The World Surf League can rest easy.
Following multiple controversies at the Lexus Pipe Pro, the kickoff event for the 2024 Championship Tour season – in which the reigning world champ withdrew under questionable circumstances, officials called the event off on the biggest day, and Carissa Moore retired in painfully small waves – the contest ended with a bang.
On Saturday, there were waves. Good waves. Enough for perfect 10-point rides. Two of ‘em. The women pushed the boundaries. The men put on a show.
On the men’s side, it was a locals only affair with Championship Tour rookie, Barron Mamiya, taking on two-time world champ and one of the best ever at Pipeline, John John Florence. Mamiya, a certified charger on the North Shore, dropped a perfect 10. And although John John has a supernatural relationship with Pipe, in which the best waves almost magically seem to fall right into his lap, it wasn’t enough. Mamiya took the win.
On the women’s side, it was a historic day of surfing in terms of progression. And two of the biggest chargers of the day, Molly Picklum and Caity Simmers, rightfully met in the final. Picklum, who scored a perfect 10 in her semifinal heat, dropped a 9.27 in the final. However, she couldn’t find a backup. That left the door open for Simmers, another rookie on Tour, who took the win with an 8.83 and a 3.83 in her back pocket.
After the win, Simmers laid down one of the best post-heat quotes of all time:
“Pipeline is for the fucking girls!” she told Strider in the water.
Mic drop, as they say.
The 2024 Lexus Pipe Pro…what a wild ride.
Now, on to Sunset Beach.
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