Lower Trestles, California — June 13, 2025. Eleven-time world champion Kelly Slater, widely regarded as the greatest surfer in history, has been eliminated from the Lexus Trestles Pro after a close defeat in the men’s elimination round.
The eighth stop of the 2025 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour is underway in California, and it has already produced a mix of surprises and disappointments. With four wildcard entries — Kelly Slater, Sawyer Lindblad, Dimitri Poulos, and Kirra Pinkerton — the event promised dramatic moments from the start.
Slater, who made headlines with his return to competition at Trestles, faced off against 25-year-old Hawaiian surfer Barron Mamiya in a much-anticipated heat. Despite Slater’s experience and early composure, Mamiya posted a 5.87 and followed it up with a 6.10, securing a combined score of 11.97. Slater’s two best waves scored 4.90 and 5.50 for a total of 10.40 — not enough to advance.
Reflecting on the heat, Slater told the WSL, “I probably could have just paced myself a little better, relaxed on those waves, and at the end, I made a huge mistake. I took a wave with priority when I didn’t need to, and then one good wave came, and he got it. Good for Barron. A little mistake by me. I was honestly a little bit nervous out there.”
Slater’s loss followed another disappointment for wildcard Dimitri Poulos, who was knocked out earlier in the elimination round by Kanoa Igarashi. Poulos scored 10.50, falling short of Igarashi’s 13.73. Slater’s exit marked a tough day for the event’s wildcard surfers.
Brazilian competitor Miguel Pupo also failed to progress, scoring just 6.27 after being unable to find a second strong wave. He was bested by Joel Vaughan, who posted consistent rides of 6.00 and 6.13.
In other heats, Rio Waida and Alejo Muniz were also eliminated after narrowly missing the mark in tightly contested rounds.
With Slater and other big names out of the competition, all eyes now turn to the remaining contenders as the Trestles Pro continues. The next call for the event is set for Saturday, June 14, when the men’s and women’s main rounds are expected to resume.