The future generations of surfing look to be in good hands with the talent coming through the ranks in recent years. Kirra Pinkerton, 15, is a perfect example of what women's surfing can look forward to with her resume stacking quickly among her fellow contingent.
Another product of San Clemente, California's, deep talent pool, Pinkerton has shaped her form on the local beachbreaks and world-renowned Lower Trestles. Her experience at the iconic cobblestone break is a fine-tuning machine for a place like Zippers -- which will host the fourth annual Los Cabos Open of Surf June 11-13. And, to add to the experience, Pinkerton carries heavy momentum with two consecutive Pro Junior wins.
Kirra Pinkerton burst onto the scene at just 14-years-old in pumping Punta Roca, El Salvador, conditions -- topping the likes of Coco Ho. - WSL / Kurt Steinmetz
However, this event title has belonged to internationals its inception in 2015 despite a strong North American contingent. WSL caught up with Pinkerton before making her way down to Zippers for a chance at a third straight win.
WSL: How good is it to have found some consistency in your surfing and posting great results?
KP: Winning always feels great and it would be amazing to continue my streak in this event to make qualifying for the [World Junior Championship] easier.
Pinkerton spottings are a common theme around the world -- including Australia and Europe (pictured). - WSL / Laurent Masurel
You're coming into Zippers with some steam, but this event has been dominated by internationals in the past. What will it take to secure a third win?
All the girls are getting stronger every year and they are going to want it just as much as I do. To win this event with the internationals dominating, I would have to give it all I got.
Where do you see the future of women's pro surfing headed? And how cool is it to be a part of that next generation?
I see women's pro surfing growing with the Olympics coming up and the more people finding interests in surfing all around the world. I can already tell that women are getting stronger and better as the years come, and I believe all of the new generation of women are going to blow everyone away, and I'm stoked to be apart of that!
Some of North America's upcoming threats (L to R): Tiare Thompson, Kirra Pinkerton, Hannah Blevins, 2017 North America Champ Alyssa Spencer, and Rachel Presti. - WSL / Marenelmar
How is balancing pro surfing and still enjoying yourself as a teenager?
It's awesome to be a teenager who gets to travel the world doing what I love, meet new people, and make memories along the way. I focus on my surfing, but when I'm not, I enjoy getting to see new things. Other than surfing I like cooking, shopping, riding bikes, and art.
Kirra Pinkerton - WSL / Matt Dunbar
You're also sponsored by Weinersnitchel? What's the background there?
They are an amazing family owned business that has a great marketing team, and have also been sponsoring motor sports and Pastrana's Nitro Circus for years. They have been getting more involved with surfing by sponsoring the Western Surfing Association events and a few select surfers. They've given me great support and will help me with achieving my goals in my surfing future.
Speed Round
Best spot to surf at home: Lowers
Favorite local grub: MRK Public and Active Culture
Favorite men and women's CT surfers: Jordy Smith and Carissa Moore
Can Kirra Pinkerton Make it Three in a Row at Los Cabos?
Andrew Nichols
The future generations of surfing look to be in good hands with the talent coming through the ranks in recent years. Kirra Pinkerton, 15, is a perfect example of what women's surfing can look forward to with her resume stacking quickly among her fellow contingent.
Another product of San Clemente, California's, deep talent pool, Pinkerton has shaped her form on the local beachbreaks and world-renowned Lower Trestles. Her experience at the iconic cobblestone break is a fine-tuning machine for a place like Zippers -- which will host the fourth annual Los Cabos Open of Surf June 11-13. And, to add to the experience, Pinkerton carries heavy momentum with two consecutive Pro Junior wins.
However, this event title has belonged to internationals its inception in 2015 despite a strong North American contingent. WSL caught up with Pinkerton before making her way down to Zippers for a chance at a third straight win.
WSL: How good is it to have found some consistency in your surfing and posting great results?
KP: Winning always feels great and it would be amazing to continue my streak in this event to make qualifying for the [World Junior Championship] easier.
You're coming into Zippers with some steam, but this event has been dominated by internationals in the past. What will it take to secure a third win?
All the girls are getting stronger every year and they are going to want it just as much as I do. To win this event with the internationals dominating, I would have to give it all I got.
Where do you see the future of women's pro surfing headed? And how cool is it to be a part of that next generation?
I see women's pro surfing growing with the Olympics coming up and the more people finding interests in surfing all around the world. I can already tell that women are getting stronger and better as the years come, and I believe all of the new generation of women are going to blow everyone away, and I'm stoked to be apart of that!
How is balancing pro surfing and still enjoying yourself as a teenager?
It's awesome to be a teenager who gets to travel the world doing what I love, meet new people, and make memories along the way. I focus on my surfing, but when I'm not, I enjoy getting to see new things. Other than surfing I like cooking, shopping, riding bikes, and art.
You're also sponsored by Weinersnitchel? What's the background there?
They are an amazing family owned business that has a great marketing team, and have also been sponsoring motor sports and Pastrana's Nitro Circus for years. They have been getting more involved with surfing by sponsoring the Western Surfing Association events and a few select surfers. They've given me great support and will help me with achieving my goals in my surfing future.
Speed Round
Best spot to surf at home: Lowers
Favorite local grub: MRK Public and Active Culture
Favorite men and women's CT surfers: Jordy Smith and Carissa Moore
Kirra Pinkerton
The current North America No. 3 Kirra Pinkerton already has one QS win in 2024 and returns to Jacksonville Beach looking for more.
The event standout Kirra Pinkerton continued to showcase her backhand power, this time posting an 8.33 and surging into the Quarterfinals.
Marathon day unfolds to high-performance showcase with men's and women's Finals Day draws set.
The perennial North America threat Kirra Pinkerton showed her explosive backhand attack to accrue one of the day's best scores of a 7.33
For the first time since 2022 on the Challenger Series, Kirra Pinkerton is into the Quarterfinals after a decimating performance over Sol
Los Cabos Open of Surf
The young surfers showed their grit and courage in maxing Zippers.
As the Pro Junior event got underway, Hurricane Bud sent pumping swell before turning to a tropical storm -- and then landing right on Los
The San Clemente, California, native put her name in the North America Pro Junior memory books with three consecutive wins.
Kirra Pinkerton earned a stunning, third-straight North America Pro Junior win -- a feat that hasn't been done within the region's history.
It was a short day for the women after racing through their Quarterfinals in more heavy conditions at the Los Cabos Open of Surf.