Jordy Smith of South Africa raises his arms in victory after winning the Western Australia Margaret River Pro Final on May 27, 2025, at Margaret River, Western Australia.
© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool
Surfing

Jordy Smith wins Margaret River Pro to claim WSL number-1 ranking

South Africa’s Jordy Smith wins at the Margaret River Pro to take the WSL number-one spot - part of a career-defining comeback that's put him back on top of global surfing. Full event recap here.
By Chris Binns and Thomas Peeters
15 min readUpdated on
The WSL continues to serve up some incredible waves alongside some incredible victories. Although conditions disappointed in the finals of the Margaret River Pro, there won't be many fans out there who won't have been delighted to see Smith grab another event win as his career resurgence gathers pace.
01

Margaret River Pro

Jordy Smith has won the Margaret River Pro, defeating Griffin Colapinto in the final and rising to top spot in the WSL rankings. In a season defined by comebacks, Smith’s is one of the most remarkable: from an eight-year winless drought to two event victories in just two months, he now leads the world title race by 5,000 points and has seemingly unstoppable momentum as we wrap up the Australian leg of the tour.
This latest win builds on Smith’s emotional breakthrough at the Surf City El Salvador Pro, where he stormed past former World Champion Italo Ferreira on the way to an all-South African final.
"This means everything," commented Smith. "It’s been a long road back, but I never stopped believing I could be here again. I feel strong, and I’m loving every moment on tour.
Jordy Smith of South Africa powers through a dynamic turn during Heat 7 at the 2025 Red Bull Margaret River Pro in Western Australia.

Jordy Smith carves out another event win

© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool

This means everything. It’s been a long road back, but I never stopped believing
Jordy Smith
On the women's side of the draw, reigning world champion Caity Simmers missed out in the final as Hawaiian rival Gabriela Bryan notched the highest combined score of the 2025 women's tour so far with 17.33.
On May 27, 2025, Jordy Smith, Griffin Colapinto, Gabriela Bryan and Caitlin Simmers hold trophies at the Western Australia Margaret River Pro.

The four finalists

© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool

02

Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro

Kanoa Igarashi dug deep in the last-eight clash to get past recent Surf City El Salvador Pro champion Jordy Smith 14.34 to 13.84, however wildcard Julian Wilson was a different proposition in the semi-final. The Australian, who defeated championship leader Italo Ferreira in the Round of 32, got the upper hand with a great performance to book his final spot against Brazilian Filipe Toledo.
Kanoa Igarashi of Japan surfs in Heat 2 of the Semifinals at the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro on May 10, 2025 at Burleigh Heads, Queensland, Australia.

Igarashi jumped up the rankings with his Burleigh Heads performance

© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool

With Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach winner Jack Robinson defeated in the Elimination Round and Lexus Pipe Pro runner-up Leonardo Fioravanti also out early, 2022 and 2023 WSL champion Toledo took the chance to bag his first 2025 victory thanks to a brilliant final showing of 17.60.
2019 WSL champion Ferreira still leads the title race from compatriot Yago Dora, with Smith just behind in third place and Igarashi up two spots to fourth place and with momentum now behind him.
In the women's contest, American Caroline Marks couldn't replicate her MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal win from earlier in the season as she was bundled out in the last 16 by France's Vahiné Fierro. Reigning WSL champion Caity Simmers was also unlucky not to progress beyond the Round of 16 after a 12.84 to 12.50 loss to eight-time WSL champion Stephanie Gilmore
Erin Brooks of Canada and  Eight-time WSL Champion Stephanie Gilmore of Australia after surfing in Heat 3 of the Quarterfinals at the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro on May 10, 2025.

Erin Brooks took out her hero Stephanie Gilmore

© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool

That heat was so crazy, I'm so lucky that I was able to surf against Steph. I've looked up to her my whole life
Erin Brooks
Canadian Erin Brooks excelled on the other side of the draw to defeat American Lakey Peterson in the Round of 16 and then produced a masterclass in the last eight to see off Gilmore. Brooks said: "That heat was so crazy, I'm so lucky that I was able to surf against Steph. I've looked up to her my whole life and I'm just glad to get the win off of her because she's so amazing."
03

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach

Australian Jack Robinson won the iconic Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach event for the first time. The fifth stop of the 2025 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) saw Robinson out for his first season win after seeing the likes of Ítalo Ferreira and Jordy Smith win already this year on the circuit.
Robinson sneaked through top of a tough Heat 7 to start his challenge, then saw off Jackson Bunch in the Round of 32 with an imperious display and score of 16.13 before having an easier time of it in the Round of 16 against Filipe Toledo - thanks to a winning score of 16.53.
Jack Robinson carves through a wave during Heat 2 of the semi-finals at the 2025 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, showcasing his incredible surfing skills.

Jack Robinson carves it up at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach

© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool

After a long week of waiting for waves, Finals Day saw the Bells Bowl continue to deliver with semi-clean surf in the four-to-six-foot range as all finalists put on a show for thousands of fans. Robinson came up against childhood friend Kanoa Igarashi, who was contesting his first final of the season after a solid run through the field this week. Igarashi surfed multiple waves while Robinson played a patient game, only surfing two scoring waves.
After climbing up to world number three in the rankings, Robinson stated; "It's a special day. I have my whole family here, everyone is here. All my team, my whole crew. Right before the semi-finals, we were watching footage of [Joel Parkinson] Parko and Mick [Fanning] surfing Bells and I was all fired up. I drew some inspiration from those guys. I just channelled that and thought, 'be in the moment'."
Jack Robinson proudly hoists the winner’s trophy after dominating the Rip Curl Pro Finals at Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia, on April 27, 2025

Jack Robinson celebrates his home win

© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool

It's a special day. I have my whole family here, everyone is here. All my team, my whole crew
Jack Robinson
In the women's event, defending WSL champion Caitlin Simmers, Caroline Marks, Molly Picklum and Erin Brooks all departed at the Round of 16 stage as Isabella Nichols produced a series of brilliant displays to make her way through to the final where she easily saw off Brazil's Luana Silva 16.26 to 12.67.
04

Surf City El Salvador Pro

Jordy Smith secured his seventh championship tour victory and first in eight years as he overcame Matthew McGillivray in a historic all-South African final at the Surf City El Salvador Pro.
Smith backed up his strong start and held a commanding lead heading into the back half of the final. McGillivray was able to respond and get in the heat with a 5.00, but as time dwindled, Smith found another Punta Roca wall that allowed him to showcase more of his powerful style and post a 6.93 to take the win.
South African surfer Jordy Smith takes on the waves at Punta Roca during the 2025 Surf City El Salvador Pro Final, showcasing his skills and passion.

Dream come true for Jordy Smith

© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool

I wanted to ride my father’s board in this final and win on it, and to do it is incredible
Smith, whose remarkable career spans 18 years among the world’s best on the CT, said: “I think just for South Africa in general, this means a lot. I can’t believe it, to be honest. If I could dedicate this to two people, my wife and my father. I wanted to ride my father’s board in this final and win on it, and to do it is incredible."
Over in the women’s event, American Gabriela Bryan secured back-to-back Surf City El Salvador finals appearances and the second CT victory of her career. The 2022 Rookie of the Year eliminated reigning World Champion Caity Simmers in the semi-finals to book a place in the final against Isabella Nichols of Australia.
Caitlin Simmers takes on the formidable waves of Punta Roca during the 2025 Surf City El Salvador Pro semifinals.

Caitlin Simmers takes on the formidable waves of Punta Roca

© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool

05

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal

Caroline Marks showcases her incredible surfing skills at the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal 2025, riding a wave during the final at Supertubos, Peniche, Portugal.

Marks tamed Supertubos for her second win here

© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool

Caroline Marks put on a dominant performance at Supertubos, claiming her second Portugal title and reinforcing her status as one of the tour’s top contenders. Navigating tricky conditions, she edged out Gabriela Bryan in the final, securing her seventh career win. Meanwhile, reigning WSL champion Caitlin Simmers fell just short in the quarter-finals but retains the yellow jersey as the tour heads to El Salvador.
It wasn't the prettiest final, but we'll take it. It was really challenging, but winning feels so good, I'm so pumped
The 2024 Olympic champion from Florida, Marks revealed: "It wasn't the prettiest final, but we'll take it. It was really challenging, but winning feels so good, I'm so pumped. The last couple of years, it felt like I was building momentum in the second half of the season, so to start off with a win and just be really consistent to be in the Finals Day for every event so far has felt really good. It feels really special to share this one with my dad. He doesn't come to many events, so to have him here is really good."
Over in the men's event, Brazilian Italo Ferreira continued his strong start to the WSL season with an impressive run to the final in Portugal. Taking down top contenders along the way, he showcased his trademark power and aerial brilliance, landing the highest single-wave score of the final.
Though compatriot Yago Dora edged him out with a creative backup ride, Ferreira’s runner-up finish keeps him firmly in the yellow jersey. With momentum on his side, he now looks ahead to El Salvador, ready to defend his lead in the title race.
Italo Ferreira gets air in Heat 5 of the Round of 16 at Supertubos during the 2025 MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal in Peniche.

This air helped Italo Ferreira take down Joel Vaughn in the Round of 16

© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool

We still have a long season ahead, so let's keep it going
Ferreira, 30, said: "It was a long week, and I was really confident, but I made a few mistakes in the Final. It's always a pleasure to compete against Yago, congratulations to him. I love this place. I have a lot of good memories. We still have a long season ahead, so let's keep it going."
06

Surf Abu Dhabi Pro

Griffin Colapinto surfing in Abu Dhabi.

Griffin Colapinto gets to know the Abu Dhabi playing field

© Thiago Diz/World Surf League

After the two-week-marathon of the Lexus Pipe Pro, the waves and pace of this weekend's Surf Abu Dhabi Pro could not have provided a bigger contrast. The United Arab Emirates played host to the second stop of the 2025 Championship Tour, and the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro, the first-ever WSL event to take place in the Middle East, ran flat out in three frantic days.
Amazingly, for an event that ran in the controlled environment of the world's latest and greatest wave pool, there was no shortage of variables, as wild winds, human error, and even a sandstorm did all they could to throw curveballs at the contest. Despite all of that, or maybe because of it, the last surfers standing seemed likely from the first time they stepped in the world's first saltwater wave pool.

The winners

With the momentum from his sizzling season-opening performance still maxed out, Brazilian powerhouse Italo Ferreira looked like the man to beat as he bulldozed his way through the Championship Tour field. From launching huge aerials to ripping waves to ribbons with vicious carves and tying it all together without missing a beat, rhythmical from the moment he took off till he kicked out at the other end of the pool, Italo's UAE performances were showstoppers.
Ferreira reflected on a good day's work: "That was a really great day! I was waiting for this moment! It was my first time in Abu Dhabi, and it was really special. I put all my heart into this, everything that I did was with a lot of emotion."
Italo Ferreira after winning the 2025 Abu Dhabi Pro

King Italo ascends the throne

© World Surf League/Thiago Diz

I put all my heart into this, everything that I did was with a lot of emotion
In the final, which you can watch in the video above, Ferreira came up against an Indonesian man on a mission, Rio Waida. Although the Brazilian was a clear favourite, Waida fuelled his run to the end game on spirited self-belief, pushing his bulletproof surfing to new limits and not shying away from saying how much he wanted to win in post-heat interviews.
Similarly, Californian Simmers' win seemed a solid bet from her opening heat. Although Simmers' casual demeanour sits on the other end of the character spectrum to Ferreira's outgoing bombast, it can't hide the steely competitor barely buried beneath her effortlessly stylish exterior. While Ferreira's outrageous energy signals his every intent, Simmers's slacker stylings leave the viewer wondering what's coming next, as she zigs where others zag, with not a wasted movement or drop of water out of place.
"It really feels good when you can do well under pressure, it makes your mind stronger when you’re put in those situations," she explained. "It feels really good to get a win. It was crazy to see Molly did good on both of her waves so I had to get a score and was happy I got it."
Caitlin Simmers surfs at the WSL Surf Abu Dhabi Pro.

Caity Simmers lets her fins sing

© World Surf League/Manel Geada

It really feels good when you can do well under pressure, it makes your mind stronger when you’re put in those situations
If Ferreira surfs quantitatively, Simmers is qualitative. Both are equally compelling viewing, both work.
Although the world champions tackle life at wildly contrasting paces, they ended the weekend in the same place, alongside each other atop the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro podium, draped in the world number one's yellow jerseys, as the CT heads to Portugal.

The rivalry

Caity Simmers and Molly Picklum after the final of the Abu Dhabi Pro

Caity Simmers and Molly Picklum: surfing's friendliest rivalry

© World Surf League/Thiago Diz

Simmers accounted for Molly Picklum in the final of the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro to take her head-to-head lead over the Aussie to a staggering 6-0. It is staggering because the two are evenly matched, as seen in last year's historic Pipeline final.
"It was fun watching Molly, and I feel like we'll be doing this a lot more in the future, so..." said Simmers. "Molly pushes me so hard, she’s a really spontaneous surfer, she’s a fun human, lot of energy, she can pull it together so well."
Molly pushes me so hard, she’s a really spontaneous surfer, she’s a fun human, lot of energy, she can pull it together so well

The talking points

Beyond the winners, there was a lot to unpack at surfing's latest wave-pool event. The main takeaway was the type of surfing required to not only encourage the panel to punch big numbers into their tablets but also win over surfing's real judges: the viewing audience.
Standard surfing was not the formula for success; if it seems safe in the ocean, you can be guaranteed that it looks bland in the pool. Those who attacked sections they might normally shy from or dared to roll the dice on lines they wouldn't take at the beach were rewarded handsomely. Jackson Bunch stole the show on the opening day, deliberately avoiding the tube to allow more runway to launch three aerials back-to-back-to-back and drop the highest score of the whole event.
Simmers' suave swerves were punctuated in the final by a foot-to-the-floor run to the shoulder, normally a wave-pool faux pas, followed by a big, on-rail roundhouse cutback that would have been more at home at Bells than Abu Dhabi. It led to her best wave in the final.
Jack Robinson showed that his catlike reflexes work in manmade waves too, with turns and aerials used as wild stalls that pitched him into the tube from never-before-seen angles, the point of difference forcing big numbers from the judges.
Didn't want to chance aerials? Rio Waida, Gaby Bryan and Ethan Ewing showed that insanely committed on-rail turns, bordering on the edge of disaster, will score exponentially higher than well-executed but risk-free versions.

The podium

Italo Ferreira and Caity Simmers win the 2025 Abu Dhabi Pro in the UAE

Winners are grinners, dripping in gold jerseys, as the CT leaves the UAE

© World Surf League/Max Physick

  1. Caity Simmer (USA) and Italo Ferreira (BRA)
  2. Molly Picklum (AUS) and Rio Waida (IDR)
  3. = Vahine Fierro (TAH), Gabriela Bryan (HAW) and Ethan Ewing (AUS), Jack Robinson (AUS)
07

Lexus Pipe Pro

21 min

Channel 51 – Last Call Pipeline

Stab’s alt-cast crew break down all the takeaways from the first event of the 2025 WSL Championship Tour.

English

The first event of the 2025 WSL Championship Tour, the Lexus Pipe Pro, wrapped up sensationally on Hawaii's North Shore with hometown hero Barron Mamiya going back-to-back at his beloved Pipeline. On the women's side of the draw, two-time world champion Tyler Wright became the first female two-time Pipe Pro champion, accounting for Caity Simmers in a wave-starved final.
Barron rides the tube en route to winning the 2025 Lexus Pipe Pro

Hometown hero Barron Mamiya goes back-to-back at Pipeline

© Brent Bielmann/World Surf League

To go back-to-back, I feel like that cements you as one of the best ever out here
Barron Mamiya
Mamiya beat Leo Fioravanti in a controversial finish after both men registered 17.97 two-wave totals. Mamiya won on a countback, his top-scoring 9.80 besting Fioravanti's high scoring 9.10, locked in while chasing a 9.11 for the win. After the judges took an eternity to confirm the crucial number hearts broke around the world for Fioravanti, competing in his second Pipe final in the last three years and still chasing a maiden win on the CT.
Leonardo Fioravanti surfing at Backdoor Pipeline at the 2025 Lexus Pipe Pro

Leo Fioravanti finished second at Pipe, but first in the minds of many

© Tony Heff/World Surf League

"Needing a 9.11 and getting a 9.10, it's tough," said Fioravanti on the podium, "but I'm very proud of myself for coming back and giving myself that chance. Congratulations to Barron. He is one of the greatest Pipe surfers of all time."
Tyler Wright rides the tube at the Lexus Pipe Pro

Tyler Wright wins the Pipe Pro and redlines to the top of the CT rankings

© Brent Bielmann/World Surf League

"This is such a special win!" said Wright. "I think I really tried to bring in a lot more joy. It was so cool to have a final with Caitlin out there. She's like the queen of Pipeline to me."
This is such a special win! I think I really tried to bring in a lot more joy
Tyler Wright
"I wish the final was a barrel shootout," said Simmers, "But the ocean definitely slept during our heat. Tyler is a very smart competitor and she just got the waves. Congrats to her."
Caity Simmers rides the tube at the 2025 Lexus Pipe Pro

Casual style in critical waves has fast become a Caity Simmers calling card

© Brent Bielmann/World Surf League

In the semi-finals, Simmers beat Molly Picklum in a repeat of last year's iconic final, in an equally thrilling encounter, while for the men Mamiya pulled together a near-perfect heat to end Italo Ferreira's spirited run. Lakey Peterson and Ian Gouveia were the other two defeated semi-finalists.
The waves
A perfect empty waves breaks at the Lexus Pipe Pro

Surfing's ultimate playing field delivered for the Pipe Pro

© Tony Heff/World Surf League

The 2025 WSL Championship Tour season got off to a flying start with fun conditions for the opening days of the Lexus Pipe Pro. An unusually large build-up of sand saw longer pointbreak-style waves running down the beach at Backdoor Pipeline, allowing for high performance, rather than the usual high stakes, surfing.
Competition was then put on hold for over a week with solid conditions looming on the horizon. The forecasts proved true, with insane waves at both Backdoor and Pipeline for the final two days of the event, and the champions crowned in front of a packed house on Oahu's famed North Shore.
The 10s
2023 Pipe Pro champion Jack Robinson locked in his first ever 10 on the Championship Tour, riding as big of a Backdoor wave as you'll ever see to perfection, before failing to find a back-up and being eliminated by tour rookie Al Cleland.
"That’s how it goes sometimes," reflected Robinson later, "This is the game."
Barron Mamiya added a 10 of his own, for an incredible Pipeline late drop that led to an almighty tube that put defending world champion John John Florence on the ropes. Florence struck back with a wild wave of his own that most fans declared a 10 from the moment he was spat from the tube, but the judges declared it a 9.63, and Mamiya advanced.
Mamiya had a string of excellent wins en route to claiming the trophy, but dethroning Florence, one of Pipeline's all-time greats, was surely the sweetest.
The colour
As well as broadcasting every day of competition on the WSL Championship Tour in 2025, Red Bull TV have partnered with Stab to bring a fresh take to three very different days of competition across the 2025 Championship Tour season. Channel 51 made its debut on the final day of the Lexus Pipe Pro, with another event in Australia and the WSL Finals Fiji slated to cop the Stab treatment later in the year.

WSL Lexus Pipe Pro Finals – Stab commentary

As Pipe's final day unfolds, Stab’s studio jockeys bring you all the winners, losers and unseen storylines.

Starring Damien Fahrenfort and Coco Ho in the studio, cheeky Aussie wondergrom Hughie Vaughan roaming the sidelines, and a string of guests including everyone from Jordy Smith to Jamie O'Brien, imagine Channel 51 as the loudest locals at your favourite beachside carpark hosting a podcast and you might be getting close.
If you missed Channel 51 the first time you should definitely hit play on the wrap-up video at the top of the page, and get excited for the team to return in Australia in a few months time.
The podium
2025 Lexus Pipe Pro champions on stage at the presentation

Your 2025 Lexus Pipe Pro champions!

© Tony Heff/World Surf League

  1. Tyler Wright (AUS) and Barron Mamiya (HAW)
  2. = Molly Picklum (AUS), Lakey Peterson (USA) and Ian Gouveia (BRA), Italo Ferreira (BRA)
Be sure to download the free Red Bull TV app and catch the surf action on all your devices! Get the app here

Part of this story

WSL Championship Tour

Catch all the action from surfing’s elite tour, as athletes travel the globe on the hunt for the World Title.

12 Tour Stops

Jordan Smith

A powerful regular-footer from Durban in South Africa, Jordy Smith is a regular winner on the World Surf League Championship Tour.

South AfricaSouth Africa

Italo Ferreira

Ítalo Ferreira started surfing on the lid of a cooler box from his fisherman father and rose to become the first men's gold medallist at the Olympics.

BrazilBrazil

Caitlin Simmers

After becoming professional surfing's youngest-ever world champion, Californian surfer Caitlin Simmers is on a collision course with greatness.

United StatesUnited States

Leonardo Fioravanti

The leading light of Italian surfing, Leonardo Fioravanti is one of the most consistent performers on the WSL Championship Tour.

ItalyItaly

Molly Picklum

A natural athlete turned surfing prodigy, Molly Picklum is Australia’s next big thing.

AustraliaAustralia

Caroline Marks

The youngest woman to ever surf on the Championship Tour or at the Olympics, America's Caroline Marks won her first world title in 2023 and hasn't looked back since.

United StatesUnited States

Griffin Colapinto

A high-flying Californian with his sights on the world, surfer Griffin Colapinto is now a regular contender for wins on the WSL Championship Tour.

United StatesUnited States

Jack Robinson

Australian surfer Jack Robinson is overdelivering on expectations, but won't be happy until he's hoisted the coveted World Surf League Championship Tour trophy.

AustraliaAustralia

João Vitor Chianca

Known by his nickname ‘Chumbinho’, João Chianca is the latest Brazilian surfing sensation causing a stir in the World Surf League.

BrazilBrazil

Kanoa Igarashi

Japanese surfer Kanoa Igarashi feels as natural on a board as he does on his own two feet. For him, the ocean is his home.

JapanJapan