Surf pundits spent the weekend analyzing the WSL’s return to artificial waves. But complaining about the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro is like beating a dead horse. We know that any comp held at a Kelly Slater wave pool-designed facility will pale when compared to Pipe. But what the pundits don’t bother to mention is that a whole new slew of fans tuned in for some great matchups. These are viewers from traditional sports media who have never had to sit through a 17-minute lull at Bells Beach set to the soundtrack of Joe Turpel.

And what did this new WSL demographic get to witness? Some sparkling performances by the world’s best.

Caitlin Simmers and Italo Ferreira emerged victorious at the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro, Stop No. 2 of the 2025 World Surf League Championship Tour. Simmers defeated Molly Picklum, while Ferreira overcame Rio Waida, both securing the No. 1 ranking in the world.

Surf Abu Dhabi Sets Stage for High-Performance Surfing

Held in one of the best wave pools for surf contests, known for its perfectly engineered waves and consistency, the event leveraged Kelly Slater Wave Company technology to deliver consistent, three-foot waves. Despite occasional wind shifts, the controlled environment provided surfers with equal opportunity to showcase their skills.

Simmers Continues Dominance on Tour

At just 19 years old, Caitlin Simmers secured her seventh CT win in nine Finals appearances. After finishing runner-up at the Lexus Pipe Pro, Simmers now holds a commanding lead in the rankings.

Her Semifinal heat against Gabriela Bryan highlighted the contrast between Bryan’s raw aggression and Simmers’ fluid style. Simmers posted the event’s highest single-wave score, 9.57, with a seamless roundhouse cutback. In the Final against Picklum, she sealed her victory with a decisive backhand blitz.

“The most pressure you’re going to feel is when you’re in a wave pool surf competition waiting for your wave,” Simmers said. “You know exactly what you need, and you’re going to get the opportunity, but you don’t know if you’ll execute it. That’s what makes it special for me.”

Ferreira Reclaims Top Spot in Rankings

Italo Ferreira’s win continues his resurgence following a strong 2024 finish. The 2019 World Champion reached the Semifinals at Pipeline and capitalized on the consistent artificial waves for surf tournaments in Abu Dhabi.

“Wow, I was super excited,” said Ferreira. “I woke up today and I was like watching, moving, like, preparing my mind for those runs. In a wave pool it’s always super exciting when I have a wave or have a chance to perform. You’re always going harder and bigger and that’s what I did, you know. I was so glad to have those moments and have all my team behind.”

Ferreira dominated throughout Finals Day, eliminating Olympic silver medalist Kanoa Igarashi in the Quarterfinals and overcoming Jack Robinson in the Semifinals. His rapid speed and aggressive lip attacks secured a 17.37 heat total, leaving Rio Waida with no path to victory.

The Future of Competitive Wave Pool Surfing

The best artificial waves for competitions continue to push performance levels, offering a consistent and challenging arena for the world’s top surfers. A wave pool, even one as jaw-dropping as Kelly’s, is definitely not Pipe or Cloudbreak. We should expect some whinging from keyboard core lords as the WSL jumps into the deep end and new fans are drawn to the sport.