Poor conditions put Rio Pro surfing on hold

Australian surfer Molly Picklum is ranked fourth in the women's competition. (HANDOUT/World Surf League)

Competition at the Rio Pro has been called off for a further two days as World Surf League organisers await the arrival of improved swell at Praia de Itauna.

Small and inconsistent conditions means surfing in the Championship Tour's penultimate round in Brazil won't get under way until at least Wednesday (AEST).

“We woke up to a small increase in wave size, but it’s still not enough,” said WSL commissioner Jessi Miley-Dyer.

"We’re still looking at a new swell coming, so tomorrow is also off.

"We’re going to continue to analyse the forecast, but we know we’ve got a swell coming for the back part of the window and we’re going to have waves.”

With one event remaining after Rio, at Fiji's Cloudbreak, surfers are looking to secure a top-five ranking to surf in the WSF Finals - a one-day winner-takes-all contest - at California's Lower Trestles in September.

There are three Australians currently inside the cut-off, with Molly Picklum ranked fourth in the women's competition.

Current world No.2 Jack Robinson is the top Australian man, while Ethan Ewing sits at four.

Two-time world champion Tyler Wright, currently ninth, faces a near-impossible battle to make the top five after withdrawing from the Rio Pro with a foot injury.

Caitlin Simmers will defend her 2023 Rio title and look to extend her lead at the top of the rankings.

The 18-year-old sits just 440 points clear of fellow American and reigning world champion Caroline Marks.

Hawaii's John John Florence has a healthy lead in the men's rankings and has already clinched his spot in the title decider.

Florence has won twice in Brazil - in 2012 and 2016 - while local star Filipe Toledo is the defending champion.

Last year, Picklum made the Rio Open quarter-finals, Robinson bowed out early, and Ewing lost the final to Toledo.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store