Teahupo’o, Tahiti, French Polynesia— The 2025 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour returns to the South Pacific with the Lexus Tahiti Pro Presented by I-SEA, slated for August 7–16. Teahupo’o’s legendary reef break will conclude the regular CT season and lock in the men’s and women’s Final 5—determining who will battle for this year’s World Titles at the Lexus WSL Finals Fiji later in August.
This marks the first major international surf event at Teahupo’o since the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, when the world got a front-row view of the wave’s raw power. For surfers ranked inside the top 10, the opportunity—and pressure—is massive: only a top performance at the “End of the Road” secures a coveted Final 5 spot.
Olympians, Wildcards, and History in the Making
Anticipation is high, with newly-crowned Olympic Gold Medalist Kauli Vaast (FRA) joining Tahitian icon and defending event champion Vahine Fierro (FRA) as official wildcards. The Tahiti Pro Trials produced standout performances: veteran Mihimana Braye (PYF) secured the men’s berth, while 12-year-old local Kelia Gallina (PYF) stunned the field to become the youngest competitor in CT history.
Gallina, a WSL Rising Tides participant, will make her main event debut, blending bold local talent with dreams of upsetting the world’s best—mere yards from her home.
Injury has sidelined Alejo Muniz (BRA), replaced by Firmin Teiva Tairoa (PYF). Gabriel Medina (BRA) was offered the injury wildcard but declined due to prior commitments.
Every Heat Counts: Road to the Title
With World No. 1s Yago Dora (BRA) and Molly Picklum (AUS) already confirmed for Fiji, the battle for the remaining Final 5 slots is fierce. Both men’s and women’s draws remain wide open, as new changes to the Final 5 format give higher seeds a distinct advantage in the title race. Competitors will have to commit fully—paddling over Teahupo’o’s infamous ledge, staring down one of the heaviest barrels in the sport.
How to Watch
The Lexus Tahiti Pro Presented by I-SEA runs August 7–16 and will stream live with commentary on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app. Coverage includes expert analysis, behind-the-scenes, and alternate viewing through official broadcast partners.
For further information, wildcards, schedule, and results, visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
WSL Announces Format Updates for 2025 Lexus WSL Finals Fiji
The World Surf League (WSL) has announced key format changes for the 2025 Lexus WSL Finals, scheduled to take place at Cloudbreak in Fiji from August 27 to September 4, 2025. Under the updated rules, if the No. 1 seed wins the first heat of the best-of-three World Title match, they will be crowned World Champion, eliminating the need for additional heats. Additionally, top-seeded surfers in all Finals matches will start each heat with priority, giving them an immediate strategic advantage.
These changes increase the stakes for claiming the top spot at the end of the regular season, offering the No. 1 seed a significantly greater edge heading into the winner-takes-all Finals. The official rule book has been updated (Section 1.06(e) Formats) to reflect these new scenarios for championship heats.
(iv) The Final Match is between the winner of Match 3 and the Surfer who placed 1st (based on CT Ranking Points following the last Regular Season CT Event), and the following scenarios will apply:
- If the Surfer who placed 1st (based on CT Ranking Points following the last Regular Season CT Event) wins the first heat, he will be crowned the World Champion.
- If the Winner of Match 3 wins the first & second heats, he will be crowned the World Champion.
- If the Winner of Match 3 wins the first heat and the Surfer who placed 1st (based on CT Ranking Points following the last Regular Season CT Event) wins the second heat, then a third and final heat will take place (Best of Three Heats) and the winner of the third and final heat will be crowned the World Champion.
- The Surfer who placed 1st (based on CT Ranking Points following the last Regular Season CT Event) will have Priority over the Surfer who won Match 3 in all heats.
The schedule now turns to the regular season’s final stop, the Lexus Tahiti Pro Presented by I-SEA (August 7–16), which will decide the last remaining Final five qualifiers and seedings for Fiji. The Lexus WSL Finals will be broadcast live globally via WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app.
For the full competition format, updated rules, and broadcast details, visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
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