Molly Picklum Crowned 2025 Surfing World Champion

An Australian has once again become surfing's world champion. On September 1, 2025, Molly Picklum won her first World Surf League (WSL) World Title at Cloudbreak, Fiji. The 22-year-old from the Central Coast fought through the defending champion Caroline Marks in a best-of-three final series. After losing the first heat of the final series, Picklum battled back and scored a 15.83 in Match 2 and a score of 16.93 in the final deciding round. Picklum's win marks the first time an Australian woman has lifted a WSL World Title trophy since Stephanie Gilmore in 2022 and of course is assured among surfing's finest.

A Season Of Remarkable Consistency

Picklum's success in Fiji was not just a flash in the pan, it was the culmination of a complete year of consistency. In the 2025 World Surf League (WSL) season Picklum not only made most of the events finals, finishing in the top five and winning a number of tours she consistently put up great results finishing in the top five. Picklum was ranked No. 1 seed going into the WSL Finals based on these consistent results. Because she was ranked No. 1 she had direct entry into the title match. The ranking made it so important because she got the full week to prepare for her final match-up with marks. So, not only do these results show she is not a one-event show but solidified herself as a true force in world surfing.

Redemption After An Olympic Heartbreak

Picklum's victory in Fiji holds even more emotional significance because of everything that led up to it. One year earlier, she was disappointed at the Paris 2024 Olympics after she had been defeated very early at Teahupoʻo, and finished equal-17th after having high hopes as a young athlete. It was a hard let down, but instead of being defeated by it, she embraced the experience and came back stronger. She wasn't just sharper, hungrier, and more focused by the critical time WSL season unfolded in 2023; she was also very resilient. Her resilience transformed her world title win into not even just a sporting win, but into an uplifting story of personal growth.

The Moment Of Victory And Its Significance

As Picklum drifted in the Fiji lagoon, Australian flag in hand, the elation was evident. “I can’t believe I’m world champion,” she bellowed, incredulous with happiness. For the supporters and young surfers back home on the Central Coast, this was beyond sporting success - this was inspiration: Picklum is on track to be immortalised in the iconic status of Stephanie Gilmore, Layne Beachley and Tyler Wright. This victory ushers in excitement for the next cohort of Australian surfers and highlights that pride, one that runs through Australian surfing, is alive and well.

What's Next For Picklum

With her first world title in hand, Picklum now prepares for a new stage of her career. Suddenly, she faces the pressure of being the surfer to beat in 2026; in addition to this pressure, she now takes on more media attention and increased sponsorship commitments. But if her 2025 season demonstrates something, it is that she has the focus and ability to endure the pressures of success in the sport. As the surfing world looks forward, the focus will remain on how she defends her title and continues to shape women's surfing into the future.