White lightning strikes again?
Now let us each, here, be very honest with each other. How many iconic, truly iconic, surf competitions exist? The Billabong Pro Pipeline, neé Pipeline Masters certainly. And… ? The argument could easily be made that Bells Beach, there on Australia’s southeastern tip, is the only other one.
Cold and gloomy.
Fat and gloomy.
Historically significant.
Well, the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, just days from running on its historically significant Eastern weekend, is just days from running on its historically significant Easter weekend. Who shall be participating? A standard grab bag of Kolohe Andino, Filipe Toledo, Connor O’Leary, etc. Surfers who regularly compete on the World Surf League’s Championship Tour.
Wildcards, though, are given for each and every event and a rumor from a source high up in Rip Curl’s chain of command is declaring that one of this year’s wildcard will be none other than retiree and 3x champion Mick Fanning.
White lightning.
The world’s most loved surfer, who also has launched many yoga studios and beer cans since he has bowed out, will likely come up against a younger, hungry higher seed. Maybe even Kelly Slater himself.
Does this thrill you or just make you wish the World Surf League would launch its master’s division?
Hmmmm.