Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi’s own Gabriela Bryan (HAW) won the 2026 Lexus Pipe Challenger Presented by Billabong, Stop No. 6 of the 2025/2026 Challenger Series. She joins fellow event victor Callum Robson (AUS). Bryan navigated through a premier field starting in the Round of 32 and found her way through the Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and ultimately claimed her maiden Challenger Series win at the famed reef of Pipeline in solid, four-to-six-foot, building wave faces.

The race for qualification heated up with marquee early eliminations and new Top 7, plus Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) officially qualified for the 2026 Championship Tour (CT).

Gabriela Bryan Brings Home the Pipeline Title Back to Kauaʻi

2025 World No. 3 Gabriela Bryan (HAW) reinstated her world-class form with a brilliant run through Finals Day, and adding a first Challenger Series victory to her accolades with Andy Irons’ legacy at the forefront of her win. The 23-year-old already has four CT victories to her name and is now a proven threat to the World Title race after a dominant 2025 season. Now, Kauaʻi’s own prepares for the start of the 2026 CT season at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, beginning April 1 through 11.

“It feels so good to start the year off with a win after so much time off. Getting back in the jersey, feeling the nerves, and everything that comes along with competing,” said Bryan. “It gets me so fired up for the rest of the year. It’s a long year ahead, and we’re just beginning, but there’s no better way than to start with a win, especially at Pipe. That was a very talented Final to say the least. It’s not ideal Pipe, but you never know what you’re going to get so every heat out here in onshore, incoming swell, windy or if it’s perfect, it’s worth it. Anat [Lelior] is probably looking good to qualify, but I know me, Erin [Brooks], and Molly [Picklum] are doing everything we can to get extra time out here, so it feels great to get the win.”

“It’s so special to feel that spirit of Andy [Irons] and I love to represent Kauaʻi and where I come from. It’s so awesome to have Lyndie [Irons] here. My first-ever contest was the Irons Brothers. I have a photo of me when I was little with Andy and it’s so cool. We came from the same hometown and I’m following my dreams, and I have amazing inspirations to look up to.”

2025 CT Rookie of the Year Erin Brooks Earns Marquee Runner-up

Erin Brooks (CAN) joined the CT roster in 2025 and put them on high alert throughout her rookie season, finishing as CT Rookie of the Year. The 18-year-old, Brooks, put on a clinic of backhand barrel-riding at Backdoor to post the women’s best performance of the event with a 9.43 and 16.26 (out of a possible 20) heat total in her Quarterfinal bout after winning her Round of 32 heat to start her Finals Day campaign. Brooks now eyes to back her Rookie of the Year accolade in 2026.

“Thank you so much for supporting us throughout this whole event. It’s been so awesome,” said Brooks. “There’s been so many great days, and so many great waves. I’m just stoked to be a part of it.”

Molly Picklum and Anat Lelior Round Out Finalists in Finals Day Spectacle

One of the sport’s proven generational greats, Molly Picklum (AUS), entered the Lexus Pipe Challenger looking for more time in the jersey and received just that with a third-place finish. The 23-year-old was in-form from start to finish after setting the standard for the women on Day 1, and carried that momentum through a dominant Quarterfinal showing with a 16.06 heat total. Picklum then earned another victory in the Semifinals alongside Anat Lelior (ISRA), finding her way to a major Final. Picklum joins Bryan and Brooks in the CT season start at Bells Beach.

“It’s always so good to be back here. What a way to start the season, coming over here to Hawaiʻi. There’s such warm welcomes for me, so I’m so grateful to be here. Pipeline is such an amazing wave. It’s tumbling at times, but I love to come here and test myself, and just make sure I’m sharpening the tools ahead of the Tour. We still have time so we’re getting there."

Today, Anat Lelior (ISR) showed she’s now a qualification frontrunner with a Finals appearance at Pipeline. Lelior’s remarkable run through the 2025/2026 season includes a Semifinal finish and now a fourth-place result to earn No. 9 on the Challenger Series rankings heading into the final event of the year to make her dream of qualifying a reality.

“Thank you to everyone watching here. It’s been a dream come true even sharing this Final with these amazing women, and I didn’t expect this. I only knew who Kelly Slater was when I was 13 from ‘Surf’s Up’ (laughs). I didn’t expect coming here and getting close to qualifying. My goal coming into this year was to be in the Top 15. I’m so blessed and I want everyone to understand how lucky we all are to be here. Thank you to my sponsors, my girlfriend, my support system, my coach, just everyone.”

Sally Fitzgibbons Officially Requalifies for 2026 Championship Tour

The next and final stop of the 2025/2026 Challenger Series season now awaits at the Newcastle SURFEST in Newcastle, NSW, Australia, beginning March 9 through 15 to decide the remaining CT qualifiers. Today, a CT icon in Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) has officially sealed her spot back among the world’s best in 2026 after completing her Round of 32 heat at the Lexus Pipe Challenger. A massive victory at the Newcastle SURFEST to start the season helped propel her toward her goal of rejoining the CT and immediately followed with an equal third-place in Ballito.

Lexus Pipe Challenger Presented by Billabong Women’s Final Results:
1 - Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 12.70
2 - Erin Brooks (CAN) 10.47
3 - Molly Picklum (AUS) 9.43
4 - Anat Lelior (ISR) 3.13

Lexus Pipe Challenger Presented by Billabong Women's Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Molly Picklum (AUS) 9.37 DEF. Anat Lelior (ISR) 8.80, Tya Zebrowski (FRA) 6.70, Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 4.80
HEAT 2: Erin Brooks (CAN) 9.50 DEF. Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 7.17, Alyssa Spencer (USA) 5.24, Francisca Veselko (POR) 4.07

Lexus Pipe Challenger Presented by Billabong Women's Quarterfinal Results:
HEAT 1: Anat Lelior (ISR) 8.83 DEF. Molly Picklum (AUS) 7.23, Nadia Erostarbe (EUK) 5.64, Moana Jones Wong (HAW) 2.60
HEAT 2: Tya Zebrowski (FRA) 12.00 DEF. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 7.10, Isabella Nichols (AUS) 6.86, Laura Raupp (BRA) 5.83
HEAT 3: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 9.57 DEF. Francisca Veselko (POR) 9.50, Sophie McCulloch (AUS) 5.70, Sierra Kerr (AUS) 3.37
HEAT 4: Erin Brooks (CAN) vs. Eweleiula Wong (HAW) vs. Caitlin Simmers (USA) vs. Alyssa Spencer (USA)

Lexus Pipe Challenger Presented by Billabong Women's Round of 32 Results:
HEAT 1: Molly Picklum (AUS) 16.06 DEF. Laura Raupp (BRA) 8.83, Leilani McGonagle (CRC) 6.17, Chesney Guinotte (HAW) 2.97
HEAT 2: Anat Lelior (ISR) 9.83 DEF. Tya Zebrowski (FRA) 9.67, Yolanda Hopkins (POR) 8.67, Vahine Fierro (FRA) 4.93
HEAT 3: Isabella Nichols (AUS) 12.10 DEF. Nadia Erostarbe (EUK) 6.43, Arena Rodriguez (PER) 1.83, Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) 0.57
HEAT 4: Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 13.50 DEF. Moana Jones Wong (HAW) 13.17, Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) 10.33, Vaihitimahana Inso (HAW) 4.77
HEAT 5: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 10.07 DEF. Eweleiula Wong (HAW) 4.00, Amuro Tsuzuki (JPN) 3.40, Zoe McDougall (HAW) 0.90
HEAT 6: Sophie McCulloch (AUS) 10.20 DEF. Alyssa Spencer (USA) 9.00, Luana Silva (BRA) 7.73, Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 6.50
HEAT 7: Erin Brooks (CAN) 7.33 DEF. Francisca Veselko (POR) 5.50, Teresa Bonvalot (POR) 3.97, Anon Matsuoka (JPN) 1.03
HEAT 8: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 10.73 DEF. Sierra Kerr (AUS) 5.77, India Robinson (AUS) 5.40, Sophia Medina (BRA) 2.47

Callum Robson (AUS) won the 2026 Lexus Pipe Challenger Presented by Billabong, Stop No. 6 of the 2025/2026 Challenger Series (CS). An incredible morning of pumping, ten-to-fifteen-foot wave faces provided a spectacle for the men’s Round of 32, Quarterfinals, and beginning of the Semifinals, with Robson proving he was ready for the task heading into the Finals. CS rankings continued to adjust through the men’s Finals Day, including runner-up Morgan Cibilic (AUS) landing within the Top 10, and Eli Hanneman’s (HAW) qualification for the 2026 Championship Tour (CT) in his fourth-place finish. While CTer Griffin Colapinto (USA) leaves Pipeline with a third-place finish.

Callum Robson’s Remarkable Run Takes Him Atop Pipeline Podium

An incredible performance from Callum Robson (AUS) led to his second Challenger Series win. The former CTer's accolades include a 10-point ride at Supertubos, Portugal, when he was among the world’s best, and a major victory at the 2022 Boost Mobile Gold Coast Pro. Now, Robson reemerges as a CT qualification threat after claiming a major win at the Lexus Pipe Challenger Presented by Billabong. He is now sitting just outside the qualification line at No. 11 on the CS rankings heading into the final event of the season at the Newcastle SURFEST. 

“It’s pretty crazy to be honest. It’s not classic Pipeline in that Final, but to be out there with Morgs [Cibilic], and Griffin [Colapinto], and Eli [Hanneman], it’s obviously really good surfers in that heat,” said Robson. “I just can’t believe I’ve just won this competition. From the start of this week and believing you’re going to win the event is pretty crazy. I don’t really know how to feel right now, but I’m tripping.”

“It hasn’t obviously been my best year on the Challenger Series, but being 11th is way better than 30-something that I was coming in here. I just refocused on that little bit of off time off, and I was just stoked to come surf Pipeline. I surfed it on the CT, and I just love this place, I love this wave.”
A gritty Final unfolded in the prevailing winds with a world-class Final ready to battle, which featured multi-World Title contender Griffin Colapinto (USA) facing former CTers Callum Robson (AUS), Morgan Cibilic (AUS), and Maui’s own Eli Hanneman (HAW). Known for his charging and powerful form, Robson earned the first score of consequence, a 6.33 (out of a possible 10), to push his lead over his opponents. But, Colapinto was able to find an impressive Backdoor cover-up that earned a 7.00 along with Cibilic earning a 7.70 before Callum responded back with a lofty full rotation and found a closing hammer turn to post a 7.67 to regain the lead. With time expiring, Ciblic, Colapinto, and Hanneman kept pushing back but couldn’t find the score they needed, ultimately crowning Robson the 2026 Lexus Pipe Challenger Presented by Billabong. 

Morgan Cibilic’s Iconic Runner-up Finish Results in Top 10 CS Ranking

Superheats unfolded right away in the men’s Round of 32 and fireworks ensued between back-to-back CT Pipe Pro victor Barron Mamiya (HAW), former CTers Carlos Munoz (CRC) and Morgan Cibilic (AUS), and local hero Joey Johnston (HAW). Cibilic got into rhythm right away after narrowly missing the exit on a Backdoor cavern before finding himself locked into another brilliant Backdoor barrel, this time reemerging to post a 9.00 (out of a possible 10). 

Cibilic carried that form all the way to the Finals, notching a 17.50 (out of a possible 20) heat total to catapult himself into the Semifinals before finishing runner-up. With a runner-up, Cibilic climbed seven spots to now sit at No. 7 on the rankings with a massive opportunity to rejoin the world’s best as he now prepares for the final event of the 2025/2026 Challenger Series season at his home break of Merewether Beach.

“I just felt in the zone. It felt real nice to put up that Quarterfinal performance even though I was a bit nervous at the start,” said Cibilic. “The 9.00 felt really good. I just faded off the takeoff, and I’m just so stoked to be here and lapping it all up. Surfing Pipe with no one else, and it was pretty cooking. Thanks to the locals and the Hawaiian water patrol for getting me back.”

Maui’s Eli Hanneman Officially Requalifies Following Quarterfinals Performance

2024 CT rookie Eli Hanneman (HAW) requalifies for the 2026 Championship Tour (CT) after a triumphant day at Pipeline. Starting the day with the Round of 32, Hanneman sent himself into a hefty barrel section, reemerging for a 9.27 (out of a possible 10) and establishing himself atop the heat. Then, the 23-year-old from Lahaina, Maui, earned an advancing position in his Quarterfinal heat to officially requalify and rejoin the world’s best. A third-place finish at the Ericeira Pro and runner-up at the Saquarema Pro helped push Hanneman to the No. 1 ranking heading into Pipeline, where he completed his requalification campaign ahead of Stop No. 7, Newcastle SURFEST.

“This is crazy. In Brazil, I needed to win the event, and got second, and I just knew it was going to happen here at home,” said Hanneman. “This is better than I could ever imagine. All my friends and family on the beach to congratulate me was so special. It’s weird right now because I’m still in the event, and it doesn’t feel real because I’m still working toward something, which I am. Just looking back on the last few years feels like such a wild ride, but it feels so good to be back.”

CT Mainstay Griffin Colapinto’s Inspirational Run Ignites More Passion At Pipe

Griffin Colapinto (USA) entered this event looking to maximize time in the jersey at Pipeline and accomplished that goal with a major Finals appearance. Colapinto put the Challenger Series elite to the test and what they can expect on the 2026 CT when they join the world’s best, posting multiple excellent scores in his run to the Final. A special moment for San Clemente’s multi-World Title contender, Colapinto, was dedicated to his late grandmother as he returned to Pipe. 

“I’m just stoked to be getting more time out at Pipeline with no one out. I’ve had some challenges in the past CT heats finding the rhythm or trusting my wave selection. My grandma passed away three weeks ago. We came out here for this event and found out she was passing away, so Crosby and I flew home, and we got to say our goodbyes and talk to her. She said she was going to come back in butterflies so I feel like I’m dedicating this to my grandma Patty, and I’ve had a lot of heats at this event when I’ve got them out of nowhere.”

For highlights from today’s Lexus Pipe Challenger Presented by Billabong, WorldSurfLeague.com.

Lexus Pipe Challenger Presented by Billabong Men’s Final Results:
1 - Callum Robson (AUS) 14.00 
2 - Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 13.37
3 - Griffin Colapinto (USA) 12.17
4 - Eli Hanneman (HAW) 3.07

Lexus Pipe Challenger Presented by Billabong Men's Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 13.10 DEF. Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 10.83, Jorgann Couzinet (FRA) 8.27, Joey Johnston (HAW) 2.26
HEAT 2: Eli Hanneman (HAW) 12.67 DEF. Callum Robson (AUS) 5.80, Liam O'Brien (AUS) 5.43, Xavier Huxtable (AUS) 2.53

Lexus Pipe Challenger Presented by Billabong Men's Quarterfinal Results:
HEAT 1: Morgan Cibilic (AUS) vs. Ryan Huckabee (USA) vs. Jackson Bunch (HAW) vs. Griffin Colapinto (USA)
HEAT 2: Jorgann Couzinet (FRA) vs. Joey Johnston (HAW) vs. Charly Quivront (FRA) vs. Kauli Vaast (FRA)
HEAT 3: Benji Brand (HAW) vs. Xavier Huxtable (AUS) vs. Eli Hanneman (HAW) vs. George Pittar (AUS)
HEAT 4: Riaru Ito (JPN) vs. Callum Robson (AUS) vs. Liam O'Brien (AUS) vs. Jacob Willcox (AUS)

Lexus Pipe Challenger Presented by Billabong Men's Round of 32 Results:
HEAT 1: Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 15.33 DEF. Joey Johnston (HAW) 11.16, Barron Mamiya (HAW) 5.77, Carlos Munoz (CRC) 3.33
HEAT 2: Jackson Bunch (HAW) 14.77 DEF. Kauli Vaast (FRA) 12.83, Cole Houshmand (USA) 12.83, Lucas Silveira (BRA) 8.83
HEAT 3: Jorgann Couzinet (FRA) 10.00 DEF. Ryan Huckabee (USA) 9.80, Lucas Vicente (BRA) 8.66, Taro Watanabe (USA) 6.66
HEAT 4: Charly Quivront (FRA) 12.10 DEF. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 9.93, Ian Gentil (HAW) 9.77, Winter Vincent (AUS) 9.00
HEAT 5: Benji Brand (HAW) 16.80 DEF. Callum Robson (AUS) 11.00, Mikey McDonagh (AUS) 9.77, Luke Thompson (RSA) 6.53
HEAT 6: Eli Hanneman (HAW) 14.14 DEF. Jacob Willcox (AUS) 10.17, Nolan Rapoza (USA) 9.10, Jackson Baker (AUS) 2.14
HEAT 7: Riaru Ito (JPN) 13.50 DEF. Xavier Huxtable (AUS) 11.73, Adur Amatriain (EUK) 9.94, Shohei Kato (JPN) 3.17
HEAT 8: Liam O'Brien (AUS) 15.93 DEF. George Pittar (AUS) 14.87, Seth Moniz (HAW) 14.67, Shion Crawford (HAW) 6.06

Lexus Pipe Challenger Presented by Billabong Women's Round of 32 (Heat 2-8) Matchups Remaining:
HEAT 2: Yolanda Hopkins (POR) vs. Tya Zebrowski (FRA) vs. Anat Lelior (ISR) vs. Vahine Fierro (FRA)
HEAT 3: Isabella Nichols (AUS) vs. Nadia Erostarbe (EUK) vs. Arena Rodriguez (PER) vs. Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN)
HEAT 4: Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) vs. Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) vs. Vaihitimahana Inso (HAW) vs. Moana Jones Wong (HAW)
HEAT 5: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) vs. Amuro Tsuzuki (JPN) vs. Zoe McDougall (HAW) vs. Eweleiula Wong (HAW)
HEAT 6: Luana Silva (BRA) vs. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) vs. Sophie McCulloch (AUS) vs. Alyssa Spencer (USA)
HEAT 7: Erin Brooks (CAN) vs. Francisca Veselko (POR) vs. Anon Matsuoka (JPN) vs. Teresa Bonvalot (POR)
HEAT 8: Caitlin Simmers (USA) vs. India Robinson (AUS) vs. Sierra Kerr (AUS) vs. Sophia Medina (BRA)