The World Surf League (WSL) has finalized the locations for its 2025 season, just a month after the conclusion of the 2024 WSL finals. WSL CEO Ryan Crosby made the announcement, noting that the upcoming season will feature more events across a variety of surfing breaks. With 12 venues planned over a nine-month period, the 2025 season promises a more diverse and exciting schedule. This shift comes after the 2024 season, which was influenced by the Paris Olympics, leading to the exclusion of several fan-favorite locations. However, those venues are set to return in 2025, alongside some new ones. Notably, surfing legend Kelly Slater is expected to deliver a special performance next year.
The 2025 season marks a significant shift in WSL’s approach. Since surfing was first included in the Olympics in 2020, the 2024 season was the second time the WSL merged with the Games. The Olympic competition at Teahupo’o, in French Polynesia, was a standout moment, as the world’s best surfers took on one of the most challenging waves. However, in 2025, monotony won’t be an issue as the WSL will visit 12 locations, ensuring a fresh mix of venues.
The schedule kicks off with the iconic Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii, from January 27 to February 8, followed by Surf Abu Dhabi in the UAE from February 14 to 16. Abu Dhabi will host a historic event, as this will be the first WSL competition held at a man-made wave pool on Hudayriyat Island. Built by Kelly Slater’s Wave Co., this new facility is the largest wave pool in the world and is expected to bring a groundbreaking experience to competitive surfing. The venue has already been tested during the Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic and is now ready to feature in the Championship Tour.
Other key stops in the 2025 season include Peniche, Portugal (March 15-25); Punta Roca, El Salvador (April 2-12); and three Australian events at Bells Beach, Snapper Rocks, and Margaret River from April to May. The tour will also return to iconic locations such as Jeffreys Bay in South Africa, Teahupo’o in Tahiti, and Cloudbreak in Fiji, which will host the WSL Finals in late August.
One of the biggest changes is the inclusion of Abu Dhabi as the second stop on the tour. While WSL has previously held events at Kelly Slater’s wave pool in Lemoore, California, the Abu Dhabi facility is larger and represents a major step forward in surfing technology. The 2025 season will also see the return of classic venues like Snapper Rocks, Queensland, which had been cut from the 2024 season.
In conclusion, while there will be no Olympic Games next year, the WSL is confident that the variety of venues and the addition of new, groundbreaking locations will make the 2025 season one to remember. With surfers like Carissa Moore reflecting on the challenges of certain venues, such as Teahupo’o, the league continues to push the limits of the sport. Fans can expect a dynamic and exciting season, with both old favorites and new adventures ahead.
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