Second on the World Tour ranks, Molly Picklum is out to skew the stereotype around her ‘healthy rivalry’
Ranked second on the World Championship Tour, Molly Picklum is out to skew the perception of her intense rivalry with number one seed and reigning champion Caitlin Simmers.
5 | Caitlin Simmers sizzles with electric performances at WSL surf season-opening events in Hawaii and Abu Dhabi |
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Women’s sport is often viewed as less competitive, less fierce, less aggressive but Molly Picklum plans to use the intense rivalry with reigning world surfing champion Caitlin Simmers to smash those skewed perceptions.
Picklum, 22, and Simmers, 19, sit second and first, respectively, in the World Surf League championship tour rankings.
Simmers, who last year became the youngest to win the world title, has been the one to knock Picklum out of both events.
But the Central Coast surfer has no intention of handing Simmers back to back titles.
“Caity and I are good friends, we love surfing together but she’s a really good surfer, really competitive too,” Picklum said.
“It’s a really healthy rivalry and we’re both going to lean into that to push our own surfing and women’s surfing as well as a whole.
“We’re both keen to keep it going rather than be scared and back down from it.
“We want to stand up and make it even more of a big deal.”
Picklum’s bold approach to the season is partly due to levelling up her confidence.
Winning the world title is no longer just a pipe dream or throw away line for Picklum.
“I’ve always believed I was capable of winning it, it was always on my mind,” she said
“I don’t ever enter an event to lose, I’m always thinking I’m going to bring home the trophy.
“But this year more than ever I feel that I’m ready to do that. It’s a proper goal of mine. In the past I believed I could do it – now I know I’m going to do it.”
THE CHANGES
Picklum made some big changes leading into the 2025 season – parting ways with longtime coach Glen Hall.
Hall, a championship tour surfer turned coach, first offered to help a young Picklum seven years ago.
He went on to guide Picklum to back to back Australian Championships, her rookie season, to be the first female surfer to get a perfect 10 at the Pipe Pro in Hawaii, the WSL championship tour and the Paris Olympics.
Picklum announced in October they were parting ways.
“I’m so lucky to have had such a good role model in my life and I can’t thank (Hall) enough for the time, energy and passion he has put into my life and surfing career over the last seven years,” she wrote on Instagram.
“We have had the most amazing moments both in and out of the water which I’ll always be grateful for, we’ve built a friendship that will last a lifetime.”
Picklum said she felt it was time to step out on her own and challenge herself.
But instead of hiring one coach – Picklum is just finding one for every location on the tour to really tap into the local knowledge of each break.
“I did let go of a coach but I don’t think that is the whole reason for me doing better, it’s just a change and I think with change you grow.
“It’s a perspective shift of trying to enjoy my craft and enjoy every moment, rather than just doing it for the trophy.”
WINNING FEELING
So far this season Picklum has finished third at the Lexus Pipe Pro and second in the new wave pool event in Abu Dhabi.
“Obviously it is nice to get a good start especially when we’ve got a cut that comes pretty quickly,” she said.
“Surfing is funny, you never know when your results are going to come but I did feel good and I felt comfortable in my processes and I was just having a good time as well.
“I feel that for sure I could have done that and if not better, so I’m happy to be at least second.”
The wave pool event in Abu Dhabi was a first for the WSL.
Picklum said she wasn’t against it and said there could be a way to make it work as part of the tour.
“It’s super different, the whole experience as we had more spare time because we didn’t surf the wave that much,” she said.
“The wave itself was pretty fun, it is different to the ocean though that’s for sure. The whole event is a different surf event, it doesn’t feel similar to competing in the ocean, but you’re still competing.
“It’s funny, we get scared of uncertainty but in the same time there’s also something special in uncertainty and that certainty of having wave creates way more pressure.
“There was nowhere to hide.
“It needs to stay but I don’t think it should overtake the ocean, the beauty of that. There are so many wave pools being built and it’s definitely important for us to acknowledge that and be part of that as well.”
WHAT’S NEXT
The tour moves to Portugal next before heading to Australia for events at Bells Beach, Gold Coast and the Margaret River.
Picklum said even though it was just the third stop on the tour Portugal had a bit of a “final” feel for her as it was the end of the first away stretch.
“I’m so excited to be back in our own country and of course coming home and competing in front of my friends and family,” Picklum said.
“We have a really strong surf culture at home and I really want to do them proud.”
While she has only ever competed at Snapper Rocks once – Picklum said the Gold Coast stop was the one she was looking forward to most.
“It’s just so warm and easy and fun,” Picklum said.
In between the home events she said she plans to work with her board shaper Darren Handley and “rejuvenate.
“It’s a long year, it’s an early start so I just want to make sure I enjoy home and touch base with my loved ones before I leave,” she said.
And when not in the water Picklum has found a second sport to take her mind off the pressure of being on tour – golf.
The 22-year-old took part in the Red Bull Meet the Pro Campaign and golf day.
But Picklum looked pretty comfortable with the club in her hands and both feet on dry land.
“I do love it, but I can’t find that much spare time anymore,” Picklum said.
It wasn’t a sport she ever played as a youth – instead taking it up while on tour.
“I was in South Africa and I was surfing a contest, after I’d just been cut from the tour. My coach was a keen golfer and he said my surfing was suffering because I was getting too fixated on things so we just went and played golf,” Picklum said.
“It was pretty interesting, it was nice to just get my mind off surfing. It really helped me out and taught me to let go a little bit.”
Picklum said she was enjoying being part of the Red Bull Meet the Pro Campaign – meeting the other athletes and engaging with the fans.
HER BOARD
A surfer’s board is like an athlete’s shoes, golfer’s clubs or a tennis player’s racquet.
To Picklum each board holds memories – the ones with not so good memories don’t tend to last long in her rotation.
Take the boards she used in Tahiti for the Paris Olympics where she was eliminated in the first knockout heat – they are gone – wiped from her collection.
“I try to put a new spin on things but then I always end up back on my old faithful boards that I really love,” Picklum said.
“You get a connection, and a feeling and I’ll keep putting extra resin on it to just keep that board alive for as long as I can.”
The board Picklum is favouring at the moment is the same one she rode at J-Bay.
“I made the final there and that board was epic, I’ve had a few really fun events on it,” Picklum said.
THE FUTURE
It isn’t often in elite sport that you get two young stars dominating – but that is exactly how the 2025 WSL is playing out with Picklum and Simmers sitting first and second.
Picklum said she was proud to be part of the next generation and to continue on the mission started by her idols including Steph Gilmore.
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“Women’s surfing is growing at a pretty rapid rate,” Picklum said.
Her advice to grommets aspiring to make the tour was simple – follow your heart.
“We’re all here today because we followed our hearts and went with what we wanted to do, so never let anyone tell you otherwise,” Picklum said.
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