After a tough start to her CT debut, San Clemente's Sawyer Lindblad caught fire and put the world's best on notice with a runner-up in Western Australia before then proving she has what it takes in more waves of consequence - notching a runner-up at Teahupo'o. Lindblad joins an elite class of surfer who have earned Rookie of the Year including eight-time WSL Champion Stephanie Gilmore, five-time WSL Champion and 2020 Tokyo Games Gold Medalist Carissa Moore, and many more.