EP 248: Mitchell Salazar – Finals Fiji recap: Molly Picklum & Yago Dora rise as World Champs, Caroline Marks’ inspired run, & Griffin’s connection, New segment: Take Machine, Every matchup broken down, the End of The Finals era, and Listener questions

Dave Prodan is joined by part-time co-host and WSL commentator Mitchell Salazar on The Lineup to recap this unforgettable close to the Finals format era at Cloudbreak. And just like that, the 2025 CT Season is a wrap with the title-deciding Lexus WSL Finals Fiji Presented by Corona Cero in the books. From Caroline Marks’ inspired run to Molly Picklum’s career-defining comeback for the Title, to Griffin Colapinto’s overlooked brilliance and Yago Dora’s poise in capturing his maiden World Title, the crew dives into every matchup and moment that mattered. They explore the pressure of the format, the magic boards and coaching strategies that shaped results, and what Molly and Yago’s wins mean for the next generation of surfing. Plus, Dave and Mitch look at the dominance of Brazilian champions over the past decade, the surge of young Australian women, the behind-the-scenes grind of the broadcast and social teams in Fiji, and answer fan questions about judging, shapers, and next season’s format changes. Follow Mitch here. Relive the Lexus WSL Finals Fiji Presented by Corona Cero! Stop #2 on the Longboard Tour is the Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic, Sep 17 - 21. Be sure to check that out. And stay tuned to the next event on the Challenger Series, the EDP Ericeira Pro, September 29 - October 5. Get the latest merch at the WSL Store! 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. **Visit this page if you’ve been affected by the Los Angeles wildfires, and would like to volunteer or donate. Our hearts are with  you.** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices