Bettylou Sakura Johnson and Yago Dora Claim Victories at 2025 Lexus Trestles Pro in San Clemente
Photo: Yago Dora and Bettylou Sakura Johnson, Trestles Pro 2025 Winners Credit: Pat Nolan/World Surf League
SAN CLEMENTE, California, USA – June 14, 2025 – Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) and Yago Dora (BRA) emerged victorious at the 2025 Lexus Trestles Pro Presented by Outerknown, Stop No. 8 on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour. Held in world-class five-to-seven-foot conditions at Lower Trestles, the event showcased elite-level performances across both the men's and women's divisions.
Bettylou Sakura Johnson Claims Second CT Win of the Season
Hailing from the North Shore of O‘ahu, Bettylou Sakura Johnson demonstrated her power and progression to secure her second CT win of 2025. This latest victory follows her earlier success at the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro. Johnson now moves to No. 4 on the rankings, firmly entering the Final 5 race.
“Overall, I’m just super happy how I was able to overcome each heat and just take it out, and I'm so psyched to bring this one home. Honestly, the secret is just staying happy and being surrounded by your loved ones,” said Johnson. “The support this year has been incredible, and I'm just super grateful. It was just finding my rhythm and picking my waves, and just pushing as hard as I can but knowing the waves as well. Lowers has been incredible, and it's so great to have the memories back when I was 12 years old. Keep it there [in second gear], maybe get into fourth later on in the season, but there's nothing to lose right here. We're just trying to get to the Final 5. That's the goal, but I’m enjoying the process and taking it wave by wave. That's the only thing you have to do is keep it simple.”
In the Final, Johnson opened strong with an 8.00 and quickly backed it up with a 9.00, placing Molly Picklum (AUS) in a combination situation. Picklum broke the combination late in the heat, but Johnson's total of 17.00 proved insurmountable.
Johnson also logged the highest women’s heat total of Finals Day—a 17.83—during her Quarterfinal clash with 2023 World Champion Caroline Marks (USA), reaffirming her rise as a major World Title contender.
Yago Dora Secures Second Win of 2025 with Aerial Precision
Yago Dora delivered a career-defining performance to earn his third-career CT win and second of the 2025 season. Known for his aerial mastery, Dora put on a thrilling display to clinch the title and move to No. 2 in the rankings ahead of the next event in his home country of Brazil.
“It's unbelievable, I waited a long time to have the opportunity to surf this event, and to do it my first time competing is incredible,” said Dora. “I want to thank God. Especially in the Quarterfinals, he sent me that last wave and that was like the booster for me to win this event, and I just can't believe it. I'm over the moon right now after winning this event. Now I'm going to Brazil, which is like my best event on Tour, and I'm so happy. I want to thank my team, my dad right there, everyone, all my sponsors, and the people of San Clemente too, you guys always receive me with open arms, and you give me my little spot in the lineup, so it's pretty amazing that we got to come here and and get these amazing waves and today was my day.”
In the Final against Kanoa Igarashi (JPN), Dora opened with a spectacular 9.53 and followed it with an 8.00. A powerful air-reverse earned him an 8.37, securing a heat total of 17.90. Igarashi, despite a strong 8.30 response, could not close the gap.
Dora’s path to the podium included victories over top contenders Ethan Ewing (AUS), Griffin Colapinto (USA), and Igarashi.
Consistent Results for Picklum and Igarashi
Molly Picklum (AUS) secured her second runner-up finish of the 2025 season, maintaining her hold at No. 3 on the rankings. She earned the highest single-wave score of the women’s 2025 CT season—a 9.60—in the Semifinal against Caity Simmers (USA).
“I’m really happy with second place,” said Picklum. “I feel like this year, more than any other year, I've been pushed inside and outside of the water. It's funny when these girls come up against me, and I'm just like, what am I going to have to do, you never know, and Caity [Simmers] obviously pushed me, and I'm so happy to have gotten one over her. She beats me every time, and then Bettylou [Sakura Johnson], I got her a few times early on in our career, and now she's starting to get me. Every time you mention her, it's so exciting and fun for me. Obviously, you see the smile that it brings. She inspires me in the water, and it's just incredible. Everyone's just so capable of beating everyone, and I'm so happy to be here.”
Kanoa Igarashi (JPN), who grew up surfing at Trestles, added another strong result to his 2025 campaign. After a Semifinal victory over Jack Robinson (AUS), Igarashi now ranks No. 3 heading into the VIVO Rio Pro.
“Surfing Lowers with one other person, now I think it's pretty special in itself. We came to California, and we got blessed with amazing waves, so thank you to the surf gods. And thanks to all the fans. You guys really brought the heat this week, and you know I'm really excited to keep going the rest of the year. I just want to say thanks to everyone. The other day I was on the podium at Nationals and USA Championships. Time flies, and Lowers still continues to be one of the best waves in the world, and you know some things never change, and I’m really thankful for the waves we got this week and the team that I have around me. It takes a lot more than me standing on a surfboard to get results like this, so it's been an amazing year and can we keep going.”
Event Highlights and Results
Griffin Colapinto (USA) and Sawyer Lindblad (USA) both reached the Semifinals, energising their hometown crowds. Jordy Smith (RSA) and Gabriela Bryan (HAW) retain the Yellow Leader Jerseys heading into Rio.
Final Results – Lexus Trestles Pro 2025
Women’s Final:
- Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 17.00
- Molly Picklum (AUS) 14.23
Men’s Final:
- Yago Dora (BRA) 17.90
- Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 16.07
Women’s Semifinals:
Molly Picklum (AUS) 16.37 def. Caitlin Simmers (USA) 10.84
Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 16.24 def. Sawyer Lindblad (USA) 14.33
Men’s Semifinals:
Yago Dora (BRA) 17.23 def. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 15.20
Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 17.10 def. Jack Robinson (AUS) 16.10
Source: World Surf League