Vans,a Division of VF Outdoor, Inc.

Rip Curl Finals Preview

You thought we’d leave you hanging? No chance! We’ve got the fantasy surf finals game for you… Love it, or hate it, there’s no way of getting around the new format of crowning a champion for this year’s CT season. 5 surfers, one day, winner takes all. The Contest For those unfamiliar with the new … Read more

Surf Ranch Fantasy Preview

Rottnest Congratulations Gabe must be stinging from the fact that the WSL have introduced this whole finals series thing at Trestles this year. At this point, he’s all-but-guaranteed a 1st place ranking at the end of the (reduced) regular season, which would otherwise be enough for the trophy. Meanwhile, Sally Fitz was all ‘American smiles*’ … Read more

Margaret River Fantasy Preview

John John at the Box

Conditions The WSL have plenty of venue guides for Margies, or Ben Mondy overviews, as well as detailed break breakdowns, and Kelly Slater’s ‘Vision’ series providing his insights into Main Break, the Box and North Point (North Point has been confirmed as being off the table this year). Honestly through, this event is harder to … Read more

Narrabeen Classic Fantasy Preview

I don’t know about all of you, but I’m low-key psyched for Narrabeen. I know how consistent it is and I’ve surfed it a bunch, so I’m keen to see the pros amongst it. We’ve all blown the cobwebs off our fantasy teams (read: I kind of sucked at Newcastle) and now it’s time to … Read more

Newcastle Fantasy Preview

It’s the season re-launch, with surf fans tempering their expectations with the pragmatic modesty that only the WSL can inspire. We’ve got a new-ish venue to look at and fantasy team to pick, so let’s quit prologuing and start crunching the numbers. Conditions Newcastle offers more breaks than Kelly’s injury schedule, so I’m just going … Read more

Pipe Fantasy Preview

It feels weird to be kicking off the title race at Pipe. No world title scenarios, no qualification predictions, no pressure, no form to look at. Nothing. Don’t get me wrong; I’m psyched to have the tour back, and I’m super keen to share our fantasy game with the world, but the Pipe build-up is … Read more

Men’s Olympics Update

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

Preview: Billabong Pipe Masters

A surfer dropping into a Pipe bomb

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

Preview: Meo Rip Curl Pro

Julian Wilson threading a Supertubos barrel

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

Preview: QuikPro France

Multiple winner Gabriel Medina alley-ooping above the french beachbreaks

France is always interesting to watch, but it has felt even more exciting since the pool event was added to the tour. The Freshwater Pro undoubtedly has its flaws, but the WSL hardly help themselves by juxtaposing it against the Tahiti and France events. Tahiti, with its fear factor and raw power, makes the pool … Read more