Simmers (pictured) going right at Lowers.
Simmers (pictured) going right at Lowers.

Defending champ Caity Simmers decries World Surf League finals move from Trestles to Fiji

"But, I mean, shoot, they’re doing it, so might as well make the most of it."

The World Surf League Finals window officially opens today, though the forecast is looking extremely bleak there on Fiji’s heart-shaped Tavarua. Surfline, the League’s official prediction partner is calling for tiny waves until September 2nd and 3rd though, even then, the swell direction is not ideal. The ten surfers left, five men and five women, will likely spend much time tooling around, playing tennis, avoiding the 11x number one Kelly Slater as he seeks to maintain relevance. A handful might be wishing they were somewhere else. Maybe even Southern California’s Lower Trestles, which just so happened to host the first three finals days.

Defending champion Caity Simmers possibly one of them.

Fox 5 news, in San Diego, interviewed all the Americans in the draw, asking: As you know, the Finals are in Fiji this year, a shift from Trestles, which is close to home. How do you feel about this location change?

Griffin Colapinto and Caroline Marks responded with gushing praise for Cloudbreak, Fijian cuisine, the peacefulness. Simmers, though, presented a different take.

“Obviously I love surfing Trestles, and I think it’s one of the most perfect places to do a format like this. If you were to do it anywhere, Lowers would be the best place. In my opinion, I feel like it’s pretty interesting that they did it here [Cloudbreak]–just because it’s such a hard wave, and it’s obviously one way, rather than two. It’s a very different wave and hard to surf, kind of. It’s just always changing. But, I mean, shoot, they’re doing it, so might as well make the most of it. Again, I’m not in first place, so I just want to learn about the wave and enjoy the place I’m at. And, it’s cool. We’re going to get to see the best surfers in the world surf one of the best waves in the world. That’s going to be really cool, and we’ll just see who wins. Hopefully we get good waves so it’s as fair as it can be, and then we just get to do what we do–which is just go up and down on waves, and through them and all sorts of things.”

Simmers is no Toledo when it comes to charging, having demonstrated a willingness to pitch over the ledge at Pipe and Teahupo’o, so nerves cannot be a factor in her disapproval. The one way, rather than two, nature of Cloudbreak cited though she has won Pipe and final’d at Teahupo’o. Can you think of any other reasons why Lowers might be “the most perfect place” to host a shootout?

Back to Toledo, imagine how sad the whole House is that he did not crack the top tier. A Restaurants title would have shut down every hater for good.

Bula.

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
68 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Sellme fitzgobbins
Sellme fitzgobbins
1 year ago

Much harder to score weed in Fiji

Firelipe Torpedo
Firelipe Torpedo
1 year ago

Final five should be at pipe. It’s a left, it’s a right, and it’s right on the beach for the ultimate viewer experience. It’s the most famous wave in the world and it’s decided more world champs than anywhere else. We’ve seen it won in triple overhead teepees and we’ve seen it won with airs and turns. Pipe represents the pinnacle of the sport. Other waves like cloudbreak and teahupoo try to take the limelight and sometimes they convince some for a time that they hold a candle to Mecca. Ultimately I think almost all want a return to pipe and we are just sitting silent for the time being because cloudbreak is also a great wave

deeks
deeks
1 year ago

Who gives a fuck….really…
when you look into it…Who gives a fuck

Firelipe Torpedo
Firelipe Torpedo
1 year ago
Reply to  deeks

Not deeks

snapper
snapper
1 year ago

Caity being Caity taking pressure off herself throwing shade at 4 others…what she is really saying is that she Plans On Winning the damn thing.

Kama'aina
Kama'aina
1 year ago

Hope she win.

Professor Ski Lodge
Professor Ski Lodge
1 year ago

American golden child butt hurt she won’t win. Boo Hoo. She should focus on going up and down on waves rather than speaking.

Corey Webster
Corey Webster
1 year ago

When you’re doing an interview you don’t care about you still need to spit out some words. Which has nothing to do with going up and down on a wave (which I’m sure she’s rather be doing than interviews). I’m guessing having all your friends around and being able to go home after a contest is pretty nice after traveling all year. She’s right that it’s a left and not a split peak. Caity coming from number 2 could still easily win World Title number 2 next week. I hope she does.

Professor Ski Lodge
Professor Ski Lodge
4 months ago
Reply to  Corey Webster

She didn’t. Because MOLLY !!!

Capt Sensible
Capt Sensible
1 year ago

At least in the pools they can guarantee fake waves for the fake finals.

The Bitchy Crab
The Bitchy Crab
1 year ago
Reply to  Capt Sensible

Finals Day best thing to happen to pro surfing.

Capt Sensible
Capt Sensible
1 year ago

Whats the point if surfers have already finished on top of the rankings they technically are the best surfers for that year.

M.
M.
1 year ago

Don’t fret. The next CEO will rehash the concept. It’s all part of the perpetual cycle of corporate management.

k55
k55
1 year ago

“avoiding the 11x number one Kelly Slater as he seeks to maintain relevance”

Good, funny
only on BG can you find quotes like this

Picard Madeoff
Picard Madeoff
1 year ago
Reply to  k55

I found BG due to a quick web search on Sophie Goldschmidt, who had just joined the US Ski team. What I learned was Chas, Derek and Jen deliver masked intellectual goods with the right amount of snark woven in for good measure. And they had Sophie figured as she is now leading the stepped exponential demise of US Skiing.

Ethan’s  Silverback butt
Ethan’s Silverback butt
1 year ago
Reply to  Picard Madeoff

what does a tennis facilitator know about surfing or skiing?

Picard Madeoff
Picard Madeoff
1 year ago

The “tennis facilitator” never played a meaningful D1 match during her college tennis days, is a casual skier and surfer at best so you ask the Q that matters. Sophie began her effort to ruin US Skiing in 2021 and has done a smash up job of ensuring the men’s team is less competitive and they currently don’t have an athlete who is likely to podium in a Word Cup race or in the Olympics this winter. fortunately, Mikaela Shiffrin runs her own team so Sophia cannot ruin her as well. Speaking of the US women’s team, Sophie is working hard to make them less competitive as well…way to go Sophie!

Hippy
Hippy
1 year ago

Caity is going to be fine and usually answers questions without a filter, refreshing

Restaurants would maul Chas Smith

Things change on Tav and the decision to move was a great one

Hippy
Hippy
1 year ago
Reply to  Hippy

As for the mull, check the back fence line of the tennis court and dig up the coffee can Barreled

Dan left some goodies when BF was kicked off

Barrelled
Barrelled
1 year ago
Reply to  Hippy

You’d never catch me there. It was sweet in the 90’s when the only pre-qualification to be a boatman was to be a member of Windansea and the wave was still private. No pay, go surf Wilkes and Namotu when the Pommie windsurf guy owned it.

Hippy
Hippy
1 year ago
Reply to  Barrelled

Agree, haven’t been back since ‘04. Epic epic trip, Treasure said “ it doesn’t get this good”. 80’s camping. Never saw Wilkes, no need

Had an offer to work couple years ago but was already booked. The guests I know had tales of crowds and chaos

I was reticent about 10 guests plus Dylan and Rick during private times

Looking forward to this final.

Gwen Walz’s Eyes
Gwen Walz’s Eyes
1 year ago
Reply to  Barrelled

Hans Peterson best switchfoot ever

Hippy
Hippy
1 year ago

a laminator that works for Timmy Patterson destroyed it, but Dylan was king. Forgot his name, apologies.

Call Waterways and tell em Hip sent ya, Gwen

The Bitchy Crab
The Bitchy Crab
1 year ago
Reply to  Hippy

Mauled ol Dezzy after being called into a slab by nassy CJ.

Hippy
Hippy
1 year ago

The speed and the lip line so far out in front, nothing like it

My fins were humming like a concert one day, had to sand that night

So much fun

Hippy
Hippy
1 year ago
Reply to  Hippy

Peer pressure is so rad too

Happy Camper
Happy Camper
1 year ago

“reasons why Lowers might be “the most perfect place” to host a shootout?”

#1: Lowers has E-Bike parking.

Gwen Walz’s Eyes
Gwen Walz’s Eyes
1 year ago
Reply to  Happy Camper

7.4 comment. Close to excellent range

Picard Madeoff
Picard Madeoff
1 year ago
Reply to  Happy Camper

Where can I rent an ebike to quickly get to Lowers or is that the ultimate douche move?

notsurfingtoday
notsurfingtoday
1 year ago

“we just get to do what we do–which is just go up and down on waves, and through them and all sorts of things.”

YES

Jen See
Jen See
1 year ago

ngl i liked that bit

notsurfingtoday
notsurfingtoday
1 year ago
Reply to  Jen See

Light a candle for a surf jock

Chas Smith
Chas Smith
1 year ago
Reply to  Jen See

Such a Jen See line!

notsurfingtoday
notsurfingtoday
1 year ago
Reply to  Chas Smith

Had to google it – cant catch up with internet slang acronyms fast enough

justiceminister
justiceminister
1 year ago

Wsl curse once more. Mickey Mouse could win this event with the waves on offer. And get barreled.

Skippy
Skippy
1 year ago

This might be a dumb question but wouldn’t getting barreled mean the waves are good?

justiceminister
justiceminister
1 year ago
Reply to  Skippy

Mickey bless him is only 2 inches high.

Gwen Walz’s Eyes
Gwen Walz’s Eyes
1 year ago

Forecast says possible triple overhead. Do you even read swellnet comments?

justiceminister
justiceminister
1 year ago

Get down to Specsavers mate.

ricmatic
ricmatic
1 year ago

Caity got something to say? we should listen. What a surfer.

german_surfer_007
german_surfer_007
1 year ago

I surfed a spot with just me & 2 CT surfers. One is in the final 5 and charges slabs. It was 2-3ft, they were both saying how perfect the spot would be for a comp. I think what surfers want is a consistent wave that gives them a fair chance. Caity is right, Trestles actually makes more sense for the surfers, there should be rights and lefts.

Barrelled
Barrelled
1 year ago

Are you that German river/flowrider guy from the last post? Your comment makes a little more sense if you only how to “surf” in a river.

german_surfer_007
german_surfer_007
1 year ago
Reply to  Barrelled

Still mad at me Clay?

Barrelled
Barrelled
1 year ago

Nah, but we are all laughing at you and your fake encounter with some unnamed “CT” surfers.

Capt Sensible
Capt Sensible
1 year ago
Reply to  Barrelled

I surf with CT surfers in the water quite a bit its not that surprising if you surf were decent waves are found.

Stick man
Stick man
1 year ago

Bill Clay

Rocks local
Rocks local
1 year ago

that other site ran article this morning saying that rumors suggest they might run at restaurants given projected swell direction , period, etc. … basically said the storm generating the 9/2 projected swell is not coming clean around the bottom of Oz, will pass over land first thus making the period more like 14s instead of the more ideal 17-20s that Cloudbreak likes — so basically Restaurants could be 10/10 but CB not so much … allegedly Renato will make call and he’s talking about maybe Restaurants

Com Turren
Com Turren
1 year ago
Reply to  Rocks local

fuck, imagine watching that go down from the restaurant or pool area

Rocks local
Rocks local
1 year ago
Reply to  Com Turren

still time to book your flights down there!

Com Turren
Com Turren
1 year ago
Reply to  Rocks local

oh, and I’m sure that Biolos would love to have me there on Namotu with him!

Rocks local
Rocks local
1 year ago
Reply to  Com Turren

ha ha, every halfway decent entrepreneur should know that you need legal counsel to give you the straight story, warts and all — he should be thanking you!!

Maybe he’ll offer to shape you a new quiver to show his gratitude!!!

The Bitchy Crab
The Bitchy Crab
1 year ago
Reply to  Com Turren

Meant to ask: are you anti-ish about Lost/Biolos for some reason?

Com Turren
Com Turren
1 year ago

Certainly not, though I think he’s getting some bad legal advice re: this Lady Gaga lawsuit, and given that my article featured rather notably within Gaga’s opposition briefing, I cannot imagine he is a fan of mine.

Picard Madeoff
Picard Madeoff
1 year ago
Reply to  Com Turren

If your mildly interested in Musk/Tesla and more specifically the Delaware Chancery battle: Torneta v Musk you might enjoy the work of my friend Lawrence Fossi on Substack
https://montanaskeptic.substack.com/

Hippy
Hippy
1 year ago
Reply to  Com Turren

You can’t see cloudbreak from that side of the island

Barrelled
Barrelled
1 year ago
Reply to  Rocks local

Only difference is that it will be half the size so 10/10 not likely. Might be clean and fun but will lack in size.

Beef & Beer
Beef & Beer
1 year ago

Maybe she’s not that keen on it cos there aren’t any recreational weed shops near Cloudies…

Barrelled
Barrelled
1 year ago
Reply to  Beef & Beer

You think its difficult to get weed at Tavarua? Bahahaha!

Skippy
Skippy
1 year ago
Reply to  Barrelled

Plenty kava brah

Sean Connery
Sean Connery
1 year ago
Reply to  Beef & Beer

Or maybe she isn’t fond of the south pacific’s relentless pursuit of destroying the fairer skinned?

Barrelled
Barrelled
1 year ago

Sounds like Caity might be that confident in her ability at Cloudbreak. Cloudbreak (not so much) for the fucking girls.

Rich Marx
Rich Marx
1 year ago
Reply to  Barrelled

Very easy wave to get an ok wave but really hard to get a really good one.

Barrelled
Barrelled
1 year ago
Reply to  Rich Marx

It definitely breathes when there is size.

Rocks local
Rocks local
1 year ago
Reply to  Barrelled

Caity needs to glass some weights into her quiver like those guys used to do out at Sunset

Hippy
Hippy
1 year ago
Reply to  Rocks local

Gloss coats

Mapski
Mapski
1 year ago

Anyone want a refresher on Cloudbreak check out the 2003 contest. Andy surfing to his enhanced peak.

Gwen Walz’s Eyes
Gwen Walz’s Eyes
1 year ago
Reply to  Mapski

Or Owens 4 10’s

Leosurf1
Leosurf1
1 year ago
Reply to  Mapski

Was that the year globe sponsored it? It went off


68
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x