Caitlin Simmers, John John Florence Win WSL Titles

At the World Surf League Finals held at Lower Trestles in California, John John Florence and Caitlin Simmers emerged victorious, marking a significant achievement for American surfing as they swept both the men's and women's titles for the first time since 2011. Florence, at 31 years old, secured his third world title, overcoming Brazil's Italo Ferreira in a closely contested series. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Simmers not only clinched the title but also made history as the youngest world champion, surpassing Carissa Moore's previous record by just six days. Simmers showcased her talent by defeating Olympic gold medalist Caroline Marks in a thrilling best-of-three heats format, securing her victory with the highest heat score in WSL Finals history. Both champions earned $200,000 for their achievements, highlighting the competitive nature of this prestigious event. This year's finals marked a remarkable turnaround for Simmers, who had been named Rookie of the Year in 2023 and dominated the tour with three event wins prior to the finals.