LOS ANGELES, California/USA (Monday, January 31, 2022) - The World Surf League (WSL) 2022 Championship Tour (CT) season kickoff event, the Billabong Pro Pipeline in Oahu, Hawaii, got underway on Saturday and was the most-watched season opener of all time for both the men and women. Featuring the best surfers on the planet competing for a chance at the undisputed world title, the event made history by featuring the first-ever CT event for women alongside the men at the world-renowned Banzai Pipeline.
Opening day saw the men's competition get underway featuring World Champions Kelly Slater (USA), and John Florence (HAW) followed by the women's debut on day two, featuring defending five-time World Champion and Olympic gold medallist Carissa Moore (HAW). The Billabong Pro Pipeline is Stop No. 1 on the 2022 season where, for the first time ever, every stop on the CT will feature both women and men.
"The 2022 Championship Tour schedule was designed to showcase the best surfers in the world on the best waves in the world and beginning the season at this iconic location, with the women and men competing side-by-side, is setting us up for a season like nothing we've seen before," said WSL CEO Erik Logan. "This weekend's CT kickoff was the most-watched season opener of all time, and for the women in particular, the numbers truly reflected the historic nature of the day."
The Billabong Pro Pipeline continues this week with the Round of 16 for the women and the Round of 32 for the men. Moore will face off against Bethany Hamilton, a local favorite and international surfing icon when the event resumes. The men's draw features the biggest names in men's surfing following incredible opening round performances by defending champion Florence and Olympic Gold medallist Italo Ferreira from Brazil.
Recently, WSL signed a three-year media deal with Latin America's largest media group, Globo, to provide multi-platform coverage of WSL's content in Brazil. Between 2022 and 2024, WSL content will reach millions of fans in a key market for the League, helping solidify Brazil's current dominance in the sport and acting as a springboard for future generations of surfing heroes.
"Great conditions, incredible performances, compelling match-ups, it's all lining up for an epic week of CT surfing," said Logan. "I can't wait to see what these athletes do next."