The highly anticipated Pipe Pro, the opening event of the WSL season, has been postponed due to unfavorable wave conditions at Hawaii's Banzai Pipeline. Organizers are eagerly awaiting better swells before commencing the competition.
The start of the World Surf League season has been delayed for at least two days due to poor conditions at Hawaii 's Banzai Pipeline . The Pipe Pro , the first stop on the 11-event tour, was scheduled to begin on the North Shore of O'ahu, but organizers postponed the opening heats as they awaited better waves. WSL Commissioner Jessi Miley-Dyer stated, 'We are going to be off for today, and we're also going to be off for tomorrow.
Not the nicest day, and we know we are going to get some better conditions in the window. Our first day that we're really looking at is going to be Wednesday. The forecast is changing a lot, and it's challenging because you know that this wave is so good.' With notable surfers Stephanie Gilmore and John John Florence opting out of the competition, the question arises whether the World Surf League's competition will suffer. Will this absence create an opportunity for a new generation of surfers to shine?Ten Australian men and women are set to compete full-time in the WSL's top tier, including silver medalist Jack Robinson and fellow Olympian Molly Picklum. Picklum, who finished as the world number five last year, made a significant impact at the Pipe Pro, scoring a perfect 10 on her way to the final, where she ultimately lost to 2024 world champion Caitlin Simmers. The 22-year-old stunned local surfer Bettylou Sakura Johnson in the semifinals with a backhand barrel ride, securing the perfect score. Despite breaking her foot during the off-season, Picklum remains confident in her ability to challenge for the title once again. From O'ahu, she expressed, 'I've been out there and I can get barrelled and I've had a couple nice rides since being here. I have been carefully loading my foot up, just being mindful that I also have a whole season, and the goal is to win the world title at the end of the year.
World Surf League Pipe Pro Banzai Pipeline Surfing Competition Hawaii Molly Picklum Jack Robinson Caitlin Simmers
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