The Lineup with Dave Prodan - A Surfing Podcast

The last trek across the tracks was well worth the walk to crown Erin Brooks and Miguel Pupo the 2026 Lexus Trestles Pro champs in picturesque conditions at Lower Trestles.

History was rewritten by Brooks, joining the likes of Stephanie Gilmore with three consecutive CT wins in a single season and launching herself to No. 5 as a proper World Title threat. Then, Pupo’s passion took him all the way atop the podium with relentless excellence from start to finish, culminating in his third CT win.

The new No. 1 Gabriela Bryan’s power went unmatched in the Quarterfinals, posting a 16.26 heat total over Luana Silva, and regained the Yellow Leaders Jersey ahead of then No. 1 Carissa Moore falling to an unstoppable Brooks. The 19-year-old phenom added a third World Champion to her road to victory at Trestles with Molly Picklum in the Semifinals before catapulting to No. 5 on the ranks.

2025 event finalists, reigning World Champion Yago Dora and Southern California’s own Kanoa Igarashi, commanded their Quarterfinal battles with Igarashi finding excellence over Marco Mignot before matching up with Dora in a grudge match. Igarashi kept surging alongside fellow CT veteran Miguel Pupo, who went next level over Mateus Herdy and Cole Houshmand on the road to his Final matchup against Igarashi where fireworks flew and ultimately crowned Pupo the champ.

Houshmand’s unrivaled power provided a masterclass in the Quarterfinals to post an event-best 18.50 heat total in his all-Southern California clash with Jake Marshall, as Marshall’s efforts were enough to push him to the postseason.

Now, the postseason separates the pack and all focus shifts toward a World Title surge at the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented by Corona Cero, beginning October 16 through 25 at the famed Supertubos of Peniche.

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Finn McGill joins Dave Prodan on The Lineup for an honest conversation about growing up on Hawaii’s North Shore, chasing the Championship Tour, recovering from a major shoulder injury, and finding balance away from surfing. A former World Junior Champion, QS winner, and longtime North Shore standout, McGill has spent years proving his surfing belongs alongside the world’s best. He opens up about his early rivalry with childhood friend Barron Mamiya, competing against CT surfers like Joel Parkinson from a young age, and translating his powerful, high-speed North Shore surfing to the conditions of the Challenger Series. McGill also breaks down the shoulder injury that abruptly ended his 2026 Challenger Series season, the long road through surgery and rehabilitation, and how injuries have changed his perspective on his career and what it means to be a professional surfer. Finn talks about his relationship with Seager, his deep involvement in surfboard design, growing up skating and surfing, his love of dirt biking, and why stepping away from surfing can actually make him a better surfer.

Learn more about Finn McGill here and follow him here.

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Stay tuned to the Lexus Trestle Pro, Sep 11 - 20.

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Join the conversation by following The Lineup podcast with Dave Prodan on Instagram and subscribing to our YouTube channel.

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WSL commentator Mitchell Salazar joins Dave Prodan to break down the recently completed Fiji Pro Presented by Corona Cero and preview the Lexus Trestles Pro. Mitch and Dave dive into Cole Houshmand and Erin Brooks’ season-changing victories at Cloudbreak, Brooks’ historic perfect 10, Gabriel Medina’s growing momentum in the World Title race, and the surfers trending up and down following the Championship Tour’s Pacific Leg. The conversation moves beyond the results as the duo examines the latest Surfboard Empire CT Shaper Rankings, …Lost Surfboards’ continued dominance, and the equipment experimentation that could unfold at Lower Trestles. They wrap up the episode by looking ahead to the Lexus Trestles Pro, breaking down the pressure surrounding the men’s and women’s cut lines, and predicting which surfers could keep their Championship Tour seasons alive at Southern California’s famed high-performance playground.

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Cloudbreak saved some of its best for last and delivered an iconic Finals Day at the Fiji Pro Presented by Corona Cero, crowning Cole Houshmand and Erin Brooks the champs.

After another iconic run at Cloudbreak, Brooks' diamond double earned the Pacific Leg sweep and a second Fiji Pro title. An unfortunate injury in her Semifinal sidelined Isabella Nichols for what would've been fireworks in a Final of friends with Brooks. Now, Brooks sits at No. 8 on the rankings heading to Lower Trestles with a chance to truly put her name in the World Title race.

An unprecedented run from Houshmand earned him a third CT win in three Final appearances, cementing himself across the world with victories at Bells Beach, Brazil, and now Fiji. Houshmand sent himself over the ledge throughout Finals Day, culminating in a masterful performance over one of the best to ever take on Cloudbreak, two-time Fiji Pro winner Gabriel Medina in a Final battle. Houshmand's excellence continued from posting a 9.43 in the Semifinals, to an excellent 8.50 over Medina. An insane exchange witnessed Houshmand's ridiculous power get matched by Medina's magic in the Cloudbreak barrel to post a Perfect 10.

Cloudbreak provided every face it could to test the world's best and was one for the history books.

Now, with a surge from those looking for major points continuing to rise, the hunt for a World Title is heating up every event, and now, it heads for Southern California's high-performance haven of Lower Trestles. Watch the Lexus Trestles Pro LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com beginning September 11 through 20.

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Professional surfer and entrepreneur Koa Smith joins The Lineup with Dave Prodan as guest co-host to break down the recently completed Outerknown Tahiti Pro Presented by I-SEA. Koa and Dave Prodan dive deep into one of the most challenging events of the 2026 Championship Tour, discussing the wild conditions at Teahupo'o, the rise of the next generation of fearless tube riders, the incredible performances from Seth Moniz, Griffin Colapinto, Kelly Slater, Kelia Gallina and more, and what it takes to truly master one of surfing's most demanding waves. The conversation goes beyond the results, with Koa offering a deep dive into surfboard design and equipment, from his two "magic" boards from JS and working with Sharp Eye to the growing role of alternative shapes, quads and twin fins on the world stage. Koa also shares his perspective on the evolution of women's tube riding, why more surfers are embracing helmets in heavy waves, and the development of his own Knock Surf helmet. Koa opens up about building a career beyond professional competition, applying the lessons he learned from surfing to entrepreneurship, and why today's surfers increasingly have to wear multiple hats to build a sustainable career in the surf world.

Learn more about Koa Smith here and follow Koa here.

Check out the latest gear from Roark here.

Stay plugged in to the latest developments with Koa’s innovative surf helmet, Knock Surf.

Relive the Outerknown Tahiti Pro Presented by I-SEA, Aug 8-18.

Stay tuned to the Fiji Pro Presented by Corona Cero, Aug 25 - Sep 4.

Stay up to date with the rankings.

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Join the conversation by following The Lineup podcast with Dave Prodan on Instagram and subscribing to our YouTube channel.

Get the latest WSL rankings, news, and event info.
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