The Lexus WSL Finals 2024: A Premier Surfing Event at Lower Trestles
As the pinnacle event of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour, the Lexus WSL Finals 2024 is set to take place from September 6-14 at the iconic Lower Trestles in San Clemente, California. This prestigious event will bring together the world's top surfers, each vying for the coveted title of World Champion. Among the competitors is San Clemente's own Griffin Colapinto, whose local ties and exceptional talent make him a crowd favorite.
You can watch it live on YouTube if you can’t make it to the beach.
Lower Trestles, often referred to simply as "Trestles," is one of the most revered surf spots in the world. Located within the San Onofre State Beach, this stretch of coastline is renowned for its consistent and high-quality waves, making it an ideal venue for world-class surfing competitions. The break at Lower Trestles is known for its long, peeling waves that offer surfers a perfect canvas to showcase their skills, whether in powerful maneuvers or intricate aerials.
The choice of Lower Trestles as the venue for the Lexus WSL Finals underscores the location's importance in the surfing world. Its waves are often described as a "surfer's playground," providing the perfect conditions for high-performance surfing. This makes it a fitting stage for the WSL Finals, where only the best surfers in the world compete for the ultimate prize.
The Road to the Finals
The Lexus WSL Finals represents the culmination of the WSL Championship Tour, a grueling series of events held at some of the most challenging and celebrated surf spots around the globe. Throughout the tour, surfers accumulate points based on their performance, with only the top five men and top five women making it to the Finals. This format ensures that the Finals feature the most consistent and formidable competitors of the year.
In the lead-up to the 2024 Finals, surfers have battled it out at locations ranging from the powerful barrels of Pipeline in Hawaii to the cold, rugged waves of Margaret River in Western Australia. Each event has tested their abilities in different conditions, but it is at Lower Trestles where the ultimate test awaits.
Griffin Colapinto: San Clemente's Hometown Hero
Among the top contenders for the 2024 WSL Finals is Griffin Colapinto, a San Clemente native who has made a significant impact on the professional surfing scene. Colapinto grew up surfing the very waves of Lower Trestles, honing his skills and developing a deep connection to the break. His intimate knowledge of the waves, combined with his natural talent and competitive drive, make him a formidable competitor.
Colapinto's rise through the ranks of professional surfing has been nothing short of impressive. He made history in 2018 by becoming the first Californian to win the prestigious Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, a feat that solidified his status as one of the sport's brightest stars. Since then, he has continued to perform at an elite level, earning a reputation for his explosive style and ability to excel in a variety of conditions.
For the 2024 Finals, Colapinto's local roots give him a potential edge. Surfing at Lower Trestles is second nature to him, and his deep familiarity with the break could be a crucial factor in his pursuit of the World Title. As a hometown hero, Colapinto is expected to draw significant support from the local community, adding to the electric atmosphere of the event.
The Format of the Finals
The Lexus WSL Finals employs a unique format that sets it apart from other events on the Championship Tour. Unlike the traditional competition structure, where surfers accumulate points across multiple heats, the Finals is a winner-takes-all event. The top-ranked surfer at the end of the regular season automatically advances to the Title Match, while the other four surfers compete in a series of head-to-head elimination rounds.
2024 WSL Women's Final Five
1. John John Florence (HAW)
2. Griffin Colapinto (USA)
3. Jack Robinson (AUS)
4. Ethan Ewing (AUS)
5. Italo Ferreira (BRA)
2024 WSL Women's Final Five
1. Caitlin Simmers (USA)
2. Caroline Marks (USA)
3. Brisa Hennessy (CRC)
4. Molly Picklum (AUS)
5. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA)
This format, known as the "Finals Day," creates an intense, high-stakes environment where every wave counts. The fifth and fourth-ranked surfers face off in the opening heat, with the winner advancing to the next round to compete against the third-ranked surfer, and so on. The final heat pits the winner of these elimination rounds against the top seed in a best-of-three Title Match, with the winner being crowned the World Champion.
This structure ensures that the World Title is decided in a direct showdown between the season's best surfers, adding an extra layer of drama and excitement to the event. It also means that the eventual champion must prove themselves in the most pressure-packed scenario possible, making the title even more prestigious.
The Global Impact of the Lexus WSL Finals
The Lexus WSL Finals is not just a major event for San Clemente and the local surfing community; it is a global spectacle that attracts attention from around the world. As the deciding event of the World Surf League, it garners extensive media coverage, with live broadcasts reaching millions of viewers across various platforms. This global exposure helps to elevate the profile of the sport and the athletes, while also highlighting the beauty and significance of the competition's location.
For San Clemente, hosting the WSL Finals is a point of pride. The town has a rich surfing heritage, and the event reinforces its status as one of the world's premier surfing destinations. Local businesses, from surf shops to restaurants and hotels, benefit from the influx of visitors, and the event provides a significant boost to the local economy. The presence of the world's best surfers, combined with the natural beauty of Lower Trestles, creates an unforgettable experience for spectators and participants alike.
Environmental Stewardship and the WSL
The WSL Finals at Lower Trestles also serves as an opportunity to promote environmental awareness and sustainability. The World Surf League has made significant efforts in recent years to reduce the environmental impact of its events, implementing initiatives such as banning single-use plastics, offsetting carbon emissions, and supporting ocean conservation programs.
Lower Trestles, located within the San Onofre State Beach, is a protected area, and the WSL works closely with local authorities and environmental organizations to ensure that the event is conducted in a way that minimizes its impact on the surrounding ecosystem. This includes measures to protect the local wildlife, reduce waste, and educate attendees about the importance of preserving coastal environments.
The WSL's commitment to sustainability is an integral part of the Lexus WSL Finals, aligning with the broader goals of the surfing community to protect the oceans and coastlines that are central to the sport. By highlighting these efforts during one of the most high-profile events in surfing, the WSL helps to raise awareness and inspire positive action among its global audience.
The Spectator Experience
For those fortunate enough to attend the Lexus WSL Finals in person, the experience is nothing short of extraordinary. The natural amphitheater of Lower Trestles provides an ideal vantage point for spectators, offering unobstructed views of the action as it unfolds in the water. The atmosphere is charged with excitement, as fans from around the world gather to witness history being made.
In addition to the surfing, the WSL Finals offer a range of activities and experiences for attendees. From sponsor activations and product demonstrations to food trucks and merchandise stands, there is plenty to see and do onshore. The event also often features appearances by past World Champions and surf legends, adding to the sense of occasion.
For the local community, the WSL Finals is a celebration of the sport that has played such a central role in the town's culture and identity. It is an opportunity to showcase San Clemente's unique charm and hospitality to a global audience, while also enjoying the world-class surfing that has made the area famous.
The Lexus WSL Finals 2024 at Lower Trestles promises to be a landmark event in the world of professional surfing. With the world's best surfers converging on San Clemente to compete for the World Title, the stage is set for a week of thrilling competition and unforgettable moments. For Griffin Colapinto and the local community, the event is a chance to shine on the world stage and celebrate the deep connection between San Clemente and the sport of surfing.
As the countdown to the Finals continues, anticipation is building for what is sure to be one of the most exciting and closely contested events in surfing history. Whether you are a dedicated fan of the sport or simply looking to experience the beauty and excitement of professional surfing at its highest level, the Lexus WSL Finals at Lower Trestles is an event that should not be missed.