Hot off the back of an incredible event in Tahiti, we’re jetting to one of the other best left barrels in the world: Cloudbreak. Unlike its death-defying cousin, this wave has a little more finesse, more room for turns, and still the chance of enormous, perfect-10 drainers. You absolute ripper!
There are some psycho match ups for the Fiji event too, especially in the Women’s. Erin Brooks v Caroline Marks is likely in Rnd 2 is likely. There’s also red-hot, goofy Sawyer Lindblad against the queen of tube riding, Vahine Fierro, on the cards. Meanwhile the bracket of death for the men’s has Jack Robbo, Medina, Ramzi, Miggy Pupo, Kauli Vaast, Crosby Colapinto and Barron Mamiya, all in the same small quarter chunk of the draw. Notice I didn’t mention Joel Vaughan there? Sorry, Temu Huey, things aren’t looking good for your chances unfortunately. He’s against the cyborg straight up. Terminated.
Without further ado, here are your best WSL Fantasy Surfer picks for Fiji 2026.
WOMENSDEFINITES
Vahine Fierro
The women’s draw is actually crazy. Every bracket is terrifying to pick with lots of heavy match ups and the results at Teahupo’o throwing all of the ratings leaders for a loop. While Vahine lost early in Tahiti, you can’t deny her incredible talent in forehand barrels. She has a tough draw, but as a Tier C starter who could easily win the event, you should have her in your team.
Carissa Moore
Tier A is actually one of the hardest groups to pick this time around, because most of them have HEAVY match ups. Riss has already proven this year she can win on a left with her mother of all runs in Raglan. I’d expect her to moonwalk to the final here too, with a (slightly) easier draw for her corner of the bracket. Plus, it’s Riss. Smile energy all the way.
DARK HORSE:
Brisa Hennessy
Last event I picked Erin as the dark horse to win and it came true. Can I make it two hot tips in a row? Honestly, I doubt it. However, Brisa has been to Cloudbreak more than just about any other person on tour, men or women. She loves the place and knows every corner of the reef and bend in the wall. Expect her to go deep into the draw, threading deep drainpipes.
AVOID
Ulukilupetea Kurop
It’s always a hard ask for the Fijian wildcards to beat surfers that earn their living from being the best in the world. This time is no exception. Ulukilupetea surfs great for a mortal human, but she’s coming up against warrior goddesses.
MENSDEFINITES
Yago Dora
Defending world champ who won his crown at Fiji last year. Yago has fond memories of Cloudbreak and that kind of confident energy matters. He’s basically built for this wave too. The skinny goat threads tubes better than most and has an absolutely savage forehand attack. My biggest tip to power up for double points.
Griffin Colapinto
2024 Cloudbreak Winner. Hot off a win at Teahupo’o. 2nd in the world at this wave last year too. Griffin Colapinto has all the stats behind him to be an incredible pick for Fiji. He has a dangerous draw straight up against 2024 runner-up Rio Waida, but considering it’s a rematch of their last final here, I’m expecting Griff to make history repeat. Get him in.
DARK HORSE
Joao Chianca
Did you see Joao’s backhand tube skills in Tahiti? If not, you aint a surf fan. The guy is insaaaaaaane in the rave cave. He hasn’t won an event since 2023, but he’s in career-best form right now. He’ll be itching to taste the sweet flavour of victory once again, which is probably a bit like kava. Slurp the Fijian koolaid and slide him in. Liam O’Brien is another cheeky sipper.
AVOID
Oscar Berry
In our last Fantasy Surfer Guide for best picks, both surfers I said to avoid made the quarter finals. I really hope that adding Oscar here gives him a bit of that reverse juju. He deserves a break. I doubt that break will come here though. He’s looking good to squeeze out another dirty turd, matched up against Ramzi yet again. Go for surer things, which is just about anyone else in the draw right now.
When you picture Cloudbreak, all you think about is perfection. However, it’s not quite that simple. The place rewards technical tuberiding with highline exits often needed to thread the needle. It also has the canvas for pure turn surfing to score huge. Goofy-footers often have the advantage here. Pick wisely, enjoy the fun, and rub your mates noses in it when you beat them. Bula!
And for anyone questioning our talents, here’s Lincoln perfect team below…
THE TEAM LAYOUT
