pvfloripa, 1744424104
Thanks for the summary, FR! I always enjoy reading it
pvfloripa, 1744424182
Related to the style comments, a question that has been raised many times, but I never got the answer. Has an explicitly mathematically segmented judging scoring (IE, power+speed+style+variety+etc) combined into a final score (like we see in other subjective sports) ever been trialed in any surfing league? From WSL, to ASP, ISA, local clubs? Has anyone ever seen it tested?
Lanky Dean, 1744427080
You can't judge style !
hamishbro, 1744428837
I generally despise pro surfing but read these columns for the entertainment value. However, reading Jordy had bested Italo after a war of words made me sit up and pay attention. The first surfer I’ve rooted for in a long time. Absolutely love his take on competitive surfing and the fact he’s prepared to wield the mic creatively and daringly.
Big fan of Jordy; but not a fan of Italo at all. In fact the whole hypercaffeinated Brazilian squad grates on me big time.
Would love for the mellow Zaffer to win one before he retires.
Nick Gee, 1744432880
Adriano may not have changed his style but he definitely made changes (his bottom turn most obviously) that improved the look of his surfing... to the point where i enjoyed watching him and cheered his title. Alejo surfs like he's never seen video of himself....
what a final four in the men's! 'cept Cole i never would've guessed.
heart says Jordy, head says Cole (especially if it's windy).
Nick Gee, 1744432946
100%. no notes.
southernraw, 1744434195
haha maybe you can lanky!! Get a protractor and see how many degrees the surfer is turned front on as opposed to side on. The more front on, generally the more stylish.
southernraw, 1744434269
I had Jordy/Sally for my multi.
Sals already fkd that for me but go Jords!!
StayAtHome, 1744436763
Jordy was such a pleasure to watch in the quarters, he was killin’ it
Island Bay, 1744436920
Warmed my heart to see Jordy smash it. And so satisfying for Gab Bryan to combine her power with excellent timing. Would love to see those two win.
tail high to the sky, 1744437798
It's an interesting concept but I can't see how it could function practically for several reasons:
1. Assuming that you gave scores for power, speed, style, flow, combinations, variety; would each of those criteria be equally weighted? How do you decide which are more important? Are they equally important? I don't know, I'm still excited when I land a floater.
2. How would you score 1 manoeuvre waves at venues where up to six turns are possible? How can someone doing an air get a score for variety, flow, or combos? There have been plenty of (well-deserved) 10-point airs (think Gabriel and Kelly) in heats where the other competitor has just been doing turns. The person doing the air would instantly be disadvantaged because they cannot logically receive a score for some of the criteria.
3. In other sports like skateboarding or snowboarding or breakdancing, it's easier to give scores for style and flow because the environment is stable. Judges don't have to factor in wave size, or steepness, or the pace of the wave because a halfpipe doesn't change. I feel that we'd be asking surfing judges to do too much by having to factor in more variables on top of those already provided by the ocean.
4. What is stylish surfing? How far apart of a leg stance is too far? How much arm-waving is too much? How low should people get on their bottom turn? I get that we can all look at someone and think they have a "good" style but most of us couldn't explain why we like it. Unlike individual moves that can be (more) objectively judged for their amplitude, or timing, or cleanliness of landing/finishing, there are no metrics you can consistently apply to style unless you arbitrarily picked certain qualities you liked. Having a style score would also leave judges too open to nationality, nostalgia, and personal biases. The same way we see these biases playing out in comment sections like these.
5. Do you score speed by whacking a GPS on every athlete? you probably could. But then are you scoring average speed across the wave, speed through each turn, speed coming out of each turn?
I guess my overall sense is that it would be impractical for judges to have to think about 5 or 6 scores every time a surfer rides a wave. If each competitor surfs 5 waves in a 30-minute heat, that's 30 scores needed for each surfer and 60 in total. Imagine a beach break where 3 surfers ride 10 waves a heat. That's 30 waves and 180 individual scores. You couldn't score that accurately in 30 minutes. The only venue this could possibly work would be at the ranch where there is a 3-minute break after each wave. I like the idea pv but I just can't see how it would work.
tail high to the sky, 1744438391
I wouldn't describe Jordy as mellow. His claims over the years have been more wild than many of the Brazilians and he's got a mouth on him (Despite never winning a title and not having won an event in 8 years). I wonder how we'd take it if it was a Brazilian making similar comments about one of our Aussie surfers. Would that still be creative and daring or would we be outraged? I agree though that it's entertaining and we're all thirsty for drama in an event that has been incredibly boring. I just think that Jordy's bark is a lot louder than his bite. Especially after his grovelling apology to Mitch Salazar two days ago.
Nate1212, 1744439827
Loved the write up. But I think caity was versus sawyer and Bella k had the massive heat with gabby.
Surfalot67, 1744441790
Thanks Steve, didn't watch any and now I don't need to. I would add IMHO though that Kelly was the master of the mic on the glass, he always gave an opinion that put the narrative right back in his own corner. I guess the old dogs do have something to teach the pups
BarbB, 1744446277
I must agree with Steve's appraisal of Alejo. Despite viewing Col's window wiper tail snaps as overscored (he throws so much water with such basic turns), Alejo is difficult to watch. Gaby's 9.23 was certainly sick. Speed, power, edge. LOL - Caity - trying to get a tan, get some freckles.
kimbo1, 1744447291
Wrong old trout. even kooks can recognise that the surfer who flows is the one the majority enjoy watching and aspire to surf like. Style is an intrinsic part of surfing. If your style stinks, you stink, so lose points you will. Watch the last heat of Alyssa Spencer, clearly, she can surf. But how her coach has not put time into improving her style is a crime.
Solitude, 1744448617
Anyone clocked Levi Slawsons style?
It is rank! Another one of those surfers who granted and put his board in good spots and wack it but jeez it’s an ugly look.
The juxtaposition is real when you watch him in his heats against LOB and Ethan
kimbo1, 1744450406
don't overthink it mate.
poo-man, 1744454376
Great write up again FR. I've missed much of this comp due to most in the middle of the night but have caught what I could. Loving the Jordy resurgence too. I got to surf punta roca last year a bit and it to me had plenty of grunt and speed certainly way more than raglan at the same size. And their local ripper Bryan Perez is a very good surfer. Unlucky not to beat Italo
Lanky Dean, 1744455583
As stated in wos rule book , "thou cannot judge style"... speed, power, flow, yes .
Overly cooked curated style I think no.
Lanky Dean, 1744455824
Keep over thinking, tail.
Welcome to the world of judging .
Don't get caught on that dock in tahiti
...
southernraw, 1744456031
Nope, It can be judged. They just refuse to.
Another failing of the non surfing Woz business enterprise.
Lanky Dean, 1744456217
Re style
"Alejo surfs like he has never seen a video of himself ."
That's alejos natural style.
Raw, grindy, explosive...
Kinda built from those short period argentine braz waves....
Lanky Dean, 1744456370
Or Kelly could turn any conversation and make it about himself. .....
Lanky Dean, 1744456531
I do feel Perez got him again this year...
Definitely a ripper.
basesix, 1744458576
thanks Steve and swellnet for keeping me informed, so the Aussie legs mean something to me. El Sal is the first comp I've completely faded on. I didn't intend watching the tub, hated it, but still found time. Not this one. Time zone didn't help. Love small Caity's bigness getting a coupla spottys @fr.
Roker, 1744463564
If we’re painting Houshy as a MAGAfied manosphered RWNJ on the basis of a single selfie, then it seems right and proper that he should open his CT account in El Sal. He should lean in on the post heaters too, and use them to further his career. Give us some insight into his heterodox views, and kick those views into some real estate on that awfully white looking surfboard. Leftist Tear’s Tumblers, Jeremy’s Razors, Black Rifle Coffee, PragerU, Birch Gold, PreBorn, bitcoin2025, HelixSleep, PDSDebt, GrandCanyonUniversity, ByrnaLessLethalPistols, ConstitutionWealth, GoodRanchersAmericanMeat, ExpessVPN, ThatcompanythatkeepsyousafefromtheleftistIRS, Thatcompanythatstopsleftistsstealingyourhousetitle - MAGA advertisers are cashed up, optimistic and splurging cash on aligned platforms. A young all American patriot such as Houshy would be a most attractive proposition. Exploit those post heaters young fella. Get some good ol genuine made in the USofA stickers on that Mayhem shooter. Conservatism is the new punk rock after all, so Matt won’t pay no mind. You’ll see, that Mayhem will soon turn into the MAGA version of the billboard Medina rocks under his feet. Stay true Houshy, and wear it with pride. They can’t cancel all of us! And Woz be sayin nuthin, they ain’t care who money they takin.
pvfloripa, 1744468979
Spot on, Tail High. I regularly follow Aussie, Brazilian and European (and sometimes American) comp summaries and discussion forums. I do so just because I have lived in some of those places and keep accumulating websites of interest which I can't let go.
What you said about "imagine the other way around" is so clear that it becomes hugely entertaining as a display of our most primitive human instincts. All forums and fans have their groundtruth and biases. The one exception is a partial and recent Aussie-American brotherhood. While in the past the AU-US rivalry and finger-pointing was enormous, the last 11 years have created a partial coalition.
I guess I should start looking at South African forums too to broaden my view, :D
pvfloripa, 1744469203
Do you think it's the waves fault? There's so much variation in Brazilian style, from horrible (Alejo, Italo) to super cool (Yago, Miguel). They all grew up in similar waves. I always wonder...
Flat Lands, 1744485353
If I’m not mistaken, Levi and Alyssa are both coached by Matt Myers
poo-man, 1744486543
Haha that would be funny and have the cameras follow the locker room conversations between big Houshy and Tyler too
Watt Tyler, 1744488184
style is being graceful and smooth and its obvious when you see it
Yendor, 1744495704
I reckon style is always being rewarded by the judges. EE has been the beneficiary of it many times. When the other attributes of a wave outweigh it then it falls to rear. Those being power, progression, explosiveness and risk etc. Hence Gabby and Italo's wider stances and jammy turns not being heavily penalized when the other surfing they are doing is so outrageous.
This is probably why John was so many people favorite surfer he has the style plus the whole other complement. Jordy has it too but often lacks the consistency.
As far as turning style around I think Adriano did a good job of improving his. Also Mick post knee injury, he came back different and better.
Yendor, 1744495968
+1
juegasiempre, 1744497486
Good point about the surfers not using the mic. If my kids were going into the pro sports arena is have them studying....pro wrestling! They're the king's of it, which is ironic because the Americans have one surfer that pisses his pants (Crosby burnt him on the JOB podcast) and one that yells out to the world he's an incel and can't get a root.
They need to study pro wrestling!
kimbo1, 1744497526
That make sense, he probably coaches Kade Matson as well.
kimbo1, 1744498536
Can you repeat some of those "wild" claims Jordy has made.
hamishbro, 1744502021
You’re probably right, mellow is the wrong word. His surfing certainly isn’t mellow, but there is a steady grace about some of his classic power surfing lines.
To be honest, I haven’t really followed Jordy (or the pro surfing circus) enough to make a serious comment.
I just enjoyed the cheeky use of the microphone as described above, and to me, it rings true.
I can’t imagine a Brazilian surfer making such comments about an Aussie because there are no Pro Aussie surfers I’ve noticed who would invite such a comment via their behaviour. Can you imagine Ethan or Jack deserving such commentary? The accuser would look like a fool!
Some of the Brazilian contingent, on the other hand, tends to be loud, flashy and a bit obnoxious at times - so it incites such criticism.
Kind of like some of the Aussies in the 80s perhaps?
A barb is only classy if it exposes a truth.
tail high to the sky, 1744508446
I mean claiming waves kimbo. As in celebrating after riding each wave. Not something I associate with a mellow surfer. Hence why John and Ethan don't do it.
tail high to the sky, 1744508628
Yep I get where you're coming from here. And you're right that Jordy is making a point that many people consider valid. I just hope it doesn't get too heated even if that would be fun to watch
bbbird, 1744536905
"Jordy claiming Italo's turns were ugly and not up to CT standard." could be an insult to all athletes & mind f%$ game.
An athlete performs to the best of their ability & judging criteria.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8R-whFEokCw
Italo's dad was a fisherman, didnt surf or shape his boards.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3htTelS2ME
wally, 1744537851
Not much good comes of sports competitors casting aspirations in post event interviews. Unless it’s surfing, when hardly anybody is watching.
bbbird, 1744537974
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nieZpIzjZaE
Where was Jordy in the finals?
Remigogo, 1744538697
I've wondered why the judges don't score in ways, something like diving. I reckon you may have answered my question. Thanks for food for thought.
bbbird, 1744538720
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkHaKNEtKfM
kimbo1, 1744590175
Yeah, got it TH. They were a bit over the top.
basesix, 1744590844
hahah, epic post @Roker
Vince Neil, 1744594343
Aspersions?
Jordy then daylight. Shame EE only got 1 decent wave in the heat he lost.
The wave Caity fell on looked great...i would have given her 8 for catching the best wave of the comp (by a country mile).
Wish they didnt show the wide view of the line up. With the narrow view of the palm tree fringed shore it looks like some kind of tropical paradise. Did they uproot and plant all those palm trees there, Canggu style?
Commentator made the point that this time they held the comp at the right time of year...
There must be a good dozen right hand point breaks in Marokko that put Punta Roca in the shade.