Molly Picklum, a 22-year-old surfer from the Central Coast, rocked the surfing world this week. She came back to Sydney and was given a hero’s welcome! Only two days after her exciting win against American Caroline Marks in the World Surf League (WSL) finals in Fiji, Picklum danced. She celebrated her first world championship title with the family and friends in attendance. Her victory is not just a beautiful moment in time. She is the first Australian world champion since Stephanie Gilmore won her eighth title in 2022.
Picklum’s path to the championship was anything but easy. Facing off against the fiercest competition in all of professional skateboarding, she proved her incredible talent and razor focus during each run of finals. As she landed in Sydney on Thursday afternoon, she clutched her trophy tightly, radiating pride.
A Hero’s Welcome
As soon as Picklum landed home, she was welcomed home in style by family, friends and supporters. They gave her a rousing welcome as she came off the plane. “I had all my school friends and friends that have seen me from young and just watched it all unfold, and then mum meeting me at the top of the escalators was super cool,” she said, reflecting on the warm reception.
The energy in the room was palpable as fans from near and far came to pay tribute to her historic accomplishment. It was undoubtedly a moment of joy and pride for not only Picklum but for the entire Australian surfing community. The realisation of her accomplishment was still settling in for Picklum, who expressed her gratitude for the support she received from loved ones and fans alike.
Joining an Elite Club
Now, with her triumph, Picklum enters an elite class of Australian surfing royalty. She acknowledged the encouragement she received from past champions, stating, “Those legends reached out straight away. They’re all proud of me.” This support from icons like Gilmore and Layne Beachley really built the hype around her victory.
“It’s like a full circle moment, and they’ve definitely watched me come through and to now be fighting with them and being a part of that club. It’s just such an honour,” Picklum remarked about her new status among Australia’s surfing greats.
Now, as Picklum enjoys the fruits of her hard-earned accomplishment, she looks back at what it took to get to the top of her sport. “The way the system is, it’s definitely a big mountain to climb at the end of the year,” she noted. Her grit and resilience have finally produced a lucky break, leading to a fairytale win.
Looking Ahead
Now that her first world title is in the bag, Picklum is looking forward to her future in the sport. She referred to her championship victory as “the cherry on top” of moments that have already been remarkable during her journey. The new WSL Champions Tour season will begin at Victoria’s Bells Beach in Australia from April 1-11. This season-opening event will provide Picklum with tremendous opportunities to display her prodigious talent on home soil in front of raucous and passionate fans.
