Oceanside’s Caitlin Simmers becomes surfing’s youngest female world champion

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Oceanside surfer Caitlin Simmers made history Friday, snagging the title of the youngest-ever female surfing word champion after defeating reigning WSL Champion Caroline Marks in the 2024 World Surfing League Finals in San Clemente, California.

Caitlin Simmers and Hawaii’s John John Florence defeated the final five challengers to take the men’s and women’s 2024 World Titles at the Lexus WSL Finals.

Representing Oceanside, Simmers is not only now the youngest female surfing word champion, she also won California its first women’s World Title in 40 years, according to the World Surf League.

Simmers was able to defeat reigning WSL Champion Caroline Marks after three heats, which the the World Surf League says was only the second time in Finals history the Women’s Title Match went to three heats.

2024 Lexus WSL Finals Women’s Results :

• Women’s Title Match 3: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 15.16 DEF. Caroline Marks (USA) 7.17
• Women’s Title Match 2: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 18.37 DEF. Caroline Marks (USA) 14.17
• Women’s Title Match 1: Caroline Marks (USA) 17.43 DEF. Caitlin Simmers (USA) 16.87
• Women’s Match 3: Caroline Marks (USA) 14.20 DEF. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 13.83
• Women’s Match 2: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 13.77 DEF. Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 13.17
• Women’s Match 1: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 12.74 DEF. Molly Picklum (AUS) 9.40

2024 Lexus WSL Finals Men’s Results :

• Men’s Title Match 2: John John Florence (HAW) 18.13 DEF. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 16.30
• Men’s Title Match 1: John John Florence (HAW) 15.50 DEF. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 15.33
• Men’s Match 3: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 14.47 DEF. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 14.33
• Men’s Match 2: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 14.57 DEF. Jack Robinson (AUS) 9.94
• Men’s Match 1: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 15.47 DEF. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 14.83

The 18-year-old surfer from Oceanside has represented her home state more than once this past year, also competing in the 2024 Summer Olympics.

After winning on Friday, Simmers was held up by her friends, family and Oceanside fans who were there to cheer her on, the World Surf League reports.

“It means so much,” Simmers said to the WSL. “I literally was going through every single emotion today, and it just feels crazy. I can’t believe it. I was feeling so much love today from everyone. You can look at it that it’s all for yourself or you can look at it like it’s for those people who support me.”

Red Bull Surfing posted a video tribute to the Pride of Oceanside after her historic win at Lower Trestles.

Florence and Simmers left Lower Trestles with their names on the Duke Kahanamoku Trophy as 2024 WSL Champions.

The World Surf League back in June announced the WSL Finals will be leaving California for Fiji in 2025, which will determine the men and women World Champions at the end of the Championship Tour season.

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