Road to Paris 2024: Defying Death Waves, 18-Year-Old Surfer Set to Represent USA at Mega-Games

Caitlin Simmers, the 18-year-old surfing prodigy, has made waves among her community by outperforming her competitors at every stage. For the last season of World Surfing League, the youngster held 2 top podium finishes and a 2nd placing to make her way to the finals. Through rivalry and through newness, Simmers solidified her position on the road to Paris 2024.

Today, as she returns for the 2024 surfing season with her first win at Pipe Pro and as an Olympic qualifier, here are a few things to know about the teen surfer, steadily treading her way to the pinnacle.

Meet the surfing prodigy on the road to Paris 2024

Caitlin Simmers’s passion and talent for surfing stems right from her home. The youngster reveals her family has always stayed close to beaches, thus sparking an interest in Boogie boarding alongside her brother. The playful practice between the siblings as kids grew with Caitlin’s competitiveness and the will to take the skills forward. “I don’t think I ever really was thinking too much about like the far future… I was like, started competing and surfing, and then I figured out I should do something with it,” Simmers states in an interview with Team USA.

The teenager further reveals that it is something about surfing a wave made from a million miles that keeps her in a rush for the sport. In the process, Caitlin Simmers has qualified for the Paris Olympics in the women’s shortboard category. Continuing on this journey, the 18-year-old hopes to inspire others with her achievements, and with her records, Simmers is well on the path to doing just that.

A path of growth and inspiration

Caitlin Simmers had a pretty successful season at the Championship Tour in 2023. But before she headed down the path, she initially declined the opportunity, expressing her desire to focus on surfing and spend time with her family and friends. However, neither she nor the industry could overlook the talent she possessed when she eventually joined the 2023 season. From there, the rookie rose to exceptional heights. Her motto, “Live fast, die young, bad girls do it well,” might as well be her secret to climbing the ladder well.

Also Read: Road to Paris 2024: 40-Year-Old Olympian Overcomes COVID and Years of Abuse, Sets Eyes on Podium Spot

Caitlin Simmers, having drawn inspiration from videos online, wishes to continue the chain for those following behind. Speaking of it, the surfing prodigy adds, “I kind of want to bring that upon other people. Like make my contribution to that.” Interestingly, the 18-year-old is known to have excellent editing skills after working on her film ‘Toasted’.

Moreover, as for exuding inspiration, the teenage surfer announced her dominant presence, clinching a win at WSL 2024’s first stop. Now with momentum in place on road to Paris 2024, and an experience incurred in Tahiti previously, Simmers only awaits a podium finish.

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