J-Bay now sits front and center of the qualification drama. While the 2024 tour may be locked in pending some Challenger events, the final 5 places for the Trestles finals, as well as a few Olympic places, are still well and truly up for grabs. Will Filipe run away with the #1 seed? Will Gabe … Read more
In many ways, Margaret River has filled the qualification space that Pipe used to occupy before it was roughly bisected from the season end. Now, the oft-maligned mid-season cut looms large at then end of the Margaret River Pro, dominating the thoughts of surfers and column inches of ‘journalists’ in this, the new tour normal. … Read more
Hells Bells; we’re back at the bowl. After covid breaks and travel restrictions, Bells Beach hosts a CT tour event for the first time since John beat Filipe in 2019. In the meantime, Rip Curl’s Bells maestro – Mick Fanning – found love, had a child, saved a bunch of Tweed locals during the floods, … Read more
I know it’s not our first time doing this, but there’s something wrong about kicking off the title race at Pipe. No world title scenarios, no qualification predictions, no season-long pressure, no form to look at. Nothing. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not complaining. It’s a banger of a way to start the year, and … Read more
Margies Congratulations Filipe earned his first win since Rio 2019 and cemented his spot in the current top 5. Tatiana scored her 2nd CT victory (matching Samantha Cornish*) and raced to second place in the rankings. Meanwhile, the big news was FSS champ Crow, who also scored his second victory and raced to 2nd on … Read more
I often wonder how surfers, let alone the rest of the world, will receive surfing as an Olympic sport. Mostly I’m sure it will exist as a novelty highlights package between women’s water polo and the equestrian events. Could we hope for anything more? Surely, if the best surfers in the world represent our sport … Read more
Hawaii has already served up some hefty drama this week, what with Tyler’s stunning comeback, Steph’s 5th Honolua win, Carissa’s 4th title, and Lakey’s fall at the final hurdle, it was a massive end to the women’s season. Not to be outdone, Sunset brought the men’s QS picture into focus with some quality conditions on … Read more
While Pipe may be the ‘Superbowl of surfing’, Portugal certainly punches above its weight when it comes to world title speculation. Throw in the race for Olympic qualifications and a decent forecast, and we have plenty to get psyched about for Portugal. Medina, Seabass, Filipe, and Jordy et al. may have ensured that most fantasy … Read more
How are you travelling at the all-but-halfway point in the season? Fantasy wise, that is. I don’t mean that hollow sensation growing deep within your soul that reminds you that you’re nearly 40 and still dedicating far too much time to fantasy sports. No? Just me? Anyway, how is your team looking? Were you riding … Read more
I know, I know; my post-event articles have disappeared like Julian’s title aspirations. Sorry. Life’s been getting in the way. If, for some masochistic reason, you crave more surf-stats content, then my old-man social accounts on Facebook or Twitter give readers more regular intel, such as FSS leaderboard shout-outs, last-minute injury news, and random stats. … Read more