BANZAI PIPELINE, Oahu, Hawaii, USA (Saturday, January 28, 2023) - The waiting period for the Billabong Pro Pipeline, the first stop on the World Surf League (WSL) 2022 Championship Tour (CT), officially opens tomorrow at the world-renowned Banzai Pipeline. With plenty of swell forecasted throughout the waiting period, the only thing needed to turn Pipeline on is calm or light East wind. The Billabong Pro Pipeline holds a two-week competition window through February 10, 2023.
Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) will make his debut at the Billabong Pro Pipeline as the first surfer to represent Morocco on the CT. - WSL / Bielmann
Athletes Eagerly Await Start of the Season
The world's best surfers have arrived on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, eager to start the first event of the season. This year's rookie class is ready to prove themselves on the global stage alongside past and present World Champions.
"I'm super proud to be representing my country and taking the Moroccan flag as high as I can," said 2023 rookie Ramzi Boukhiam. "If there's one word I could say it's proud, really proud. I've trained a lot. I have this little injury, but I'm staying positive. My doctor came from France to work on it. I'm going to push through it and I'm super excited."
"I'm very excited, I definitely know what to do now this year from learning from last year," said 17-year-old Bettylou Sakura Johnson, who returns to the CT. "I'm happy to get the ball rolling and excited for the competition to start."
"I've been trying to win an event for the past four years and that's still my goal, even on the CT," said Ian Gentil. "I think I'm going on the CT at the perfect time. Even if I had qualified sooner I wouldn't have been ready yet."
"Every surfer has contributed to the evolution of and progression of our sport today and I couldn't be prouder to be part of our sport, especially on the women's side," said Carissa Moore. "It's a true honor to surf alongside the women and I'm looking forward to another fun year."
Newly-crowned 2022 World Champions Filipe Toledo (BRA) and Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) accept their World Title trophies. - WSL / Heff
World Champions Recognized at WSL Awards
Earlier this week, the WSL recognized surfing's World Champions at the WSL Awards. Newly-crowned World Champions Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) and Filipe Toledo (BRA) celebrated and reflected on their 2022 World Titles at the banquet held on the North Shore alongside the new CT class.
"To win again and be able to celebrate here in Hawaii for the start of the season is really special," said eight-time WSL Champion, Stephanie Gilmore. "You get to reflect on everything and try and let go of it all before you start again. I'm excited, the pressure is off now I can just enjoy everything I do on tour. Everything from here on out is a bonus."
"It's been a long journey for me, nine years working hard to get this trophy," said Filipe Toledo. "I started the year focused on trying to have fun. To have my name alongside all the world champions it's such a blessing and I'm really happy. Everyone has ups and downs, I've been through some really tough times. To get over that and be here tonight and go after this trophy I'm so happy."
Duke Kahanamoku Champions' Trophy Announced
During the awards ceremony it was announced that the WSL Championship Tour World Title Trophy will now be known as the Duke Kahanamoku WSL Champions' Trophy. Naming the trophy in honor of the universally recognized forefather of modern surfing furthers the WSL's dedication to recognizing surfing's rich heritage while also promoting progression, innovation, and performance at the highest levels. This title naming is in partnership with the Kahanamoku family and Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation.
The inaugural WSL Impact Award was also announced during the ceremony. The WSL Impact Award, which recognizes a male and female CT surfer and one member of the We Are One Ocean community, who each personally demonstrate impact and outstanding effort to inspire, educate, and empower our global surf community to protect our ocean to preserve the future of our sport. The inaugural WSL Impact Award was given to Brisa Hennessy (CRI), Filipe Toledo (BRA) and Dr. Cliff Kapono (HAW).
Hennessy joined native plantings at Bells Beach and Coral Restoration efforts in Tahiti. She also supported surf conservation initiatives in Costa Rica youth development efforts through Rising Tides, and engaged with indigenous communities during opening ceremonies, and was invited to join the United Nations (UN) Humanitarian AID Organization, UNICEF, as an ambassador.
Toledo supported restoration initiatives in G-Land, engaged with WSL PURE Grantees SOS Mata Atlantica in Brazil, and spoke out about climate change with the United Nations aligned to COP27 in Egypt. In addition, Toledo announced one of the first ten United Nations World Restoration Flagships in partnership with the UN Environment Program alongside a celebrity panel, including Jason Momoa and Ellie Goulding.
Dr. Cliff Kapono is a marine conservation scientist, ocean steward, and surfer. He has been involved in several amazing projects to protect our one ocean, from working with the MEGA Lab to elevate scientific literacy and Reef Footwear to map 3D coral reef formations at famous surf breaks, to creating the Surfer Biome Project, and researching how the ocean connects us all.
With a World Title, the first ever Duke Kahanamoku Champions' Trophy, and Olympic qualification on the line, the stakes are as high as they've ever been. The Billabong Pro Pipeline is the first opportunity to earn CT rankings points, which will determine who will be crowned the 2023 World Champions and who will qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 2023 CT is the primary pathway for Olympic qualification for the world's best surfers. Of the 48 athletes competing in the games, the first 18 (10 men and 8 women) will qualify via the 2023 WSL CT final rankings.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com
Billabong Pro Pipeline Women's Opening Round Matchups:
HEAT 1: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) vs. Caroline Marks (USA) vs. Teresa Bonvalot (POR)
HEAT 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) vs. Alyssa Spencer (USA)
HEAT 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Macy Callaghan (AUS) vs. Moana Jones Wong (HAW)
HEAT 4: Brisa Hennessy (CRC) vs. Isabella Nichols (AUS) vs. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
HEAT 5: Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Gabriela Bryan (HAW) vs. Caitlin Simmers (USA)
HEAT 6: Courtney Conlogue (USA) vs. Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Molly Picklum (AUS)
Billabong Pro Pipeline Men's Opening Round Matchups:
HEAT 1: Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. Nat Young (USA) vs. Ian Gentil (HAW)
HEAT 2: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) vs. Jake Marshall (USA) vs. Joao Chianca (BRA)
HEAT 3: Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs. Kolohe Andino (USA) vs. Liam O'Brien (AUS)
HEAT 4: Jack Robinson (AUS) vs. Jadson Andre (BRA) vs. Ezekiel Lau (HAW)
HEAT 5: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Seth Moniz (HAW) vs. Imaikalani deVault (HAW)
HEAT 6: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Jackson Baker (AUS) vs. Joshua Moniz (HAW)
HEAT 7: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Barron Mamiya (HAW) vs. Michael Rodrigues (BRA)
HEAT 8: Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR)
HEAT 9: Connor O'Leary (AUS) vs. Jordy Smith (RSA) vs. Maxime Huscenot (FRA)
HEAT 10: Samuel Pupo (BRA) vs. Matthew McGillivray (RSA) vs. Rio Waida (IDN)
HEAT 11: Callum Robson (AUS) vs. Yago Dora (BRA) vs. Ryan Callinan (AUS)
HEAT 12: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)
Watch LIVE
The Billabong Pro Pipeline will open on January 29 and holds a competition window through February 10, 2023. Once called ON, the competition will be broadcast live on WorldSurfLeague.com, WSL's Youtube Channel, and the free WSL app. Also, check local listings for coverage from the WSL's broadcast partners.
The Billabong Pro Pipeline is proudly supported by Billabong, Pacifico, Apple, Yeti, 805 Beer, Red Bull, Shiseido, Craft 1861, Turtle Bay, True Surf, Sambazon, Spectrum, Pura Vida, Surfline, and Surfshark.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.