“Wrong and sad call. What was João gonna do, go left? He should have been penalized for silly games."

Tears across Southern California tonight after San Clemente’s great world title hope Griffin Colapinto was deemed to have interfered with Brazilian João Chianca in their round of 16 heat at the El Salvador Pro.

Examine the footage below.

The pair are jostling for priority. Griffin Colapinto has to do a little duck-dive under João, whom we last saw getting his head belted into the Pipeline reef, who appears to be going left at the righthand point. Immediately, João theatrically throws his hands in the air demanding a paddling interference.

Which he gets.

 

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The WSL’s Wall of Positive Noise is briefly shattered when commentator Strider Wasilewski says, “Ooof, honestly that was a bad…uh…I mean a tough call.”

In a post on Instagram the WSL’s Renato Hickel explained the decision,

“Unfortunately for Griffin (Colapinto) a pretty text book interference. Heats start with no priority and the normal interference rules apply. And, in that situation, João was in position for that wave and Griffin did a classic block so he loses half of his second scoring ride.”

Which meant, in theory, Griff could still win the heat but even with an almost perfect score, a 9.43, the decision meant his second best ride, an eight, was slashed to a four.

Final heat tally, Joao, 14.50, Griff, 13.99.

Without the interference Griffin Colapinto would’ve won 17:43 to 14.50.

“Complete and utter bullshit, flagrantly and purposefully caused by one man’s insecurity, knowing he was vastly inferior in the conditions,” wrote Griffin’s shaper Matt Biolos.

BIPOC surfing icon and activist Selema Masakela wrote, “This call is HORSESHIT…”

Former tour standout Cory Lopez, “No need to call that, let them surf.”

“That call was DOG,” wrote Jett Schilling.

“Just a bad call honestly,” wrote Kade Madson.

Big-wave surfer Rusty Long: “Wrong and sad call. What was João gonna do go left? He should have been penalized for silly games. I think they should re do the heat how incorrect that call was.”

A little push back, here and there, and some crowing from Brazillians, but most commenters critical of the decision.

“I knew I would have to play tough against Griff, he’s one of the best,” said João in his post-heat interview. “Such a bummer that that interference happened so early. But when that happened, the first thing I thought is, ‘Don’t hate the player, hate the game.’”

In these matters I tend to cede to the judge’s call, but, here, it did seem like João forced the interference.

You got an opinion. Where do you stand?

Includes an assortment of personal items left in the van by the great singer-songwriter!

Last September, the man Kelly Slater referred to as his surrogate daddy, travelling minstrel Jimmy Buffet, died, not surprisingly given a life braised in the Caribbean sun, of skin cancer.

Jimmy was a well-cooked seventy-six.

“I grew up listening to Jimmy Buffett with my family. His music basically outlined the lives we desired… fishing, diving, dreaming about being in the tropics, playing music and just living the dream,” Slater wrote in a long Instagram tribute.

Slater said he eventually met Jimmy Buffet in France in 2010 and ‘cause ol Jim reminded Slater of his daddy, “from that moment on he kind of became a surrogate for me. I’m having a tough time accepting his passing but I do feel blessed to have some incredible memories every single time I hung out with him.

“It is  5 o’clock somewhere, Jimmy and I know you’d be smoking a joint with a drink in your hand and a huge smile on your face like any good pirate would.”

Real sad, he had some good songs, Pirate at 40, Margie-ville, and was once arrested in France for carrying one hundred ecstasy tablets aboard his private jet, a sexy Dassault Falcon 900, which he piloted himself. Cops fined him three hundred bucks and Jimmy released a statement saying they were his Vitamin B supplements.

Anyway…

A slice of history is up for sale, Jimmy Buffet’s 2004 Ford E-350 Sportsmobile 6.0L Power Stroke 4×4, a go-anywhere travelling home that Jimmy owned until 2020 when it was sold to its current owner.

Selling deets.

It is powered by a 6.0-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel V8 linked with a five-speed automatic transmission and a dual-range transfer case,” writes the seller. “Features include an extended-height roof, an awning, roof-access ladders, 16″ American Racing wheels, a kitchenette, sleeping surfaces, a fold-down entertainment screen, and an Alpine touchscreen head unit. This Sportsmobile has 69k miles and is offered with service records, spare parts, a clean Carfax report, and a clean Colorado title in the seller’s name.

The van is finished in white and is fitted with an extended-height roof. Additional exterior details include a Fiamma awning, hood louvers, Aluminess bumpers, side ladders, Yakima roof bars, an ARB air compressor, a rear shower, and AMP Research retractable running boards.

But that ain’t all!

“An assortment of personal belongings including a belt, hats, DVDs, and a hand blender that are said to have been left in the vehicle by Jimmy Buffett are included in the sale.”

Current bid, fifty-one gees.

Examine the gallery and full description here.