Molly Picklum, a 22-year-old Australian, and Yago Dora, a 29-year-old Brazilian, became world surfing champions at the WSL Finals 2025, held in Cloudbreak, Fiji, on September 1. Picklum defeated American Caroline Marks in a thrilling best-of-three series, while Dora beat Griffin Colapinto in a single decisive heat. The event, marked by challenging 8-to-12-foot waves, crowned the consistency of both, who led the regular season rankings. Dora’s win reinforces Brazil’s dominance, with eight titles in 11 years, while Picklum becomes the first Australian female champion since 2022. The competition showcased the talent of a new generation and the strength of surfing in extreme conditions.

The women’s final was a display of resilience. Picklum, after losing the first heat, found her rhythm and dominated the next two with impressive tube rides. In the men’s final, Dora capitalized on his ranking leader priority to select the best waves, securing victory with technical and aggressive surfing.

• Competition highlights:
• Picklum won with scores of 15.83 and 16.93 in the final heats.
• Dora clinched the title with an 8.33 on a memorable left.
• Italo Ferreira, another Brazilian, was eliminated in the second round.
• Cloudbreak conditions ranged from 8 to 12 feet, testing athletes.

Yago Dora’s dominant performance

Yago Dora, born in Curitiba and based in Florianópolis, arrived in Fiji as the favorite, wearing the yellow leader’s jersey. His regular season was marked by consistency, with a semifinal in Pipeline and a win at the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro. In the final against Griffin Colapinto, Dora showed complete control, selecting waves with high-scoring potential. His 8.33 score, earned on a long, well-surfed left, was the highlight of the heat, ending with a total of 15.66 against Colapinto’s 12.33.

The Brazilian, who overcame serious injuries in the past, celebrated the win with family and his girlfriend on a boat near Cloudbreak. The victory not only marked his first world title but also solidified Brazil as a surfing powerhouse, adding to the “Brazilian Storm” legacy. Dora highlighted the special energy he felt in Fiji, known for its perfect and challenging waves.

• Key moments in the men’s final:
• Dora opened with a 7.33, setting the pace.
• Colapinto responded with a 6.33 but couldn’t find a game-changer.
• Dora’s strategy focused on tubes and aerial maneuvers.
• Full tide conditions favored the Brazilian.

Molly Picklum’s comeback

Molly Picklum, from Gosford, Australia, faced a tougher path. As the world number 1, she had the advantage of entering directly into the final but was caught off guard by Caroline Marks in the first heat, losing 12.50 to 10.50. The Australian, however, showed resilience. In the second heat, she scored an 8.83 tube, securing a 15.83 to 8.03 win. In the decisive heat, Picklum left no chance for her opponent, posting a 16.93 with another 8.83 tube, while Marks, exhausted after seven heats in one day, scored only 6.24.

Picklum’s turnaround was celebrated as a milestone for Australian women’s surfing, which hadn’t seen a world champion since Stephanie Gilmore in 2022. Her tube-riding skills, honed on the heavy waves of New South Wales, were crucial to her success in Cloudbreak.

Path to the finals

The WSL Finals format, held in a single day, pits the top five ranked surfers in knockout matchups. In the men’s division, Italo Ferreira started strong, defeating Jack Robinson 14.33 to 5.83 with a mix of aerials and tubes. In the second round, however, Ferreira fell to Colapinto, who advanced to the final after beating Jordy Smith. In the women’s division, Caroline Marks faced a grueling path, eliminating Bettylou Sakura Johnson, Caitlin Simmers, and Gabriela Bryan before reaching the final against Picklum.

• WSL Finals structure:
• Top 5 men and women compete in head-to-head matchups.
• The number 1 ranked surfer enters directly into the final.
• Other competitors face elimination rounds.
• Men’s final is decided in a single heat; women’s in a best-of-three.

Impact on Brazilian surfing

Yago Dora’s victory strengthens the “Brazilian Storm,” a movement that has made Brazil a surfing superpower. Since 2014, the country has claimed eight of the last 11 men’s titles, with stars like Gabriel Medina, Filipe Toledo, Adriano de Souza, and Italo Ferreira. Dora, with his technical and progressive style, represents the evolution of this generation, blending deep tubes with aerial maneuvers.

The win also carries emotional weight. Dora’s father, Leandro, a surf coach, chose not to train his son’s rivals during the event, showing unwavering support. The celebration in Fiji, with family present, highlighted the human side of the athlete, who overcame a serious foot injury in 2017 to reach the top.

Molly Picklum’s rise

At 22, Molly Picklum established herself as a top contender in women’s surfing. Her season included two event wins (Rio Pro and Tahiti Pro) and only one result outside the top 5. In Cloudbreak, she showcased versatility, alternating between deep tubes and aggressive lip maneuvers. Her victory over Caroline Marks, an Olympic medalist, underscores her potential to dominate the circuit in the coming years.

Picklum also symbolizes renewal. With Stephanie Gilmore and Carissa Moore temporarily retired, women’s surfing needed new stars. Picklum, alongside Caitlin Simmers and Bettylou Sakura Johnson, represents this new generation, capable of competing in heavy waves like Pipeline and Teahupo’o.

• Factors in Picklum’s success:
• Consistency with two regular-season wins.
• Tube-riding skills honed in heavy waves.
• Aggressive strategy in the final heats.
• Support from coach Mitch Ross between heats.

Cloudbreak as the perfect stage

Cloudbreak, with its long, tubular lefts, was the ideal setting for the WSL Finals 2025. A forecast of 8-to-12-foot waves with 14-to-16-second periods delivered epic conditions, especially during low tide when waves formed perfectly. The choice of Cloudbreak, after years in Lower Trestles, favored surfers with tube-riding experience, like Dora and Picklum.

The event also marked Fiji’s return to the WSL calendar after seven years. The decision to hold the Finals in Cloudbreak was praised by athletes and fans, who highlighted the thrill of competing in one of the world’s most iconic breaks. The live broadcast, featuring aerial footage and commentary by Kelly Slater, enhanced the global viewer experience.

• Cloudbreak features:
• Long lefts with tubular sections and walls for maneuvers.
• Waves of 8 to 12 feet during the event.
• Optimal formation at low tide.
• Technical challenge in line reading and wave selection.

Reactions and celebrations

Yago Dora’s victory sparked widespread celebration in Brazil. In Florianópolis, where he resides, community events gathered fans to watch the final. On social media, messages of support came from figures like Gabriel Medina and Neymar, emphasizing the title’s importance for Brazilian sports. In Gosford, the North Shelly Boardriders, Picklum’s home club, held a party to honor their new champion.

The dual victories of Dora and Picklum also reignited discussions about the future of professional surfing. With new talents emerging and iconic breaks like Cloudbreak back on the circuit, the WSL appears to be entering a new era of competitiveness and spectacle.