Jack Robinson has been oh-so-close to title town in recent years. Is this his time? Photo: Beatriz Ryder//WSL
For the first time in the WSL Final 5 era, there isn’t a clear world title favorite on the men’s Championship Tour. Since the new surf-off format was introduced in 2021, each year the men’s winner had amassed a lead of more than 10,000 points and, unsurprisingly, went on to win the final. First, it was Gabriel Medina, then it was Filipe Toledo (twice), and last year it was John John Florence.
The Final 5 was supposed to create drama and unexpected results. But, at least for the men, it didn’t. In 2025, the last year of the Final 5 format before it reverts to a cumulative point system in 2026, the title finally feels free for the taking.
Jordy Smith, who sniffed a title with a (very distant) second place in 2010, is now leading the tour at 37 years old. Yago Dora and Barron Mamiya (who withdrew from Lowers due to injury) are currently in a position to make their first finals appearance. Kanoa Igarashi, Jack Robinson, Griffin Colapinto, Ethan Ewing, and Leo Fioravanti all have realistic shots to make the finals and gun for their first titles. And, of course, you can’t rule out the past world champs, Italo Ferreira and Filipe Toledo, who are also in the running.
Considering the absence of Florence and Medina this year, the final Final 5 is primed to go out with a bang. There’s a good chance we’ll see someone win their maiden title.
Sitting at number four, Kanoa hopes an improved backhand (not pictured here) can help him in Fiji. Photo: Aaron Hughes//World Surf League
“It’s been a super fun, interesting year,” Kanoa Igarashi told The Inertia after narrowly beating Crosby Colapinto in his round of 16 heat at Lower Trestles. “I feel like the level is higher than ever. It’s really hard to find weaknesses in anyone, and we’ve been pushed to our limits more than ever. I’m ranked in the top five right now, and, obviously, that’s where you want to be going into this last leg.”
“Luckily, there are huge benefits to having been on the tour for a long time, and one of them is that I’ve already been able to compete in Fiji (several) times,” Igarashi added. “I got a lot of experience out of it. I feel like my surfing at the moment, especially my backhand, has improved more than anything else with my new boards (JS Industries). I’m just excited to have that kind of canvas and be able to showcase it.”
The powerful waves of Fiji, less forgiving and less predictable than those of Lower Trestles, will add another variable into the calculations of who emerges victorious from this year’s Final 5.
Fiji was not on the world tour from 2018 to 2023, so, in theory, those with tour experience predating 2018 will have a leg up on the competition. Smith, a Championship Tour (CT) veteran with 17 years of service, has competed in Fiji seven times, although he’s never been able to crack the semifinals. Ferreira, Toledo, and Igarashi have all competed in at least three CT events in Fiji, but, like Smith, none have advanced to the semis.
On the other hand, Griffin Colapinto and Jack Robinson competed in their first-ever CT event in Fiji last year. Colapinto won the event, and Robinson took third. So, at least among those vying for the title in 2025, history doesn’t show a strong correlation between a surfer’s competitive experience at Fiji and their results.
Yago Dora has obviously had a stellar year. And being a goofy-footer can be advantageous at Cloudbreak. Photo: Pat Nolan//World Surf League
“I haven’t really thought too much (about the finals in Fiji yet),” said Robinson after advancing through to the quarterfinals at Lower Trestles. “I’m just focused on the moment. I know it always gets said. But everyone’s had that kind of year where it’s been a little up and down. Everyone’s really good on the tour, so you just got to be on your game.”
“I feel confident at Cloudbreak,” he continued. “Even (at Lowers) the last few years, I felt confident to win. But sometimes it’s just not your moment.”
Dora, who is currently sitting in third place and hoping to crack the final 5 for the first time, feels like he can make a run at the title if he qualifies for Fiji.
“I really like my chances at the world title this year,” said Dora, who defeated Kelly Slater with a 9.33 ride last year at Cloudbreak. “I feel like this is a good year for me. I’ve been ready for a couple years now, just knocking on the door for the finals. I feel like this is the year I’m going to be there. Cloudbreak is my favorite event. I’d have a really good shot of winning; it will be great to decide the title there.”
After Trestles, just three events remain in the season – Brazil, J-Bay, and Tahiti – to decide the five finalists. It’s a prime opportunity for a handful of surfers to make a run at the world title. With Medina (and maybe Florence) returning in 2026, along with the cumulative points format and bonus points at Pipeline, next year’s race should be tougher. For many, this is the moment to capitalize.
