Cody Simpson Makes Appearance at Margaret River Pro Surfing Competition
Former popstar and Olympic swimming hopeful Cody Simpson was seen enjoying the action at the World Surf League Margaret River Pro on Thursday, demonstrating his enduring connection to aquatic sports. Simpson, 29, who paused his entertainment career in 2019 to pursue swimming with an aim for the 2024 Paris Olympics, was observed mingling with surfers and their teams near the Main Break steps during the early women's heats.
A Memorable Encounter with Teenage Surfer Erin Brooks
Simpson, who grew up surfing on the Gold Coast, took a moment to pose for a photo with teenage Canadian surfer Erin Brooks following her impressive heat victory over Australian surfing icon Stephanie Gilmore. In their conversation, Simpson complimented Brooks on her performance in the challenging Margaret River swell, using the term "ripping" to describe her skills.
Brooks, 18, expressed her astonishment at meeting one of her idols, noting that she had followed Simpson's music and athletic journey. "It's crazy, I used to listen to his music, and I watched him when he was in the qualifiers for the Olympics, and I couldn't even believe it," she said. "To me those people are unreal, I couldn't believe he was watching my heat. I feel like we should be watching him."
Simpson's Surfing Background and Inspirational Exchange
Simpson, who has a 2013 album titled Surfers Paradise, is known for taking surfing trips to premier locations like Hawaii. As a VIP guest of the World Surf League in Margaret River, he shared his admiration for Brooks's achievements at such a young age. "Erin said she was following my journey as an athlete and swimmer so to see her and level she's got to at such a young age, it's really inspiring," Simpson remarked. "To know she's into what I do is pretty cool, so it was really nice to be able to meet her and chat to her after her heat win."
Simpson's Career Transition and Event Highlights
After ending his relationship with Olympic swimming champion Emma McKeon late last year, Simpson has relocated back to Los Angeles to revive his music career following his swimming hiatus. Meanwhile, the Margaret River Pro featured a marathon opening day with a record 28 heats contested, as organizers capitalized on favorable conditions before expected changes later in the 10-day competition window. Top surfers, including local favorite Jack Robinson, were in action, making it a significant event in the surfing calendar.
