Tahiti Pro 2025: Day Two
Tahiti Pro 2025: Day Two
Almost the whole of the women's event concluded today in dreamy 4-6 foot Chopes with the Semi-Finals concluded and the two best surfers on the day, Molly Picklum and Caity Simmers, ready to face off in the Final.
Not quite as historic a day as last year when Tatiana Weston-Webb got her 10-pointer and the elite level was raised by Vahine Fierro. This was more of a day when the next tier down leveled up, some learning in heats how to backside tuberide and ended up on the waves of their lives.
There's still a wide discrepancy in skill levels in backside tuberiding, with some professional surfers still clueless, but those numbers are dwindling. The equation is changing, slowly, but it is changing.
The normal suspects looked imperious. Pickles had an impeccable start with two 8-point rides after she rode one before the buzzer.
Erin Brooks looked perfectly at home but lacking...mana. The technique was there, but the feeling that the winning waves would come her way looked absent. Something about Brooks' approach still seems forced. She wants it too much. The brazen ambition is bracing for a tour where smiley feels have become the defacto norm but it didn't quite gel with the rhythm of the ocean today. Brooks easily accounted for Issy and Bettylou in the first heat of the morning, then looked in perfect control in her Quarter against Gabby Bryan.
Erin (WSL/Bielmann)
Gabby has made an amazing transformation from beginner tuberider to someone capable of packing nuggets. Not much chance against Brooks though. With Erin holding priority and a solid lead she somehow let slip the wave of the heat which Gabby inelegantly bobbled on the bottom turn, over-balanced, recovered and rode through a deep tube for a winning 8.87. Judges paid the drama of mistakes being corrected on the fly by gals without the deep chops of more polished performers like Fierro.
Gabby (WSL/Bielmann)
Earlier, Bryan had dispatched the 12-year old wildcard Kelia Gallina. Pre-teen kids in contests at Teahupoo? Didn't seem right to me. Physically and mentally a primary school-aged kid isn't sufficiently capable of competing at the CT level at the world's most dangerous wave. And if the comp had been called on in big surf? Or worse, shifted to avoid that possibility?
That rule needs a tweak. Sure, there have been precedents set: JJF at 13 surfed in the Triple Crown and Tyler Wright surfed (and won) a pro comp in Sydney at 14, but this is a new level and puts too many people in compromising positions if proper Chopes shows up.
Kelia (WSL/Ryder)
It was cool to see Gabby learn on the job. Not ideal to show up to work still not knowing how to do the job properly but she had a proper dig on anything that came her way and ended up with the “best left of my life” against Brooks. It still mystifies a casual observer how someone could be a pro surfer who grew up on Kauai without learning to steer through a backside tunnel. As mystifying as losing a coach on the eve of the Finals who got you through the best year of your career.
We heard much from Flick in the booth about how important it was to select the right coach, with no clues given as to why Dog and Gabby parted company at this very late stage of the season. Something bad happened is the only reasonable conclusion. You don't change a winning formula for no reason.
Vahine Fierro was omnipresent as the Queen of Teahupoo. Explaining the mana, showcasing the poise of the culture and slotting in deep on anything that came her way. She was unlucky in her Round 1 heat with the heat winner coming just after the hooter. She didn't seem to care. She glided past Isabella Nichols with a pair of graceful 8's. If there is any weakness in Vahine's Teahupoo surfing it's that she is so attuned to the types of waves she wants to catch it offers opportunities for her opponents to ride the ones she knocks back. It took a mighty effort from Molly Picklum to capitalise on that opportunity.
Molly (WSL/Ryder)
Riding high after her Round 1 8's Molly started charging but failing to execute. Some waves shut down, there were some dodgy reads from Pickles, some failures of technique right at the crucial moments. She copped a lot of beatings. Last year's Pickles would have slowly fallen apart. Wipeouts begat wipeouts and the heat unravels. This year's Pickles has more mental resilience. As she said in the post heat presser, despite the wipeouts “I was positive upstairs”.
The winning wave comes to those who put themselves into the right spot for it and Molly was right there when it came. There was no dramatic mistake and correction this time. Just an expertly ridden deep tube over the foamball for a 9.77. Sure, that might have been a touch generous but as a signal from the judging panel it was profound. Spear the bombs and ride deep and you won't need to add in any theatre at all.
That signal from the panel has been sent to Caz Marks all year long. She makes the Final 5 without a single excellent ride (please let me know if I've missed one). Today was no different. She got through with 4's, 5's and 6's again. Doing just enough, without pushing any personal envelope, despite a perfect day for doing so. Her best ride was on the buzzer to knock out Bettylou; a nice deep runner on a small wave for a flat 7.
Is this it? Is this all we are going to get from Caz? Nice, safe surfing..? Easy backhand hooks ten feet from the pocket and 'safe' rides at Teahupoo? That's something for her and Luke Egan to work through, preferably before Finals Day at Cloudbreak.
Caroline (WSL/Ryder)
There won't be any such work required for Caity Simmers. Caity described herself, almost in a trance today as she contemplated the wonders of Teahupoo. She wanted to sit in between waves and “see and hear. ” Countering that sensory richness and luxuriation in it was a stillness in Caity's surfing. She made waves bend in and around her via her ability to shape herself to them and slow down to their speed. While others rushed, Caity had all the time in the world. Her tuberiding was instinctive and inscrutable. Every wave she rode she made look dreamy and easy. As if riding deep in the tube at Teahupoo was one of the easiest tasks on Earth. A rare performance.
Compared to Caz's scorecard of 4's, 5's and 6's, Caity's heats were decorated with 7's and 8's like stars on a moonless night.
And now we get to see her and Molly go head to head in the Final, hopefully in pumping Chopes. After that, a final at Cloudbreak would be the next prospect to salivate over.
The two best surfers of a generation in South Pacific surf is something we've been waiting for since Kelly and Andy.
Happy days.
// STEVE SHEARER
Lexus Tahiti Pro Presented by I-SEA Women’s Opening Round Results:
HEAT 1: Erin Brooks (CAN) 13.67 DEF. Isabella Nichols (AUS) 3.77, Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 3.53
HEAT 2: Molly Picklum (AUS) 16.90 DEF. Kelia Gallina (PYF) 3.43, Lakey Peterson (USA) 1.97
HEAT 3: Tyler Wright (AUS) 12.76 DEF. Vahine Fierro (FRA) 11.66, Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 5.23
HEAT 4: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 12.84 DEF. Caroline Marks (USA) 8.70, Luana Silva (BRA) 1.47
Lexus Tahiti Pro Presented by I-SEA Women’s Elimination Round Results:
HEAT 1: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 8.33 DEF. Kelia Gallina (PYF) 3.90
HEAT 2: Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 13.16 DEF. Luana Silva (BRA) 2.00
HEAT 3: Vahine Fierro (FRA) 16.67 DEF. Isabella Nichols (AUS) 9.17
HEAT 4: Caroline Marks (USA) 8.67 DEF. Lakey Peterson (USA) 8.50
Lexus Tahiti Pro Presented by I-SEA Women’s Quarterfinal Results:
HEAT 1: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 16.04 DEF. Erin Brooks (CAN) 15.16
HEAT 2: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 15.60 DEF. Tyler Wright (AUS) 9.83
HEAT 3: Molly Picklum (AUS) 13.10 DEF. Vahine Fierro (FRA) 9.67
HEAT 4: Caroline Marks (USA) 13.00 DEF. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 9.93
Lexus Tahiti Pro Presented by I-SEA Women’s Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 14.57 DEF. Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 11.60
HEAT 2: Molly Picklum (AUS) 9.73 DEF. Caroline Marks (USA) 9.33
Comments
agreed, but little Kelia Gallina did sooo well hey. Lots of surfers I know would not have taken today's conditions on. So well done little Kelia Gallina!
No way I would mate. Hats off to her, she did better than a certain two-time men's champ
Feels like the final five women is correct - except Caz. Aussie bias aside, I would swap her out for Issy any day
If they plan on finishing the mens and womens title in one day it will probably be sloppy shit late in the arvo for the finals.......And as for Kelia yes she went well but seriously shouldn't have been there way too young ...in a couple of years she will be a powerhouse....
Gabby beating Erin at the last moment on a wave she let go reminded me of their cloud break heat last year where Gabby had it won but let Erin go in the last moments. Very glad to see that reversed today. Was impressed to see the improvement and willingness by Gabby to give it a crack. This long off season will give the girls all the time in the world to step up their game in the barrel. There will be no excuses to be made next year. So happy for the women’s final. Hoping for big Chopes for them.
A well summed up summary of a slow but sumptuous day for women's surfing. Well done.
I like your take on sending the 12 y/o out into possible macking Chopes.
Lets hope the final day is macking with the remaining field on both sides.
Great write up Steve.
Didn't get to see much today but did see the 12yo, agreed, didn't seem right (don't like being 'age-ist').
Was going to post in the preview article that Kanoa and Caity were the biggest threats to the #1's, got Kanoa very wrong ha ha but good to read that Caity came good.
Molly seems resilient though and hopefully goes all the way at Cloudbreak.
Wonder how much the price of a local enforcer/special adviser /coach/chaperone/blocker/mentor would set back an ‘athlete’ for a week or two at Cho’opes during a good run of waves or during the lead up to a comp? Gabby Bryan’s performance would suggest it’s time and money well spent . Don’t think he’s short of either, but Fil apparently begs to differ.
Cracker of a final in the making. Molly is a star.
No place for a 12 year old..was embarrassing to watch…embarrassing to listen to the commentators talk it up..surfed and looked like a Sunday board-rider club kid.
The worlds best surfers on the worlds best waves..unless it’s a tiny pre teen child.
Other than that it was a really enjoyable days viewing.
I completely agree. Molly made a comment about wondering whether she and Lakey should stay back with her when she didn’t make it over a wave. No matter how anyone tried to spin it she looked completely out of place. If they don’t have anyone of a better standard or appropriate age give the wildcard to one of the other CT girls. Sawyer gave it a good crack last year. WSL need to look at their rules and sort them out.
Can’t wait to see Caity and Molly in the final. Thanks for the recap of Day 2 filling in the gaps as I only had time to watch the condensed milk heats. They don’t capture all the finer details. Caity looked very relaxed and creatively competent compared to her CT events at Teahupoo in years past.
Watching the Lakey vs Caz heat, it almost seemed like neither of them go surfing to try and get barrelled for fun. It was pretty baffling.
I thought the out of place 12 yr old summed up the day perfectly. Majority of the women’s comp now run in what could not be described as quintessential chopes. They could’ve been anywhere.
"We heard much from Flick in the booth about how important it was to select the right coach, with no clues given as to why Dog and Gabby parted company at this very late stage of the season. Something bad happened is the only reasonable conclusion. You don't change a winning formula for no reason"
Erm - isn't that what journalists do?
Sink their teeth into a question of significance and relentlessly pursue the truth?
Maybe Swellnet could hire the fellow who explained exactly why Erik Logan was dismissed as the WSL CEO.
Wait just a minute - no one EVER properly explained that one.
thoroughly enjoying day of surfing- how good was molly- loved that she kept having a crack!!
agree steve about erin too- i really rate her….but something always seems to be slightly off kilter- maybe a new coach / additional coach??
I preface my comments below in saying I’m having a go at both the Woz and the young surfer’s parents, not the individual in any way.
Having young children myself, one of whom is Kelia’s age, I’m sensitive to the ever present push of children into early specialisation and the almost certain deleterious effects on their mental health at a late date.
You can bet the house the only way a young person such as this can ride the tube at Teahupoo is because of an overzealous, pushy parent, not dissimilar to those well documented in others sports such as tennis and golf.
If you get the chance watch / listen:
https://m.
https://www.richroll.com/podcast/peter-carlisle-925/
Peter Carlisle who was Michael Phelps and Simone Bile’s sports agent eloquently explains how you basically can’t avoid mental ill health as a top level athlete based on the forced path to the top (read hyper specialisation, over coaching, from a young age). As such warded his children against this by diversifying their experiences early on.
I paddled out at snapper last swell. You see it everywhere. Crowd was thick and rabid, it was dangerous, a dad was pushing his ~8 year old into 4-5’ bombs amongst the pack. Pre teen frothers nearly getting cleaned up by angry middle aged men. For what? For who? Go to a local grom comp and you’ll see 10 year olds warming up with therabands under the surveillance of a parent.
How does a young athlete develop life skills, resilience, a rounded sense of self when all they’ve known is this single pursuit?
I think in these cases the Woz/parents/coaches etc probably need to ask: ‘just because you can - do you have to?’……….’No’.
And yes, a 12 year old participating in an a top-tier professional surfing event with potentially life-threatening conditions is completely inappropriate.
Professional surfing can borrow from the tennis rulebook -
"The ATP and WTA tours, which oversee the men's and women's professional circuits respectively, generally require players to be at least 18 to have unrestricted access to most tour events. This means players can enter as many tournaments as they wish without limitations once they hit that age.
The Under-18 Pathway
For the ambitious young athletes between 14 and 17, there are opportunities, but they're wrapped in red tape. These restrictions are in place to protect young players from burnout and ensure they don't take on too much too soon. Here's a breakdown:
14-15 years old: These youngsters can only play a maximum of 10 professional tournaments a year.
16-17 years old: The limit increases to 12-16 tournaments annually, depending on their rankings and progress.
This controlled entry helps balance education and career development, especially crucial during these formative years"
didn't the 12 year old win the trials event?
?si=6toruXWglBl5BxHM ?si=2cfJWRKru1bAzMA6That pic of Gabby emerging from the tube with a big grin is priceless.
Good to see someone who seems like a bit of a legend human getting the good mana.
Pickles all the way if its big. Yew!