Article by Hillard Grossman

There was plenty of magic coming from Caroline Marks’ surfboard Tuesday at Cloudbreak in Fiji, where she won her first four consecutive stepladder matches in the World Surf League’s Final 5 playoffs.

But, a fiery, top-seeded Molly Picklum and, perhaps, exhaustion from catching 27 rides in more than 3 hours out in the foamy 4- to 6-foot waves were just too much to overcome for the former Melbourne Beach resident.

Picklum, 22, from Australia, bounced back from a 12.50-10.50 loss to Marks in the first of three heats in the title match, but poured it on with spectacular matching 8.83 scores in the next two heats to claim her first world title with lopsided 15.83-8.03 and 16.93-6.24 victories.

There was so much doubt, but I feel like that’s what raises a champion, Picklum told reporters. “You have to step up and rise above that.

 

Caroline Marks takes a slice off the top

Molly Picklum claims 2025 world Title

 

Marks, 23, the 2024 Olympic champion who had only qualified for the Final 5 in the final regular-season event, recorded her second straight WSL runner-up finish after winning the world title in 2023 and continues to carve her name among the sport’s elite.

It was the fifth straight year a different women’s world champion was crowned, with Picklum joining Carissa Moore (2021), Stephanie Gilmore (2022), Marks (2023) and Caitlin Simmers (2024) in that stretch.

Tuesday in Fiji, Marks looked unstoppable early on, defeating Bettylou Sakura Johnson 9.66-5.00; Simmers 14.60-11.33, and Gabriela Bryan 13.67-9.47. Then, the San Clemente, Calif., resident stunned Picklum in the best-of-three title match, a Final 5 format that will revert to season-long points accumulation in 2026.

On the men’s side, Yago Dora of Brazil also claimed his first world title, defeating California’s Griffin Colapinto 15.66-12.44 in the first heat of the title match.

Surf park coming in 2026

Consistent, year-round surfing is on the way as construction continues on The Point Surf Park on the former MESA Park site in Fellsmere, just south of Brevard County.

The Point will be Florida’s first full surf park when it is completed next year. Waves can be delivered on a custom basis, up to overhead height, and will be suitable for surfers of all ages and skill levels.

Board shorts …

Indialantic’s Daya McCart won all three of her four-surfer heats and reached the quarterfinals of the Virginia Beach Pro in late August. … Madison Bennett represents the Central Florida district on the ESA All-Star squad. … The 40th edition of the NKF Rich Salick Pro-Am Surf Fest takes place Oct. 11-13 at the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier.