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
No man is an island,Entire of itself.Each is a piece of the continent,A part of the main.If a clod be washed away by the sea,Europe is the less.As well as if a promontory were.As well as if a manor of thine ownOr of thine friend’s were.Each man’s death diminishes me,For I am involved in mankind.Therefore, … Read more
Hawaii is done and dusted, and the reality of the 2023 tour doesn’t quite resemble that which we imagined. Just have a quick look at the rankings: Australians Jack Robinson and Molly Picklum wear the Yellow Jerseys (along with ‘Riss) after a near-flawless Hawaiian leg. Filipe leaves Hawaii – yes, Hawaii – with a 90% … Read more
Usually, the days after a Pipe final are filled with stories of heroics, striking images of overhead waves, and newfound hyperbole regarding the healthy state of competitive surfing. This year, we’re just going to quietly make our way up the Kamehameha Hwy to take refuge in the Hurley Sunset Pro. I’m stoked for Jack and … Read more
Welcome back! Putting aside the fact that starting a season at Pipe still feels like beginning a multi-course meal with dessert, there’s a lot to be excited about this season: the promise of a healthy Medina and Florence going head-to-head for the season (and their R1 heat), Olympic qualification, precocious juniors finally converting their talent … Read more
With J-Bay a distant memory, and the frothy taste of Huntington still souring our collective mouths, it’s time to rinse and spit with a healthy dose of Teahupo’o. But before we kick off the event preview, it’s only fitting that we take a moment to put the broader consequences of the final event of the … Read more
I’m aware of just how late this is dropping. I’ve had sick kids and the fantasy stuff has had to take a back seat. Hopefully you’ve been making good use of the data and surfer comparison features that are build into the FSS game. Conditions The WSL have plenty of venue guides for Margies, or … 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
Hawai’i was really something, wasn’t it? Take another quick look at the current tour rankings, and you’ll see that 2022 is far from ‘business as usual’. Unpredictability is exciting, undoubtedly, but it makes choosing a fantasy team that little bit harder. It looks like calculated risks are the way in 2022. We’ve barely got time … Read more