American surfer Caitlin Simmers also known as Caity Simmers, 18, was raised in Oceanside, California, and joined her parents and younger brother in the local harbor to surf the waves. Caity is now qualified for a spot in the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Caity Simmers’ Early Years in California and Her Family
Caitlin “Caity” Simmers, born on October 26, 2005, in Oceanside, California, found her love for surfing at a young age alongside her family. Her parents Alexandra Sandelin Simmers(Mother), a registered nurse, and Jesse Simmers (Father) married in 2001 and raised Caity and her younger brother Timothy in the surf town of Oceanside. Caity’s mother studied at the University of California, San Diego, and graduated in 1994 and went to Sequoia High School, while her grandparents Rose and John Sandelin live nearby.
The Simmers family has documented their lives through their Instagram page showing Caity’s close relationship with her parents and brother through various trips and adventures.
Standing at 5 foot 3 inches tall and weighing 114 pounds, Caity grew up riding the waves right in her backyard, quickly progressing from boogie boarding and hip hop dance to surfing alongside her family.
Her brother Timothy Collin Simmers, now 16, who was born on April 28, 2007, shares Caity’s passions for surfing and ocean sports.
Silverado Hospice who Studied at the University of California, San Diego Graduated in 1994 and went to Sequoia High School.
Caity Simmers Qualified for the Paris Olympics 2024
Caitlin “Caity” Simmers,18, has qualified to represent the United States at the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. Her qualification caps off years of hard work and remarkable competitive achievements at a young age.
Most recently, Caity captured a victory at the 2024 Pipe Pro held at the infamous Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii. In a close final, it was the Simmers who came out on top with a winning score of 12.66 points to 10.64.
“This wave is terrifying. I respect everyone who wants a part of it – and everyone who doesn’t want a part of it, because it’s friggin’ freaky,”
Simmers said after her win.
Surfing Career of Caity Simmers So far
Her Early Career
Caitlin “Caity” Simmers grabbed attention on the surfing scene from a remarkably young age. She first gained notoriety by qualifying for the 2018 USA Surf Team at age At 12, becoming the youngest surfer at the ISA World Surfing Games in Japan. That same year, her talents earned her finalist honors for Sports Illustrated’s “SportsKid of the Year” award.
At just 15 years old in 2019, she won the Vans US Open of Surfing Pro Junior event. Before the next WSL season was postponed in 2020, she posted her best-ever 5th-place result in a Qualifying Series event at the SLO CAL Open Morro Bay.
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Caity qualified for the WSL Championship Tour in 2021 at only 15 years old. Shortly after, she chooses to turn down the opportunity to work on her surfing at her own pace while balancing school. Winning the iconic US Open that same year made her name as one of the youngest surfers to ever do so.
Simmers added to her growing resume by winning the Jack’s Pro WQS, Nissan Super Girl Pro, and Vans Stab High Ladybird events by 16. After initially passing on the WSL Championship Tour again in 2022, Caity proved over and over she could compete with the top pros being the youngest in any given field.
Caity Professional Career
Caitlin “Caity” Simmers at just 18 years old was onto the elite World Surf League Championship Tour with a statement rookie season by a great win. At the Banzai Pipeline on Oahu’s North Shore, Caity conquered death-defying barrels to claim the Pipe Pro title in January 2024 her first CT victory.
Having claimed the WSL Rookie of the Year award in 2023 on the CT after choosing to spend 2021 and 2022 refining her game, Caity’s rate of improvement surprises the surfing world. With win after statement win, this teenage talent could lift her to heights at a remarkably young age.
Some of Catlin’s regardless achievements up to 2024 are given below:
At just 18 years old, teenage surfing phenom Caitlin “Caity” Simmers already has competitive achievements in junior and professional tours. This includes podium finishes at the ISA Junior World Championships, WSL Junior Tour events, the Super Girl Pro, and the US Open of Surfing.
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Her success continued on the WSL Championship Tour with several event wins and runner-up finishes against the world’s best surfers, so far in her breakthrough victory at the 2024 Pipeline Pro. Named the 2023 WSL Rookie of the Year, Caity also achieved top 5 finishes in the season standings including 4th place at the WSL Finals. With such consistent domination on championship tours featuring top rivals nearly twice her age.
