The House of Monster ready to split?
The 2023 World Surf League Championship Tour season is nearly upon us, or not really nearly but maybe somewhere around the corner. Oh, I can tell that you are starting to thrill, beginning to get in the mood for hand jams and priority interferences. Joe Turpel and Raspberry Waz.
Like Christmas morning in late January.
The lackluster Challenger Series is entering the stretch run, who will qualify, who won’t, with its Saquarema Pro won, yesterday, by Gabriel Medina. There was controversy bubbling, the already-on-tour multiple-time world champion did not need to be there, but there he was, anyhow, squishing dreams under his brutal heel.
Blowing hopes to smithereens with sprays from his stark, white surfboard featuring a Monster Claw right in its middle.
That just so happens to be new and surf fans immediately turned their attention to Filipe Toledo, who did not surf in Saquarema, and a potential civil war bubbling in the glucose brine.
Toledo, of course, also surfs for the Claw.
Now, there is no apparent beef between the two Brazilian Stormers, not yet, but each is likely to be in contention for the 2023 crown, both almost certain to be standing on Lower Trestles’ cobbled stone at the end. Which will Monster throw its weight behind? Who will receive the best masseuse, board caddy, chauffeur, chef etc.?
In other professional sports, like the National Football League or National Basketball Association, when another superstar is brought in to the fold who plays the same position as another superstar, it causes extreme tension.
Much side-eye.
The House of Monster ready to split?
Intrigue.