CALIFORNIANS DOMINATE THE US OPEN OF SURFING
Sawyer Lindblad and Levi Slawson Win Lexus US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico
The 2025 Lexus US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico ended in spectacular fashion as Californians Sawyer Lindblad and Levi Slawson claimed victory in Stop No. 3 of the World Surf League (WSL) Challenger Series. With three-to-five foot sets — and the occasional six-foot bomb — rolling into the Huntington Beach Pier, the two homegrown talents etched their names into event history, while major shifts in the rankings set the stage for a dramatic push toward 2026 Championship Tour (CT) qualification.
Joining them on the podium, Tya Zebrowski (FRA) and Mateus Herdy (BRA) earned runner-up finishes that catapulted them into Challenger Series frontrunner status — Zebrowski now sits at No. 1 in the rankings, Herdy at No. 2.
Lindblad Makes It Two in Huntington
At just 19, Sawyer Lindblad has already joined an elite club of two-time US Open winners, alongside names like Sally Fitzgibbons, Courtney Conlogue, Brett Simpson, and Kanoa Igarashi. Her first Huntington win in 2023 secured her CT debut and Rookie of the Year honors. This time, she came in as a requalified CT surfer, hungrier than ever.
“It feels pretty good,” Lindblad said after hoisting the trophy. “The first time I wasn’t expecting it, this time I felt more pressure. Tya [Zebrowski] surfed so well — congrats to her. I’m just grateful to win again, especially with my family here.”
The women’s Final saw Zebrowski, just 14, strike first with a 12.34 total in the opening five minutes. Lindblad answered with a powerful backhand combo, then overtook the lead with a forehand assault midway through. Zebrowski’s last-ditch air attempt wowed the crowd but came up just short, sealing Lindblad’s redemption run after narrowly missing the Final 5 cut earlier this season.
Slawson Breaks Through in Men’s Final
For Levi Slawson, the US Open crown marked a career-defining breakthrough. The Encinitas surfer — long touted as a CT threat — topped Mateus Herdy in a nail-biting finish, completing a Southern California sweep after recent regional wins. The victory vaulted Slawson to No. 4 in the Challenger rankings.
“I’ve worked so hard for moments like this,” Slawson said. “I’ve watched the US Open my whole life and never dreamed I’d be here. Being in the Final with Mateus was tough — he’s so good, you can’t give him an inch. I just focused on surfing my best and believing in myself.”
The men’s Final opened with fireworks as Slawson landed a massive air-reverse for a 7.33. Herdy briefly stole the lead, but Slawson’s backhand precision earned him the winning edge. Herdy’s last wave scored a 7.77 — agonizingly short of the 7.93 he needed.
The next stop on the 2025 Challenger Series is the Ericeira Pro, which holds a competition window from September 29 to October 5, 2025.
For more information and highlights from today’s competition at the Lexus US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
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