It’s no wonder the teenage surfer has earned the moniker “pride of Oceanside.”
Caitlin Simmers, at just 18 years old, showed the surfing world what she’s capable of at the first World Surf League World Tour stop of the 2024 competitive season, conquering the barreling, death-defying waves at bombing Pipeline on the North Shore of Oahu and earning the prestigious Pipe Pro title. She’s now in first place in the rankings.
Simmers battled Australian Molly Picklum in the finals on Saturday, Feb. 10, after winning heat after heat against the world’s best women surfers. The women’s event at Pipeline was added just a few years ago – the surf break tests athletes’ barrel-riding skills.
Simmers, who kicks off her second year on tour, showed no hesitation in the 6- to 8-foot surf, pulling deep into the barrel and getting completely covered up by the wave’s lip at times.
“This wave is terrifying; I respect everyone who wants a part of it and everyone who doesn’t because it’s really scary out there,” Simmers said in an interview with the WSL following her win. “It starts with all the girls that battled the guys and barely got any waves, and I hope that this event showed the girls can do it … I’m really happy to be a part of it.”
Picklum posted an early near-perfect score of 9.27 to take the lead, but Simmers found a 8.83 and followed it up with a smaller wave to surpass her opponent. Picklum couldn’t find the backup score she needed to secure the win and Simmers earned the title.
“Molly’s a guru, she’s probably the best girl out here in my opinion,” Simmers said of her opponent. “One heat out here is like months of experience, and getting barreled in a heat with your friend is the most fun thing in the world.”
Picklum said being out in the water with Simmers was “amazing.”
“I was enjoying every moment and enjoying the rides,” she said. “It feels like a second home here, and I’m thankful for all the…
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