Oceanside’s Caitlin Simmers to surf for second consecutive world title

Three Southern Californians, including Oceanside’s Caitlin Simmers, have secured their spots to surf in the world championships, which moves to Fiji this year after several years of being decided at Lower Trestles.

San Clemente’s Griffin Colapinto and Caroline Marks will join Simmers during the one-day showdown for the world title.

While Colapinto and Simmers came just short of earning the Lexus Tahiti Pro title on Wednesday, their runner-up finishes secured their chance trip to the World Surf League finals at Cloudbreak in Fiji.

It is the first time the world title race will be held there after several years at Lower Trestles south of San Clemente. It is also the last year for the Final 5 format, with next year returning to a more traditional, points-driven title race that ends at Pipeline on the North Shore of Hawaii.

These will be the second finals for Simmers, the reigning world champion.

In Simmers’ final match-up against Molly Picklum, the Australian opponent got an early start, putting big scores on the board. Simmers dropped into massive bombs, but wiped out several times, unable to earn the points she needed to catch up to her opponent.

“I’m kind of confused right now. I was underwater for most of that final, so I’m pretty tired,” Simmers joked.

Simmers said you have to be a little bit stupid and calculated when surfing the heavy barrels at the famed surf break, which was the stage for the 2024 Olympics.

“I feel like I was just stupid and she was calculated. So that was kind of how it went,” she said. “Molly ripped that one, and I had fun, too. I got some good visions and also some good wipeouts and everything you want out here, I guess, except to win.”

The WSL world title will be determined between Aug. 27 and Sept. 4 — the contest will be held on one day during that window that organizers determine to be the best day for waves and conditions.