Infamy!
Surfline’s predictions for “epic” surf, hitherto cartoonish, became accurate this morning as Teahupo’o, site of the Outerknown Tahiti Pro, came to life. Armies of darkened water, marching toward the famed reef, attacking it ferociously. A sight to behold as both the World Surf League and Strider Wasilewski turned their phones to “Instagram Live” mode ahead of the first morning heat.
And that first morning heat? An exciting draw featuring an iconic relic in Nathan Hedge, the world’s greatest surfer Kelly Slater and the current number one surfer in the world Filipe Toledo.
Toledo, with reputation for not enjoying the Teahupo’o battle, would certainly spear naysayers in the throat by dropping in to infamy, no?
Apparently no.
Slater and Hedge traded waves, big and perfect, one after the other after the other with Toledo holding priority well out the back, refusing to paddle, one after the other after the other.
Slater, barreled, unable to contain smile.
Hedge, barreled, unable to contain smile or beat, smartly, boss.
Toledo, un-barreled, holding priority for fifteen-odd minutes while Slater and Hedge swapped beneath him.
In the dying seconds, the King of Saquarema swung on a baby tube then punched board in channel.
Elimination round later today.
Redemption?
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Most waves aren’t held in shallow reef conditions anyway.
If he goes on to win the title at trestles good on him.
He is an amazing surfer with plenty of variety in his surfing.He may have been a bit unlucky last year with the wrong board.
I’d like to see him get a title.He has been surfing so well over the years in most conditions.
Give him a break. He was diagnosed with toxic sperm buildup and he still paddled out.
Chas calling out Toledo as a coward is tantamount to calling him a wife beater. It’s about as low as you can go. Are you right and justified in your assertion? Seems to be that the thinking man Slater would have figured out such a strategy if given the opportunity. There isn’t a sport on earth where a playoff bound team hasn’t executed such a clever strategy. Sounds like Bill Belichick to me.
He’s a coward
How Toledo didn’t feature in the post show highlights reel is beyond me.
The problem was the waves weren’t big enough for him to bother, I mean he’s at the top of the leaderboard and has a reputation to uphold.
Self preservation risk verses reward 😉
Commitment doesn’t have an age.
last year was unexpectly fanastic.
Chaz, aren’t these close enough to being direct synonyms that they’re completely redundant: “…possessing neither skill nor ability […] nor talent“?
I’m not pointing this out to say anything about your skill, ability or talents as a writer, just curious.
I think beautiful and subtle differences between each!
And how could these ever be the acions of a World Champion? However its quite possible hes the greatest small wave specialist of all time.
It’s a non elimination round, his already in the top five finals, who can blame him for not giving a fuckkkk
well, in his defense…..its not his fault that in this format he has almost no motivation whatsoever to risk an injury in that wave at this point..that’d be throwing his whole year down the drain….doesnt look good, but i dont think hes wrong to preserve himself
Totally agree, with this format the whole is really a non event
Id rather have my spine sticking out of my back than walking around in life with everybody calling me a moderator.
This little gaylord is not a world champ. Even if he wins it.
Toledo says the problem was the dissipating swell then follows it up with “no excuses.”
good thing i still have all those left over asterisks i bought before the last trestles event in case Gabby didnt win
For equality/development sake perhaps pip should get a late wildcard into women’s side of draw?
I have lots to say about this.
I honestly couldn’t believe. I thought my fun making had crossed into absurdist relief. That he would certainly swing and go on a couple. Very excited to read your thoughts.
It’s mad, just mad.
Real quick, though, did Slater do it on purpose? Force pause yesterday to show that he is better than this year’s inevitable champ?
yes for sure. Not even joking.
He must’ve played a part in that decision yesterday – he’s the title sponsor!
The champ stepped on his throat
There was a squall and unfavourable change of wind just as the heat was due to start, so probably no skullduggery.
One must not forget that to be a modern day world champ you have to be able to paddle out and polish a turd.
Where is J.P.? gonna recap?
BG was owning the real estate of his mind.
Chas I suspect you weren’t truly paying attention as Toledo was engaged in one of the more beautiful syncro swim routines EVER performed on the WSL tour. The wall of positive sound gently blowing in the offshore breeze only served to harden raging hetero male nipples who were watching this erotic display
He’s a cowardly conundrum, wrapped up in a yellow-bellied engima, within a Brazilian paradox.
When it comes to the subject of Felipe Toledo on beach grit you can always count on a good kick to the balls. https://uploads.disquscdn.c…
Aaah fuck it! Fucking missed it!! Fuck.
Can’t believe he did it again.
Amazing.
World Title momentum just shifted to Robbo.
Toledo is the best small wave surfer (under 4- 5 ft) but put him in waves of consequences and he melts like wax in summer. First 2 waves equal but Hedgey has just shut the door and locked it.
It is the world’s small wave tour.
Agree. This is where it is not fair. He will most possibly win the world title at Trestles but in the past the world title has been won by surfers that can win in Hawaii as well as Snapper etc.
most entertaining heat all year!