Three Southern California athletes have secured their spots to surf in the world championships, which move to Fiji this year after several years of being decided at Lower Trestles.

San Clemente’s Griffin Colapinto and Caroline Marks and Oceanside’s Caitlin Simmers will be among the five men and five women surfers who will compete during the one-day showdown for the world title.

While Colapinto and Simmers came just short of earning the Lexus Tahiti Pro title on Wednesday, Aug. 13, their high placing as runners-up in the contest secured their chance trip to the World Surf League finals at Cloudbreak in Fiji.

It is the first time the world title race will be held there, following several years at Lower Trestles south of San Clemente. It is also the last year for the Final 5 format, with n

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