Latest news with #MollyPicklum
ABC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Kelia Mehani Gallina becomes youngest-ever WSL competitor, set to face Australia's Molly Picklum
Australian surfer Molly Picklum is riding a wave of momentum in 2025 that has her standing at the top of the World Surf League (WSL). The Gosford-born rider heads into this week's Tahiti Pro in a rich vein of form, making the final in the past three events, including victory in Rio de Janeiro. But when Picklum hits the water at the world-famous Teahupo'o, the crowd will be firmly behind a history-making 12-year-old. Tahiti surfer Kelia Mehani Gallina will become the youngest ever competitor in the WSL. Gallina will compete in the opening heat against Picklum and American five-time Champions Tour event winner Lakey Peterson. The pre-teen won event trials in Tahiti last month, earning a wildcard spot into the final event of the season before the finals. In an interview with ABC Sport in the lead-up to the event, Gallina said the waves she expects to surf at Teahupo'o will be bigger than what the 12-year-old will normally go for. "It feels really good, it's exciting," Gallina told ABC Sport ahead of her Champions Tour debut. "It's going to be complicated, but I guess I'll just go out and try … I'm pretty sure I'm good. "A little stressed out because Mollie is definitely one of my heroes. She's also really good at the barrels, so it's going to be an interesting heat. "I know Mollie really well … I can't wait." Picklum spoke of her friendship with Gallina during her own interview with ABC Sport, speaking about training with her last year in preparation for the Olympic Games. Despite being 10 years older and a role model for Gallina, Picklum said the young Tahiti surfer was an inspiration to the Australian. "It'd be cool if she was looking up to me, but in the same way, she inspires me. Her technique, and everything, in the barrel is so good. "She's doing incredible things, and that's, like, the next generation coming through. "It pushes us to keep going further. It's all I want to, I don't want to be just sitting at the top and not being pushed." Picklum has already clinched her spot in the finals in Fiji, but has no intention of taking this week's event lightly. "I'm feeling pretty excited. I've had such a good year, and to just keep on going right to the end is important," she said. "It's not celebration time by any means, but it's definitely [time] to enjoy it and enjoy Tahiti."
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Kelia Mehani Gallina: the 12-year-old girl staring down monster waves at Teahupo'o
When the final leg of the World Surf League (WSL) regular season begins in Tahiti this week, Kelia Mehani Gallina will make history. Just 12 years old, the Tahitian local won the event trials last month to book a spot in the main draw, making her the youngest competitor in WSL history. She will face the current world No 1, Molly Picklum of Australia, and American star Lakey Peterson in the opening round, before celebrating her 13th birthday midway through the event. The contest site, Teahupo'o, is renowned as being among the heaviest waves in the world. But Gallina is a regular – she speaks to the Guardian by phone with her father, Ryan, from their home in Teahupo'o village. 'We can see [the wave] from our bedroom,' says Ryan, who is originally from Hawaii (Kelia's mother is Tahitian). Such is her local status that Kelia's Instagram handle is simply @MissTeahupoo. 'I'm pretty surprised,' the youngster admits after her trials victory. 'I just can't wait.' Her father shares these emotions. 'We're in shock,' he says. 'We always visualised this happening, but not at all did we think it would happen so soon.' Kelia started surfing when she was three, at the suggestion of her father – himself a passionate surfer. 'It's always fun,' she says. 'I have a lot of friends who surf every day too, so I'm just with them, all day, every day.' Barely a decade later, Kelia will surf against the best in the world. In recent years, Kelia has been a regular participant in Rising Tides – a WSL program that sees pro surfers guide and mentor young locals during a competition stop. 'My birthday is 10 August, so it's always been around my birthday,' she says. 'It's the best birthday present ever. It's super inspiring to surf with [defending world champion] Caity Simmers, Molly Picklum, all those girls. I'm excited to have them in a heat.' On a big swell, Teahupo'o is fearsome – waves track thousands of kilometres across the Pacific before unloading on to a shallow Tahitian reef. For a decade and a half, the women's side of the WSL did not feature a leg in Tahiti; the event was discontinued in 2006 reportedly due to injury fears, a decision that was criticised at the time as sexist. That was reversed in 2022 after the WSL men's and women's calendars were integrated. Last year, that decision was more than vindicated when the top female surfers looked at home in heaving 8-10ft Teahupo'o barrels. 'It definitely gives me reasons to want to go on the bigger waves,' Kelia says. 'I feel like the level of the girls is getting way better every year. I'm really happy to be part of that next generation.' The youngster started surfing Teahupo'o at four and a half years old – she can't recall whether she was fearful at first. 'I think so,' she says with a laugh. 'It's kind of hard to remember.' Ryan admits he continues to harbour some concerns, but, he says, 'nothing out of the ordinary for a parent.' 'Of course you worry,' Ryan says. 'Like you worry when they're crossing the street, or riding around in town, there's always somewhat of a worry that comes with being a parent. But I've been about 23 years out at this wave, and feel I know it pretty intimately – so I pride myself in knowing when is a good time [for Kelia to surf].' Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion The pair often surf together. In bigger waves – Kelia says she has previously surfed 12ft faces – Ryan will stay close in the water and help guide his daughter into the waves. 'They're not going to allow that [during competition],' he says. So the Mehani Gallina family are hoping the swell is good, but not too good, come competition day. 'We're praying the waves aren't too big,' he adds. The family also take peace of mind from the fact that 'the best life-saving water patrol in the world' will be close to hand, Ryan says. Not yet a teenager, Kelia says she wants to qualify for the WSL in the future – even if her debut appearance came earlier than expected. 'That's definitely the goal, to make it on tour,' she says. The Mehani Gallina family are trying to manage expectations, though. 'We acknowledge that it is extremely difficult to make it to that level,' Ryan adds. 'It's a goal, but not the goal. Surfing is a lifestyle for us, so whether or not that happens, it's just about being in the ocean, getting better every day and having something you're passionate about.' In the coming days, when the buzzer goes to begin her heat, Kelia will make history – even before she surfs a wave. Could an upset be on the cards? 'I'm just going to wait until the moment,' says Kelia. But Ryan is hoping that age and relative inexperience could work in his daughter's favour. 'There is really no pressure on her to do anything – no one expected her to get this far,' he says. '[Kelia] is the biggest underdog ever – the pressure is on [the other surfers in the heat]. You don't want to lose to a 12-year-old girl.'
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Kelia Mehani Gallina: the 12-year-old girl staring down monster waves at Teahupo'o
When the final leg of the World Surf League (WSL) regular season begins in Tahiti this week, Kelia Mehani Gallina will make history. Aged just 12, the Tahitian local won the event trials last month to book a spot in the main draw, making her the youngest competitor in WSL history. She will face the current world No 1, Molly Picklum of Australia, and American star Lakey Peterson in the opening round, before celebrating her 13th birthday midway through the event. The contest site, Teahupo'o, is renowned as being among the heaviest waves in the world. But Gallina is a regular – she speaks to the Guardian by phone with her father, Ryan, from their home in Teahupo'o village. 'We can see [the wave] from our bedroom,' says Ryan, who is originally from Hawaii (Kelia's mother is Tahitian). Such is her local status that Kelia's Instagram handle is simply @MissTeahupoo. 'I'm pretty surprised,' the youngster admits following her trials victory. 'I just can't wait.' Her father shares these emotions. 'We're in shock,' he says. 'We always visualised this happening, but not at all did we think it would happen so soon.' Kelia started surfing aged three, at the suggestion of her father – himself a passionate surfer. 'It's always fun,' she says. 'I have a lot of friends who surf every day too, so I'm just with them, all day, every day.' Barely a decade later, Kelia will surf against the best in the world. In recent years, Kelia has been a regular participant in 'Rising Tides' – a WSL program that sees pro surfers guide and mentor young locals during a competition stop. 'My birthday is August 10, so it's always been around my birthday,' she says. 'It's the best birthday present ever. It's super inspiring to surf with [defending world champion] Caity Simmers, Molly Picklum, all those girls. I'm excited to have them in a heat.' On a big swell, Teahupo'o is fearsome – waves track thousands of kilometres across the Pacific before unloading onto a shallow Tahitian reef. For a decade and a half, the women's side of the WSL did not feature a leg in Tahiti; the event was discontinued in 2006 reportedly due to injury fears, in a decision that was criticised at the time as sexist. That was reversed in 2022 after the WSL men's and women's calendars were integrated. Last year, that decision was more than vindicated when the top women surfers looked at home in heaving eight to 10ft Teahupo'o barrels. 'It definitely gives me reasons to want to go on the bigger waves,' Kelia says. 'I feel like the level of the girls is getting way better every year. I'm really happy to be part of that next generation.' The youngster started surfing Teahupo'o aged four-and-a-half – she can't recall whether she was fearful at first. 'I think so,' she says with a laugh. 'It's kind of hard to remember.' Ryan admits he continues to harbour some concerns, but, he says, 'nothing out of the ordinary for a parent.' 'Of course you worry,' Ryan says. 'Like you worry when they're crossing the street, or riding around in town, there's always somewhat of a worry that comes with being a parent. But I've been about 23 years out at this wave, and feel I know it pretty intimately – so I pride myself in knowing when is a good time [for Kelia to surf].' Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion The pair often surf together. In bigger waves – Kelia says she has previously surfed 12ft faces – Ryan will stay close in the water and help guide his daughter into the waves. 'They're not going to allow that [during competition],' he says. So the Mehani Gallina family are hoping the swell is good, but not too good, come competition day. 'We're praying the waves aren't too big,' he adds. The family also take peace of mind from the fact that 'the best lifesaving water patrol in the world' will be close to hand, Ryan says. Not yet a teenager, Kelia says she wants to qualify for the WSL in the future – even if her debut appearance came earlier than expected. 'That's definitely the goal, to make it on tour,' she says. The Mehani Gallina family are trying to manage expectations, though. 'We acknowledge that it is extremely difficult to make it to that level,' Ryan adds. 'It's a goal, but not the goal. Surfing is a lifestyle for us, so whether or not that happens, it's just about being in the ocean, getting better every day and having something you're passionate about.' In the coming days, when the buzzer goes to begin her heat, Kelia will make history – even before she surfs a wave. Could an upset be on the cards? 'I'm just going to wait until the moment,' says Kelia. But Ryan is hoping that age and relative inexperience could work in his daughter's favour. 'There is really no pressure on her to do anything – no-one expected her to get this far,' he says. '[Kelia] is the biggest underdog ever – the pressure is on [the other surfers in the heat]. You don't want to lose to a 12-year-old girl.'
Perth Now
28-07-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Bells boost amid massive surf shake-up
An expanded 2026 World Surf League season will start at the iconic Bells Beach, with more spots on the women's tour part of drastic changes for its 50th year. The mid-season cut has been ditched and a new finals system is set to crown the world champions. Bells Beach will again host the first of three Australian events, with a rejigged order moving Snapper Rocks after Margaret River, which has been the event where the mid-season cut has been made since its inception. The three Australian events will kick off the 12-event season, with nine regular-season stops and two post-season events before a revitalised Pipe Masters that will close the season with a high-stakes, all-inclusive finale. 'These changes reflect our commitment to honouring surfing's legacy while continuing to shape its future as the sport enters its 50th year,' WSL chief executive Ryan Crosby said. Jack Robinson celebrates bafter winning the final at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach. Cait Miers/World Surf League) Credit: Supplied 'With the updated formats, we'll see higher stakes from day one, with every heat carrying real consequence throughout the season. Combined with iconic locations, the expanded women's field, and Pipeline as the pinnacle, we're building a tour that better serves our athletes and fans and leads the sport into its next chapter.' As well as the schedule changes, with the WSL covering nine countries across nine months, the majority of the season will feature 36 men and 24 women. Then the tour will narrow to 24 men and 16 women after the ninth event at Lower Trestles in the US for two post-season events in Abu Dhabi and Portugal. Each surfer's best seven of nine results from the regular season will count towards their qualification for the post-season, while the final season rankings, and ultimately the world titles, will be determined by a surfer's best nine of 12 results. The cumulative full-season rankings that will determine the world champions will be heightened by the season closer at Pipeline, where the full 2026 men's and women's Championship Tour fields from the start of the season will all compete. That's a major shift from the top five who will contest a single day, winner-take-all event this year at Teahupo'o for the world title. Australian star Molly Picklum is currently the women's world No.1, with Ethan Ewing the highest-ranked Aussie male, at number five. Australia's Molly Picklum is world No.1 Thiago Diz/World Surf League Credit: Supplied 2026 Championship Tour schedule Stop No. 1 - Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia: April 1 - 11 Stop No. 2 - Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia: April 17 - 27 Stop No. 3 - Snapper Rocks, Queensland, Australia: May 2 - 12 Stop No. 4 - Punta Roca, El Salvador: May 28 - June 7 Stop No. 5 - Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: June 12 - 20 Stop No. 6 - Jeffreys Bay, South Africa: July 10 - 20 Stop No. 7 - Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia: August 8 - 18 Stop No. 8 - Cloudbreak, Fiji: August 25 - September 4 Stop No. 9 - Lower Trestles, San Clemente, Calif., USA: September 11 - 20* Stop No. 10 - Surf Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE: October 14 - 18** Stop No. 11 - Peniche, Portugal: October 22 - November 1 Stop No. 12 - Banzai Pipeline, Hawaiʻi, USA: December 8 - 20*** *Last regular-season event **Start of postseason, reduced field **Full CT fields rejoin postseason surfers to compete for Pipe Masters Titles
Perth Now
28-07-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Revamped surf league to launch on Australian shores
The 50th year of professional surfing will launch with three events in Australia beginning with Victoria's Bells Beach in a revamped World Surf League season. The format has been updated to increase the number of women riders, remove non-elimination rounds, and end with an enlarged finale at Pipeline in Hawaii. After Bells Beach, at the start of April, the 2026 season will move to Margaret River in Western Australia, then, in May, to Snapper Rocks in Queensland. The circuit then goes overseas taking in El Salvador, Brazil, South Africa, Tahiti, Fiji, California, Abu Dhabi and Portugal before the 12th and final event in Hawaii in September. There the full field will compete, with those eliminated after round nine returning. The season will feature 36 men and 24 women, the latter an increase on this season's 18, with the Tour narrowing to 24 men and 16 women for the post-season events in Abu Dhabi and Portugal. The format for the initial nine regular-season events will feature 32 qualified men, two men's season wildcards, and two men's event wildcards; and 21 qualified women, two women's season wildcards, and one women's event wildcard. "These changes reflect our commitment to honouring surfing's legacy while continuing to shape its future as the sport enters its 50th year," said Ryan Crosby, WSL CEO. "With the updated formats, we'll see higher stakes from day one, with every heat carrying real consequence throughout the season. Combined with iconic locations, the expanded women's field, and Pipeline as the pinnacle, we're building a Tour that better serves our athletes and fans, and leads the sport into its next chapter." The current season is still underway with ten of the 12 rounds completed. Gosford's Molly Picklum leads the women's event after one first and two seconds in the last three rounds. Queensland's Isabella Nichols is fourth and two-time world champion Tyler Wright seventh. Brazil's Yago Dora leads the men's event with Queenslander Ethan Ewing and Margaret River's Jack Robinson the best-placed Australians in fifth and eight respectively. The next round is in Tahiti from August 7 with the WSL Finals in Fiji from August 27. 2026 Championship Tour Schedule Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia: April 1 - 11 Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia: April 17 - 27 Snapper Rocks, Queensland, Australia: May 2 - 12 Punta Roca, El Salvador: May 28 - June 7 Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: June 12 - 20 Jeffreys Bay, South Africa: July 10 - 20 Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia: August 8 - 18 Cloudbreak, Fiji: August 25 - September 4 Lower Trestles, San Clemente, California, USA: September 11 - 20 Surf Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE: October 14 - 18 Peniche, Portugal: October 22 - November 1 Banzai Pipeline, Hawaii, USA: December 8 - 20
