Gabriel Medina and Caitlin Simmers each beat a surfer ranked in the world’s top two to become the first champions of the first World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour Philippines Pro at Cloud 9. Both titles were decided on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.

Simmers, the American world No. 6, became the first women’s champion of the Philippine leg. Medina, the Brazilian world No. 4, claimed the inaugural men’s crown.

Top Rivals Fall at Cloud 9

Medina eliminated world No. 1 Yago Dora in the semifinals. Robinson secured his finals berth by beating fellow Australian Ethan Ewing in the other semifinal.

In the final, Medina beat Australia’s Jack Robinson, 16.93-14.50. He built the score with a 9.43 on his opening wave and a 7.50 on his second.

Robinson, ranked No. 12 in the world, posted an 8.23 and a 6.27 but settled for second place. Simmers secured her place in the final by beating world No. 2 Carissa Moore in the semifinals.

Moore’s campaign ended after an Interference Penalty 2 wiped out the wave where the violation occurred and her second scoring wave. Isabella Nichols reached the title match by beating fellow Australian Tyler Wright.

Simmers beat Nichols, 12.00-10.77, in the women’s final. Nichols, from Australia, fell short in her bid for the title.

Siargao Prize Money and Support

Medina and Simmers will each receive US$80,000 for winning the men’s and women’s titles, respectively. Runners-up Robinson and Nichols will take home US$40,000 apiece.

Dora, Ewing, Moore and Wright, who finished third in their respective divisions, will each pocket US$20,000. Filipino bets John Mark “Marama” Tokong and Jayuard Alciso will each receive US$14,000.

Noah Arkfeld will take home US$13,000, while young Filipina surfer Mara Lopez will receive US$13,500. The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) presented the competition.

Surigao del Norte Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers, General Luna Mayor Johnson Sajulga and Vice Mayor Romina Sajulga lent their support. The event was also backed by several government agencies and state-linked organizations.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Department of Tourism (DOT) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) also supported the event. So did the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and NEA/SIARELCO.