The bigger they are...
The great “Challenger Series” experiment is officially well underway and what are your thoughts thus far? Completely tuning it out, only enough care in heart for very top level Championship Tour surfing? Lightly “Challenger Series” bi-curious, dipping a toe into BeachGrit‘s Hot Live Chat? Thrilled to the moon like Dave Prodan, the World Surf League’s Chief Strategy and Brand Officer, who took to Instagram in celebration, posting various memes from the beloved film Despicable Me?
Well, I was bi-curious enough yesterday to tune in for an hourish while my young daughter suffered stomach flu upstairs. I caught Snapper looking totally uninspired, real doggy, and Jadson Andre etc. Still, it was enjoyable enough. The rifling four person heat format, with two of those persons going directly home, provides for more surfing as well as small drama.
Morgan Ciblic, for example, is staying.
Owen Wright going home.
Again.
And if Wright can’t crack the Challengers, is his career officially over? He fell below the recent “merciless” “depressing” cut line and will not be allowed to participate at the very top level until he fixes up, looks sharp.
Julian Wilson may be plotting his return, doing just enough to squeak into the round of 24 wherein he will face the Ultimate Surfer Zeke Lau.
Surf legend Kelly Slater did not fare as well, following contemporary and “best female surfer on earth” Keala Kennelly out the door by falling to Leonardo Fioravanti and Cam Richards in heat 11. Two young men less than half his age which creates extra drama.
Slater, of course, doesn’t need the Challenger Series result as he survived the guillotine but does it amaze that he is still surfing professionally? Over a decade ago, surfing’s preeminent, and only historian, Watt Warshaw, wrote an op-ed for The New York Times or maybe Washington Post about how the 11x World Champion should do the age appropriate thing and hang it up. Slater, of course, went on to win two more titles as well as becoming a Pipeline Pro late last year.
Much gas in the tank, apparently, but wow. Florida’s living fountain of youth.
Here’s to G-Land.
Thymus G-Land
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Who writes this garbage
Keala’s surfing is the worst I have seen on a televised contest broadcast. If anyone is aware of a more terrible performance, please share the footage with me.
why is it Box to box getting all the credit when we know its just everyone is so fucking bored with life now we crave netflix and will watch any shit we can to keep our minds off viruses and conspiracies, even worse , we’ve all become commenters , we’ll comment on someone’s shitty comment about a comment about a shitty subject,
amen, again.
Chas, Jadson’s surf might be inspiring, but you have to give it up for the “Jadson Miracle.”
This time survived the cut in last place, as usual. He should be a Make or Break main character.
Oh jeez, you didn’t have to go there.
Yawwnnn….
Nolan Rapoza looked impressive here and in Hawaii earlier in the year. Hope he makes the tour in 2023
I’d generally rather watch slater surf than most of the other crew competing 🤷🏽♂️
Also There’s been plenty of fun waves I’d rather go surf myself than sit around listening to those chicks who’ve been commentating.
Did I stray?
I do like that I inspired your screen name though G.
Voice of Reality was the platinum standard of Postsurf. Nugable too…. man that boy can type.
He should organise a small chariot with a team of groms to pull him like horses.
They never said anything about that.
https://somafm.com/player/#…
Irrelevant to comments above.
Take it back to basics
I wasn’t feeling so great yesterday so consequently watched many heats. Kelly looked quite good. On four foot waves, he’s still top notch. Where he’s not on the level (now at 50) as a seen in last few events are big chunky waves (Sunset, Margarets). G-land is a must do well for him.
Hopefully they get a good speedies swell
I think what Dave Prodan, the World Surf League’s Chief Strategy and Brand Officer is missing is the argument of quality over quantity.
I don’t have any desire to watch surfers of average ability, I see that every time I go for a surf already!
Dave, 20 of the best are about to Surf G-land, Chopes, J-Bay, La Libertad.
Help support the Challenged Tour at the Goldy! Repost the latest logo! Yay!!’
https://uploads.disquscdn.c…
This has got to be the hardest event to win I’ve seen, 4-man heats means if you screw up one wave with priority, you’re done.
Julian looked sluggish. Lost a step.
Chas, why don’t you mention Kelly’s rehearsed and scripted exit?
Leo and Cam escorting him to retirement as Kelly relives a losing ride? How contrived a moment was that?
Then I realized, it had been rehearsed and at the time of that decision, no one thought it would be Kelly exiting. Probably didn’t feed Cam any lines because no way was he going to man up and win that heat.
So transparent. No longer a contest, it’s being filmed like a World Wrestling comp where the action in the ring is the least important footage.
Bylines…Bylines.
Are you implying gender fluidity in regards to Kelly and Keala?
Read yesterday that CT Surfers contractual obligations to surf 2 Challengers events has been reduced to one. Think that’s very fair. Has been great to see them in the mix vs the no-namers, the cut crew and yesterday’s heroes.
Of course Kelly wants it cut if he doesn’t win?
The waves have been good, that makes all the difference in watch-ability.
Can we learn something from that on the CT?