Erin Brooks in Heat 2 of the Semifinals. Photo: Matt Dunbar // WSL
Amongst all the changes coming to the new-look 2026 WSL Championship Tour, it’s the women’s side of competition that will undergo the most radical reconfiguration. Not only will the field expand from 18 to 24, but the women will follow the historic track of the men’s tour and cap off the year at the most revered wave in surfing: Pipeline.
The growth in women’s surfing since Pipeline was added to their tour in 2021 has been undeniable. It was highlighted last year by Caity Simmers’ timeless quote “Pipeline is for the f*%king girls” after she and Molly Picklum traded off excellent-range rides in the final.
Imagine if Simmers had never gotten the chance to surf Pipe – that would’ve been a major loss. Now, with Pipeline taking center stage and more women getting opportunities to surf it, the conditions are set for the up-and-coming generation to produce more of these history making moments.
“I love the new schedule and the fact the world champion will be crowned based on their overall performance on different waves around the world,” rookie phenom Erin Brooks told The Inertia at the Trestles Pro. “I can walk from my house to Pipeline and I love barrels, so finishing in Hawaii is a dream come true.”
“I’d love more lefts on tour, but other than that I think this new schedule and format is as good as it gets,” she added.
Caroline Marks said she wasn’t too surprised when the WSL announced the new-look schedule, as rumors had been circulating among the surfers’ ranks. She says nearly everyone is happy with the changes.
Caroline certainly knows how to get barreled, as she showed at the Olympics. She just needs to make it happen at Pipeline. Photo: Beatriz Ryder // ISA
“From all the feedback I’ve heard, all the athletes are really stoked on (the new tour format),” said Marks on her way to the Trestles quarterfinals. “The level of women’s surfing is going up so fast and so high. By expanding the (field), you’ll see more girls on tour, which is more talent. I think it’s perfect timing to do it – it’s pretty obvious. There are just so many more girls surfing than there ever have been. The talent pool has grown so much.”
For Marks, who has yet to have a stellar performance at Pipeline, ending the year in Hawaii is added incentive to improve her surfing at the infamous North Shore reef.
“Pipeline, to be honest, hasn’t been one of my best events,” explained Marks. “But it’s kind of cool because it’s a good challenge for me. It’s a big motivation to get better out there, because that’s where they’re defining the world title. And personally, I like finishing up at Pipe better than starting there. I’m excited for the tour set up next year.”
Sawyer Lindblad made the mid-year cut on a technicality. She’ll have a full year to qualify in 2026. Photo: Emma Sharon//World Surf League
The expanded women’s field means that the top 14 CT surfers from 2025 are invited back in 2026 (even those who missed the cut). Sawyer Lindblad, the 19-year-old San Clemente local who was first in line to miss the cut, is one of the beneficiaries who qualifies via the new format.
“I grew up watching the CT like that, (when the men won) the World title at Pipe,” said Lindblad. “I feel like us girls have proven that we can surf big barreling waves. I’m really excited to give it a go next year.”
“I definitely like that we’ll have a full year on tour (in 2026),” she added. “It’ll probably be a lot less stressful just because the (mid-year) cut made everything more intense.”
Despite standout Pipe performances in recent years from the likes of Carissa Moore, Tyler Wright, Caity Simmers, and Molly Picklum, it’s safe to say the best women’s surfing at Pipe is yet to come. With the new format putting the title on the line at surfing’s most storied wave for the first time, women who excel at Pipeline will be more rewarded than ever before.
