Queen of the waves returns

WORLD Surf League (WSL) women’s champion Molly Picklum has been given a “second homecoming” at Rip Curl in Torquay to celebrate her famous recent victory.

The Rip Curl team-rider was welcomed back by more than 50 staff members earlier today (Thursday, September 25).

Picklum took out her first world surfing title three weeks ago at the WSL Finals in Fiji, defeating American Caroline Marks in a best of three matchup.

The 22-year-old was given a guard of honour on her entry to Rip Curl Torquay before participating in a special Q&A with staff.

She then had the great pleasure of putting her plaque up next to the other Rip Curl world champions including Stephanie Gilmore, Mick Fanning, Tyler Wright and Gabriel Medina.

Picklum spoke exclusively to the Surf Coast Times this morning about her greatest professional surfing achievement.

“It’s like the second homecoming for me being back here in Torquay,” she said.

“I’ve been supported by these guys from the first day of my professional surfing career and now we are at the pinnacle together.

“Being a world champion has been that dangling carrot that has gotten me out of bed every morning, and all of a sudden you do it and you’re jumping out of bed every day.”

She said she was incredibly proud of the way she went about winning the world title.

“I had a lot of noise going around in my head to make sure I approached it right – I guess this was just me being nervous.

“I had my structures and framework that I stuck by, and then from there it was just a blast.”

Picklum said she now had all eyes on targeting another world title in 2026.

“It just feels like we are getting started, so let’s ramp it up and go for it.

“It’s the best feeling, the monkey is off the back and now I just want to do it any way that I can.”