Brooks Makes History as Pupo Claims Trestles Crown in High-Stakes Finals

The Lexus Trestles Pro wrapped up at Lower Trestles on September 18, with Erin Brooks extending a remarkable winning streak and Miguel Pupo taking the men’s title. Brooks beat Gabriela Bryan 13.00–11.90 for her third consecutive CT victory, moving to No. 5 in the rankings. Miguel Pupo edged Kanoa Igarashi 14.77–14.40 to win his second event of the season and rise to No. 4. Bryan left Trestles wearing the women’s leaders’ jersey, while Igarashi climbed to No. 7 after reaching the final.

A stop-start schedule, shifting surf and postseason pressure shaped the Championship Tour event, where pivotal results reshuffled the title picture with three stops left in the season.

Trestles plays hard to get

The contest opened September 11, but difficult winds halted the first day after only two women’s heats. Competition resumed the next day, then paused again as high tide and a lack of suitable surf kept the event on hold through Monday. A new swell brought the field back into action Wednesday, followed by a packed Thursday schedule that sent the remaining contenders into the quarterfinals.

By Friday’s finals, clean four-to-five-foot surf provided a stronger stage for the closing heats. The event’s narrow window left little room for error, particularly for surfers chasing postseason qualification and a place in the World Title conversation.

Brooks' unstoppable run continues

Brooks, 19, overcame five-time world champion Carissa Moore in the quarterfinals and reigning champion Molly Picklum in the semifinals before meeting Bryan in the final. Bryan opened strongly, but Brooks answered with precise backhand surfing and took the lead. A late 6.00 stretched Bryan’s requirement beyond reach in the closing minutes.

The victory marked Brooks’ third straight CT win, putting her in rare company alongside Stephanie Gilmore and Carissa Moore, who have also recorded three consecutive victories. Bryan’s runner-up result nonetheless carried major weight: she reclaimed the No. 1 position and heads toward the postseason leading the women’s title race.

Pupo edges Igarashi in a nail-Biter

Pupo’s final against Igarashi remained tight after the Japanese surfer built an early advantage with powerful turns. Pupo answered with an excellent 8.50, then found a late left and scored 6.27 to move ahead. He held that slim lead through the final horn for a second CT victory in 2026, following his win at Bells Beach.

Igarashi’s runner-up finish followed wins over Marco Mignot and defending champion Yago Dora. He rose to No. 7, keeping himself within reach as the season enters its final stretch.

Local standout Cole Houshmand produced the event’s top heat total, 18.50, against Jake Marshall before falling to Pupo in the semifinals. Rookie Mateus Herdy also made a deep run after eliminating three-time world champion Gabriel Medina and Jack Robinson; Herdy had needed to win the event to qualify for the postseason, but Pupo ended that bid in the quarterfinals.

The tour now turns to the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal, scheduled for October 16–25 as Stop No. 10 of 12. With title contenders and qualification hopefuls facing only a few remaining opportunities, the Trestles results set up a consequential final leg.