Watch Men’s Finals Day LIVE at the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro Presented by Outerknown

• Men’s Round of 16 Starts at 7:05 AM TAHT
• Men’s Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Final To Follow
• Historic Finish for Women’s Competition Yesterday at Teahupo’o

Pictured: 11X World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) is first in the water today against World No. 4 Ethan Ewing (AUS) in the Round of 16 at the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro Presented by Outerknown. Credit: © WSL / Ed Sloane

First in the water today is the GOAT, Kelly Slater (USA), up against current World No. 4 Ethan Ewing (AUS) in the Round of 16. With the pumping conditions today, Slater will use all of his Teahupo’o experience and knowledge to overcome the young Australian in his battle to win a sixth Tahiti Pro event title. The 11-time World Champion can be expected to pull out all the stops in today’s firing conditions.

Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) and Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) will battle in Heat 2. Both surfers are looking for a huge event result at the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro and hope to find their rhythm in today’s matchups. With his first appearance in this event, Boukhiam is eager to continue his form and claim a strong finish.

Two-time World Champion John John Florence (HAW) will face the local Tahiti trials winner, Mihimana Braye (PYF), in Heat 5. Braye is out to continue his run of upsets after knocking out World No. 1 Griffin Colapinto (USA) in yesterday’s Elimination Rounds.

Watch men’s Finals Day at the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro Presented by Outerknown LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com.

• Wildcard Vahine Fierro Wins with Groundbreaking Performances at Teahupo’o Today
• Brisa Hennessy Jumps to World No. 1 After Runner-up Finish
• Tatiana Weston-Webb Scores Perfect 10, Dedicates Ride to Her Filmer Greg Browning
• Big Upsets in Men’s Elimination Round, World No. 1 Colapinto Falls to Wildcard Braye

Pictured: Vahine Fierro (FRA) surfs a monstrous wave at Teahupo’o to win the 2024 SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro Presented by Outerknown. Credit: © WSL / Matt Dunbar

With the men’s Elimination Round complete, the competition looks likely to run on the men’s Finals Day tomorrow. The next call will be tomorrow, Thursday, May 29, at 6:45 a.m. TAHT for a possible 7:05 a.m. start. Tomorrow’s forecast looks to continue the sizeable conditions from today for another epic day of action at Teahupo’o.

Vahine Fierro (FRA) became the first Tahitian local to win the Tahiti Pro as a wildcard. Not only was Fierro’s win impressive from her performances throughout the day, but she also faced incredibly tough competition on a day that saw the bar raised by a number of women. Hailing from the outer island Huahine, Fierro and her family relocated to Teahupo’o as she and her sisters began to focus on their competitive surfing careers. Fierro’s time and experience at Teahupo’o shows, with the 24-year-old putting on some of the most incredible performances at the wave and showing what is possible for women in the world’s heaviest waves. In her third wildcard appearance at her home break, the former WSL World Junior Champion claimed the biggest win of her career on a proud day for Tahiti and France.

“I mean, I knew and believed that at some point I would win this event,” Fierro said. “My body is sore everywhere I gave it my all. I wiped out so many times and broke my board. It was like madness. I was calm. It’s insane. I just want to thank everybody because all their energy is what motivates me, what inspires me. I wanted to thank Jeremy Flores for coaching me through all of this. He was telling me, ‘It’s the semi now. You just need to go. There’s no pulling back, and there’s no holding back. You just gotta go.’ Jessi [Miley-Dyer] made the amazing call to throw us out there today, and that’s what women need. Thank you to Jessi for trusting the women because we were more than capable out there. Thank you, Teahupo’o, so special and thank you for sending me the best waves of my life in that heat.”

Pictured: Brisa Hennessy (CRC), event runner-up, with Vahine Fierro (FRA), event winner, after the Final at the 2024 SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro Presented by Outerknown. Credit: © WSL / Matt Dunbar

“I also want to thank my parents; Kauli [Vaast], my sparring partner, he pushes me so much, you know, he’s the best out there, so I wanted to thank him too, and my boyfriend for spending hours on the jetski filming and just everybody,” continued Fierro. “Thank you. I wanted to congratulate Brisa [Hennessy] because she has the sickest backside style. No rail grab all event long. She was showing that style, and having a final with her was exactly what I wanted. It was a rematch from our Semifinal [in 2022]. I was stoked, and just being against the best in the world and learning from their experiences and their competitive skills just pushes everybody. We [the women] just need the conditions, and we’re gonna show up, we’re going to throw ourselves over the ledge, and try and try and try over again. So I’m just so stoked right now.”

Although the day belonged to Fierro, her opponents Brisa Hennessy (CRC) and Tatiana-Weston-Webb (BRA) posted stunning highlights throughout the day, earning solid scores and completing ground-breaking tube rides.

With her runner-up finish today, Hennessy jumps up to World No. 1 on the CT rankings. The 24-year-old did not have an easy path to the Final, as she took down Caroline Marks (USA), the defending event winner and reigning World Champion, in the Semifinals, and Carissa Moore (HAW), the five-time World Champion, in the Quarterfinals. In all of her heats today, Hennessy charged the Teahupo’o Bowl, taking off deep, setting her line, and pulling in with no hands before grabbing her rail and charging through some of the thickest tubes seen all day, a technique used by some of the most stylish barrel-riders on the planet.

“It’s just been an honor to come up against Vahine,” Hennessy said. “I mean, she is the queen out here in every respect, and I respect her so much. I have so much more to learn out there. I’m still absolutely terrified, but I’m excited about this new journey. I think it’s incredible to see how the new opportunities and leveling up that the women are doing, it gives me goosebumps, so I’m really honored to be a part of it.”

Hennessy has been extremely successful this season with consistent third-place results all year, except for a ruptured eardrum injury in Portugal that forced her to withdraw early. Her accomplishments this season are profound, considering the recovery and challenge she faced last year following her diagnoses of hypothyroidism, depression, EBV, and a pituitary gland adenoma. Hennessy has shown strength and resilience through her recovery while also being vulnerable and open about her journey. With her current standing on the World Rankings, Hennessy improves her World Title hopes with a step closer to locking in a spot in the WSL Final 5.

“I was talking about it with my mom the other day, and it’s like, you’re like on the edge of so much anxiety, but just on the other side of that edge lies the wave of your life and endless possibility and opportunity,” continued Hennessy. “And I think that’s what it feels like. Pressure is a privilege. I want to feel that, but I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself. Seriously, I honestly didn’t even know if I was going to compete again. It was quite a bit of a roller coaster for me in 2023, you know, falling off the Tour, dealing with my health issues mentally and not being my strongest, and I don’t know, that definitely feels very sunshiney and warm.”

Hennessy will wear the yellow leader jersey going into stop No.7 of the WSL CT, the Surf City El Salvador Pro Presented by Corona, which holds a competition window from June 6 to 15, 2024.

Despite losing to eventual event winner Fierro, Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) made history today with the first Perfect 10 ever from a woman at the Tahiti Pro. Weston-Webb dug deep to paddle over the ledge and into a huge set wave, making it to the bottom and almost catching her rail in the critical part of the wave only to recover and put herself deep in the barrel, behind the heavy Teahupo’o curtain. Weston-Webb then navigated the foam ball and the spit to fly out of the barrel for the Perfect score. Weston-Webb’s amazing surfing continues to push surfing’s progression even more in today’s pumping conditions.

“That was just a gift from God,” said Weston-Webb. “It’s really scary out there, but I just was so grateful to have the opportunity. Like, how often do we get these conditions? Especially for females? I feel like the women’s sport is evolving so much, especially in surfing and the WSL is giving us that platform. And I just feel really grateful for that. And obviously, we have the Olympics coming up, and it’s a really big goal of mine to do pretty well there. Vahine is amazing out here, and she inspires me. and I knew that she was going to get 8’s minimum. So, I knew I needed to do something cool. And, yeah, I guess I did.”

In an emotional interview following her heat, Weston-Webb dedicated the wave to her filmer and longtime friend Greg Browning, who was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) last year.

“I want to give a quick shout-out to a very special someone, Greg Browning,” Weston-Webb said. “He is the best person in the world. And yeah, all my love is with you, Greg. I just want to say one more time, ‘Thank you to all the viewers. Thank you for all the positive comments towards women’s surfing. I can’t really thank you guys enough for also allowing us to do what we love to do.”

Before the Semifinal heat, Weston-Webb eliminated two-time World Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) in Quarterfinal 4 with a 14.83 two-wave total (out of a possible 20) to Wright’s 13.76. Although Wright finished in equal 5th position, she dropped one spot to 9th on the rankings.

The opening heat of the men’s Elimination Round saw a major upset as Tahiti Trials winner Mihimana Braye (PYF) kept the Tahitian vibes high, taking down Ranking’s Leader Griffin Colapinto (USA). Braye was in good rhythm with Teahupo’o, picking off some smaller but longer and thicker waves to post a 15.10 two-wave total (out of a possible 20) and hold the heat lead for its entirety. Colapinto, known for his prowess in heavy, backhand barrels, was able to fight back late with a couple of mid-range scores, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the local, which means the yellow Leader’s jersey is up for grabs on Finals Day in Tahiti.

“I’m super happy to make this heat at home with all of these people in the channel,” Braye said. “This is my second CT event, so I’m just stoked to make it. I beat Filipe (Toledo) last year when he was World No. 1, and now I’ve done it again with Griffin. I’ve been working so hard for this moment, and Teahupo’o has given me so much, so I’m super happy.”

2024 CT Rookie Cole Houshmand (USA) posted the highest two-wave total of the men’s event so far with a 17.56, which included a near-perfect 9.57 (out of a possible 10) for a wave Houshmand claimed was the best of his life. Houshmand took off deep on one of the bigger waves of the day to completely disappear before coming over the foam ball and getting blown into the channel. Houshmand will now take on 2019 Italo Ferriera (BRA) in the Round of 16 when competition resumes.

“This is what you dream of when you come to Tahiti,” Houshmand said. “These are the waves you think of when you join the CT. That was definitely the best wave of my life and probably the biggest barrel of my life. That’s what I’ve dreamt of. I was scared I wasn’t going to make it, so I was stoked when I did. That thing just came up out of nowhere, and I knew I just had to swing. It was the biggest wave of the day, and I was in the spot, so I had to go, and I just swung on it. I thought I was too deep, so I channeled my inner Slater and went as high as I could. I got a bit carried away with my claim when I came out, but it was the wave of my life.”

Southern California’s Jake Marshall (USA) and Crosby Colapinto (USA) both progressed through their Elimination Round matchups with huge scores, each posting waves over 9.00 points in their breakout Tahiti performances. Barron Mamiya (HAW) looked super comfortable in the heavy conditions, toying with the Teahupo’o tubes on his way to a 16.83 two-wave total to dispatch Matthew McGillivray (RSA) in Heat 7 of the Elimination Round.

For highlights from today’s competition at the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro Presented by Outerknown, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

PRIOR UPDATES BELOW

World’s Best All Set in Teahupo’o Ahead of SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro Presented by Outerknown

• • Championship Tour Stop No. 6 Window Opened Tuesday…
  • First Call:  at 7 AM for Possible 7:30 AM TAHT Start 
  • World Champions Eye Tahiti Titles Ahead of Olympic Games Paris 2024
  • Mihimana Braye Wins Tahiti Trials, Joins Local Favorite Vahine Fierro in Draw

Pictured: The first call for the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro Presented by Outerknown will be tomorrow, Wednesday, May 22 at 7:00 a.m. TAHT. Credit: © WSL / Ed Sloane

The heavy water break of Teahupo’o will test the CT’s Top 10 women and Top 22 men alongside a group of formidable wildcards. This competition will also provide a preview to this year’s Olympic Games, where surfing will return in late July.

Californian duo Caitlin Simmers (USA) and Griffin Colapinto (USA) come into the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro hoping to extend their rankings’ leads and clinch their spots in the WSL Final 5. Both competitors are campaigning for their first WSL World Titles and will be put to the ultimate test with this first event following the Cut. This week is full of opportunities for the pair, who are also looking for their first wins at Teahupo’o in the same year they will represent the United States at the Olympic Games at this location in July.

“This place and Pipeline are two waves that I have put a lot of time and effort into learning,” Colapinto said. “I’m really excited about this contest, and there is an opportunity to do something I’m really happy about. I’m sitting at World No. 1 halfway through the season, but I can’t take my foot off the gas. I feel like I need to win this contest if I’m to keep the top spot with John [Florence] and Jack [Robinson] nipping at my heels. I’m super excited about the Olympics coming up, and I want to give myself the best preparation, so I will always know I did my best. To go for the Gold.”

After taking a historic victory at Pipeline earlier this year, 18-year-old Simmers is excited to raise the bar once again and show what she is capable of when riding heavy tubes on her backhand. The American earned the runner-up at this event last year and is in-form to better her result.

“It’s cool to do an event out here,” Simmers said. “It’s such a fun wave and is so perfect, and competing at a wave is different to just surfing it, so this will be a great warmup for the Olympics. There are a lot of scary things about Teahupo’o. First of all, the wave itself is terrifying; it definitely gets my heart racing. Then there’s the reef. The water is so clear that you can see the reef while you are on the wave, which is very scary, too. It’s terrifying and beautiful. It’s amazing to watch but to be in the wave and look out is amazing. I fricken love getting barreled, and to win this event, you have to get barreled, which is cool. I’m looking forward to the Olympics because surfing is such an individual thing so to compete on a team for others will be a cool experience.”

This year’s event will see five-time WSL Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) make one of her only competitive appearances of 2024 as she prepares for her second Olympics and a potential a second Gold Medal. Moore is known for her prowess in heavy water waves. In this event, Moore has yet to advance past the Quarterfinals. As she puts on the jersey for the first time since January, Moore will be a competitor to watch. She will be up against Johanne Defay (FRA) and Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) in Heat 3 of the Opening Round.

“To get the wildcard into the Shiseido Tahiti Pro is seriously such a gift,” Moore said. “It’s an amazing opportunity for me to dust off the cobwebs and get back into competitive mode before the Olympics. I’m here to learn and to push myself and hopefully get comfortable and feel good going into that event. Teahupo’o is seriously one of the most terrifying waves I’ve ever surfed. It takes a lot of skill and a lot of commitment, and if you’re not present, you can eat it and could get hurt, or you could get the wave of your life. It’s beautiful, and it’s a beast. It would mean a lot to have it all fully in place and get a big result here. It would give me a lot of confidence going into the Olympics.”

Two-time WSL Champion John John Florence (HAW) is a standout at this location in all conditions but has yet to find a breakthrough win in nearly a decade of competing here. Florence recently celebrated a major milestone in his life with the birth of his first child, so a win in Tahiti would mean that much more to him and his young family.

“Tahiti is special; when you come here, you feel it,” Florence said. “It’s a special place, it’s mellow, it’s powerful, the people here love their place. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the world, with a perfect wave, clear water, and the valley you look back at. I’ve been coming here since I was a kid, and it’s one of my favorite places. I think having the Olympic surfing here in Tahiti will really change the way people view surfing, especially if it’s big. If it’s big and you don’t know surfing, you’re still going to look at it and be amazed.”

11-time World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), a man with more success than anyone at Teahupo’o, will join the draw as a wildcard in this year’s event. With five wins from seven Finals, Slater has a unique relationship with the wave. In a time where he has made mention of slowing down his competitive career, Slater is aiming for a fairytale end to what’s been a historic run at the ‘End of the Road’.

Over the weekend, Tahitian standout Mihimana Braye (PYF) overcame a solid field of Teahupo’o specialists to win the Tahiti Trials and book a spot in the main draw. Braye will be one to watch, particularly in the Opening Round when he takes on fellow Teahupo’o standouts Griffin Colapinto (USA) and Italo Ferreira (BRA).

Joining Braye in the draw will be one of the major threats to the women’s CT field: Vahine Fierro (FRA). From a handful of starts at the Championship level at her home break, she has yet to truly display what she is capable of at one of the heaviest waves on the planet. With a promising forecast and the world watching, Fierro is keen to fire a warning shot ahead of the Olympics at the CT this week at home.

“I’m so excited to have received the wildcard into this event,” Fierro said. “Not only will I be against the best in the world, but it’s an event I’ve always dreamed of winning and will be the perfect preparation for the Olympics. Since the WSL started to put women out in heavy conditions, it’s amazing to see both the older and younger generations pushing each other into bigger waves. It’s really motivating, and it’s a big wave of change. When I found out the Olympics was going to be here, there was a lot of pressure to qualify. Once I had made it, it has just been such a relief and a dream come true. It’s going to be an amazing show on the biggest stage, and it might change people’s perspective on what surfing really is and what it takes, a lot of training, a lot of commitment.”

Firerro’s French Teammate Johanne Defay (FRA) has been on a roll in 2024, currently sitting comfortably in second on the world rankings. With a win to her name already this season and a number of victories at tropical left-hand reef passes over her career, Defay is a name to watch this week at the hollow left of Teahupo’o. A big result here will certainly go a long way to guaranteeing Defay a spot in her third straight WSL Finals and a test of her skills as she looks to represent the home country later this year.

“Teahupo’o is one of the best waves in the world,” Defay said. It’s super beautiful, super intimidating, and can be super scary sometimes. It can be a little bit of everything, which is magical. It’s the most magnificent lineup to sit in with the water, the waves, and the mountains. It’s just special. I’m so excited to represent France at the Olympics at this wave.”

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.