Molly Picklum backs Barwon Heads teen Ellie Harrison to qualify for World Surf League tour in future
Aussie surfer Molly Picklum was on the receiving end of Ellie Harrison’s breakout Rip Curl Pro performance last year – with the 19-year-old picking up where she left off during Friday’s opening heats.
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Australia’s top surfer Molly Picklum believes Barwon Heads teen Ellie Harrison has what it takes to make it on the World Surf League tour, declaring the wildcard’s ability and local knowledge makes her a real threat to win this week’s Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.
Harrison had Picklum’s measure for a second year in the opening round of the Rip Curl Pro on Friday, the 19-year-old in control at the Bells Bowls with a 13.00, against Picklum (9.23) and French surfer Vahine Fierro (8.76), to advance straight through to the round of 16.
Picklum, 22, was also on the receiving end of Harrison’s breakout performance at last year’s Rip Curl Pro, when the local wildcard claimed an opening heat win against Picklum – then the world number one on the tour – and fellow Aussie Isabella Nichols.
Harrison then went on to back it up by knocking out reigning two-time Rip Curl Pro champ Tyler Wright in the round of 16 to reach the quarterfinals – where she was beaten by Frenchwoman and eventual runner-up Johanne Defay.
Harrison said last year’s results gave her confidence – despite still feeling a bit out of place among the world’s best surfers.
“I feel like I know I can get scores on this level,” Harrison said after her opening heat win.
“(But) I still feel like I’m not meant to be here in a way, I’m not on tour, so it’s a wildcard so it’s still all a bit, like giddy.”
The Barwon Heads surfer got her second Bells Beach start, replacing Brazilian Tatiana Weston-Webb, who has withdrawn for the remainder of the WSL season, as a wildcard.
Picklum said there was “two ways” to look at local wildcard surfers.
“You go to some places in the world and the local wildcard, they come in, they know the spot but maybe their surf level isn’t up to that scratch, but Ellie’s is absolutely up there and she will qualify (for the tour) one day I’m sure,” Picklum said on Thursday.
“She has the ability and knowledge for her to go all the way and win (this week), and that’s exciting.
“It obviously adds another great surfer to the mix and ultimately, it is a threat, but I think you can use it to your advantage as well.”
Up to six Aussie surfers will be in the mix in the women's’ draw this week – with Picklum, Harrison Wright and Nichols joined by two-time Bells champion Sally Fitzgibbons, and local wildcard Carly Shanahan.
Picklum credited the rich culture of Australian surfing for the calibre of talent coming through the pipeline.
“Ellie’s honestly leading the charge for the next generation as well under her, she’s that middle crop probably from me to the next little groms coming through, so Ellie’s a super important part in that,” Picklum said.
“And the women, they’re getting so much better too – the 12-year-old I saw myself as to the 12-year-old coming through now is way better.”
For Picklum, currently third in the championship rankings, the desire to ring the bell this week is stronger than ever – her runner-up finish in 2023 followed by a disappointing round of 16 exit in 2024.
“I think, I got the taste for the podium and ringing the little bell here and it made me realise how much I definitely want to win and how much it would mean to me,” she said.
“Coming back the next year and not being able to back that up, it hurts.
“But ultimately too, I know, it’s an event out 12 events to win a world title … if I can bounce back at any moment, lets see what I can bounce back from this year.”
Simmers ready to ‘do what I’ve got to do to win’
Caitlin Simmers feels the pressure of coming in as defending Bells Beach champion - but it’s a burden the Californian believes helped her carve out her place as the youngest-ever female world surfing champion.
Twelves months on from a special buzzer-beater win in last year’s Rip Curl Pro final, the now 19-year-old Simmers arrives back in Australia with a world title in tow - claiming her first World Surf League championship back in September.
“I always feel pressure - I feel it’s why we do it and if I didn’t feel pressure I probably wouldn’t have been a world champion and I probably wouldn’t been a winning surfer,” Simmer said.
“I feel a lot of pressure a lot of the the time, but luckily I’m pretty good at handling pressure - sometimes it’s hard - but I’m just grateful to be able to surf for a living.”
Touching down in Australia on Wednesday, Simmers fronted Thursday’s official press conference with a serious case of jetlag - the Surf City El Salvador Pro only concluding on Saturday.
But the pro surfer isn’t letting tiredness stand in the way of the task ahead of her this week.
“I feel like I am ready, but I’m also not ready but I have to be ready so I am... if that makes sense,” Simmers said with a laugh.
“Just gotta do what I’ve got to do to win.
“It is a very hard wave and I guess coming in yesterday, (I) haven’t got much practice but I’m glad I’ve had two years of experience here so I think, I know this wave, I’m not a complete stranger to it, so that’s good.
“It is a very good wave - on its good day, it’s a very fun wave so I’m excited.”
Currently atop the championship rankings, with a runners-up finish at the Lexus Pipe Pro and a win in Abu Dhabi, Simmers said she had gotten used to the whirlwind that is life on tour.
“Now it’s my third year on tour - I think I’m just more comfortable with myself, and I’m just a more grown up person,” she said.
“More comfortable in front of cameras, doing interviews, being recorded.
“I think I’ve learned a lot being on tour - going to a bunch of places around the world and seeing so many cultures, I think it makes you grow up pretty quick and makes you a pretty cultured person, so I’m grateful for that.”
As for her growing rivalry with Aussie Molly Picklum, Simmers holds a healthy respect for the battles between the two.
“She’s my good friend... and I feel she makes me surf better so always excited to go against it,” Simmers said.
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Originally published as Molly Picklum backs Barwon Heads teen Ellie Harrison to qualify for World Surf League tour in future
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