Picklum & Colapinto win at Rip Curl Pro Portugal

Oct 26, 2026

Molly Picklum and Griffin Colapinto in blue competition jerseys holding wooden winners' trophies on the podium at the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal

Photo: Damien Poullenot

Picklum and Colapinto win at pumping Supertubos

Molly Picklum and Griffin Colapinto took the wins at the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal as Supertubos served up six-to-eight foot barrels for Finals Day. Picklum heads to the Philippines in the Yellow Jersey, while Colapinto became the first surfer to win the event three times.

Picklum beats Simmers and takes the Yellow Jersey

Peniche saved its best for the last day of Stop No. 10 on the WSL Championship Tour. Solid sets lined up down the beach at Supertubos, and thousands of fans packed the sand to watch the world's best either make it out of the barrel or get eaten by it.

The women's final was a meeting of World Champions. Picklum opened with a quick barrel before Caitlin Simmers stalled into a deeper cover-up for a better score. Picklum then sat patiently, found the wave she wanted and posted a 7.83. Simmers answered with a 6.67 but needed more, and the ocean gave her nothing else to work with.

It was Picklum's third final of the year and her first win of the season. The result also moves the reigning World Champion to the top of the rankings for the penultimate event of the tour.

Molly Picklum in a green wetsuit and blue jersey standing tall inside a large turquoise barrel at Supertubos, with spectators in the foreground

Photo: Damien Poullenot

“The glow worm absolutely did it,” said Picklum. “Thanks to all my friends and family who stayed up for this one! I love that I get to win in front of them. So many people support me, and I love giving back to them, but right now I’m on top of the world. It was a dream of mine to win here. Portugal is like the cross between the Brazilian energy and Pipeline, those are two of my favourite things. I’m so grateful to win here. Dreams do come true. I’m really happy to hit my stride at the right time. We work so hard and not many people get to win, but I’m so stoked to get my win this year.”

Colapinto makes it three in Peniche

The men's final between Colapinto and three-time World Champion Gabriel Medina was the heat of the event, with both surfers pushing deeper on every wave. Medina led early before Colapinto hit back with an 8.17. Medina then put together back-to-back rides of 8.57 and 8.20, leaving Colapinto with a big number to find.

A set came to him late in the heat. Colapinto pulled in, disappeared behind the curtain and came out to a roar from the beach and a 9.43, enough to take the final. He is now the first surfer to win the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal three times.

Griffin Colapinto in a blue jersey crouched in a heaving green barrel at Supertubos, with spectators in pink hats in the foreground

Photo: Damien Poullenot

“Going back and forth like that, I was thinking back to like the Andy and Kelly days.”

“That’s the dream, how good were the waves out there,” said Colapinto. “The battle with Gabriel was unreal. Going back and forth like that, I was thinking back to like the Andy and Kelly days, growing up and watching that generation, I was hoping I could do that one day and it felt like it was that kind of heat. Portugal has a big place in my heart. It was a dream to back up my brother who won in Ericeira. When Crosby won that, I had a realisation that I need to lock in and he really inspired me. The universe was on my side this week, it felt like things went my way but it’s also the hard work that goes in behind the scenes, and everything I do everyday. I’m just so grateful.”

Runner-up finishes for Medina and Simmers

Both runners-up have won at Supertubos before. Medina reached the final after knocking out Italo Ferreira in the semifinals.

“It’s always fun to compete here,” said Medina. “It’s such a fun wave. To have a Final with Griffin, he’s an amazing surfer and it’s been great to watch him improve. He inspires me to go harder, and I’m just here to make them work! I’m happy with my performance, hopefully I have a shot at Pipe.”

Caitlin Simmers in a red jersey crouched low inside a large turquoise barrel at Supertubos, with spectators in the foreground

Photo: Damien Poullenot

Simmers won in Peniche as a rookie, and this was her first podium of the season. The 2024 World Champion spent the week pulling into heavy barrels at one of her favourite spots.

“I’m so grateful to have a job that takes me here,” said Simmers. “I really mean it when I say Portugal is one of my favourite places on the planet. I really do love surfing, and I’m trying to find the joy in it this year, and it feels like there’s so much more behind every heat win.”

The tour moves on to the Philippines Pro, which runs from October 31 to November 10, 2026. For updates, head to WorldSurfLeague.com.