Wild times in pro surfing.
“Spicy” was the World Surf League word of the day. Spicy boards, spicy moves, spicy wind, spicy clouds, spicy meatballs though not, let’s be honest, spicy waves. Small, wind thrashed weirdness. It was no one’s fault, of course, nature gonna nature but, let’s continue our honesty, it was newly installed Chief of Sport Jessi Miley-Dyer’s fault.
She needs to swap out her overlarge Gucci aviators and, seriously JMD, I can fashion help you.
Well, it is all over. The 2023 Billabong Pro Pipeline, and season kick-off, in the books.
Of course I will leave all the meat on the bone for JP Currie and his soon-to-come contest wrap but while you are waiting…
John Robinson beat John Florence in the heat of the day, which happened to happen in the semifinals. The waves were truly trashed but those two surfers are so good that they still put on a show. Truly wonderful watching which will be appropriately recapped later.
Carissa Moore, anyhow, beat Tyler Wright in the women’s final and again sits on top of the world, where she should have always been. Her surfing is aging like fine wine. She is set up to win out the year before heading to Lower Trestles and… who knows. Lose to Erik Logan.
Damn the WSL.
And Leonardo Fioravanti. He arrived too, facing the aforementioned Robinson in the men’s final feat. some of the worst surf I’ve ever seen due an absolutely rotten forecast.
Painful.
But World Surf League gonna World Surf League and, live, it was one of the most unfortunate finals I have ever witnessed, continuing the theme, Turpel, Abubo, Williams unable to pivot and claiming it “spicy.”
“Sacrificing closeout sections for priority” being the go.
Also “awkward” but used as an affirmative.
So Jack beat Leo and heads into Sunset wearing yellow.
Cool.