Molly Picklum talks failed Paris 2024 campaign, rebounding on surfing world tour

Australia’s best female surfer Molly Picklum was crushed by her failed campaign at the Paris Olympics. Now, the Aussie is set to use that heartache to fuel a world title campaign.

Australia's Molly Picklum is looking to rebound from Paris heartache. Picture: Jerome BROUILLET / AFP

Molly Picklum is using her Olympics heartbreak to inspire a world title charge.

Australia’s top ranked female surfer, Picklum was crushed after her early exit at the Paris 2024 Games, but rather than trying to bury the pain, she recognises that it will forever be a part of her story.

Picklum was beaten by Frenchwoman Johanne Defay in the second round in Tahiti. Defay went on to win the bronze medal.

“I was most probably the favourite coming into the Olympics to win after my performance in Hawaii and it was a really good opportunity for me,” Picklum said.

Picklum failed to fire in Paris. Picture: JEROME BROUILLET / AFP

“I felt really comfortable, prepared, everything. I put in a lot of time and effort.

“And bowing out in that second round, it’s heart-wrenching. But you can really get caught up on things like that, at the end of the day, you just got to learn. It is what it is in that sense, and you’ve got to get up and move on.

“You don’t want to make it any worse than what it already is. The longer you let it drain you, the worse it’s becoming.”

Ranked fifth in the women’s tour, Picklum will aggressively chase the world title in 2025 against the likes of Caitlin Simmers and Caroline Marks.

“You’ll see a very attacking and energised version of me,” Picklum said.

“Of course, winning events this season is huge. I want to ultimately have that peak right at the end there at Cloudbreak (in Fiji) to bring home a world title trophy to Australia.

“Because I think us Aussies definitely deserve to bring one home sooner or later.”

At just 22, Picklum is already showing a maturity beyond her years as she navigates the rollercoaster journey of professional sport.

“When you’re young and sprightful like we are, it’s very much, you want it now,” she said.

“You don’t understand the concept of time and the experience that things take. And you see fellow acquaintances, friends, competitors, achieving things that you think you’re capable of at ages like that.

“We’re in our 20s. And I think for sure an Olympic medal could have been written in my story. But at the end of the day, it hasn’t been.

“I could have been achieving those things, world titles and gold medals for sure this year. I felt more ready than ever. But I don’t deny the fact that those things will come either.”

Picklum won Australia’s female surfer of the year award in December, having won her second Sunset Beach Hawaii tour event in as many years.

Picklum will look to rebound on the tour. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

“It’s a real rollercoaster trying to do the Olympics and the world title run, it’s obviously huge to digest, but now looking back, I didn’t leave anything on the table,” Picklum said.

“Externally, there were things I couldn’t control, I definitely think I could have had a much greater year.

“I would have loved to have won the gold medal and world title, for sure, but I really didn’t leave anything on the table.

“I really set myself up for success, but unfortunately, I didn’t get it in a few ways that I would have loved to.

“I’ve leaned on some good advice. It’s just knowing that better things are coming and time heals certain things. If something doesn’t go your way, it’s not what’s meant to be.

“But you don’t sit on it. You’ve got to keep moving.”

Originally published as Molly Picklum talks failed Paris 2024 campaign, rebounding on surfing world tour