Gallery: Current, Former Championship Tour Surfers Emerge at Pipeline Challenger

Before we get to the Championship Tour guys, let's take a moment to acknowledge the local underdogs. Prior to the event, big wave world champ, Pipe standout and former Backdoor Shootout winner Billy Kemper lobbied the local government and WSL to add more wildcards into the 2026 Lexus Pipe Challenger. 

Of the 20 men who entered the locals-only opening round, only two advanced into the Round of 32: Benji Brand and Joey Johnson. The former, known for being a lead-footed goofy adept at huge lefts...