued across to the CT, where it all came down to the wire in the final event of the season, the Corona Fiji Pro. Needing to make the Final in Fiji to return to the Lexus WSL Finals, the 28-year-old Brazilian did exactly that, bettering her three CT Semifinal finishes in 2024 and placing runner-up to clinch the No. 5 spot. Having previously made the Title Match in the very first WSL Finals in 2021, Weston-Webb will be looking to go one better in 2024 and earn Brazil their first women’s World Title.
“What an honor to be part of such a tenacious group of women,” Weston-Webb said. “I think that this year has been so fun for women’s surfing and, obviously, a special year for me, getting a Silver Medal and now being in the Final 5.”
Italo Ferreira (BRA)
2019 World Champion and Tokyo Olympic Gold Medalist Italo Ferreira (BRA) had two very different halves of the 2024 season. A slow start in the first half saw him in danger of falling off Tour at the Mid-Season Cut, while the second half featured a solid return to form. The 30-year-old won two of the four post-Cut CT events, the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro and the Vivo Rio Pro, which was a massive first home-country victory. Ferreira’s No. 5 position in the 2024 Lexus Finals may be lower than his two previous appearances in 2021 and 2022, but he’s proven he can rise to the occasion through multiple heats. He is Brazil’s single hope to maintain their men’s World Title run, which has continued since 2018. If anyone has the energy to rise from fifth to first, it’s Ferreira, and you can be sure he will go all out in his attempt.
Meet the World’s Best Surfers at Surf Night in San Clemente
The WSL is bringing Surf Night to San Clemente ahead of the Lexus WSL Finals. Join us on September 3 at the San Clemente Community Center (100 N Calle Seville) to meet the WSL Final 5 and celebrate the unique surf culture of the San Clemente community. Enjoy food trucks, music, and giveaways throughout the night, and of course, snag a poster from your favorite surfers. The event will start from 5:00 p.m. PDT and athlete signings will occur from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
For more information about the Lexus WSL Finals, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
Watch LIVE
The Lexus WSL Finals is the final stop on the 2024 WSL Championship Tour, where the Top 5 men and women will compete for the undisputed World Titles. The competition window opens on Friday, September 6, and runs through Saturday, September 14, 2024. The competition will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app. Check out more ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners.The Lexus WSL Finals is proudly supported by Lexus, Pacifico, Red Bull, 805 Beer, SHISEIDO, YETI, Bonsoy, True Surf, Surfline, Pura Vida, Eventbrite, Vissla, Cup Noodles, Hoag, Chase Travel, Rad E Bikes, Surf Water, Blu Green Haircare, Sambazon, Florence Marine X, I-SEA, Onewheel, and iHeart. For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
