South Africa’s Jordy Smith is officially back on top. The Red Bull athlete clinched a monumental victory at the 2025 Margaret River Pro, defeating California’s Griffin Colapinto in the final and catapulting himself to World No. 1 on the WSL Championship Tour rankings. The final, held on 27 May 2025 in Margaret River, Western Australia, marks Smith’s second tour win in two months and confirms his status as a World Title contender in what is shaping up to be the comeback season of his career.
A Comeback Eight Years in the Making
Smith’s win at Margaret River ends an eight-year drought at this venue and adds to the emotional high of his previous win at the Surf City El Salvador Pro in April. That victory saw him edge out former World Champion Italo Ferreira in an all-South African final. Now, with momentum surging and nearly 5,000 points separating him from Ferreira, Smith wears the coveted yellow jersey as the frontrunner in the race to the Lexus WSL Finals in Fiji.
“This means everything. It’s been a long road back, but I never stopped believing I could be here again. I feel strong, and I’m loving every moment on tour.”
– Jordy Smith
Margaret River Pro 2025: Finals Day Highlights
- Event: Margaret River Pro 2025
- Location: Margaret River, Western Australia
- Date: 27 May 2025
- Men’s Final: Jordy Smith (RSA) def. Griffin Colapinto (USA)
- Winning Score: Smith opened with a powerful 8.5-point ride, which Colapinto was unable to match
- Semifinals: Smith defeated Crosby Colapinto to secure a place in the final
The final saw Smith dominate early with a critical 8.5-point wave, setting the tone for the rest of the heat. While both surfers struggled to find backup scores, Smith’s opener proved decisive in securing the win.
Women’s Division: Gabriela Bryan Defends Her Crown
On the women’s side, Gabriela Bryan of Hawaii delivered a commanding performance to win her second consecutive Margaret River Pro title. Her final heat featured a 9.5-point ride—the highest single-wave score of the 2025 women’s tour so far—and earned her the highest combined total of the season. With this result, Bryan extends her lead over Caitlin Simmers and retains her grip on the yellow jersey.
What’s Next?
With the WSL Championship Tour Stop #8 heading to Lower Trestles, San Clemente, California from 9–17 June, all eyes will be on Smith as he continues his title chase. Surf legend Kelly Slater is also set to return as a wildcard, adding more excitement to the mix.
Quick Recap
| Event | Margaret River Pro 2025 (WSL CT Stop #7) |
|---|---|
| Winner (Men) | Jordy Smith (RSA) |
| Winner (Women) | Gabriela Bryan (HAW) |
| Men’s Final | Smith def. Griffin Colapinto |
| Women’s Final | Bryan def. Caitlin Simmers |
| Next Stop | Lower Trestles, San Clemente, USA (9–17 June) |
Smith’s resurgence adds fresh energy to the 2025 WSL Championship Tour, and with three events remaining before the Finals, his dream of a World Title has never felt closer.
