As the 2025 Lexus Tahiti Pro gets underway, Griffin Colapinto isn’t just stepping into another high-stakes surf competition. He’s stepping into a moment of reflection. As a Lexus surf ambassador and one of the sport’s most compelling voices, Griffin is aiming to embody a new kind of greatness. One measured not just by trophies, but by impact.

From his approach in competition to his openness about mental health, he is setting new standards for what it means to be a world-class athlete. He’s building a legacy grounded not only in results, but in longevity, joy, and the energy he brings to the lineup.

And he’s just getting started.

A Season of Perspective
Colapinto heads to the Lexus Tahiti Pro with his eyes on the Lexus WSL Finals Fiji, but his mindset is different from years past. He’s no longer chasing perfection. He’s chasing the kind of consistency and clarity that will carry him through an entire career.

Now in his seventh year on the Championship Tour, Colapinto has learned that success isn’t always linear. After the red-hot 2023 and 2024 seasons, expectations soared. Pressure mounted.

He had to reset.

“My back was against the wall. I had to do everything in my ability to show up each day the best I could,” says Colapinto. “Watching everything slowly start to come together from there…I felt like I learned to trust life. That everything happens for a reason. Not just saying it, but actually feeling it.”

Now, with longtime coach Tom Whitaker, Colapinto has found his rhythm again. At Teahupo’o – one of the heaviest waves on the planet – he’s preparing to draw on that momentum and experience.

Built Through Adversity
If Griffin seems more composed, it’s because he’s done the inner work.

He’s been vocal about the pressure that comes with pro surfing, especially when the spotlight is on. Through mindfulness and time away from the competitive bubble, he’s found tools that help him stay steady, no matter the scoreline.

“Meditating made my thoughts slow down. I became the observer of my thoughts instead of being controlled by them,” says Colapinto. “When a thought pops up, I don’t react; I observe. I’m more present, more in tune with nature. It helps me stay clear and intentional in the water.”

That clarity is showing up in his performance. He’s trusting his instincts more, focusing on creativity, and letting go of what he can’t control.

The Mentor in the Lineup
As a Lexus surf ambassador, Colapinto is helping define a new era for the brand – one where excellence includes authenticity, connection, and a purpose beyond performance.

For Griffin, that mindset is personal. At 27, he’s keenly aware of the example he sets and is intentional about lifting others up along the way.

He trains alongside his younger brother Crosby and childhood friend Cole Houshmand, all from San Clemente, CA – a surf community where close bonds and shared dreams have long propelled talent to the Tour.

“I want to pass along the lessons I’ve learned and help the next generation push surfing forward,” Griffin says – honoring those who once guided him and shaping what comes next.

Living the Lesson
When asked what he hopes to leave behind, Griffin doesn’t talk about stats or records.

“Legacy, for me, is about being a good person,” he says. “Not reacting to negativity. Staying true. Putting out positivity. That’s what I want people to remember.”

With clarity, conviction, and a community behind him, Colapinto is riding a wave built to last.

The 2025 Lexus Tahiti Pro Presented by I-SEA will hold a competition window from August 7-16, 2025. The event will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and the WSL app.

For more information, visit WorldSurfLeague.com.