San Clemente's Griffin Colapinto claimed his third victory at the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal on Friday, Oct. 23, marking another significant achievement for the local surf community. The final day of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour's 10th stop unfolded at the renowned Supertubos surf break, often referred to as the “Portuguese Pipeline,” where thousands of surf fans witnessed competition in what the WSL described as "pumping 6- to 8-foot barrels."
Colapinto secured his win by besting Brazilian surfer and three-time world champion Gabriel Medina in a hard-fought battle. According to the WSL, the two competitors went “blow-to-blow” in the "bombing barrels," exchanging excellent scores throughout their heat. Medina initially held an early lead, posting an 8.57 and an 8.20 after Colapinto had scored an 8.17.
The decisive moment came when Colapinto "disappeared in a Supertubos cavern before reemerging to the cheers of the crowds and a 9.43 to close out the heat and secure the win," as announced by the WSL. Reflecting on his victory and the conditions, Colapinto stated, "That’s the dream, how good were the waves out there," and noted that "Portugal has a big place in my heart."
His triumph followed closely on the heels of his brother, Crosby Colapinto, who recently won a Challenger Series event, the EDP Ericeira Pro, also in Portugal. Crosby's win earned him crucial points toward rejoining next year’s World Tour. Griffin Colapinto shared that his brother’s success served as an inspiration, stating, "When Crosby won that, I had a realization that I need to lock in and he really inspired me." He attributed his success to a combination of fortune and consistent effort, adding, "The universe was on my side this week, it felt like things went my way, but it’s also the hard work that goes in behind the scenes, and everything I do every day. I’m just so grateful."
In the women's division, Oceanside surfer Caitlin Simmers earned a runner-up spot, with Australian surfer Molly Picklum taking the event win. Picklum, the reigning world champion, secured her first victory of the season after competing against her friend Simmers, who won a world championship in 2024 CT. Simmers expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to compete in such a locale, noting, "I’m so grateful to have a job that takes me here." She further added, "I really mean it when I say Portugal is one of my favourite places on the planet. I really do love surfing, and I’m trying to find the joy in it this year, and it feels like there’s so much more behind every heat win."
The WSL Championship Tour will now head to its next stop, the Philippines Pro, scheduled to run from Oct. 31 to Nov. 10.
