How The 2024 Lexus WSL Finals Works
The lineup is locked in; John John Florence and Caity Simmers are rolling into the Lexus WSL Finals at Lower Trestles as the number-one seeds. San Clemente residents Griffin Colapinto and Caroline Marks, who will be looking to defend her 2023 title, are waiting in the wings with the number two seeds. Could we see a California sweep this year? As a lifelong fan of Golden State surfing, I’d love to see it.
But before we get into matchups, swell forecasts and all the hype and hoopla that comes with the one-day, winner-take-all event, let’s get down to the nuts and bolts of how the WSL Finals will play out. Because this is the only surf contest in the world with such a unique format and such high stakes, here’s how it works:
The Basics
The Lexus WSL Finals will take place at Lower Trestles and feature the WSL Final 5, which is comprised of the top five men and women on the WSL's Championship Tour leaderboard at the end of the 2024 regular season.
The WSL Final 5 is decided based on points accrued during the regular CT season.
The Lexus WSL Finals waiting period will run from September 6 to 14, 2024. There will be a nine-day waiting period during Lowers’ peak season to maximize potential for epic surf.
The 2024 Lexus WSL Finals Format Format Explained
At the end of the regular season, the number one rated male and female surfer will both receive a bid directly into the Lexus WSL Finals’ Title Match, a best-of-three showdown to determine the World Champion.
The remaining surfers will enter the WSL Finals bracket based on their year-end rankings.
Match 1: The number five ranked surfer will compete against the fourth-ranked surfer in the first Match of the day in a head-to-head heat
Match 2: The winner of Match 1 will then face off against the number three ranked surfer in a head-to-head heat.
Match 3: The winner of Match 2 will then face off against the number two ranked surfer in a head-to-head heat.
Title Match: The winner of Match 3 will move on to the best-of-three Title Match, where they will face the World Number 1. The first surfer to win two out of three heats will be the undisputed 2024 World Champion.
Who's Surfing in the 2024 Lexus WSL Finals
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)
Related: 17-Year-Old Canadian Wildcard Erin Brooks Earns Historic Win at 2024 Fiji Pro
Related: Griffin Colapinto Wins Fiji Pro, WSL Finals Lineup Locked In