Caitlin Simmers (USA) and Gabriel Medina (BRA) have claimed the women’s and men’s titles at the inaugural World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour Philippines Pro, concluding a landmark event at Cloud 9 in Siargao on November 3, 2026.
Making its debut on the Championship Tour calendar, the event brought the world’s leading surfers to the Philippines, where consistent overhead swells and powerful, hollow conditions provided a memorable setting for the competition.
Simmers defeated Isabella Nichols (AUS) 12.00 to 10.77 in the women’s final, while Medina overcame Jack Robinson (AUS) with a two-wave total of 16.93 to 14.50 to secure the men’s title.
Caitlin Simmers secured her first victory of the 2026 season after overcoming Isabella Nichols in the women’s final. The 2024 World Champion produced a two-wave total of 12.00 to Nichols’ 10.77, delivering the decisive performance to become the first women’s champion of the Philippines Pro.
Simmers’ campaign also included a semifinal victory over rankings leader Carissa Moore (HAW), before she advanced to the final against Nichols, who had progressed past fellow Australian Tyler Wright.
In the men’s competition, three-time World Champion Gabriel Medina delivered a standout performance against Jack Robinson. Medina established his advantage with an excellent 9.43 barrel, supported by a 7.50, to finish with 16.93 points. Robinson responded with an 8.23 and a 6.27 but could not find the additional score required to take the lead.
The victory marked Medina’s first Championship Tour win since 2023 and moved him into second place in the men’s rankings, behind fellow Brazilian Yago Dora.
The inaugural Philippines Pro provided a significant addition to the 2026 Championship Tour, bringing elite professional surfing to Cloud 9 for the first time.
For Simmers and Medina, the victories deliver important momentum heading into the final event of the season. Simmers moves into third place in the women’s rankings, while Medina climbs to second in the men’s standings.
The Championship Tour now turns towards the season finale at Pipeline, Hawaii, in December, where the remaining championship battles will reach their conclusion.
Following its successful debut, the Philippines Pro has established Cloud 9 as a new destination on the Championship Tour calendar, bringing the 2026 season another step closer to its conclusion.
