World champion surfer Kelly Slater has a storied history at the famed surf spot just south of San Clemente.
In 1990, the Florida surfer would win his first big career title at Lower Trestles, the surf break and nearby San Clemente becoming a place he now calls his “second home.”
More than 20 years later, in 2012, he clinched his 50th career win at the cobblestone beach. And now, the retired surfer who is a fan favorite will once again put his jersey on to compete among the world’s best at the Lexus Trestles Pro in June.
The 53-year-old surfer, who has 11 world championships and last month earned the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 Laureus World Sports Awards, is joining the event as a wildcard entry through his company Outerknown.
Outerknown is marking its 10th anniversary this year and is one of the main sponsors of the event.
The Trestles Pro competition window is from June 9 through 17, and will be held on the best days for surf conditions during that period.
“I’m excited to surf Lowers after having a few months of downtime with family and watching the events online,” Slater, who recently had his second child, said in an interview with the World Surf League. “Trestles has been an ongoing great memory for the past 35 years since I won my first event as a professional there, had a number of great wins there while on tour, and is my girlfriend’s hometown and a second home to me. So I’m looking forward to competing as a wildcard and surf against a top seed or two straight away.”
He called himself an “underdog” at the event.
Slater also competed as a wildcard in the first event of the 2025 season, the Lexus Pipe Pro, marking his 33rd World Tour event at Pipeline. He made it to the quarterfinals, shaking up the field of surfers hoping to earn points throughout the year.
Lower Trestles, which was recently announced as the location for the LA28 Olympics surfing, returns as a regular stop on the tour after being the stage for the WSL Final 5 for four years. This year will be the last for the one-day showdown that crowned world champions, the WSL recently announced the format will change next year.
The Trestles Pro contest comes after a mid-year cut, so the number of surfers trying to earn a spot on this year’s WSL Final 5, to be held in Fiji, is whittled down.
“We’re proud to partner with the WSL and the Lexus Trestles Pro at such a meaningful time for Outerknown, as we celebrate 10 years since our inception,” said Dylan Slater, CEO of Outerknown. “Adding to the moment, surf fans will get to see Kelly compete at a wave that’s been a pivotal venue in shaping his legendary career. This is about bringing the surf community together for a special experience — and one we’re honored to be part of.”