More of the same but inspiring nonetheless!
What would you do if, like Filipe Toledo, you were banned from the Not-Half-Bad Fiji Pro?
A. Paddle from nearby Tonga and storm the judges’ tower, which conveniently sits in International Waters and therefore outside the WSL’s jurisdiction*.
B. Jump for joy, knowing that your tube prowess couldn’t be ridiculed until at least Teahupo’o.
C. Hang out in Brazil and practice more small wave surfing.
Let’s watch and find out!
So definitely C., B. is debatable, and sadly A. did not occur.
Lucky for Toledo, his small wave game is second best in the world and continues to thrill despite its market-place saturation.
We’ve always loved Fil for his airs, but the way he lays rail on a two-footer defies comprehension. His 2:14 turn caresses my thighs. The tow-ats twist my nipples.
But really, If I’m Filipe Toledo — the undisputed small wave/aerial master who stumbled into a two-month vacation — I’m gonna work on my flaws. The kid says he wants a title, yet I’ve never seen him take a “practice” (AKA do nothing but get barreled everyday) trip to Tahiti or Fiji.
He’s got the money, he’s got the time, and he’s apparently got the drive, so what gives?
Most pros have to be forced to practice in knee-high burgers, but it’s all Filipe seems to want to do. Alternatively, other CTers enjoy recon missions to Chopes and Cloudy while Filipe dawdles in San Clemente and Brazil.
And while I’m happy to gorge on Filipe’s small wave brilliance, I can’t help feeling empty in the afterglow. I feel this clip, from top-five film Good Will Hunting, epitomizes my feelings on the subject. (My role is played by Ben Affleck while Filipe is portrayed by a young and dashing Jason Bourne).
*Probably not international waters… definitely still within the WSL’s jurisdiction
Or, he may have a missus like yours MC and isn’t allowed to go?
taking the tow-ats and session into the wind out of the mix, that was surprisingly meat and potatoes surfing.
put it this way: Filipe Toledo is surfing more like Mick Fanning every day, not the reverse.
Wiggoly is from the same beach and he seems to have a dig so there must be more to it.
Agreed he should have parked up at Gland, Gnarloo, Chopes or attar very least chased that swell that MC missed to Namibia.
You should dress up as Batman Ben Affleck when you reenact the scene with Filipe: https://youtu.be/xaQwhjFEEd…
Instant gold.
He needs the sort of Coach that slaps him in the face with a dead fish at 4:15am everyday for a Month of dawn missions at Chopes until he is at one with the place.
Seriously how long would it take for a surfer of his caliber to own the place… once that flick in his head switches? 2-3weeks max…
nope, you’ve got it in you or you don’t. he doesn’t. Cory, Andy, J-Frog, JuanJon, Owen, shit, even Wilko went on some crazy ones. won’t ever see it from this guy, not from Jordy, and that’s ok, the tour doesn’t require it. (edit) and Hobgoods, those jesus freaks charge.
Cocaine. You’ve either got it in you or you don’t.
Cocaine or Jesus. Hmmmm
Anything but jesus. Can’t stand that guy.
CJ for wildcard
inshallah
“He’s got the money, he’s got the time, and he’s apparently got the drive, so what gives?”
Perhaps just not the natural talent and / or guts?
Are you kidding? The kid got shacked at 2:20. Definitely ready for big chopes
I would spend the time fretting about what part-time surf bloggers/bee extractors and unpaid commenters on surf websites think of my big wave abilities and what I could do to appease them. I would really consider the merits of becoming a complete deadbeat dad…
Deadbeat dad is a little harsh. It’s not like he missed the birth of his son.
facebook live, Duh…
He’s been training for Chopes everyday son!!!! The Hurley Surf Club Brasil has a wipeout simulator. It’s a strong whirlpool with live Coral heads protruding from the perimeter. It’s been two months but he’s finally managed to dip his pinky toe in! The entire country has been celebrating for three days non stop!