Caitlin Simmers, who holds the top spot in the World Surf League finals set for Friday, has recently discovered she has a chance to make history.

At just 18 years old, she could become the youngest surfer ever to clinch a world championship title.

If she wins at Lower Trestles in San Clemente, California, she will surpass the record held by Carissa Moore, a five-time champion and Olympic gold medalist.

“It’s surreal,” Simmers shared with YSL News Sports. “I only found out about this recently.

“To potentially beat her record would be incredible, given she’s one of the best ever.”

Moore was 18 years, 10 months, and 18 days old when she secured the Association of Surfing Professionals women’s championship in 2011.

If Simmers triumphs in the one-day finals on Friday, she will be 18 years, 10 months, and 12 days old. The competition could extend to September 14 if weather conditions delay the event.

In addition to being the youngest, Simmers is also the smallest among the five qualified surfers. She is listed at 5 feet 3 inches and weighs 113 pounds.

“She had a challenging start during her first couple of years on tour, especially in the big Hawaiian surf,” said Simmers’ coach, Tommy Whitaker. “While she loves it, her petite size made scoring difficult initially.

“However, she has adapted beautifully.”

During the WSL finals, Simmers might face off against fellow American Caroline Marks, the No. 2 seed, who clinched a gold medal at the Paris Games and won the 2023 WSL finals. Other contenders include No. 3 seed Brisa Hennessy from Costa Rica, No. 4 seed Molly Picklum from Australia, and No. 5 seed Tatiana Weston-Webb from Brazil, who earned a silver medal at the Paris Olympics.

The winner will take home $200,000, while second place will receive $100,000, third place $75,000, fourth place $60,000, and fifth place $40,000.

The format of the WSL finals is single-elimination, consisting of head-to-head heats. The No. 4 seed will compete against the No. 5 seed, and the winner moves on to face the No. 3 seed. This pattern continues until the final match, where the best-of-three heats will determine the champion.

Caitlin Simmers considered her choices

At the age of 16, Simmers earned a spot to compete against top surfers on the WSL Championship Tour.

She chose to wait, opting to spend more time with her family. The following year, she faced scrutiny over her decision.

“There were expectations for her to prove that her choice was worthwhile,” Whitaker remarked regarding Simmers’ timing in starting her professional career.

In her first competition, she secured ninth place out of 18 participants.

Just a few events later, she celebrated her first win. She added another victory later in her rookie season, along with a second-place, third-place, and fourth-place finish at the WSL finals.

“I have no regrets about waiting,” she stated regarding her decision to stay home in 2022. “It allowed me another year to mature outside the tour and grow as a person, not just as a competitor. … I’m still young, and I’ve got a long journey ahead. I’m just taking my time.”

Since then, she has picked up the pace.

This season, Simmers has achieved victory in three of the nine events. No other competitor has won more than one event on the Championship Tour, which features 17 full-time members and one event wildcard.

“I’ve witnessed tremendous growth in Simmers, particularly in recognizing that enjoyment of the process and journey is more crucial than solely focusing on wins or losses,” Whitaker noted.

For instance, Weston-Webb dominated Simmers in the third round at the Olympics. Weston-Webb scored 12.34, while Simmers scored only 1.93.

“You’re working with the ocean’s unpredictability, which is among the most challenging elements,” Simmers explained. “You can’t dictate every move.

“I am confident in my surfing abilities and feel prepared to win the upcoming contest (the WSL finals).”

Caitlin Simmers is ready mentally for the finals

Her friends will lend their support, and her mom will provide care. Together, they will enjoy bike rides, relaxation, and yoga.

Simmers emphasizes the importance of these activities as she prepares for the finals, aiming to manage pressure and expectations effectively.

“Whether I win a world title or not won’t change the earth’s direction,” Simmers, who is from Oceanside, just a short 20-minute drive from the final event, shared. “However, it’s important to me because it’s been my goal for the past few years—this doesn’t mean I don’t want to win.”

“It’s really about keeping things in perspective and not becoming overly obsessed with it.”

Whitaker mentioned that this is a topic they frequently discuss.

“She’s an incredible surfer and a wonderful individual,” he said. “But her life doesn’t solely revolve around surfing—it’s not just surf, eat, and train. A significant aspect of her journey as a professional is to balance her surfing with other life elements, ensuring that it doesn’t consume her entirely.”

“She wants to continue enjoying it and pursuing it on her terms.”

Connect with Josh Peter on social media @joshlpeter11