Opinion: Saquarema Must Die!

But we love you, Brazil!

I really thought this year would be different. That a change in venue would mean a change of heart, of spirit.

Shifting the CT from Rio to Saquarema was a necessary move by the WSL. Beyond wave quality, Rio presented genuine health concerns to our world tour competitors. Saquarema, in comparison, was a haven of health and potentially fun surf.

But, nope. Somehow it’s still the worst thing ever.

Are you wondering why we’ve yet to mention the Oi Rio Pro here on BeachGrit? It’s because they’re almost halfway through round three, and I’ve not been able to stomach more than one heat per day. The wave is so horrendous, so degrading to our sport and its foremost athletes, that it physically pains me to watch.

Also, Derek hasn’t asked me to write about the comp. Literally hasn’t even mentioned it. He probably knows it would lead to poor writing and remarkably low clicks, because the surf is so bad that nobody even cares.

I suppose the waves in Saquarema aren’t always so misshapen, but this year’s combo of backwashy and bankless is an offense to the CT fans and competitors alike. The tour is supposed to highlight the world’s best surfers in the world’s best at least decent waves, and despite their immense talent, the top 34 have looked more rodeo clown than cowboy in Brazil.

Some may argue that CT surfers should be experts in everything, from one-foot beachies to 12-foot slabs, which is something I’d agree with. But where does Saquarema fit in to that picture?

We already have France and Portugal for beach breaks plus Trestles for high-performance, so unless you think backwash negotiation is an essential aspect to high-level surfing, then this event is completely pointless. Also Brad Domke should be your world champ.

In fairness to the WSL, I doubt they’re head-over-heels about the Brazil event either. As I understand it, there are two reasons for holding an event in this region:

1. There are too many Brazilians on tour, and too many surfing fans in their nation, to deny Brazil of a CT event
2. To help fund the capital-hemorrhaging “Dream Tour” events (Cloudbreak, JBay, Teahupo’o)

In that sense, I appreciate what the WSL is doing.

But that doesn’t mean I won’t bitch and moan about this piss poor, worse-than-HB excuse for a CT venue.

Would someone just give the WSL lots of money so they can hold this thing at Noronha?