“There Definitely Needs To Be More Girls That Try Airs”

“She’ll be a pro surfer by accident,” Evan Slater said of Caity Simmers. 

The Billabong marketing wiz and former journalist went on to aptly compare Caity with Dane Reynolds and Tom Curren (a resemblance other big names have spotted, too) for their similar freakish talent on a surfboard and ‘aloofness’ to accept the spotlight that comes with it. 

Caity’s transcendent ability has landed her on the list of 20 women invited to the Vans Pipe Masters (December 8-20). But Pipeline and Backdoor are worlds apart from the waves the 17-year-old grew up in, or even the multiple Stab Highs she’s surfed. It’s also a stacked field with 13 combined women’s World Titles and some of the best tube specialists on the planet. 

How will Caity cope with such a new and intense environment?

“I’m not a very strategic person, I’m not trying to make this elaborate strategy,” Caity says. “I’m just trying to go out there and get some barrels.”

Dane would probably approve of that response. Another great Caity quote: “Money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy a ticket.” Perhaps she’s keen to return to dismantle peaks in Australia (probs not Snapper) or Indo?

Hit play on our latest competitor profile to watch Caity describe her first proper wave at Pipeline (this past winter), her allergy to post-heat interviews and how her blue-collar family helps her surf and smile every day.