Overview

• Picklum arrived in Sydney to a hero’s welcome, celebrating with family and friends two days after the Cloudbreak finals.
• She sealed the championship by defeating 2023 titleholder Caroline Marks in a best-of-three showdown in Fiji.
• Her victory delivered Australia’s first surfing world crown since Stephanie Gilmore’s 2022 triumph.
• Past champions Steph Gilmore and Layne Beachley reached out with congratulations, which Picklum called a full-circle moment.
• She outlined ambitions for more titles and Brisbane 2032 Olympic gold, as the WSL confirmed the first three 2026 events will run in Australia from April 1–11 starting at Bells Beach.