John John Florence wins Quiksilver Pro France
HOSSEGOR/SEIGNOSSE, Southwest Coast/France (Sunday, October 5, 2014) - John John Florence has claimed the Quiksilver Pro France, navigating the shifting eight-to-10 foot barrels at the primary site of Le Gardian in front of a massive crowd on the beach.
Event No. 9 of 11 on the 2014 Samsung Galaxy ASP World Championship Tour, the Quiksilver Pro France existed as a crucial stop in the hunt for this year’s world surfing crown as well as a critical opportunity for those looking to requalify for next season’s elite tour.
Florence proved the event’s form surfer from the outset, consistently notching up the highest scores of each round and surfing with unparalleled comfort and confidence in the ever-changing conditions. His win over Jadson Andre was secured with committed barrel rides as well as power surfing and marks the second WCT victory of his career (the first being in Brazil in 2012).
“It has felt like such a long event and I’m so pumped to get the win in the end,” Florence said. “We’ve had every type of condition for this event and even finishing in barrels was a lot of work. There was a lot of water moving out there and Jadson (Andre) was always going to be a tough opponent. He looked super strong against Jordy (Smith) in the Semi. Pumped on the win here and the support from the crowd was really impressive.”
After a sporadic start to the year, the young Hawaiian has been on a roll in recent events, collecting a 3rd in Tahiti and a Runner-Up finish in Trestles before today’s win in the South of France. Florence has moved from 8th to 5th on the ASP WCT rankings and has vaulted himself into contention for the 2014 world surfing crown.
“I’m really pumped with my results lately,” Florence said. “I had a few weird things happen for me at the start of the year and I’ve made some adjustments recently. I’ve spoken to a lot of guys about the title and they all say that the title campaign actually starts the year before. I’m hoping for a few more good results this season to really make a run for it in 2015. I guess today’s win puts me in contention for this year, but Gabriel (Medina) is so far ahead that some weird stuff would have to happen.”
Andre’s runner-up finish marks the Brazilian’s first Finals’ berth since 2010, moving him from 29th on the rankings to 20th and currently inside the requalification cutoff.
“It’s been a long time since I got a result I’m happy with,” Andre said. “I feel like my surfing has been strong all year, but things haven’t gone my way. So stoked to make the Final and hopefully that builds momentum for me for the rest of the season.”
Josh Kerr, current ASP World No. 13, quietly worked his way through the event draw before creating a major upset in yesterday’s elimination of tour frontrunner Gabriel Medina in their Quarterfinal match. Despite the collection of an impressive barrel in today’s Semifinal, Kerr was unable to overtake eventual winner Florence and finishes France with an Equal 3rd.
“I always knew John (Florence) was going to be a tough opponent out there,” Kerr said. “He’s been in rhythm with the ocean all event. When everyone else is struggling, he’s out there dropping 10s. I got one good wave, but that was about it. Semifinals feels good though. Breaks the curse somewhat in France for me so that’s good.”
Jordy Smith, winner of the previous ASP WCT event in Southern California, was looking to go back-to-back with another victory in France. After eliminating Kelly Slater from competition in their morning Quarterfinal bout, Smith’s odds looked promising before falling to Andre in the Semifinals.
“Felt like I had a good heat against Kelly (Slater) then couldn’t buy a wave in my Semifinal,” Smith said. “Congrats to Jadson (Andre) though. He’s been surfing well all event and he’s hungry for a result. Looking forward to the next one.”
Kelly Slater, 11-time ASP World Champion and current ASP World No. 2, was in position to capitalize on current frontrunner Gabriel Medina’s Quarterfinal exit yesterday with a strong result in France. However, the iconic Floridian was unable to best opponent Jordy Smith in their morning match, and heads into the last two events with less opportunity to gain on the Brazilian’s lead.
“It was difficult out there today and I just found myself out of position for most of the heat,” Slater said. “I haven’t felt like I’ve been in a rhythm for most of the year. There have been moments, but replicating the feeling where you’re confident things are clicking just hasn’t happened. Still in the race, but today was a missed opportunity. We’ll see what happens in Portugal.”
Quiksilver Pro France Final Results:
- 1 - John John Florence (HAW) 16.00
- 2 - Jadson Andre (BRA) 4.57
Quiksilver Pro France Semifinal Results (1st Advances to Finals, 2nd Finishes Equal 3rd):
- SF 1: John John Florence (HAW) 15.50 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 8.60
- SF 2: Jadson Andre (BRA) 16.67 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 8.84
Quiksilver Pro France Remaining Quarterfinal Results (1st Advances to Semifinals, 2nd Finishes Equal 5th):
- QF 3: Jadson Andre (BRA) 10.50 def. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 8.26
- QF 4: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.50 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 10.50
ASP WCT Top 5 (after Quiksilver Pro France):
1. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 56,550 pts
2. Kelly Slater (USA) 50,050 pts
3. Mick Fanning (AUS) 43,600 pts
4. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 43,100 pts
5. John John Florence (HAW) 41,950 pts
Comments
the changing of the guard has never been so apparent..John John is the best surfer in the world,there is a mob of Brazilians being led by GM....all young and really manning up this year....
6 out of 10 WQS qualifiers Brazilians , only 2 Aussies.....banting and melling........Parko Mick and Taj now finally look like they have these new kids on the block outperforming them......
Is there any Future out there for the Aussies??
Brutus you forgot Jordy. On big long walls he is the best of the (relatively) new bunch. Biggest let down is JW. He was touted as the best thing since sliced bread and has been a dud. Not sure what is going on there.
Clearly we need to start pouring yet more money into the High Performance Centre.
but what will happen when JJF and Medina retire and when all the world titles might be scrapped on Jan1?
Jordy's problem is average bds,and not working with a designer /shaper....he seems to have very little spark back from his bds,wheras JJF's bds seem to be custom made designs for zJJ,so when is going at higher speeds the bds still solid under him....custom design for JJ.stock bds for Jordy...
will really be interesting to see how the Aussie shaping contingent develop new designs for their young team riders.....instead of Mick or Joel versions of a design...
as for the HPC......hehehe...its Hurley conspiracy to keep Australians at the back of the WCT for a decade.....but it is good for to people who work there!
@ good insights there brutus
Jordy was assessing his board contract a few years ago just before the Quiky - A few makers had boards sent for him to try - he eventually went with the best $$$ not necessarily the better one under his feet at the time (Simon was out-bid)
Yeah HPC is a good little wicket for some and good luck to em - we probably need a HPC elite university level - funded by grants rather than commercial concerns
IMO JJF is the best surfer since Kelly, got it all from solid waves to grovel waves, amazing tube rider, power turns and an air game.
He deserved that win, was clearly that best surfer of the comp.
Pitty it wasn't a Kelly Vs JJF final though, think he got ripped off in the quarters, didn't see the semis but don't know how that brazzo got through, seen better surfers at my local.
Jordy only took him several years to get his act together and im still not convinced hes
the real deal and he was supposed to be the new champ. look at his semi final work pretty ordinary. Now the thought of brazzo world champ will make the breed even worse.
We should thank someone for the immediate onslaught of John John now the powers in the surfing universe are trying to fade out slater for the new guard and contest surfing will never be the same.
I know he can be ordinary sometimes but when it clicks I love his power surfing. He is big unit and looks the goods on long wally waves and has a good air game as well. Double J is a freak and probably the best surfer at the moment although at places like J Bay, Bells, Trestles I prefer to watch Jordy (just like Kelly - doesn't link it together quite as well probably because he is so natural and instinctual and hasn't grown up on those long peelers).
JJF made pretty debatable surf look really great. Amazing surfing.
Big Jordy just needs to fix the big gap between his best and worst.
(Btw, Kelly blew his QF and he knew it. Wrong positioning).
I don't thing the new WSL will like watching the numbers on a Brazilian dominated comp. They'll be hoping JJF keeps charging.
If it comes down to mainly Brazzos in events i think everyone will lose interest and the possible death of pro surfing as it is now is very likely.
Valid point. Would be interesting to known the ACTUAL audience numbers of Aus, US, SA, & Euro vs Brazzo. The comments section on the ASP website for the last few contests and interviews were somewhat "passionate". It is an interesting time for "pro surfing".
With all this talk of the Aussies falling by the wayside, lets not forget how long they have at worst featured in the Top 10 let alone dominated.........
The cycles of the ASP rankings continue. The Aussies will come again.......
No, I don't believe they will. Maybe we will have another small surge (though I can't see anything in the short to mid term) but Australia will never dominate surfing the way it once did. For one, there are so many other countries surfing at a competitive level now. When Australia dominated through the late 70s to the late 80s, our success was a reflection of how popular the sport was here and how few people did it elsewhere. That demographic has changed; surfing has exploded in Europe, the South American countries, Asia, and elsewhere. We no longer have the weight of numbers.
Another reason, we're falling into the trap that great surfers can be created. Genuinely great surfers, of the kind that will rise to the future WT level, can be guided, coaxed, and advised, they can be handled softly from the sidelines, but they can't be coached. Surfing isn't soccer or cricket, it relies on spontaneity, imagination, and intuitive understanding of the breaking wave. Check the names coming through the QS ranks, the future champions of the sport, I can't see any that would benefit from time spent at the HPC. We're creating the wrong environment.
I think you are dead right there. HPC has been a major failure at producing CT level surfers.
Did you see that quarter final?...Bob Kelly Slater, severely underscored again.
As to Smitty's gap, Miguel Pupo got the proper surgical help and fixed his. Jordy should do the same.
better with this http://www.aspworldtour.com/events/2014/mct/713/quiksilver-pro-france/he...
I think a few things went against him.
1. He was down the beach some distance, so not in very good view of the judges.
2. His waves were quite a bit smaller than Jordys and again the distance from judging wouldn't help this.
But re watching the footage both barrels are surfed perfectly, sure the first is not a clean exit but he did the impossible and stayed on and kept going any other surfer wouldn't have made that pro or not.
The second barrel is surfed perfectly pause it and you will see there is a few points you cant see him at all and you looking into the barrel, so he is deep as can be.
IMO if both waves were in front of the judging area and the same size as Jordys he would have scored much higher.
BTW. what is this clean exit crap about? to me it doesn't matter how you exit, its how deep and how long and bonus points for what you do after you come out, if your not making a clean exit it only means you stayed in as long as possible, to much about pro surfing these days is about the wave and not the surfer.
Exactly. The judges are there to score the surfing not how well the wave breaks. That exit by Slater on his 4.00 wave was incredibly difficult, it was almost like the judges had no idea how to score it so they gave it a pitiful 4 points. Personally I think it deserved far more than that.
Great points, IndoDreaming, and Stu.
Hey, judges have video, so no excuse there. It's about surfing, and reading the wave that you've got, no matter the local, ... surfing it to perfection, pulling moves that most mortals can only dream of, or get lucky doing.
Bob Kelly Slater is The Master. Real dudes know this and bow.
I'm not liking where pro surfing is going. But it seems JJ is the breath of fresh air that it may well need.
Do the Australian females count in this discussion? Not really hey, would only add to the research.
Yep, same demographic forces at play. Compare the number of Aus women in top tier to twenty years ago. They've approximately halved.
out of interest, how often have the Aust girls placed 1,2 and 3 in the world and have the world title between 3 of them before the season ends?
Not that I'm disagreeing with some of your claims Stunet, the explosion of surfing in europe,sth america, Asia obviously makes for a more global sport - makes sense that the sport then moves to the worlds biggest economy hey!?
And given the scene painted, Australians are probably doing really well - reigning world champions from past two years (men) and include the womens performance this year...plenty to work with there
2006 was the last time, and we had the first four places: Layne Beachley, Melanie Redman-Carr, Chelsea Georgeson, and Jessi Miley-Dyer. In fact we had six of the top seven that year.
so it's a good year again! reigning mens champ, women dominating, Fanning not done and dusted yet? A good year despite the wrong environment?
You do like to argue don't you? At 30+ plus years old Fanning and Parko are products of a different generation. The environment has changed since their formative years.
This discussion came out of Brutus noting there were just two Aussie men in the top 10 of the 'QS ranks. Changing of the guard he called it. Do you deny that?
That pretty crazy i remember at times it was the opposite seven of the top ten were Aussies.
you prefer people to simply agree with everything Stunet says????? Amazing!
I agreed the environment has changed, so much so that with the explosion of numbers overseas and the sport being so much more global that the current crop when analysed closely might be doing better than at many stages over the past 20 years - WQS, you're happy to mention just 2 of the top 10 are australian but convienently leave out that the number 1 is Australian! --- and we'll leave out the girls wqs? , which if you cared to research (that dirty word again!) might actually favour your views slightly!
No, same with the women. Overall the numbers are down on past years.
Also Bob, the argument isn't individual rankings but the percentage of Australians that occupy the top spots. I understand you want to constantly move the goal posts and try and prove me wrong but you'll have to be cannier than that.
how are the goal posts being moved?? I directed you to the girls rankings to favour your argument -- ever so slightly!
It's pretty simple --- more nations, more people competing in your already highlighted explosion of the sport, that the numbers will alter. That's obvious!
But are Australians doing that poorly really? Reigning world mens champion past 2 years, women dominating at the top - part of the reason for not so many women on the WQS ratings is they've fast tracked into the elite bracket anyway -- Tyler Wright is very young!
Parko and Fanning - super fit --- have many years ahead of them and aren't exactly washed up and both are not out of the race this year --- Fanning in particular who has won 2 WCT's
And under them in that elite bracket - Owen Wright returns from injury and gets better and better this year and with events being run in great wave locations will he simply drop away next year --- Julian Wilson, hasn't had a great year, but is he not capable of getting it back together - there's been flashes of excellence through the year?
Ahhhh....why look for positives --- better to knock our own people on the global stage and ignore the women until they get brought into it.
Changing the goal posts????
Not knocking anyone. Just observing that the number of Aussies filling the top ranks, in both mens and women, is down on past years.
Is that so hard to accept?
Hi Stu,
Some interesting POV you put forward in regards to surfing not being able to be coached like cricket or soccer. We will have to agree to disagree on that one. Coaching surfing at the elite level is no different to coaching cricket etc. To suggest that playing cricket or soccer at the elite level doesnt require Spontanaety imagination or intuition is simply not true. For example the difference between a good cricketer who plays for Australia and a truly great cricketer is exactly those things. Same with surfing. How many good surfers exit on this planet but how many are great? Same reasons. Coaching doesn't create those things but in relation to surfing it covers things like strategy, fitness, diet etc etc.
Also your suggestion that the future world champs will simply come from countries that have a greater participation rate is debatable at best. Surfing at the elite level has become so coached it's almost mechanical. Look at JJF. The reason he won that contest is due to many things but importantly he's started to grasp the strategy of winning which rules out the free surfing approach. Instead of going for broke he now shows greater control. Having said that he is right on the edge for sure. Surely he has learnt such things thru being coached.
Not saying it can't be coached - see the comment about surfers being handled from the sideline - but that coaching itself won't create champions, which appears the mindset Australia is heading towards.
Personally, I believe that as ability levels rise - which they will in an increasingly popular sport - innate talent will come to the fore. Occy, Tom Curren, Kelly Slater, Dane Reynolds, Andy Irons, JJF, Filipe Toledo, Jordy Smith, all natural freaks who had/have the right ingredients for surfing success without need for coaching (caveat on Dane). The next wave coming through on the 'QS look similar.
Hi Stu,
Do any of those guys you listed that still compete have coaches? If so why? Sounds like your suggesting they don't or don't need them to become World Champs. I'm not having a crack at you, I'm just curious. I would suggest you know more about the ins & outs than I do.....
Kelly Slater: No, though he has used local advisers at times. Mitch Thorson at Margs was a recent example.
Jordy Smith: Uses Jarrod Howse as adviser/sounding board/point man.
JJF: Uses Shaun Ward as adviser. Interesting to note that in a STAB interview JJF said people tried to coach his style out of him - specifically his lowered leading arm - but he always resisted.
Filipe Toledo: Not sure. May well use a coach now, though I'd argue the kid is such a phenom no coach could've taught him what he knows about aerials.
Also, not suggesting that coaches can't fine tune a naturally gifted surfer's act. I do think it's questionable how effective large scale training facilities can be in a sport such as surfing.
Not so hard to accept at all -- in fact easy to logically understand that Australia's numbers will be down --- increased dramatically international numbers will do that --- it's now a legitimate international sport/lifestyle - so the numbers will adjust.
To then say that the dominance is gone, might be debatable, which is all I'm doing and being a web forum I'd assume it's OK to debate the statement - if it's only for people to come in and agree with you then that in itself is a sad state but wouldn't surprise....
But back to the dominate statement - right now it could be still well argued Australians are dominant - past two mens champions, women absolutely dominating this year - so across the board they are dominating still - possibly more so than in many years in the early 2000's when Slater/Irons were dominating the sport, Occy was moving on and Fanning/Parkinson/Burrow were evolving.
It's not all about the numbers at the top either, especially when the numbers internationally are growing so fast and the numbers appear relatively healthy anyway???
I know little about this performance centre but what of the current crop of Australians surfing are utilising it (men and women) --surely they can figure if it's of value - are they utilising it?
done properly, even the most gifted surfer of the period could potentially get value from a performance centre --- which might not be coaching -- could be nutritional advice, body maintainance whatever -
Out of interest, what other international sport are Australians doing better at than the surfers?
Cheers for that info Stu!! It's an interesting topic that's hard to quantify I reckon. That's the beauty of humans playing sport. Anything can happen which makes it all worth watching......
It's at the QS level and upcoming junior talent that Australia is seriously deficient.
Coaching seems to produce mixed results.
Slater has never had a coach.
Parko won his World Title after he ditched Luke Egan as coach.
Jordy has had Shane Beschen as coach with disappointing results.
Owen Wright ditched his coach after a year of mixed results.
The only one who seems to have made it consistently work is Mick Fanning with Phil McNamara.
And Taj just dumped his. Still without a title.
Gotta love the quote from a few years ago when Kelly was told on the webcast that Shane Beschen was Jordys coach. "oh then he will definitely be in second place'
Stab has put up the parameters for the world title and still claiming John John can win it.
The numbers:
– If Gabriel finishes 25th or 13th in Portugal, Joel and John John will need a 2nd, Mick; 5th and Kelly; 25th to send the title race to Pipe.
– If Gabriel finishes 9th, Joel and John John will need a 1st, Mick a 2nd, Kelly a 3rd.
– If Gabriel makes the quarters, Joel and John John will be out of the race, Mick and Kelly will need a 1st.
– A third place finish for Gabby, and Mick and Kelly will need a 1st. If Gabriel finishes 2nd, Mick will be out of the race, Kelly will need a 1st.
– But, if Gabriel finishes 1st, he will win the world title in Portugal.
– Taj and Michel are still mathematical chances but so far from the hitting range it’s not worth reporting.
My comments about Australian Surfing are relevant to who have we got coming as potential world champions,now that Mick,parko seem to be now at the end of their carreers...?
there is big gap between Mick and parko and Julien and Owen..who were once touted as potential world champs.....but now it looks like we have a new group of surfers from JJF ,GM Kolohoe,Bourez,Nat,Toledo,Jadson,Pupo .......
it looks like from the WQS......there is another big charge coming form Brazil.....and Aussies are lagging big time.....
the HPC has not produced anybody yet ,direct onto the tour ready to compete at the highest level...
there is currently a BIG gap between M&J...then Owen/Julien......then O & J and our Juniors.....what happened??
Homogonising Aussie surfers thru the HPC.......seems to be the current M O.....
the Aussie dominance is now into the spiral down path.........but we are spending more money than ever on.....??
Yes fair point Brutus. But is realistic to expect any nation, regardless of HPC's/coaching or not, to consistently be the best?? I don't think so. And I'm not suggesting your saying that, just a question. Look at other nationwide sports & the ebbs and flo of countries at the top continue......however maybe the future will prove otherwise...
And the girls don't exist and Matt Banting at # 1 on the qs don't matter and Jack Freestone despite 2 world junior titles is already washed up and Jack Robinson, who occassionally surfs a wqs and won one in great waves at Sunset, he don't matter and ...Micks won 2 wct's this year and has the fire and the current crop are possibly right this minute a more legitimate dominance (across men and women) than say 20 years ago --- when, as Stu pointed out, the sport was nowhere near as global as what it is now!? And Tyler Wright is how old? - and the sky is falling, on Australia.
bob,matts 1# but still can't surf bigger waves as his counterparts can......JF has been trying for 2 years to qualify for WCT barely got out of a heat....Jack Robinson is probably Australias big chance of winning a world title......but he is the exception as his dad does not let him near "the System".....and he learning about his bds,surf spots.....no hurry or weight of expectation......
Its interesting to watch,having been involved for more than 40 yrs......the depth of talent in Australia has never been softer........but the amount of money being pumped into surfing has never been so high.....= ????
"Jack Robinson is probably Australias big chance of winning a world title......but he is the exception as his dad does not let him near "the System".....and he learning about his bds,surf spots.....no hurry or weight of expectation......"
Now I'm super curious on the whole Jack Robinson thing.
Sure, he surfs amazingly well. But he was hyped up big time by Quiksilver for six (?) years - I don't recall anything major happening during this time, off the top of my head - before moving over to Billabong in early 2014.
He's way too young into his career to have built a personal brand, and in an era where the big surf labels are cutting back on 'freesurfers', I wonder what Jack's KPIs are?
At some stage he's gonna have to show BBG that they're getting a return on their reportedly six-figure investment (news articles in Febrruary stated that Jack is "now one of the highest-paid junior surfers in the world").
So I gotta say, in the current economic environment I'm dubious on the claim that there is "no hurry or weight of expectation" for Jack.
Yes some great questions there and when people say double Jay never had any coaching. Ahhh hang on, he had a group of great hawaiians taking him out in the surf everyday in front of his house. Heaps better than a coach in waves of serious consequence. I do have an issue with this High Performance Centre though as it is trying to codify something which is anarchic by nature. If Australians, Hawiians and USA'ns are jaded by competition and doing their own thing maybe this is an evolution of surfing. The new world takes over the day to day and the established nations spread their wings. Everybody loves Dane and he hasn't got out of a first round for how long?
I think there's a lot of merit in that assertion Memla. Surfing cultures change with time, as do their impact on the world stage.
and that's why we are about to see a mass of Brazilians replace the Aussie journeymen on tour.....maybe our boys a just plain tuckered out!
You see the comments (at the end of the thread) about Jack's scores in Portugal yesterday though Brutus? Total heat score of 1.96, in what was Jack's third contest for the year. Seems to be the antithesis of a journeyman.. certainly can't be tired from all that 'QS travelling.
Yes I know the feeling the older I get. Now we get to judge who does the best Youtoob vid. Dane has got that well and truly under control. Maybe it might go the way of boxing splitting up into a number of ASP's with the heavy weight no longer that relevant (unlike the old Ali - smoking Joe days). No doubt the Zilla's are hungrier at present but longer term who knows. Look at their soccer it is a mess. All good banter and speculation.
given too much too early, think they are stars when they are candles. sorry boys if posts seem a bit weird, but in last two days i have had heaps of people whinging to me about lost opportunities/ how they could have been the next big thing etc etc/ not doubting their stories, but c'mon get over it and get on with it- caml, don't take what i said to heart too much, but it frustrates me to see people with the talent now not using it for whatever imaginary reason they invent. Guess it comes from the fact i sign my first semi pro soccer contract to be paid to play, and break my neck the same day- get over it dave- but whats life- if we dont at least have a dig. and if anyone out there knows of a better tube rider that mr goulding in nasty coral reef barrels, please, show me the footage
I don't think you can equate a professional coach with "a group of great hawaiians taking him out in the surf everyday in front of his house". That's not to say that JJ was necessarily at a disadvantage; they're just two completely different things.
JR has enormous ability that if nurtured properly,could bcome world Champ.
watch his semi and final at the Sunset pro-Junior this year...looked Currenesque....surfed way beyond his years and a lot of current WCT surfers could not surf this good.
He is still soo young,but I notice he is turning up at Chopes.hawaii for mths on end....and seems to be building a very strong surfing foundation as JJF has done.
He doesn't do all the ISA/Surfin Aust amateur stuff....and Gordon has personally taken an interest in getting Jack onboard and helping him navigate the ASP/WSL....so I don't think there is currently a lot of pressure on him as hes a couple of years off getting serious!!!
Any hoo....
By my completely dodgy calcumalations, GMED only needs a semi final finish in one of the next 2 events (or better) to take the crown.
Am i *Wright?
Can we please get a read on this ASP/WSL/Stu/SwNet?
I can't really figure it out. Maybe just give Kelly another one if no one else can either.
BTW, if you get your best and worst result dropped in the scoring shouldn't that be the same in the tally wash-up at the end of the year.
OK, stupid idea.
*i spelled wright rong on the purpose...
*Conspicuously ignoring this post due to being lumped in with ASP/WSL*
**Nothing to do with having no idea how the bloody world title scoring works?**
***Well, there's that too***
**** Well, here is the low down; http://www.aspworldtour.com/posts/73548/medina-world-title-chances-portugal
Only took a week and a bit for the ASP/WSL to figure it out (or pretend to).
Read through it a couple of times and I'm still pretty confused....
By my reading of the article, If Kelly wins at Pipe, Gaby makes a cake with chalk and two Johns sets a new yodeling world record, then Taj takes the title.
Go Taj. ****
I think the chances are really high Medina will win, unless he really screws up, the ASP need him to win.
Agreed thermalben. He would be the exception, but it's hard to imagine, as you stated in these current economic times.
Brutus, I agree with some of your assessments but, there's heaps of light with Jack Robinson emerging and I'm sure there's some great talents emerging nationally and I can't fathom why the girls have been abandoned here, makes me think the sport is very sexist because they are doing Australia proud in a massive way yet they seem to get ignored in this forum.
In the early 2000's when Slater and Irons were ahead of the pack, would there have been this much talk of gloom and doom for our surfers. When Mark Richards was on a fly was it gloom and doom in the USA/Sth Africa and Hawaii?
As far as money being pumped in - in comparison to other sports in Australia, are we really pumping huge amounts in and given Australian surfers achievements, especially recent years when the sport has certainly been recognized as global don't they deserve facilities that might assist in maintaining them as a force? Some proactive spending?
How new is this facility? Do you really think you can make a judgement on it's success right now.
No question there'll be some who'll want to right it off right now (Is that a syndrome?) - wouldn't a better attitude be to give it the best chance of assisting Australia's top surfers and hoping it might play a role in getting a new world champion?
Bob I just wonder if the money wouldn't better spent at a grass roots level say additional comp funding for the clubs around Australia and a get together of the Presidents every so often to compare notes/talent and finding ways to fund quality surfers for the QS. Not big on centralising bureaucracy as it tends to create fat cats. Cricket Australia seems to have had very mixed results with their academy.
I'm not disagreeing with the value of more money at grassroots Memla - I'd rather see that than illegitimate social security payments, but strictly from an elite high performance level it makes sense to be injecting money at the top end to try and get the absolute best and get world champions, or as close as possible.
All that said, I reckon JJF is almost like the second coming of Slater and in the immediate future I reckon he will dominate the world which will be good for the sport and the (ASP/WSL??), not the indusrtry, will probably capitalise on such a talent way better than what the industry did with Slater, and right into the USA market - won't that make the magnificent 4 happY!?
I think what we are really discussing here, is australia's current formula for coaching and developing pro surfers working ....??
me thinks not......
Wonder what would have happened to JJF's unique style if he had been heavily coached ?
Jack Robinson is definitely the light on the hill for Aussie pro surfing......interesting to note they are very much running him on the JJF track.
Banting is not a top ten surfer. Doubt he'll last more than a season on the CT unless he can change his game big-time.
Agree with you on the womens surfing Bob. There's plenty of depth there.
Wasn't that the one that Julian Wilson went on? What has gone wrong with that guy. He spent what seemed a long time prepping himself for the CT, don't rush was the mantra, then has become a dud. Seems to have a great all round game but brain fade in comps or am I completely off track?
He's having a hard season but he could bounce back, I believe. He charges hard, has an aerial act and has had some tough round 3 heats go for and against him this year.
That's the thing now, winning the world title, even making the top 5 is crazy hard, like it should be in elite sports - just ask Joel, and Taj and probably cheyne horan and Gary elkerton. I believe it's at a stage now where the success of a nation can't be judged on purely world titles, but more on legit world title contenders, and Australia has many and they are doing a great job, IMO
And spare us the bullshit Stu. I dont think anyone gives a f&%k about your so-called conspicuious absence!
Lighten up fuckwit.
Matt Griggs is Owen Wrights coach this year and it seems to be paying off.
I agree you really shouldn't need a coach.
Dane Renyolds does need a coach as he is the most overhyped surfer in the world followed by Jordy Smith although he is starting to show some form but is also over
scored.
Crowded surfing breaks are contributing to the problem. As well, more kids are riding boogers now, in the past it was surfboard riding that was main/only focus. Pouring more money into HPC is not the answer, having more WQS events in Australia is the way. Provides incentive, gives good experience. Surfing Australia and other surfing related organisations and companies should work together/ hook up with sponsor and put on a series of Australian qualifying events. Car makers, electronic equipment companies could easily see the benefit of linking to a sport that will get media attention/free advertising, plus have their products on display for their target audience anyway. Currently the sponsorships are too top heavy, the money has to filter down back to the grass root level. Jack Robinson has been mentioned, c'mon, does he really need all that money, look how else some of that money could have been spent. The pro surfing/sponsorship creation is unsustainable, all I can say is, go the clubs, Australian club surfing is the model that works. Far more entertaining to watch I reckon, especially now with Tag Team event.
Well, Surftag has been around for eleven (or twelve?) years. You're obviously referring to Surfing Australia's copycat event - the Australian Boardriders Battle - which began last year.
ben, i was talking about just any club event that has older crew and younger crew all contributing for points and working together as a team- builds friendships, trust and groms dont want to let older crew down so they improve.
sorry free ride, with you 100% but I live next to D-bah and Snapper so comps all the time common place for me- fuck, the wave pool idea might have some merits, all comps and show off jet ski dudes into the wave pool- yeah like it, i think it will work::)TTP-taking the piss
Wasn't having a go at ya Dave - just sounded to me that you thought Tag Team events were a new thing.
Otherwise, I agree with your points.
more comps........nooooooooooooooooooo!
I think you've hit on part of the problem though Dave. More crowds=less waves for kids to get their skill levels up.
So, far from being an endless conveyor belt of progression as more people do it, as Stu alluded to, there might be capacity constraints on growth in surfing levels across a nation/area.
I actually think the surfing level is decreasing at alot of places in Aus because of that fact.
I was shocked at how kooky the standard in California was.
Don't agree with the comment about crowds hindering the development of top surfers. Crowds, for better or worse, help drive the animal hunger (or is that greed?) that translates into better competition success. Look at the locations that have produced champions in Aus - Kirra/Cooly, Narrabeen, Mereweather etc. not exactly deserted coastal hamlets.
How many world champs have been produced from SA or Vic? Grow up there and you can get pretty much get infinite waves (and variety) to get your skill levels up on but you don't have to compete for them.
I told you so! - See Jack Robinsons performance in Portugal last night? --- He scored less than 2 points for his top two rides! The futures good
Well, there ya go.
Heat 12: Jonathan Gonzalez (CNY) 12.20, Conner Coffin (USA) 11.70, Mick Fanning (AUS) 8.23, Jack Robinson (AUS) 1.96.
But as Brutus said, no pressure Jack.
This is Jack's third ASP comp for the year (according to his page on their website).
He came First at the North Shore Surf Shop Pro Junior (1 Star event in Hawaii in January), but came equal Last at the Hunter Business Boardriders Pro Junior (1 Star event in Newcastle in February), knocked out of Round 1 due to an interference call.
no pressure Jack.....as for Mick trying to regain some form......ahhh pressure....
Maybe he's not the new messiah.
Memlasurf are blind every opportunity I come across I bag the shit out of Dane
IMO he is the most overrated surfer that has ever been over hyped and has the
personality of a rock.
Geez Evo can't agree there saw Dane at good cloudbreak last year was outrageous how he surfed. Out gunned all the others including Parko, Mick and Kelly and Shane, was drawing insane lines.
And Pro surfing in good hands. The young gun brazzas, Andino, JJF, Jordy, Owen, Julian, Bourez. Its incredible how good these guys surf. The question for me is can the ASP be a viable business to support those surfers.
Gabriel might win the title, but I would say most people feel JJF best surfer on tour this year. Also a really nice polite respectful kid. Got it all.
In my humble opinion I feel that the Australians have lost one of the key attributes of our previous success... Our teamwork. Our opponents previously feared us as competitors, because no matter our bad things were going they knew that team Australia would always support our champions... Australia has the talent, our coaches need to tap into building our beliefs that we can be champions again... fuck the changing of the guard, fuck the excuses, never give up and never give in... failure should not be in our vocabulary.... at the end of the day competitive surfing is a sport... our young men and women should be honoured to represent one of the greatest countries on the planet... Draw strength from your mates and the honour to represent your friends, your family and your country... never let them down... only belief will change our champions... and only our support will give them the strength...
...and if that doesn't work you can just do what Glenn Hall did and surf for Ireland.
Arm chair thrillers
Let it go fellas
JJ won and that's it ;)
got what u r saying, but personal observation shows Russel Bierke C'mon. the kid can surf, but why take off on a closeout/' My new mate caml god bless his tube sense, i have had to deal with jap fuckwit, but mate, surely u would pick which ones to go- wouldn't ya caml they dont seem to understanding your reading of a swell, have to be out there to know it.please dont let me die without someone capturing u shacked. or else it's on, go the hawks. hey tosser, give us the real deal, which u r. no more posts just vision of caml as caml is,
some people are born to do things- caml, u r one, no shit, or i will cut u to pieces- u make us all feel like great surfers- why - cause u love it- like all of us, but u can do it- do it for all of us us-please do that bottom turn, set it up, pump it, who cares what happens, do it for all of us brother. You are scared of exposure, true, but who surfs these waves like you!!!!! Caml, be like me, great potential with three fucked up neck disc's or be the man we all want to aspire too, Is the caml thirsty or is he the aspiration!!!!!!!!!!
Coaching doesn't work? Or could it be that the current cast of coaches pointed out suck?
There's one coach everyone missed who's doing a knockout job..... Gabs oldie, Chuck Medina.
As to freeride's opinion that the new crop of young Soy Cal surfers have a kooked out style, check 'em....
This was last year when the crew, and Hagan Johnson were 10 years old.
Competition is good.
I don't mean the hot surfers in Ca, Roller.
I mean the general standard.
I think as waves get more crowded, coastal real estate gets more expensive and therefore people have less time to surf and less waves per session the general standard of surfing in populous western countries is decreasing.
I've come to that conclusion through observation.
Also First Point Noosa , this statement: "Australia has the talent" ....I don't think we do. Great surfing talents don't just fall off a tree and coaching doesn't make them magically appear, no matter how much money we throw at it.
Kids with nascent surfing talent need at least what Malcom Gladwell calls "ten thousand hours" to develop skills.
And I believe, because of the aforementioned factors that less and less kids are getting that ten thousand hours in. It's so much harder now for kids to live by the beach and do nothing but surf, surf, surf.
Only rich people can afford it for a start.
There's so many more distractions for kids now.
are we missing the point here. is surfing a sport or an expression. after my shitty day and i was up caml-sorry mate- my point was- if you have talent- use it, express it, but dont bloody score it- gnarloo firing, caml getting shacked, comes in stoked after getting shacked and smashed and Todd mckenney critiques him and holds up a card that says 7- c'mon, does it take someone who cant surf anymore through a life changing injury to point out that surfing is more than a sport, its more than an expression, it is a way to feel truly alive and connected to this thing called life. yeah good barrel dave, but yoy could have done a 360 on the foamball-thanks todd, i will remember that next time! who cares who is world champ, just surf and smile- simple!!!!
Portugal is on John John is in the water and the surf is crap.
Yes but there is no commentary. Hallelujah turn some music on.
Total bullshit! Kelly gets a 7.33 for a late hit off the lip and a mediocre turn at the end.
Wilko smashes one off the top and pulls air reverse. 6.5.
Bollocks.