“Felt Like a Dream”: Surfing Chief of Sport Has a Message for John John Florence, Barron Mamiya, and Others for Pipeline Pro

The 2024 surfing season kicked off with an electrifying start on Oahu’s North Shore at the iconic Banzai Pipeline. The competition saw the crème de la crème of surfing make waves and ride them as they battled it out for a prize purse of a whopping $80,000. After an intense competition that spanned from January 29 to February 10, 2024, Barron Mamiya of Hawaii and Caitlin Simmers were crowned the champions on Stop No. 1 on the World Surf League 2024 Championship Tour.

In the wake of their spectacular triumph, the Chief of Sport for the WSL shared a message with the champions about their formidable competition, emphasizing the enduring impact their success had on the league and inspiring future athletes to strive for greatness.

WSL chief shares empowering message with the surfing icons

In an Instagram post, Jessi Miley-Dyer, the inaugural Billabong World Junior Women’s Champion and the Chief of Sport for the WSL, shared a message for top surfers at the 2024 Lexus Pipe Pro Presented by YETI. She shared a seven-slide carousel post on Instagram that encapsulated memorable moments from the thrilling surfing spectacle. Jessi wrote in her caption, “Finals day at the Lexus Pipe Pro felt like a dream,” emphasizing the significance of the day in recognizing the aspirations of past generations of women in surfing. She applauded the competitive spirit displayed by women surfers such as Caitlin Simmers, Molly Picklum, and Bettylou Sakura Johnson as they navigated the challenging waves of Pipeline and Backdoor.

Additionally, she also acknowledged the presence of renowned surfers like John John Florence and Barron Mamiya, underscoring the dynamic interplay between male and female athletes in raising performance standards. She closed her note with the empowering declaration, “Pipeline’s for the f*ck*n girls forever more” shared by Simmers at the finals. As we reminisce about Jessi’s heartfelt post, let’s revisit how the ultimate champions were crowned.

The finals at the Pipe Pro and the road ahead

At the Lexus Pipe Pro presented by YETI, Caitlin Simmers and Barron Mamiya clinched well-deserved victories. Rookie sensation Barron Mamiya triumphed over two-time world champion John John Florence. Mamiya’s flawless performance earned him a perfect 10, showcasing his mastery of the pipeline waves. On the women’s side, the final match between Molly Picklum and Caity Simmers epitomized a historic day for surfing. Picklum’s remarkable 9.27 score in the final wasn’t enough to secure victory, as Simmers capitalized on her chances, clinching the win with an 8.83 and a solid backup score.

Read more: “I Can Beat Anyone”: 52-Year Kelly Slater Slams Haters After Bone Chilling Comeback

Simmers’ memorable post-heat declaration, “Pipeline is for the f*ck*ng girls!” resonated as a powerful statement of empowerment and equality in surfing. All in all, the Lexus Pipe Pro opened as a season-stellar, setting the stage for yet another unforgettable showdown at Stop No. 2 on the WSL CT, set to take place in Sunset Beach, Hawaii, from February 12–22, 2024, at the 2024 Hurley Pro Sunset Beach. Fans eagerly anticipate another exhilarating display of talent and determination as the excitement continues to unfold.

Watch this story: Terrifying Video Shows A Seal Pounding Popular Surfer