Pick just about any random sand bar along the North Shore on any random winter day and you’re guaranteed to spot a notable surfer. The heavy hitters don’t confine themselves to just Pipe. In fact, a lot of people venture off to some of the zone’s more playful, fun waves just so they can escape the intensity of a packed Pipe and Backdoor lineup. And some days that means paddling out at one of these waves will mean a very, very high concentration of world-class talent.
These fun All-Star-like lineups are entertaining. It’d be tough not to stop and watch every time Caity Simmers or Mason Ho takes a wave on a day like this. Simmers, of course, is coming off a very productive business trip to Oahu. She maintained the momentum of last year’s top-five finish and her first shot in a WSL Finals Day by winning the Pipe Pro and then nabbing an equal fifth up the road at Sunset.
“Pipeline’s for the f***ing girls, that’s all I have to say,” she said right after the win, instantly nabbing one of the most iconic quotes in the sport’s history.
But even away from the intensity and adrenaline of the North Shore’s marquee waves, Simmers stands out in a crowd of ultra-talented surfers. This small, playful day is a perfect example of how that style translates to all conditions.
“Caity knows exactly who she is and what she’s doing and is so clearly comfortable with it,” Senior Editor Joe Carberry said following her win. “She’s got a brand that’s all hers, based on her unpredictable style – her ability to read what’s in front of her and what the wave gives her. Surfing, and competing, are simple for her because she’s never one to overdo it.”
