After A Spirited Sermon, Harry Bryant Crowned Champion Of 2025 Martini Masters - Stab Mag

Early Access For Stab Premium Members Live Now — Episode 1 of Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico

2029 Views
Interference?

After A Spirited Sermon, Harry Bryant Crowned Champion Of 2025 Martini Masters

Curren Caples releases his first pro shoe with Vans. A party ensues.

news // May 16, 2025
Words by Jack O'Neill Paterson
Reading Time: 3 minutes

All photos by Jimmy Wilson.

You’ll recall, vividly, that the most prestigious surf contest of 2024 took place on the North Shore last December. From every coastline they came — trained, prepared, and driven by the possibility of glory. 

Of course, we’re talking about the 2024 Mai Tai Masters, won by Holly Wawn, hosted out the front of Turtle Bay, where a warbling right-hander sometimes wraps around the headland.

Naturally, the people cried out for more. The market demanded a sequel. And in 2025, it arrived — not in Hawaii, but reborn in the chlorinated utopia of Palm Springs. From the ashes of the Mai Tai Masters rose the Martini Masters, a wave pool event governed by two sacred rules:

  1. Skull two martinis before you paddle out
  2. Entertain
What it feels like to be the name on the billboard.
Curren, pictured centre, bonding with the shoe that bears his name.

The 2025 Martini Masters was technically a surf comp. Spiritually, it was a pool party. Officially, it was held to mark the release of Curren Caples’ signature Vans shoe. 

Given Curren’s genetic overlap with both skating and surfing, the lineup reflected his dual citizenship. Zion Wright, Lizzie Armanto, Alex Midler — all skate-world royalty — took to the water with alarming competence. The surf contingent featured Harry Bryant, Holly Wawn, Micky Clarke, Noah Schweizer, Karina Rozunko, Jake Kelly, Lola Mignot, Andrew Jacobson, and Evan Caples (Curren’s dad), with the judging panel featuring Jake Anderson and Dane Reynolds.

Zion rips on a surfboard. Proof here.

Eventually, it came down to Curren, Noah, Harry, and Holly.

Harry, riding a boog, was a problem for Dane. “I don’t want to give it to the guy on the boog,” he allegedly said.

Harry responded with a two-minute sermon about wave-riding being wave-riding, that the vessel is irrelevant, and the only metric that matters is entertainment. He delivered it dripping wet, borderline evangelical, and disturbingly hard to refute.

Dane blinked. “Well, shit,” he said. “Can’t argue that.”

So Harry won.

And thus concluded the most important surf event of 2025.

2.

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

Why Kelly Slater’s Favorite Wave Isn’t Producing More Pro Surfers

A critical analysis of the Soup Bowl surf community.

Jun 8, 2025

CT Watch: Jacob Willcox And Francisca Veselko Rattle The Cage

Where you begin is where you return: The Newcastle SURFEST.

Jun 8, 2025

Stab High And The Unfortunate Inevitability Of The C-Word 

Does surfing have a culture after all? 

Jun 8, 2025

Jordy Smith Is World #1, Kelly Slater Is A Wildcard, And… Ethan Ewing Is Trying Californian Surfboards?

Your 2025 Lower Trestles CT preview.

Jun 7, 2025

Tom Lowe Suffers Second Near-Fatal Injury at Teahupo’o In 14 Months

Sage Burke and Kala Grace tell the story straight.

Jun 6, 2025

Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico: Episode 1

Our first loser goes home in this "king of the hill" showdown.

Jun 6, 2025

The Return of Surf100: Raw, Unfiltered, Serialized

Seven challenges across California before the OG 100 minute final.

Jun 5, 2025

Snow Bros, A Former WSL CEO, And The Multimillion Dollar Fight To Govern Surfing In America 

"This decision could have massive, cascading, and irreversible consequences," says the CEO of USA Surfing. 

Jun 4, 2025

Everything You Need To Know About The Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico

8 surfers. 8 challenges. $100,000.

Jun 4, 2025

Coming Soon: Stab in the Dark X

Dear Diary, May was a good month.

Jun 3, 2025

If The Challenger Series Is The Answer, What Is The Question?

Surfing’s middle child returns: the 2025 CS preview.

Jun 2, 2025

The WSL Just Gave The Kids A Steak Knife

The Challenger Series gets a run at Pipeline, and a double-take at Newcastle.

Jun 2, 2025

Mason Ho Follows MP’s Trail, Discovers The Delicate Art Of Not Getting Arrested

"That’s it. We’re cooked. I just told the boys this lane was mine, now I’m…

May 31, 2025

8x World Champion Skater Pedro Barros On God, Localism, And Almost Being A Semi-Pro Surfer

Wisdom from one of the greatest two-sport talents of our generation.

May 30, 2025

Where’s The World Title Going In 2025?

A post-cut debrief featuring thoughts from world number one Jordy Smith.

May 29, 2025

Axel Lorentz Steps Down As Head Shaper At Pukas, Starts Eponymous Board Label

What comes after a twelve-year career and five Stab In The Dark finals?

May 28, 2025

Aquatic Outlaws: How Surfing’s Wild West Was Won

Before the Margaret River Pro, there were a few rogue men from Perth.

May 27, 2025

Vale Jack McCoy: The Pillar Of Surf Cinema Passes On At 76

The creator of Blue Horizon, The Occumentary, the Billabong Challenge and more goes out swinging.

May 27, 2025
Advertisement