Simmers and Medina win first Philippines Pro at Cloud 9

The first World Surf League Championship Tour event held in the Philippines ended on Tuesday, November 3, with Caitlin Simmers and Gabriel Medina taking the women's and men's titles at Cloud 9 in Siargao Island.

Medina, the Brazilian world No. 4, beat Australian Jack Robinson 16.93 to 14.50 in the men's final. He opened with a 9.43 and backed it up with a 7.50, while Robinson, ranked No. 12, answered with an 8.23 and a 6.27. On the way, Medina knocked out world No. 1 Yago Dora at the semifinal stage, and Robinson got past Ethan Ewing. Surfer reported it was Medina's first win in 24 events.

Simmers, the American world No. 6, took the women's final over Australia's Isabella Nichols, 12.00 to 10.77. Her semifinal against world No. 2 Carissa Moore turned on an Interference Penalty 2 given to Moore, a call Surfer called controversial. Surfer also reported that Simmers competed with seven stitches in her ankle after a quarterfinal collision with Yolanda Hopkins. Nichols earned her final spot by beating Tyler Wright.

Both winners collect US$80,000, and Robinson and Nichols get US$40,000 each. Filipino entrants John Mark "Marama" Tokong and Jayuard Alciso receive US$14,000 apiece, Filipina surfer Mara Lopez gets US$13,500 and Noah Arkfeld US$13,000. Surfer named local wildcard Tokong a standout of the early rounds in four-to-six-foot-plus barrels.

The Philippine Sports Commission presented the event, with support from Surigao del Norte Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers and General Luna officials. For surfers here, it means Cloud 9 has now hosted a Championship Tour stop. According to Surfer, the tour moves on to Hawaii, and the Lexus Pipe Masters in December will decide the 2026 world champions.