A chaotic 24-heat day at Sunset continues the chaotic and unpredictable start to the '24 CT season. Coach Dog Marsh called it a “fantastic venue”. “It's big and messy,” he said, “how it's meant to be."
Meanwhile, performer of the day John Florence said there were a lot of waves, “none of them good”.
Both of those statements were equally true.
It was a test of skill, even with jetski assist, a test of endurance, but more than anything a test of a surfer's willingness to roll the dice and commit to heavy beatings to link two turns together.
Ambushed by a lip pitching from mid-face, Jake Marshall reacts with poise (WSL/Heff)
Jack Robinson took so many wipeouts in his heat against Cole Houshmand he was close to spewing up in the last heat of the day against Jake Marshall. At various points, Jack had his leggy ripped off, his rashie violently removed, and his body buckled. He compared it to the “UFC yesterday”, a normally hyperbolic comparison that in this instance may have been underdone.
After Pipe and two days of Sunset carnage the Mens Tour has been flayed. The bottom end of the rankings is a log jam. The Californian rookies are sitting in purgatory. Cole Houshmand, 110 kgs and change with a last (33rd) and second-last (17th) place finish. Kade Matson has two 17th's, same for Eli Hanneman, while a 9th and a 17th for Crosby Colapinto is only marginally better. They aren't Robinson Crusoe. Misery loves company. Jacob Willcox leaves Hawaii with a 17th and a 9th after allowing Seth Moniz to slip through his fingers this afternoon. Another crucial priority error which will haunt him come May if he fails the cut.
Fingers lightly brushing the surface, Crosby Colapinto's smooth bottom turn belies how unpredicatble Sunset was today. His loss to Italo was a case of the Brazilan's superior ability to ad lib (WSL/Bielmann)
The losers will drink in exalted company if they can entice their fellow cellar dwellers to the Kui Lima for a consolatory Mai Tai. Gabe Medina, three-time world champ pockets two second-last place finishes. As does eleven-time Champ with his newly resurfaced hip, Kelly Slater. Odds of Kelly going to Portugal: No chance.
The field has never looked more open.
A large part of that is the total disarray of the Brazilian Storm. Gabe's kicked off with back to back failures. Filipe's gone for the year. Joao with a brain injury after a Backdoor bell-ringer and no set start date. Yago, a nervous 9th and a 17th. Caio a 33rd and a 17th. Deivid Silva, two 17th's. Only Italo remains in the draw for Sunset and he is making up ground after a 17th place finish at Pipe.
Gifted a last second wave from priority holder Jacob Willcox, Seth Moniz made the West Australian pay for his second priority error in as many contests (WSL/Bielmann)
When the Gold Coast started the tour, the sand-bottom points used to supply a clear form guide to the year. More often than not the title contenders were visible from day one. Not now. Well, with the possible exception of JJF who clocked a runner-up finish at Pipe and looked in sublime/unbeatable form today. Can we trust that though? Will this be another year where John looks like a lock for the title only to get injured half-way through? Will his interest hold? Can he get the job done at head-high Trestles?
No, we can't put too much stock in John's Hawaiian performances, incredible as they may be.
Ethan still looks incredible but lost in the Round of 16 to Liam O'Brien after a listless performance. Could this be a year where we see dark horses fill up Final 5 spots? If so, Liam has to be recognised now as a potential threat. Full repertoire, charges, smart with strategy and hides his intelligence behind a humble and quiet demeanour.
How about Ian Gentil, LOB, JJF, Ethan Ewing, and Jack Robbo?
Perhaps more than any other surfer today, LOB lent on the 'flow' element of the judging criteria, rarely losing speed to Sunset's imperfections and releasing the G-forces when the wave pulled taut (WSL/Heff)
The most poignant moment of the day came in the dying minute of the Heat 9 clash in the Round of 32 between Slater and Ewing. Kelly was sitting on a 4.00 and a 3.33 with Ewing only marginally better with a 5.50 and a 4.67. Kelly needing a 6 and change for the W stroked into a set wave and went deep off the bottom into a carving three-o. It was messy, he wound down the windows on the way down and claimed it. Once upon a time judges were in thrall to those types of exaggerated recoveries and dramatics. Now it just garnered a sub 5-point score and Slater hobbled up the beach looking every minute of his 52 orbits around the sun. A dismal end to his wildcard year beckons unless the league can manufacture some face-saving retirement plan, preferably one that involves Cloudbreak and Teahupoo as his swansong events. Watching him scrap around in Portgual, Bells, and Margs will not be an edifying end to his career, even if he is mostly to blame for that.
Forty-minute overlapping heats may have been the nail in the coffin for “out the back” surfing at Sunset (I doubt anyone would have connected a wave from there today) but it allowed surfers to have heap of swings at mostly garbage waves in the hopes of finding a clean face to unload on. Jack Robinson rode nine waves in his heat win against Houshmand and eight waves against Jake Marshall. A seventeen-wave surf at Sunset today would have tested even the fittest Sunset masters, going back to surf muscles like Hakman and Kanaiapuni.
Jack's single turn blasts lacked the full speed punch and hold of JJF but the overall performance was up there as best of the day. “This is what I live for,” he said following the last heat of the day.
John owned the best single turns of the day - and they look better with repeated viewing - but the most seamless connections and carving against the grain went to Jordy Smith, who bested Sammy Pupo then overpowered slim-hipped Rio Waida. Rio goes to Portugal with a 33rd and a 9th in the kitty.
Jordy and John going turn for turn promises to be the heat of the event and is probably the last chance for Jordy to stamp his name as a title threat as his career draws to a close.
Not 'the' turn but this photo shows John's complete commitment to the rail, froth on top be damned (WSL/Bielmann)
Two goofyfoots left in the draw. Italo against Jack, and R-Cal facing LOB. Italo's performances were gritty and grimy, there was nothing delicate or pretty about them but he ground his way through tight contests with Crosby Colapinto and Fred Morais, including a messy tube-ide for a 7 to take the lead from Fred. Ryan looked much more in sync, with the long, deep “on tracks” backside bottom turn and big vertical hooks that left rainbow laden vapour trails drifting into the channel.
There was one perfect Sunset wave which came through today. A long wall that stood up vertical from the reef to the channel. Anyone who caught that wave would have won their heat. Slater had prophesied that a true three-turn wave would be a 10 today. Close enough. Jake Marshall sliced and diced it for a 9.17. Worth a look.
On form you'd pick John. But he has a habit of peaking early and on that basis I go with Jack. I enjoyed the grit in his performance today, as much as I enjoyed the occasional moments of brilliance.
// STEVE SHEARER
Comments
It must be frustrating for the surfers, but the Carnage & Chaos makes for great viewing.
PS: Great Photos from the water camera men above in whats gotta be a very hard gig in the WSL.
(Sunset only)
Nice wrap Steve, tho not sure on your maths? 40 heat day? 16 + 8 =24 no?
hahaha- I added up Rd of 32 and 8.
I knew there was a howler in there somewhere.
None of us here are good at numbers.
Cheers Doggi...fixed now.
You including the judges Stu?
Jono is the numbers man.
haha
*thinks he's the numbers man
2x that!
Highlights reel from the day. Not sure why they didn't show Jake M's wave in full but two turns of four are in there.
These highlight reels as the worst in sport. The clips themselves are fine, but if you were a casual viewer of surfing, you wouldn't know who is who, who won, or where the contest is at in terms of who is left . The rookies will never become household names if you don't name them.
Noticed a couple of potential stunet TM Wipeout in there.
Miggi or jack took top honors
Is Jordy's career coming to a close? Feels like he could occupy that space just above the cut and even win a few events for at least another 5 years. Or is that more a comment about his interest levels?
Jordy looks great in solid, powerful waves. Also really like Jake Marshall, he's always the underdog but seems to go good in heavy water
That featured image shot is awesome.
Britt Merrick getting plenty of airtime. CI got a deal with the WSL?
Another interesting write up well done freeride.
Happy you gave Jordy a bit of a mark up. I for one would like to see him win at sunset or at least Bells or Margies before he retires.
I'd expected more out of the Californian rookies. Too fatigued to pick up on it live, no less, very surprised. Thought Houshmand at least would keep the veterans honest.
Cheers.
Hard to get a good forecast
Off tomorrow for presidents day so when might they run the girls?
In manageable size surf
I think the surf line guy might have said the last day in window Thursday Hawaii time was not good?
I’m not sure the top girls need your “manageable” waves champ
I’ve picked jordy for the win at sunset..I reckon his surfing at the moment and experience might be good enough no world title talk either the pressure is off
Good stuff, thanks Steve. Complaints by some surfers and viewers about Sunset being on the tour are misguided. Sunset is a must for all would-be world champions to show their bona fides at a venue that fully tests all competitors in many different ways. I have been well entertained while enjoying watching some of the world's best surfers take on this proper challenge. Sure beats Trestles or some piss weak beach break. The improved production, camera angles and replays are helping make the viewing better all the time, especially considering the coverage remains free of charge. Yeah, they can still get the timing wrong on occasion with their pseudo add breaks and crosses to interviews etc. The replays soon have it covered. And if the webcast commentary doesn't appeal, well, it can always be muted. But it was nice to hear the thoughts of knowledgeable guests like Brett Simpson adding more substance to the observations of those paid to keep us informed. More of this please WSL. Looking forward now to cleaner conditions and some fabulous high performance surfing in real juice.
Oi Oi seahound.
Yeah, oi oi...maybe Aussie Aussie all the way. R-Cal and LOB looking really good out there. Jack and Molly of course too. Be so good to see an Aussie double.
Spot on mate. I love Sunset.
I'd imagine alot of it's critics aren't familiar with deep water offshore powerful reefs themselves, so maybe can't relate.
Agree southernraw. Proving oneself and doing well in offshore powerful reef surf requires experience and a certain broad skill set, indeed. Any world tour needs to have a couple of these sorts of waves on the circuit. Sunset and Margs fit that particular bill well by putting the surfers in some real juice to see how they handle it, or not. I'd add Haleiwa to that mix again, to bring back the Triple Crown with Pipe and Sunset. Yes, a couple of beach breaks should also be on tour, as small wave surfing is part and parcel of overall testing. France, Portugal and Brazil cover that. Then we must have a couple of perfect right hand points like JBay and Snapper. High performance waves like Bells (with Winki back up) and Trestles are without question good for the tour. Add some serious lefts like Cloudbreak and Teahupo and we have I believe a really good tour. So the WSL is almost there. But it needs to do what most of us all agree and know. The tour must conclude with crowning glory at Pipeline with its unique and seriously testing lefts and rights. I'd salute any and every world champ that can win a tour like that.
100% nailed it @Seahound
yeah, Brett Simpson was awesome as the colour commentator... his Kelly story was great. Either this was a toned down Brett and he's a lunatic or he doesn't care too much about ruffling feathers. Great candid comments from him. More commentators like Brett, please WSL. On that I reckon Dog Marsh would be very interesting and entertaining, too.
Agree Nick. Brett was refreshingly good. Dog Marsh too. He and others like him add more substance, insights and fun to the commentary. Jake Paterson was on it the other day too. Yeah, more of these please WSL.
Was it just me or did they miss less waves than usual today showing ads?
But agreed, the coverage was/is really good.
Would love to see a Backyards angle from the beach and a long lens- fully show the steepness of the drop and the wrapping wall.
No mention of the WSL turning off the chat on the live youtube stream?
Not by me, I never watch the You-tube stream.
The one or two times I tried I found the comments a garbled mess.
I was probably thinking more of the intent of the WSL than the content of the chat, which is yeah not great lol
Definitely a lot of missed live waves today.
Good coverage? The com box is getting worse. Flick is on par with turpel. Cringeworthy and adds nothing original, strictly towing a line. Mendes only saving grace. Good insight and no ego.
Mendes will be forever known as Mikeys bitch
A fake Bogan who back paddles everyone,
Both him and his bro are terrible in the lineup
Go watch that clip again.
Yeah from memory I don’t think Mendes was exactly shitting himself.
Was or wasn’t shitting himself? I remember him standing up to Mikey.
I don’t think he was, in other words - he wasn’t
Point missed GF. Jessie was typically all Brazzo macho later on in the car park, but in the water Mikey had taken off 50 m deeper than the drop in flog
Agreed Goofy
Yeah, it did seem like that. But maybe it was a case of that multitude of waves constantly pouring into the bay there, so it seemed like there were more rides. The rip and jet ski assist helped heaps too. Coverage was excellent. More money for more camera angles Steve, so I guess Ziff has a budget set aside per comp for production crew and that's it. More than good enough for viewers like me though. Cheers.
That water footage really gives a better feel for the power and grunt of Sunset and great write up Steve you are knocking out some great writing.
I saw very little of today's rounds, i liked the look of Jacob Wilcox, nice squared up bottom turns, given the experience he could've gone a little further maybe.
How good would your final five be Freeride. Imagine if they all went to the WSL and said “na, we want to compete in real waves” and forces their hand. Its kind of crazy but plausible to imagine a Treales final aith no really good Trestles surfers in it.
IMO there’ll always be someone in the top 5 that will think Trestles is their best shot it against their competition compared to another location and not vote to change.
interesting commentary, thx and well done
While your criticism of Slater may be fair, to a degree, i'm still a fan of seeing him on tour.
I thought he surfed really well today. Missed an opportunity, but so did many others.
I think just seeing him out there transcends the 'sport' element of pro surfing and allows us to enjoy seeing him still competing at the top level..he just has an air about him that you can't miss a wave of his..
btw, i attempted a carving 360 today after seeing his. (on a quad). The thing went crazy fast up the wave face, left me behind and i nearly threw my back out. They're not easy!!
Also loving LOB.
So good to hear him and Cal Robson paddled out at huge Waimea the other day. Aussie groms flying the flag.
Cheers for the writeup.
Oh, I don't miss a heat of his, nor a word he utters.
Unmissable stuff- but they can't fcuk the integrity of the sport forever to keep him around.
They need to find a way to keep wildcarding him in to select events or get him involved day to day in the webcast.
Coupla blokes around here can do the carving three-o.
Saw the local concreter pull a nice one off the other day.
Dan ?
At this point I'd rather hear Slater on the web cast than watch him in the water. His presence would turn the commentary from barely tolerable to mustn't miss.
gotta disagree. Slater took a wildcard of a new up and coming surfer for his own ego. the guy is now embarrassing, its also getting sad that he constantly makes excuses for his poor performances.
He should have hung the boots uo after his pipe win.
Yeah i do disagree on the 'embarassing' tag.
The guys a legend and still absolutely rips.
But understand the criticism also and alot of it is probably justified from a different perspective.
It's possible i've got the rose coloured Slater glasses on from the 90s still.
Rodeo riders
Slater, a new hip @52, with 30seconds to the end of the heat... at solid Sunset, makes a perfect, gymnastic 360...
Hawaiian commentator " difficult to do.....you have to go beyond vertical & maintain your speed throughout the whole turn"
WSL 4.93 ?
5m 30s
he even said himself after day 1 “I'm questioning competing," so why are you there?
Cos the answer is “Look at me! I’m Peter Panning it on the world tour at 52!”
The losers will drink in exalted company if they can entice their fellow cellar dwellers to the Kui Lima for a consolatory Mai Tai.
One question regarding Kelly and it maybe more of a reflection on the WSL, but why is he always interviewed after a loss or his nowadays rare wins? Seems like no one else has that attention......
Also anyone else think Brett Simpson is great in the commentary booth?
because Slater's losing interviews are the UK The Office levels of cringeworthy... so many excuses... but very entertaining.
Yep, Simpson was top notch. good level of openness and candidness with a heap of intelligent insight.
Didn’t rate Jake Marshall till today, but that was some great surfing
I just watched Jake Marshalls’s wave. Commentators sounded like someone’s dying!? Where’s the enthusiasm?
Would love to know how they set the draw up for these fkn events coz the Aussies always seem to come up against each other! So bummed to see EE go down but stoked for LOB, he charges! But now he gets RCal! Aaarrrgh!!
we should just take a moment to mourn the brazillian storm. The clouds have parted and the sun in shining again.
And the 2 percenters. Sniff sniff. hehe
Both camps aren't as strong in Hawaii ie. consequential waves. Plenty of time for the brazilian storm and the two percenters this year.
only 3 more comps until the mid year cut. time is ticking, especially for the 2% crew
Hopefully they're down to 1% post Margs.
How to win at Sunset... in 1987
&
Ya don't see bottom turn's like that (Kongs) very often theses days....
Enjoy watching Ian Gentil, Jake Marshall, Callum Robson and Liam O’Brien.
No hype and plenty of substance.
Stu , are you going to award someone with Wipeout of the contest?
Given your history it can't be easy to watch?
Ha ha...I'm fine with watching it.
Best so far was Jack proning out then nosediving while laying down and swallowed by the whitewater.
loved yesterday’s coverage- most of them really showed their class- bring it on!!
great wrap steve- i know some of the decent scores were single turn waves but sheesh, some were as good as you will ever see
Anyone else find Kongs style at Sunset rather offensive?
I must be missing something here.
His karate chop hands hurt my eyes, but I do appreciate the power
Best not to look back… Mark Richards and Shaun Tomsen’s at Sunset…not easy to watch.
Yeah your definitely missing something goofyfoot.
Yeah i reaction a lot of people agree with you. I just reckon it’s a rank style
damn.
Kind of feels like it would be a travesty if it's not a Jack/JJF Final.
Love to see a couple of those turns side by side with John’s. I’d say Robbo is 75% of the way there.
Jack robbo looking very Spicy. I hope he wins the event. He just looks so comfortable out there.
12-22nd Feb 2024 Sunset
*Breaking News (Outta retirement calls!)
Could be that retired 2024 Champs are Team Riders for Margara Slab
No idea how All CT surfers can finish Sunset & arrive to compete at Margara Slab by 23rd Ceremony!
24th Feb 2024 is Comp Start Deadline for Margara
*Toledo has not retired from ISA 23rd Feb 2024 Olympic Qualifier...ISA Margara Comp
Toledo is competing to win an Olympic Ticket for Medina / Yago
*Chianca (Injured) Is not Competing
US Colapinto / JJ are competing for 3rd Ticket > (Mamiya)
Kelly chose the Slab : I'm questioning Competing to be honest with you. My confidence isn't super high!
Surely the GOAT is goin' for Gold?
https://www.theinertia.com/surf/kelly-slater-insinuate-retiring-during-…
US Women : Carissa is competing in Olympics + (Says Simmers gotta surf Margara!)
Oz Women : No mention if Steph will Surf the Slab for Oz Team mate Sally to qualify?
23rd Feb -3rd March 2024 Margara Reef Olympic Qualifier (6 men / 8 Women Spots)
Olympic Tickets on offer for CT Kelly / Mamiya / Steph / Sally / Medina / Yago / Ramzi / Rio
https://olympics.com/en/news/isa-world-surfing-games-2024-paris-qualifi…
Live Olympic Qualifier Viewing does offer an E mail sign in...option!
https://olympics.com/en/live/
Mamiya made semis at Chopes which was the deciding factor for who got the 3rd spot for the Olympics (if the US men get one). So Kelly not in the mix unless IOC give him one of their 2 universality places. But unlikely as he has competed in none of the ISA events which is a requirement.
Good work there Nate1212...Just guessing if US get to 3 Men then...Wot of a 4th?
All know Kelly is on board with US Coach & NOC
Most Universally competitive & proficient Teahupoo Surfer on record...walk in a Universal Invite!
Well, would Kelly universally need to compete for 3rd country Syria...
That 'd be less controversial decision after new Mid East Surfing HQ
Thought the Slab was customized to grant GOAT a strong back up Qualifying option.
No shortage of Surf Media writing the script!
https://beachgrit.com/2023/03/heavy-puerto-rican-left-to-host-isa-world…
https://stabmag.com/elsewhere/last-olympic-qualifier-to-be-held-at-puer…
https://www.theinertia.com/surf/kelly-slater-sliver-hope-olympics/
https://www.surfer.com/trending-news/kelly-slater-could-qualify-paris-2…