Power On Portraits - Molly Picklum WSL Season Kick Off.

On the eve of the 2026 World Surf League Championship Tour season, mophie ambassador Molly Picklum returns as the reigning World Champion, with three events on Australian soil to open the year.

After a whirlwind few months since claiming the title, she reflects on the reset, the rhythm of the off-season, and the mindset it takes to stay ready when everything ramps up again. As the tour evolves and the competition deepens, this is Molly focused, grounded, and ready to Power On.

It's been a few months since you were crowned World champion. When you think back now, what stands out most from that moment?

I think from that specific moment, it's just how crazy how many things factored into it and what led up to that specific moment. It's just such a weird thing looking back and realizing that that one little moment meant the magnitude of it all. It’s such a trip when I reflect back on that moment.

How did you spend the days right after the win? Was it celebration? Reflection or straight back to reality? 

It was just a whole lot of celebration and sharing the feelings, the emotions, the stories, all of that. Yeah, it was just a lot of socializing and sharing and expelling a lot of energy and celebrating what was such a good year.

Then after that, you hit a really big wall and you have maybe a few days off or a week off if you're lucky, and then you have more commitments and then you get through all of your commitments and then it gets back to reality!

Has the way you see yourself or your surfing changed since becoming world champion?

I guess you actually trust that you have enough to be at the top of your sport, to be the pinnacle of your sport, so it's a comforting feeling but everything's still the same. I still see so many imperfections in my surfing that I want to improve on, and I just keep tinkering with the craft of being a professional surfer. It just kind of, I guess, the (world title) monkey is off the back, kind of a feel.

What's been the biggest adjustment stepping into a season as the one to beat?

I just keep reframing it in my head and keeping it in my perspective, not getting lost in the narrative others may be projecting, so for me it's pretty simple.

I know the things I want to work on. I know who I am, what works for me.

I have so much confidence in my team and the crew around me. I don't know, it just doesn't really feel like I've got to do this big toss and climb this huge mountain again. But yeah, we'll see. 

What did the off season look like for you this year? Did you switch off or double down?

For me, I switched off. I just came back to the Central Coast (New South Wales, Australia). I mean, the off season was so long so I got to do a bit of both. I got to really R & D some boards with (surfboard shaper) Darren (Hanley). I got to hang with my friends, try other sports like pickleball, tennis, golf, just prioritize the fun things. There was always bits and pieces of work so it wasn't just completely switched off the whole time, so it wasn't too hard to switch back on coming preseason. But yeah, I definitely hit cruise control for a bit.

Was there anything specific you focused on improving coming into 2026?

No, I feel like I've honestly saved my surf froth for when the season starts, and I'll start focusing and improving throughout the season. That's something that brings me a lot of energy, so I thought I'd keep that fire for when the season starts.

The 2026 season is about to get under way. Where’s your head at right now?

Right now I feel quite present, I'd say and steady. I don't feel in a rush. I don't feel like I need to be anywhere else. I'm more than happy with where I'm at and I'm excited for the season and I'm just excited to get underway and then I can start tinkering and playing with the things that I want to improve on.

Do you approach a new season differently as reigning world champion or is it business as usual?

It's funny, I think obviously this season feels different. I definitely feel different mentally, physically as well, but I think that's just so normal. That makes so much sense to me because you've lived another year worth of life, so things change, life changes and you just adapt and I don't know, address what's in front of you, which obviously changes as life continues. Yeah, it's like business as usual, but I think it looks different.

What does being ready look like for you at this point?

 That's a great question. I would say being ready for me is being exactly where my two feet are. I mean, being ready also is how I feel in my body. I'm in touch with my body and I'm in touch with my equipment and I'm in touch with the ocean. Those three things to me is being ready.

The season kicks off with three events at home. How special is it to start the year in Australia?

Oh yeah! I think that's giving so much energy to me. I'm really thriving off that coming into the start of the season. That it starts in Australia or that we get so much time still in Australia, I don’t know which one it is, but either way, I'm obviously so happy. Home's where my heart is, so it's pretty cool to be there and yeah, just like a really slow transition into the start of the season, which I am soaking in.

Does competing in Australia bring extra pressure or extra confidence?

I would say to me it does neither. I don't really draw from where I am in the world for confidence or pressure or buying any of that, but I think organically things come a little easier because you're at home, you know what to eat, you know where to go, you have friends around. Everything just seems a little easier to do life, so that leaves you with more energy maybe to put towards the contest.

What excites you most about the upcoming season?

Just to do it again! Just to go around and see how many heats I can win, see how many people I can beat. That's just fun and using the skill of surfing to do it.

What are you expecting from the level of competition this year?

I really do think this year is going to be absolute fireworks. I think everybody's bringing their best.

Everyone's had time off to get healthy, happy and refill, recharge, and I think a lot of people are going to come out swinging, which I love. I can't wait for it to unfold.

The women's field has expanded this season. What does that mean for the tour?

I'm not going to lie. I don't know specific details on this, but I do know that there's now a seeding into second round and the first round they have to battle it out and then they'll get to our round. I think it's great. I think we have the talent depth to be able to bring more girls on tour, and it just creates an exciting format because there's going to be different matchups constantly, so I think that's a good thing.

How do you see this impacting the level and progression of women surfing?

Just the different matchups, maybe different people to get under different people's skin, new rivalries, new people, new egos. It's all a good mix to only push the sport.

When things get busy on tour, how do you stay grounded and connected to yourself?

I think I just remember it was hard for me. I eventually learned it, but just remembering where I actually come from in the world, the reality, that's my reality because obviously it's so eye opening and can be such a culture shock going to all these different places around the world, but ultimately the more I connect with home, the more I just remember who I am. It's simple and I have a lot of fun and I'm lighthearted and bubbly, and I think I lean on that side of my personality.

What's one thing people don't see about life between events?

Oh my gosh. One thing. There's so many things. Obviously one particular thing is the treacherous travels that we have to do. It's just not easy. It's really, really tiring carrying that amount of luggage and travelling that much, so there's a real fatigue factor to what we do and the jet lag and yeah, just the actual brutalness of travelling around the world. Airports, jet lag, new places, and even the part that people don't understand with new foods and diets, your body can feel different.

What does Power On mean to you heading into this season? 

Power on to me is like it's go time. Just get up and get on with it. Let's go!

It's time to turn on those batteries that I've charged and go after this season.

Finish the sentence: I Power On because:

I Power On because there's so many cool things to live for in this life. You just got to look around.

Thanks Molly, we can't wait to see you charging in 2026! Watch the World Surf League Championship Tour live here. First event: Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach. April 1 - 11.

What mophie product does Molly travel with? 

View her favorite product here.