Surfing world championships are on at Lower Trestles

The Lexus WSL Finals kicked off at Lower Trestles on Friday, Sept. 6, as a building swell brought contestable waves for the world’s best surfers vying for a championship title.

The contest brings the 10 top-ranked men and women for a one-day showdown at the surf break just south of San Clemente.

The contest’s waiting period ran through Sept. 14, but with a dismal forecast ahead, organizers are calling for the best day of waves and conditions on the first day.

Waves are expected to be in the 3- to 5-foot range, much smaller than last year’s hurricane swell that brought big sets for the finals, but there should still be plenty of ocean energy for the world’s best to showcase their skills in the one-day contest for the title.

The World Surf League issued a “Yellow Alert” on Thursday, indicating a high likelihood the event would run, with the final call made at 7:30 a.m. on Friday.

TODAY WE CROWN WORLD CHAMPIONS! 🏆

The day will begin with Women’s Match 1, followed by Men’s Match 1, Women’s Match 2, Men’s Match 2, Women’s Match 3, Men’s Match and then to on to World Title Best of 3 Matches.@lexus WSLFinals is LIVE. Catch it on https://t.co/ie0ZfMVLPY
49s pic.twitter.com/BvN3pjWcVa

— World Surf League (@wsl) September 6, 2024

The lower-ranked surfers will be the first to match up, with the winners making their way up the list through the day. First in the water will be Molly Picklum against Tatiana Weston-Webb, the winner of that heat going against Brisa Hennessy.

That winner will face Caroline Marks, a San Clemente surfer coming into the world title match as No. 2 in the world and fresh off an Olympic gold medal. She’s also the current world champion looking to defend her title.

The surfer to last through the day will face Caitlin Simmers, of Oceanside, who finished the year in the No. 1 spot. The best of three take the title.

In the men’s match up, Ethan Ewing will go against Brazil’s Italo Ferreira, the winner of that heat going up against Jack Robinson.

That winner will face San Clemente’s own Griffin Colapinto, and that victor will face two-time champion Hawaiian John John Florence, who is entering the finals in the top spot.

For more information and to watch visit worldsurfleague.com.