The 2025 World Surf League Championship Tour kicked off with much anticipation at Pipeline, one of the world’s most iconic and challenging surf spots. The Lexus Pipe Pro, held at the North Shore of O`ahu, launched the season as surfers prepared to face the powerful waves and fierce competition.
Among the standout competitors this year is 19-year-old Bettylou Sakura Johnson from Haleiwa. A semifinalist at Pipeline for the past two years, Johnson is eager to cement her name alongside Hawaii's finest. “Honestly it would mean everything to me to add my name on [the list] (next to) all the other incredible surfers,” she expressed, illustrating the magnitude of the event for her career. With local favorites having won the prestigious title two out of the last three years, Johnson aims to add her name to the roster of champions.
This year’s event features 18 women surfers, with Johnson kicking off her campaign against Australia’s Molly Picklum and France’s Vahine Fierro. The stakes are high, especially with former champions like Moana Jones Wong and Kelly Slater rounding out the competition. Wong, celebrated as the “Queen of Pipeline,” will compete as a wildcard, having previously snagged the title as well.
With the announcement of reigning men’s world champion John John Florence taking the year off from competitive surfing—except for Pipeline where he will appear as a wildcard—the field has opened substantially for local surfers eager to capitalize on this opportunity. Other absentees include the formidable Stephanie Gilmore and injured Gabriel Medina, which has left the door wide open for rising talents.
North Shore native Barron Mamiya, who won last year’s Pipe competition, is also returning. He’s among five Hawaii surfers competing for the men’s Championship Tour title, and carries the hope of continuing the local legacy on these waters. Johnson, ranked ninth at the end of the 2024 CT circuit, brings valuable experience and local knowledge, having grown up on the waves.
Reflecting on her last appearances, Johnson admitted, “I was really hoping to get the score, but I didn’t, and it just makes me more hungry this time around.” She noted the comforts of being at home, from the warmth of family to her local surf breaks, which bolster her confidence. Despite this familiarity, she recognizes the pressures of competition and the depth of talent she is up against.
This season, she is more ready than ever. “I feel more prepared than ever, just because of the previous years learning all the little things,” she said, underscoring her growth as both a competitor and individual. The experience gained from competing at various global surf locations has only enriched her performance at this hometown event.
For the women’s field, the stakes are compounded by the fact this year marks the only event to feature Pipeline as it is not included on the CT schedule this year, making every wave even more valuable. Johnson's aspirations are clear: making the podium is not just about the accolades but also fulfilling long-term dreams.
The anticipation builds as the competition window stretches until February 8. “Welcome to the starting line. The champs are back, the rookies have arrived, and the entire surf universe turns its eyes to the place where it all begins: the North Shore of O`ahu,” declared the WSL, evoking the excitement surrounding this year of change and opportunity. With high hopes and fierce competitions on the horizon, surf fans worldwide are primed to witness another thrilling chapter of the Championship Tour.