It's hard to argue with the proposition, that if the WSL has got one thing right, it's Women's Surfing.
They've dragged heteronormative dinosaurs out of the mindless habits of derision or ogling and we now appreciate it on its own terms, which have featured massively improved performances and gritty athletes putting on a great show. Same prize money, same locations, same pressures of the cut - succinctly stated by two-time World Champ Tyler Wright after a tight heat win when she acknowledged, “I'm realistic: I'm fighting for my job right now.”
Fight she did with a last-minute ride that gave judges exactly what they wanted, commitment and risk with heavy opening and closing lip hits. There was nothing pretty or stylish about it but the intention to go to full attack mode when all the chips were on the table meant judges had to pay it.
Overall, they were consistent. After Brisa Hennessy slammed the closeout in the first heat of the day they paid dramatic and late lip hits, going way high after Caity Simmer comboed it up with three more turns for a 9. It was the highest score, but it was far from the ride of the day.
Having got her best results at heavier waves - a win at Sunset, runner up in Tahiti - Brisa had to put her nimble boots on at small Southside. She did so, finding speed easily and unleashing power where it mattered (WSL/Hughes)
Let's rewind the tape.
There were three heats of the Round of 16 surfed yesterday, at times excruciating to watch as girls played strategy games and missed or were out of position for the very rare sets. Maddening. I found the logic, as expressed by Gabby Bryan after her win over Isabella Nichols, completely obtuse. Regarding set waves and the time they had spent out of position hassling each other, she declared: “It doesn't matter if you're not on it, as long as your competitor is not on it."
OK, but what happens when the clock runs out and you've only got one wave? Presumably, Nichols was operating according to the same strategy and that is exactly what happened to her. Back to the Changa, again, for Izzy. And she was still heard on the steps after the heat saying there were no waves. Yeah, because you deliberately sat out of position when they came.
India fought back against Defay to keep a slender thread of hope alive. Isabella, as stated, is gone. Pickles sat through two heat restarts before finally dispatching Alyssa Spencer, who has just not brought enough aggression to the table in her heats. Safety surfing is just not winning heats at the Women's CT level this year.
During yesterday's inconsistency, India kept her nerve even when Defay pulled ahead, her two waves offering just enough to show her competitive advantage: power on the open face (WSL/Ryder)
I've never held the profession of pro surfing in high esteem. It's always felt like money for jam, conducted by participants who don't fully understand how to do their job. Win heats, put on a show, make it worth the time for people to invest in you and give up their precious time to tune in. Catch at least two waves in the allotted time of the heat.
Watching womens surfing, especially today, has forced me to re-evaluate that position. Upwards. Surfing a completely new location today they nailed it. After the move to Southside, Brisa Hennessy put her finger on the reason for the upwards revision, “I feel like we are constantly adapting and that is what the best surfers do”. Brisa has bought both sweetness and light, and open competitiveness to the mix, claiming that in regards to her upcoming quarter with Molly Picklum, Pickles was both a great friend and that "there is nobody I want to beat more."
How did Sally Fitz go?
Sal, two shakas for the women and children, and a thumbs up for the blokes (WSL/Hughes, all photos)
Nailed another incredible performance. Started slow against Caz Marks, and like her last win, started to build from a losing position, under extreme pressure. Caz had sent Sally to the Challenger last year, at this contest, and Fitzgibbon was open about the heartbreak it caused, saying, "it hurt so much and takes so much to rebuild, physically and mentally.” She had to “stare down the situation that hurt so much last year” and come up with the winning wave of the heat. Like Tyler she did not hold back and attacked the section for a huge win over the reigning World Champ.
There was a controversial moment when Caz belted an oncoming section – a huge hit - and jumped off as Sally was paddling back out to regain priority. At first blush, it looked the wave of the heat and a heat winning 7+ ride. Judges said: nope, not a make, and gave it a 1.
One more last minute clutch ride to end the day with powerful goofyfooter Sawyer Lindblad pulling the carve of the day and a big hit to get the required excellent score to best Bettylou.
This wasn't Sawyer's best carve but it shows her technique: legs extended, arms rotated, and her commitment to the rail (WSL/Ryder)
Sawyer and Sal still alive in the draw, and along with India Robinson, the last surfers still below the cut-line.
A dribbly little left at Southside, on the face of it, provided so much entertainment. Big match ups, lots at stake. It will be hard to maintain that level of interest unless the surf really shows up for the Finals Day.
Still a full eight heats of Mens Round 16 to get through before that happens. I like this drip feed of pro surfing action, it's easier to digest, but damn it is making this contest drag on.
Maybe Round of 16 heats tomorrow? If the guys get sent out at Southside in conditions like today we will see an airshow like never before.
//STEVE SHEARER
Western Australia Margaret River Pro Women’s Round of 16 Results:
HEAT 1: India Robinson (AUS) 14.00 DEF. Johanne Defay (FRA) 12.00
HEAT 2: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 12.67 DEF. Isabella Nichols (AUS) 7.33
HEAT 3: Molly Picklum (AUS) 13.43 DEF. Alyssa Spencer (USA) 11.10
HEAT 4: Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 12.93 DEF. Lakey Peterson (USA) 9.84
HEAT 5: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 16.43 DEF. Sophie McCulloch (AUS) 12.33
HEAT 6: Tyler Wright (AUS) 13.70 DEF. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 13.67
HEAT 7: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 13.10 DEF. Caroline Marks (USA) 11.57
HEAT 8: Sawyer Lindblad (USA) 14.87 DEF. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 13.90
Comments
Go Sally!
While she surfed well, I still find Tyler’s demeanor and tone in interviews draining. She’s a full energy vampire. Very rarely positive.
Did someone in the WSL have a word to her about it.
Overall though, I’ve found the women’s surfing and competition much more impressive and entertaining this year. Something’s shifted.
I thought she was good today. Less about health issues just honesty about what it felt like surfing for her career. She’s always going to be a bit awkward but enjoyed her insight
And yes to the girls surfing. It’s their time for a generational change, and their progression is happening every event. It’s great.
All that aside, I reckon the shot of Tyler in a lioness roar is fantastic.
Love it.
ha, you got the roar into the flyer, nice.
(any thoughts, @stu, on the little board at the end, in the waxhead article udo put up yesterday?)
https://www.streetmachine.com.au/features/matt-cojnacki-hot-rod-surfer-…
The one on the end of the rack?
No clear thoughts, not even really sure on the label. What did old Udo say..?
yeh, the one at the end with skinny thighs and diamond tail, cheers, I'll keep looking, lazy morning here with the fire lit. (udo said he had no clear thoughts, wasn't even really sure on the label, stu might know ; )
Logo looks familiar, but not familiar enough to know.
Enlarged it appears to say 'NEW TECH' above and 'BLAL_____SSE' below?
Might be totally wrong.
haha, I'll try that (i'm currently trying to make it say mc tavish - bluebird.. not working).
I'll take nr 5, please. The ~9' pintail with the fat stringer.
I found her to be quite gregarious, grateful and overall much more light hearted. Like she’s ‘reset’.
Good on her, good luck.
Looks like they are going to make Simmers the new over scored golden girl.
she was at the start of last year and supposedly previously too
shes still a favey anyway
Still think the whole WSL needs a shake up . Bring back Rabbit and let,s get real.
Hey, can someone look into my ACC subscribed to premium last month and now done have access to any of the goods
Payment bounced a few days ago due to insufficient funds, wavie. You'll need to top up and resubscribe.
cheers mate
Simmers was over scored for a 9 ...really.......way over......Caz was hard done by with a 1 .......sort of glad Sally won, brings out the bogan more in her interviews.........on the hole the women have certainly upped their game.
I thought the Caz Marks 1 was at least consistent if not appropriate. The judging has made it a clear direction to ride out in front of the whitewater with control. She didn't. She bailed early to get priority. Whilst obvious it was a completed turn, it certainly wasn't the first time an obviously completed turn has been deemed incomplete.
Hard to argue with any of that.
Another great re-cap.
A surprisingly fun day. Great write-up, Steve.
Love Sawyer's carve. Reminds me of someone.. Luke Egan maybe? Not sure. Lovely style though.
Reverse Parko
Nearly as good as the Pickles one from a couple of years ago, much inferior wave but much more beautiful
‘ I've never held the profession of pro surfing in high esteem. It's always felt like money for jam, conducted by participants who don't fully understand how to do their job.’
I like this comment (i realise what I’ve posted is not the full context).
I’ve always felt the same. My position is likely tainted with a hint of envy………however I just think most of them aren’t in the real world. Modern day pros are pretty entitled and extremely privileged people.
Mikey Wright and Steph Gilmour turned up at my local two days ago,
Mikey in his massive Dodge Ram or whatever it was went straight for the only disabled spot in the carpark.
Really bad look and reinforced the perception of pros being entitled/out of touch/self-designated demi-gods.
Wonder what he's going to do in the real world when the gravy train stops.
Yep, the guy is a wanker. Drives around Cooly like an absolute f wit
Piss off and go surfing a bit more. It was Tylers day and deriding her brother won't do a single thing to change that. And look, I say that as a guy who had $72 riding on a lighter and I thought nimbler Tatiana Winning Web- winning that heat. Farkkk! Feeling slightly financially gutted after that one but only for a moment and pretty quickly got into celebrating Tylers buzzer beater victory and dialed back speech. I feel like she really earned that win. Tyler looked like she dropped a bit of weight a few comps back and that would have helped in those conditions I reckon. I just love it when work is rewarded and the message boards are vindicated. You got to pay and good to see it being paid in the comments if not in my TAB account. Added to all that apparently Tyler caught a fish off the rocks right before her heat. If she was unmarried and given half a chance Leroy would probably marry her despite the lesbianage.
Enjoyed that win and agree that Sawyer looked great and has real promise. Shifted my money and likely event winner from Gabby to John today after watching John's early heats and blistering turns. Just thought Gabby looked a little repetitive. Caio still in but apart from that a bit of a string of losses on this one. Just hard to gamble and work and watch at the same time.
I'm going get there.
I think The leap forward in women’s surfing performance is the result of the numbers game. The more people people participate the increased number of people who will be good at it. The more people that are good at it will see an increase in people who excel at it.
It’s due to surfers such as Jodie, Wendy, Rochelle, Layne, Steph, Tyler and Sally that more girls and women surf. “On the shoulders of giants…”
Had me from the first sentence Steve, "They've dragged heteronormative dinosaurs out of the mindless habits of derision or ogling and we now appreciate it on its own terms". Couldn't agree more, another great writeup as per usual.
+1
Loved that line, now I can create the word and concept "Heteronormus Rex". Roaaaaarrr!
Watching the City Beach night surfing in early '94, the guys were openly laughing at girls stuffing top turns just off the groyne.
Back to today, Sawyer's speed, turns and carving were some of the best surfing I've seen in crumbly left reef waves I've surfed countless times in my life. Legend.
Whilst I’m sure there’s an element of misogyny, I contest that the majority of the criticism of women’s performances in prior eras were the result of misogyny. The performances just weren’t up to scratch. We are talking about a professional sport where most of the sportspersons were not superior to a lot of recreational participants.
The radical improvement across the board - not just the very elite top end of the tour - was the factor leading to a reassessment of the value of women’s pro surfing.
I thought that might get a bit an arc up.
What’s happened to the Russian author references fr?
Dostoyevsky’s name used to always get a run.
Had to cut down mate.
Used to piss too many people off.
I enjoyed it, made me look him up and then buy one of his books.
I used to enjoy the nods to Tom Wolfe
If u didn’t buy crime and punishment try it. It’s a classic piece of literature that reads like a best seller - gripping.
Tried his ‘masterpiece’; the brothers karamazoff three times … 150 pages or so each time and just couldn’t keep going
No it was The House Of The Dead, but I’ll give Crime and Punishment a go. Thanks for the recommendation.
Vocal minority, judging by the comments most people appreciate your writing style, classical references and all. No need to dumb down.
Don't cater to that mentality FR, that's the stuff we want to leave behind.
What stuff from these authors do “we” need to leave behind, Andy?
Timeless wisdom?
A deep understanding of human nature?
The harsh realities of life?
Think Andy means it the other way around: Everything you mention is good, but we need to leave behind the opinions of a vocal minority.
Would/will be nice to leave behind an Australia where your novel gets thrown off the back of a trawler and you get get looked at with deep suspicion for using words with multiple syllables in a public bar.
True story- I was reading a Russian novel on the gunwale of a trawler after I had finished cleaning the nets. Sharks everywhere eating the fish I was throwing in.
Engineer pushed me in - for a laugh- and then I had to swim back into the feeding frenzy to retrieve the book.
Crime and Punishment, if memory serves.
I did not retaliate- he was 6'4" and had a shotgun on board.
He got sacked and I left a handful of pilchards and prawns scattered around in his luggage as a souvenir. Hopefully well ripened by the time he discovered them.
Jesus christ
He baited the Romans.... whom had arsenal & the crowd
For what it’s worth FR; I’m pissed off that the irritability of some convinced u to alter that aspect of your writing - put me down as +1 for not dumbing it down
Sone of the best reading I do, podcasts I listen to I don’t follow everything. Some of it goes over my head. But with the interweb and shit like chatGPT you can take a cue and educate urself . or if you prefer just skip over the bits that u don’t get. Simples!
I think that crew seem to login after closing time. Great write up Steve.
I think The leap forward in women’s surfing performance is the result of the numbers game. The more people people participate the increased number of people who will be good at it. The more people that are good at it will see an increase in people who excel at it.
It’s due to surfers such as Jodie, Wendy, Rochelle, Layne, Steph, Tyler and Sally that more girls and women surf. “On the shoulders of giants…”
Tyler managed to pull that out of the bag and snatch the "clutch" moment the WSL love so much.
However, from my perspective she really needs to work on her backhand style. She seems to really struggle with going vertical and relys heavily on the admittedly strong carve back into the pocket. She seems locked up coming off the bottom and struggles to disconnect the motion of her upper and lower body.
It would be great if there was a more even mix of lefts and rights on tour including some of the rippable variety.
For my money the top few girls are light years ahead of the old boilers. Tyler and Sally better start looking for jobs.
What the heck would Tyler do for a job?
If she really can tie an FG knot- fishing guide.
That would actually be very entertaining.
Imagine if Tyler morfed into a happy redneck :-)
Her brother is a full blown red neck so
would know the drill
I think dual world champion Tyler would be quite financially secure.
The WSL discourse and analysis on this site is superior to the sport itself, and I am okay with that.
I’d really like to see the Mens and Women draws having the same number of competitors. Lots has been made about equal pay but equal opportunity is just as important and all the pro’s seem silent on it? That seems odd to me when people like Tyler take stands on all sorts of issues. Nothing from past world champs like Steph either. I’m fine with shaving the mens draw and adding to the women's.
Have been tooting that for years. Seems to me really strange it never gets a mention.
….cue ‘lack of talent’ arguments
When the entire competition is funded him the pockets of one individual, rocking them boat isn't an option? The wsl is a dictatorship, not a democracy.
This one’s funded by us tax payers mate.
No more Surfline forecasts on CT events or mention of WSL on Surfline site. No rivalries. No epic pipe to decide. No personalities, or villains, or hero’s. We hear Joe the lesbian look alike voice of the tour talk shit about nothing of substance just trying to pump up the below par viewing.
Maybe the veterans who caught the year off bus got the good oil and seen the light before it was a train. We are now stuck with this shit not worth sitting through the entree to get the main course.
I don’t even surf anymore.
WSL commentators "....having wave starved heats"
flow is now rewarded....
WSL "sick!".... & "total exension"
worth a slowmo from 3m & 5m.30s
Thanks Steve, for another of your great insights
I didn’t see any of it, thanks for another great write up.
Just watched BB link above and I have to say Caitys 9 is as fast as I’ve ever seen a women surf., she was getting incredible projection around those sections and the waft was next level.
Right on a left and left on a right.
swellnet [Rally for Sally]...Get ready to Sheddy!
https://www.facebook.com/SallyFitzgibbons1/videos/so-proud-to-join-the-…
I wanna stick up for INic. Been riding every wave with her, she goes for it. Watched the heat over a few times,
Sure you're all familiar with the WOPF (wide open playing field) of Margie's.
She seemed to have lined up on the left but was ready to sprint paddle to the right peak when a set finally turns up.
It worked perfectly on her first wave she tagged twice for a 7. (11m) Gabby had pounded her previous so it wasn't enough but she stuck to her plan.
Then the set of the heat came (17m) but she didn't have priority.
The wave had an excellent peak right where Izzy was perfectly positioned and I think she was actually on the wave when she 'gave way' to GB who actu
really was out of position and failed to catch it ??
So Izzy could've taken that wave and there was nothing GB could've done.
No one wants an interference call so iNic pulled out but It was in fact interference from the priority rider who trashed the wave.
Cruelly Cut
heteronormative, did you make that up
Please, whatever you do, don't dumb down your writing. Ever.