ITALO FERREIRA AND CAITLIN SIMMERS THRILLED TO MAKE HISTORY AS WINNERS OF THE INAUGURAL SURF ABU DHABI PRO
Italo Ferreira and Caitlin Simmers, the winners of the inaugural Surf Abu Dhabi Pro, have spoken of their delight at making history in the first World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour event in the Middle East.
Brazilian surfer Ferreira, in the men's category, and American national Simmers in the women's event, claimed victory on Sunday night after three days of world-class surfing at Surf Abu Dhabi.
An appreciative and enthusiastic capacity crowd on the banks of Surf Abu Dhabi watched on as Ferreira defeated Indonesian star Rio Waida in the final after Simmers, the 2024 WSL champion, beat Molly Picklum from Australia.
Ferreira said: 'That was really special for me making history here. There was a lot of work behind it. I have been training a lot for this moment. I'm so glad to live in this moment – that was very special. It's great to be here and have this kind of wave pool in the middle of the desert in Abu Dhabi. I saw some new guys enjoying the pool and surfing for the first time and this is very special for the sport, and for us as well.'
The semi-finals earlier on Sunday saw 30-year-old Ferreira defeat the Australian surfer Jack Robinson, while Waida overcame Robinson's countryman Ethan Ewing.
Simmers, 19, triumphed over Gabriela Bryan from Hawaii in her semi-final while Picklum beat Frenchwoman Vahine Fierro.
Simmers said: 'It's pretty crazy. I'm just in a place where I never thought I would be – I never really thought that I would be in Abu Dhabi winning a surf contest. I feel like it's a very unique contest to win and I guess the fact that it's the first-ever contest here really makes it, like more unique. It's just fun.
'I love getting barreled on the surfboard, so that was just the funniest part about it. I know that every wave I'm going to get a barrel. It's just been a really fun learning opportunity to learn how to perform under pressure.'
Ferreira won the WSL title in 2019 and achieved 2020 Olympic gold, while Simmers is the current WSL CT champion, emerging victorious in the 2024 season at just 18 to become the youngest woman in history to achieve the feat.
Surf Abu Dhabi features state-of-the-art wave technology, powered by Kelly Slater's WaveCo. The innovative man-made system holds multiple Guinness World Records, including the longest and largest artificial wave pool, and the world's biggest barrel.
The recent Lexus Pipe Pro in Hawaii began the 2025 WSL CT, with Surf Abu Dhabi Pro the second of 12 spots in the global season. The world-class surfers taking part in the incredible waves in Abu Dhabi over the weekend have been competing for a shot at the World Title at the season-ending WSL Finals.
With most inquiries for Surf Abu Dhabi Pro coming from outside the UAE – and Surf Abu Dhabi's existing user base already comprised 75% international visitors – the event has solidified the UAE capital city's status as a global destination. The Surf Abu Dhabi Pro has welcomed world-class surfers, raised awareness of the sport, inspired future generations and fostered long-term growth within the local tourism industry.
Surf Abu Dhabi is developing a range of initiatives and events, including surf mastery retreats, festivals, and concerts, designed to enhance the surf experience, attract a wider audience, and showcase Abu Dhabi's vibrant culture and entertainment offerings. While details remain under wraps, these future developments will build upon the success of the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro and contribute to the continued growth of surfing and sports tourism in the region.
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