An epic blunder.
Filipe Toledo is very afraid of Teahupo’o or, more specifically, waves of consequence. This much was all but proven this early morning at “the end of the road” where the current number one surfer in the world paddled into a picturesque lineup featuring epic waves standing up on a legendary reef and refused to flip and go.
Those sitting at home, watching, certainly feel light sting, imagining themselves in his position, same waves, same reef, terrified bile moving from stomach to throat.
All understandable but, herein, lies the trouble.
We are, each of us, mere mortals possessing neither skill nor ability nor financial resources nor talent to surf the world’s best waves. Toledo, on the other hand, possess all four plus. He will soon, likely, be crowned our champion but should our champion, our hero or heroine exceed what is only us?
I think history has rightly declared “yes.”
If an epic bit of surf tabloidism darkened the horizon and I was too afraid to write would that taint me?
Yes.
If a monstrous pipe was in need of being unclogged and our Negatron pulled a punch would that taint him?
Yes.
Etc.
Toledo, in not paddling, in not paddling at the World Surf League pretending that he was “waiting for a bomb” is now tainted, his upcoming 2022 champion crown soiled, his legacy forever dumb alongside the aforementioned WSL or do you disagree? He failed, publicly, at his job. At what he is paid to do. The WSL failed to call out greatness or, more specifically, shirking greatness.
David Lee Scales and I discuss, in real time, and I would love your opinion.
“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.” I haven’t seen the heat but didn’t Hedge finish with a score of 8.67? Not quite trading big, perfect waves. Not saying Toledo didn’t chicken out but Kelly threw in an almost identical heat in the semi. If it can happen to Kelly it can happen to anyone.
Go there and do better morrone
I guess my question worked as a conversation starter. Job well done, I’m taking the rest of the day off.
Since the mid-season cut, surfers have got minimum points for an event when they’re injured or haven’t turned up.
So if Cote believed Felipe was saving himself for the finals – why did he show up at all? He could be at Trestles practicing instead of risking injury at Chopes.
I’ll give you my opinion later
Why’s the other thread closed to comments? Filipe’s lawyer get in touch with BG proprietors?
Just a glitch unfortunately, back now.
Same should be said of Stephanie Gilmore 7 x World Champion that has had weak backhand for years and has seemingly done nothing to improve it… She just accepts it.
The never been to G-Land quote before that contest… Beggars belief. All in on equality but it’s got to be all on commitment. Equal pay…
it strikes me that there seems to be a distinct size/shape line that breaks filipes brain. My girl grew up here on maui, is comfortable in the water, we go to ‘big beach’ all the time. Its a sweet big barreling shore poundy beachy but even tourists figure out that once you are 20 yards or so out you are fine, even on the biggest days. But as soon as a set feathers on the outside, even though she logically knows that means it will just mush through and you can just swim under it, she strikes straight out to sea 50-100 yards or so in full panic mode and will not return until it fully lulls. It just short circuits her wiring. After watching his two heats today it seems that at a very specific size and shape short circuit Toledos brainstem, that ancient reptilian command center that hits the breaks before you have a chance to put down the spoon carving into a fresh but all too hard for the plastic spork pint of hagen daz when the person we didn’t think we noticed in front of us clamps the breaks for a swan crossing the road or whatnot.
Don’t get me wrong, this is not an acceptable excuse for either of them, but I think perhaps at least closer to the root of the issue. Should he explore some hypnosis to reprogram? borrow Robo’s meditation mantra? Or macro dose some liquid sunshine to let the whole thing settle down into slo motion frames of creative cosmic calculus like the Irons brothers ‘allegedly’ never did?
Maybe there are fundamental limitations and/or gifts in the wiring that allow kelly and hedge to go into overdrive when felipe hits reverse, but I agree with Chas that with all his quick twitch dexterity agility timing wave reading focus competitive drive it is hard for us (including kelly it would seem) not to imagine how fucking insane he could would be at ‘pile of skulls’ or whatever we are calling it after that bizzare ‘hooked on phonics’ class masquerading as a broadcast today. Perhaps it will require killing his fathers murderer or some such polynesian/ Cambellian right of passage. Personally I think he start with acid and maybe download ‘headspace’ or something.
the fact that you bring up cj’s title kind of betrays your point.
*CJ
I would sign that petition.
That was painful to watch. Predictable… and painful.
All I know is Jordy is out. That guy is a waste of tour space.
Not sure I totally agree. In the old days, this would have been true but if the goal is to win the world title, if he succeeds in doing that, he has succeeded. How he does it is sort of inconsequential.
It’s not like one of Kelly’s titles he had wrapped up before the middle of the season is with more. A title is a title. Ask CJ.
* cj
I’ve said it a million times. No excuses at that level in a professional sport especially when you’re wearing the yellow jersey.
No need for coaching, no need for a sports psychologist just stay on in Tahiti for two months of non-stop surfing the passes.
Hardly a nightmare proposition.
Did you close Dezs Cote post ?
I was trying to reply to you in that thread and got a pop up I’ve never seen before.
“The thread you are trying to reply to is closed.”
I didn’t. Weird, i’ll ask head office.
While this is important and merits deep conversation, the bigger news is Jonah Hill is taking a break from acting to pursue his real life’s work- SURFING!
Nice analogy with the plumbing! Lets extend it to a surf journalist being obsequious in a meeting with a new CEO. Or a grown man talking shit, getting slapped, then backing down with some sort of ballroom waltz.
I already did extend, in post, but I’ll answer you here. I have failed from time to time (except not with Ashton. That was pure funny!) but I don’t fail every time.
You didn’t call the cops so it’s arguable that was a win
I’ve backed out of a wave that I was in perfect position for and most likely would have made. It was heavy. The whole line up wanted it and the collective let down as it peeled passed everyone in perfect empty form was intense. The whole lineup looked at me in disappointment. I padled to the inside in shame with my head down. It was 20 years ago and still haunts my ego. I’m no pro. Felipe has the skill. He lacks the confidence. Thats whats hard to swallow. Every surfer talks of fear, from MR to potz even kelly. Its when they overcome that fear and charge that makes them legendary and gives us the courage to do the same. Its what makes them a champ. I would have loved 2 see Felipe eat it on a macker. Would hate to see him get hurt. But I can’t stop thinking the emotional pain of being the best small wave guy will haunt his ego and do more damage to his mental state than a broken bone at chopes.
Champions are indeed humans – “off the field” of course. But if a seeming champ is “on the field” or “in the arena” at the highest level of competition and simply does not play? Well that’s simply not a champion. It’s one thing if a champ is de-throned legitimately, having given her/his all, going down swinging, and coming up short against a worthy rival. But not even trying? That’s no champ.
Passion and emotion accompanied by talent can take you a long ways. But if not managed can work against you. Choking makes you human, sure. To execute, it may help to deny the human side. Take Jack. Sometimes bc of meditation and the nature he was born with, he barely seems alive. Maybe Toledo is too human.
Heavy
The real question is why did they not interview him after that shit show of a heat. What a lost opportunity. Hopefully make or break got him.
I heard apple can it?