HUNTINGTON BEACH — Waves, crowds and California pride made the 2025 Lexus US Open of Surfing one to remember as San Clemente’s Sawyer Lindblad etched her name in the history books with her second win, while Encinitas surfer Levi Slawson clinched his first title in a contest that ran July 26 through Aug. 3.
Lindblad, 19, held her nerves and delivered under pressure in the women’s final, battling France’s rising star, Tya Zebrowski, and clinching victory by a narrow margin of 13.17 to 12.57. The teen from San Clemente joins an exclusive club of two-time US Open champions, standing tall alongside names like Sally Fitzgibbons, Courtney Conlogue, Brett Simpson and Kanoa Igarashi.
After her win, Lindblad said, “It feels pretty good. The first time I felt like I wasn’t expecting it, and this time I felt more pressure. I’m just so grateful to have won here again with my family here.”
The final saw Zebrowski, just 14, take an early lead with a total of 12.34 in the opening five minutes. Lindblad remained poised, finding a gem and unleashing her backhand and then forehand attack with a pair of strong combinations—a 6.50 and then a 6.67—to overtake the lead and maintain it through the buzzer. When the final horn sounded, Lindblad became one of the rare surfers ever to capture multiple US Open titles and further solidified her reputation in the surfing community since her 2023 breakthrough and subsequent Rookie of the Year honors on the Championship Tour. She is now preparing for another run on the 2026 CT.
“I feel like I’ve definitely grown as a surfer. My first win got me onto the CT and set me up for my career, and this one just feels extra special, especially after not making the cut,” Lindblad said. “This is a good redemption.”
On the men’s side, Slawson delivered one of the most memorable performances of his career. The Encinitas surfer topped Brazil’s Mateus Herdy 13.50 to 13.27 in an electric men’s final. Slawson opened with a massive air-reverse, earning a 7.33, and kept his composure as Herdy fought back with his own lineup of difficult maneuvers. Herdy posted a 7.77 in the final minutes, just short of claiming the win, allowing Slawson to triumph.
Overcome with emotion, Slawson said, “I’ve worked so hard for these kind of moments through my career and I’ve watched the US Open my whole life, and I’ve never even dreamt of being here. Being in the final with Mateus was so hard. He’s such a good surfer and you can’t really give him anything. It’s just pouring out of me now.”
Both finals reflected the new generation’s drive, with Zebrowski recording her first Challenger Series final appearance and Herdy delivering remarkable performances, including a 9.50 in the quarterfinals. Zebrowski’s run, highlighted by her hard-fought quarterfinal win over Ballito Pro champion Nadia Erostarbe and semifinal edge over Annette Gonzalez Extabarri, sent her to No. 1 in the Challenger Series rankings. The French teenager said, “It feels so good. I’m just really happy to be No. 1 on the Challenger Series rankings now and really happy to make it to the final. My goal this year is to qualify, and now I just want to stay in the Top 5 and realize my dream.”
Herdy’s aerial style and consistency were on full display all week, evident when he downed Dimitri Poulos with a 16.33 in the quarters and Michael Rodrigues in the semifinals. Now at No. 2 in the Challenger Series rankings, Herdy remains a significant threat as the tour heads to Portugal for the Ericeira Pro, running September 29 to October 5.
Local favorites also brought regional pride to the contest, with Encinitas’ Alyssa Spencer battling into the round of 16 before bowing out. Huntington Beach’s Kanoa Igarashi drew massive crowds, thrilling fans up to the quarterfinals and demonstrating why this event remains California’s premier surf contest.
The competition not only thrilled fans with three-to-five foot, and sometimes six-foot, surf at Huntington Beach Pier but also made global headlines with its implications for Championship Tour qualification. Lindblad’s victory and Slawson’s breakthrough win generated movement in the Challenger Series rankings: Zebrowski leading the women and Herdy advancing on the men’s side, with Slawson now at No. 4. All eyes now turn to Portugal, where CT dreams are within reach.
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