Plus other observations from a fabulous day of professional surfing!
I don’t know how any true surf fan could be frustrated whilst enjoying yesterday’s Round 1 action of the Rip Curl Classic. What was lacking in high risk/high reward was more than made up for by statesmen-like approaches to simple 2-3 foot waves. The true surf fan doesn’t always need to be wowed. He appreciates the subtleties. The “small but sturdy house” to steal a phrase from Matt Warshaw.
Here are my questions:
Is Ron Blakey now your official favorite commentator? Do you think he is more handsome than Turps? More well-spoken than The Condor? Do you love his easy-going Australian flair? His adding the letter “R” to Brazilian names? That’s one of my favorite parts. Gabe Medinar, Ian Gouvier, Adriano de Souzer, Miguel Pooper, Filipe Toleder… It is good.
Is Ross Williams the best coach ever? John John Florence is fresh of his maiden world title yet is exhibiting zero sophomore slump. His foot, if anything, is pressing even harder on the necks of the competition. At this rate he will have title two wrapped by Fiji and I think we have to credit Ross. Don’t you? Like San Antonio Spur’s coach Gregg Popovich, he digs under what should be complacency and lights a fire.
Will Kolohe Andino someday win a title? He looked good out there. Not John John good but good enough to win if John John got hurt which makes me wonder if Kolohe is currently the second best surfer in the world? What do you think? Do you think he is better, at this moment, than Gabe Medinar?
When will professional surfing finally become what it was built for? I watched many heats with a good friend and it was, as previously noted, enjoyable but it would have been much better in a comfortable velvet chair in Las Vegas beneath a giant screen. Imagine the bets you could make. Obviously which surfer will win each heat but the over/under on, say, Glyndon Ringrose. If Barton Lynch will start his post-heat interview with the word “Mate.” The number of times Gabe Medinar will look back at the judges. It would be the greatest five hours ever spent.
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If the judges want to throw down a “10”, at any event, shouldn’t if have to be on a set wave? A 10 is supposed to represent the very highest standard for that day, how is that possible on a inside wave like the one Felipe rode? What happens when the competitior does the same airs on a bigger wave? 11?
Tripping right? No one, nobody could do the same airs at high tide Winki… the fact that it wasn’t even a set wave makes it even harder not easier. Toledo is on a league of his own in those conditions mate.
San Clemente’s finest, Felipe Toledo was ripping! U-S-A! U-S-A!
Wow. Gotta get me one of those Zeke Lau Quiksilver wetsuits, there must be 27 Quiksilver logos on it
Someone is going to win a design award for that. Design genius is rare
SIMA Image Award incoming!
JJF’s posting on the help wanted section of Craigslist Oahu when looking for a coach: “Looking for ex-pro surfer of haole descent who can still pull rank in Hawaii and on the world stage. Primary job responsibilities include travel around the world while keeping groupies away before and during events, informing event security about any psychos/stalkers, and reminding humble world tour pro surfer that he is as good as, if not better than, everyone says. Recent big contract signed, pay commensurate with experience.”
Andino has a title in him, because JJF and Medina will have slump years down the line, as for Jordy and Julian, they can forget about it! ADS has been growing on me, starting to root for the cunt!
Andino is so not in that realm, you been propping him up for years Chas,Owen is so much better for example
What’s the over/under on Brother becoming the next Taj Burrow?
Just hit up Artie Lange