EP 213: Isabella Nichols Returns - Recapping her 2024 season, Requalifying for the 2025 Championship Tour, Pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, Her traumatizing experience at Sunset Beach, Plans for the off-season, and Surfing for DHD

2025 Championship Tour qualifier Isabella Nichols returns to the show. Following her debut in Episode 75, Isabella recaps her remarkable 2024 season, finishing #3 in the Challenger Series Rankings, and securing her requalification for the 2025 CT. She takes us through the highs and lows of her journey, reliving the intense emotions of the Corona Saquarema Pro Presented by Banco do Brasil, the nail-biting moments as the rankings shifted, and the mental resilience she built after being relegated to the Challenger Series. Isabella opens up about the challenges she faced entering the 2024 season, the pressure of watching her fate unfold from the beach in Saquarema, and how she maintained her focus and determination. She also looks ahead to 2025, sharing her thoughts on the updated tour schedule, the promising new rookies, and who she believes will be the top contenders to watch. Beyond surfing, Isabella dives into her passion for mechanical engineering and her efforts to inspire young students by speaking at schools about STEM opportunities. She reflects on how balancing her studies and professional surfing both supports and complicates her career. In a thrilling new segment, Scary Stories of the Sea presented by Kraken Rum, Isabella recounts a terrifying big-wave experience at Sunset, her offseason plans and working closely with renowned shaper Darren Handley. Learn more about Isabella here and follow her here. Relive the Corona Saquarema Pro Presented by Banco do Brasil, Oct 12 - 20. Join the conversation by following The Lineup podcast with Dave Prodan on Instagram and subscribing to our YouTube channel. Get the latest WSL rankings, news, and event info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices