Caity Simmers, an 18-year-old surfing phenom, could pry record from all-time great

Caitlin Simmers, the No. 1 seed in the World Surf League finals scheduled Friday, recently learned she can make history.

At 18, she’s poised to become the youngest surfer to win a world championship.

With a victory at Lower Trestles in San Clemente, California, Simmers would pry the record from Carissa Moore, a five-time champion and Olympic gold medalist.

“Yeah, it's crazy,’’ Simmers told USA TODAY Sports. “I didn't even know that until the other day.

“She is one of the best of all time, so to beat her (record) would be pretty amazing.’’

Moore was 18 years, 10 months and 18 days old when she won the Association of Surfing Professionals women’s title in 2011.

Simmers would be 18 years, 10 months and 12 days old if she wins the one-day finals Friday. The competition window extends to Sept. 14 in case conditions lead to delays.

In addition to being the youngest, Simmers will be the smallest of the five surfers who qualified. She’s generously listed at 5-3 and 113 pounds.

“The first year or two on tour, she had a tough little start in Hawaii in the big ocean water,’’ said Simmers’ coach, Tommy Whitaker. “She loves it, but still she's just such a tiny frame that it was really hard to get some scores.

“But she adapted beautifully.’’

At the WSL finals, Simmers could end up going head-to-head with fellow American Caroline Marks, the No. 2 seed who won a gold medal at the Paris Games and the 2023 WSL finals. The other surfers rounding out "the final five'' are No. 3 seed Brisa Hennessy of Costa Rica; No. 4 seed Molly Picklum of Australia; and No. 5 seed Tatiana Weston-Webb of Brazil, who won silver at the Paris Olympics.

The winner will receive $200,000, while $100,000 will be awarded for second place, $75,000 for third, $60,000 for fourth and $40,000 for fifth.

The WSL finals is a single-elimination format of head-to-head heats. The No. 4 seed surfs against the No. 5 seed. The winner advances and surfs against the No. 3 seed. The winner advances and surfs against the No. 2 seed. And that winner advances and surfs against the No. 1 seed. The winner will be determined in the final round by the best-of-three heats.

Caitlin Simmers weighed her options

At 16, Simmers qualified to compete against the world’s best surfers on the WSL Championship Tour.

She opted out, choosing to stay at home with her family. A year later, she faced scrutiny, according to her coach.

“You’re expected to come out now and show that that was worth it,’’ Whitaker said of Simmers’ delaying the start of her pro career.

During her first event, she finished ninth among 18 surfers.

Two events later, she won. And won again later in her rookie season that included a second-place finish, third-place finish and fourth-place finish in the WSL finals.

“I did not regret the decision a single bit,’’ she said of staying home in 2022. “I think it gave me another year to grow without the tour and just grow as a person rather than just a competitor. … I'm really young, so I have a long way to go in life. So I'm just pacing myself.’’

Her pace accelerated.

This season, Simmers has won three of the nine events. No other surfer has won more than one on the Championship Tour, which includes 17 full-time members and one event wildcard.

“I've seen the most growth (with Simmers) knowing that it's more the process and enjoying the journey than wins or losses,’’ Whitaker said.

For example, Weston-Webb trounced Simmers in the third round at the Olympics. Weston-Webb had a score of 12.34 and Simmers had a score of 1.93.

“You're working with one of the most unpredictable things in the world, which is the ocean,’’ Simmers reasoned. “And you really can't tell her what to do. …

“I know that I can surf good and I know that I have the ability to win this contest (the WSL finals) and I feel like I'm ready.’’

Caitlin Simmers' mental preparation for the finals

Her friends will still be there for her. Her mom will still take care of her. There will be bike rides, hanging out and yoga.

Simmers said these are things she reminds herself of as she tries to prepare for the finals without succumbing to pressure or expectations.

“Keeping it all in perspective and knowing that it won't change the course of the earth if I win a world (title) or not,’’ said Simmers, who grew up in Oceanside, about 20 minutes from the finals site. “But also knowing that it's my goal and it's what I've been working for the last few years and definitely that doesn't mean I don't want it.

“It's just putting it into perspective and not getting too caught up in it.’’

Whitaker said it’s something they talk about on a regular basis.

“She's such a beautiful surfer, such a beautiful person,’’ he said. “But her whole life isn't just sort of strictly surf, eat, surf, train, surf. So a very big, important part of her journey as a professional athlete is to keep her life and surfing part of her life, but not everything of her life.

“She wants to keep loving it and doing it her way.’’

Follow Josh Peter on social media @joshlpeter11