Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach: Day 1
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach: Day 1
The best thing about a shitty forecast is almost everything that transpires comes in as an over-delivery on an under-promise. Which is the inverse of how the WSL usually operates. Today was a perfect example: conditions steadily improved all day, the performances were stellar, there were a lot of tight heats and some of the heavyweights went ham at the Winkipop buffet.
What a relief after enduring hours of Portugese close-outs to have heats decided (mostly) by surfing prowess. Opportunity was mostly equally distributed and even the side-onshore breeze had its utility as an aid to launching and landing aerials.
Where to begin?
Right from the get go the surfing was insane - Ethan Ewing whipping quality thin slices off Winkipop walls with precision blade work. Griffin Colapinto came straight in after his easy win and laid down greased air, languorous fin drifts which made the short pockety sections look easy to surf.
Ethan Ewing (photo: Ed Sloane)
Form was generally high. Wildcards had a good day. Narrabeen aspirant Dylan Moffat had a great heat. Clever decision making was enhanced with a quiet style which framed up big turns. He got lucky too, on the bomb set wave which he duly bludgeoned into submission and the days first excellent score. All of a sudden Australian surfing seems full of Callum Robson clones - blue collar 'journeymen' who look ready to step out of gainful employment into the big leagues with zero transition period. As opposed to highly hyped show ponies who often need time to settle as they negotiate the difference between the hype and reality.
Morgs already made that transition, of course. From a reject of the Merewether boardriders (couldn't make the A team) to a CT Final Five surfer in one hell-bent year. Then bounced. Morgs looked CT ready in a banger heat with Barron Mamiya and JJF. It did look like Mamiya's last wave was the 7.9 score required but repeat viewing of the two best waves showed Morgs a deserved second placer. Both a long, long way behind John who just had one of those heats which makes Pro Surfing fun to watch. Everything at speed and so casual, so laid over with perfect execution and unlimited variety. Florence has improved his repertoire in recent seasons, something judges have not yet caught up with. They still seem mired in 2017 JJF imagery - but the 2023 John has more variety in the arsenal. Very worthy of your time to watch all of JJF's waves from that heat, albeit humbling.
John John Florence (photo: Ed Sloane)
Owen looked silky in his win over Toledo and Gentil. It was hard not to contrast the celebration of Owen's retirement (on his terms I guess) and the finger-tips on the cliff feeling of Kelly's career.
Is it being unfair to Kelly Slater to say his appearances are already starting to feel a little wildcard-ish, but a token wildcard? Another Kelly heat where he was well shy of double figures, another heat where falls and weird waves outnumbered scoring rides. To be fair, Kelly launched a huge air into the wind and was pretty close to making it. That may have been a 10 if he landed it. But he didn't. And he goes to the elimination round with a last place finish staring him in the face, again.
Kelly is up with Connor O'Leary and Carlos Munoz, which will be an unmissable heat as the Goat struggles to regain the luxury of going out on his own terms.
Kelly Slater (photo: Ed Sloane)
I rarely feel sorry for Pro Surfers but O'Leary did make me feel a little forlorn. Minutes ticking down, right down the arse end of the rankings with another mid-year cut looming, trying for all the world to stay in his happy place to manifest a small score and..........nothing. Just needed a high 4 and the waves went really crappy for the last 10 minutes. Imagine if I had to write a comp wrap to save my skin and half the keys went missing on the computer. It's just not his fault he couldn't get the job done. But if he gets cut, how much longer will sponsors stick with him?
They'll stick with Kolohe and he bravely ventured that at 30 he still felt like he had plenty more to give and if he copped the axe he would gladly go back down the CS (he called it the Qualifying Series) mine with his brothers and do the work to requalify. Stirring stuff.
Strong vibes of last year where we saw performances lift with Bells being the penultimate comp before the cut. All the big dogs stepped up, Medina threw a huge air, Jack Robbo threw down an air heavy attack. Those below the line, with minds wonderfully focussed by the threat of diminished or lost livelihoods, also brang the noise. Kanoa Igarashi being the most noteworthy, along with Kolohe Andino. To be honest, after watching the entire Mens Field run their practice laps today I could not identify a probable winner. It's possible the day will be entirely useless as a form guide as we run into difficult days on the Bowl. Time will tell. John is the obvious front-runner on form.
In a situation that would have never occurred a decade ago, the surf improved and the Women were sent out. I still hear people (men) say to my face or read below the line: the women suck, it's boring watching them etc. It's hard to know what to say to such old school sexism - have another look, their performance levels are increasing faster than the men, there's a whole new crop of amazing shredders coming through, open your frigging eyes. Any or all of the above.
Equal pay was massive, the integrated tour was huge, and judges have helped in a significant way by removing the crazy discrepancy between judging scales. They've equalised the scoring to make it more comprehensible. A woman's 7 is now close enough to parity with a man's 7 as far as performance goes. That makes a huge difference to the enjoyment of watching the Sport.
As far as performance goes this felt like the best Womens Round 1 ever. The waves went groomed, then silken as the wind dropped out. Sets poured through. Betty-Lou opened with an 8 to set the tone.
Pickles cranked the dial up. She's surfing every heat now like she has a point to prove. If that point is that she wants to be considered the best Female surfer in the World, then I'm on board. She's going to drag Carissa out of her comfort zone.
I might be overstating this Pickles factor but even Steph seemed a little more raw, a little more punk with the same insane edge control through the carves.
Molly Picklum (photo: Ed Sloane)
Sally Fitzgibbon has become a focal point for fan disaffection, a symbol of corporate interests over-riding the integrity of the competitive architecture of the Sport. Today she blitzed her critics with two 8 plus rides that looked better than anything she has produced in her career to date.
In full blown commentary gush by Joe Turpel she was paid the ultimate back-handed compliment by Rabbit who claimed she was the “most marketable womans surfer” and that was “her highest achievement.” She maybe able to shift sheds, blenders and Chinese SUV's but she absolutely slayed Winkipop today and to be fair to Bugs he also noted this ability to draw in corporate dollars had lifted Women’s surfing, as a whole. Which is true, if galling for people who have to endure the carpet-bombed Harvey Norman ads.
Sally Fitzgibbons (photo: Ed Sloane)
Womens surfing has undergone such an epoch shift with the integrated Tour and introduction of Pipe and Chopes that legacy questions will loom large over those who presided in the old shitty wave venues. Oh, she didn't surf Pipe, etc. I guess I've had to change my thinking on Sally Fitz after today. If she makes this cut and throws down at Chopes her legacy will be garnished and the Wildcard decision won't seem so arbitary.
It's going to be a long event so time will tell what we can carry forwards from today, even deep into history, although it felt like with the Womens performance we really are seeing something special go down. Tell me if I'm over-reaching here.
//STEVE SHEARER
Comments
Just watched women’s replays, wow Sally ripping. Goes to show what can happen when given the canvas.
I’ve said this before (without comment might I add) that it’s all great having equal pay, but where is the equal opportunity? How can the sport call it even with women tour almost half of the men’s at all levels (CS, Etc).
I also think the Woz makes it very hard for themselves by trying to jam the two tours into one wait period. Someone is always going to miss out. I know it comes down to dollar and cents, but would be such better opportunities for both tours to have a full wait period each for these good waves.
Great summary as usual with lots of humour. Gonna watch some heats now! Despite all the wrong steps the WSL take at least their content is still free otherwise I probably wouldn’t bother. Watching pros always pushes your mind surfing.
A great days indeed. I vote for more days surfed at Wink.
hoping morg’s gets some confidence after today- he was giving it a crack!!
as you said steve, expectation is a funny thing-i had the feeling that today would just be a churner to get thru early heats - but how good was it to see them (he’s and she’s) just cutting loose and kicking the arse of cynicism (mine included)
(top pic of slater too- i reckon he’d be chuffed with that)
It wasnt until i watched the best women in the world unable to pull off even the most basic air rev, that i realized i was a sexist pig.
I'm in the sexist camp with you.
I don't take binary positions like in the article and I'm never going to say the women suck at surfing, because they fucking rip. But I only watch the highlights anyway and the best highlights are more often than not of the men's surfing. I only want to see the best surfing: Man, woman, transgender, child. I don't care. I just wanna watch the best and the best are the men.
the 2 pics above says it all really - JJ full rail buried, massive spray , critical on edge manoeuvre . Sally- nice snap , but nothing you wouldn't see at any beach on any good day with a few local hot shots out . Womens surfing is good to watch at times and has come a long way but to put it up there with the best of the men is fairytale stuff .
Nah, no over-reach Steve. The women are shredding like never before. Sally Fitz’s performance was next level stuff, and some. It’s great to see the veterans truly inspired by the younger ones to lift their performances with far better surfing all around. A joy to watch. The men too of course. Keep powering all.
Yea Sal ripped, but Haval and Harvey need to stagger the sally-sharing. Thankfully had YouTube no-ads to ease the corpo queeze.
Plenty of Fire Power over at the WSL Autumn Urbnsurf Invitational
tbb did foretell of Practice Laps at the Ripcurl freshwater base camp.
Not surprised at the turnout...after Last Year's Bells Winners had a bath here!
This years Line Up of Stars...
#1 Mick Fanning #7 Callum Robson / Olympic Medalist Owen Wright / #1 Jack Robinson
Note #1 Kelly Slater again chose another Nite Session...Ranch day/nite...Just sayin'!
Team Brazil ~ #10-2022 Samuel Pupo #6-2022 Miguel Pupo #2 Joao Chumbinho #4 Caio Ibelli
Wow! That sure is a lot of Fire Power between Tour Events...
By far & away the most competitive line up outside of WSL Ranch CT.
Very few would expect this Red Hot Autumn Session...
Again, easy to pick this early on in the piece but still amazed to see the level of engagement...Wow!
Just wondering! Any know if WSL / Ripcurl hooked a Wavegarden deal on "Official" Training Sessions!
Also another Easter Urbnsurf Ripcurl Bells Melbourne Promo on back of Xmas Ripcurl Pro Promo.
Vic tourism packaging F1 + #1 Jack + Urbnsurf + Rip Curl + Bells.
https://mobile.twitter.com/AlpineF1Team/status/1641092867652300800
Super professional Promos by Urbnsurf...there's a lot of Surf History being forged here!
Never doubt a humble wave pool to hold it's own...punching well above it's height...Salute Urbnsurf!
Check it out
https://www.facebook.com/urbnsurf
[Disclaimer]
Not a Paid Advert & not a wave pool surfer...struggle to reach any line up!
Just calling this curtain raiser for how it is...
Wot...Ok! tbb is foolin' no one...wotz he playin' at...that shallow huh!
Well...crew notice that WSL / CS is the only league without a wave pool Comp.
Just imagine WSL slot another #4 CT Comp (Goldie revival is a perfect example!)
But hold up...then WSL need another CS Venue....coming to that in a minute...just wait up!
#4 GC > #5 Ripcurl Bells > Cut to CS City Parade > Dan's Coleseum for #1 Ripcurl CS Urbnsurf Pro
Ya see! Goldie Lights up > WSL / Ripcurl's Ultimate Wet Dream Sequence...RC Wetties for All.
Kinda like a Mid Season Easter Bonnet Parade with the ELO Easter Bunny.
Like a RipCurl mid Season Wettie Sale for Vicco WSL / F1 middle earth Pit Stop.
So that explains the WSL Urbnsurf F1 pit stop...full on Pro Test Centre for CS Tour.
Exclusive sweet Bonus...
The only CS winners to date...2020 Leonardo + 2021 Kanoa + 2022 Leonardo
Urbnsurf simply argue that both dynamic surfers are naturally high profile Wavegarden Team Riders.
Wavegarden's CS commitment is noted by all and justly rewarded...all above board...a fair call!
So who's laughing now...looks like we got a perfect match for the perfect Opening CS Event with cred!
tbb reckons that's wotz goin' down.
Sally may rip at times, but she still didn’t earn her right to be there.
When you win the U.S MASTERS of golf, you are invited to the a lifetime of U.S masters starts.
While I'm NOT saying Mark Richards should still get a round 1 spot , I do think TWO TIME Bells winners sho are STILL competeing should get a wildcard
That's maybe fair enough for Bells. Although you can't just hand out wildcards to past winners each and every event.
The problem is Sally is the proverbial Golden Goose for the WSL and gets wildcards to every damn event. From a marketing perspective it's a great decision, but it sure ain't fair to the girls who miss out on the endless chances Sally gets given.
That said, she was best on ground out there yesterday - absolutely amazing performance
Lolo wrote - "Although you can't just hand out wildcards to past winners each and every event."
Well yeah I kinda touched on that with my comment- "While I'm NOT saying Mark Richards should still get a round 1 spot , I do think TWO TIME Bells winners sho are STILL competeing should get a wildcard".
Lolo here's an interesting factoid. Since 2010, there have only been 5 different womens winners at bells- Fitzgibbon, Gilmore, Conlogue, Moore, and Wright.
Personally, I think the midway cut is a joke. In fact, I think the whole system STINKS. Its a bin fire. Too many execs with their (sniff sniff) think tank ideas, wanting to leave their own little signature on a system that now resembles a clusterfuck. From scrapping hawaii as the FINALE', the crescenso of the season, to scrapping Snapper as the traditional beach party start. They even scrapped Bells for a period.
Now we have this ludicrous mid way cut. I dont even know wtf is going on anymore. Its almost unfollowable.
Start a petition to make me CEO of the WSL. I'll set fire to this bullshit and start again hahahahaha.
Snapper as the opener. Bells. Margs.
May - Uluwatu (NEW COMP organised by sheepdog lol)
June- Tahiti
Late June Brazil
July- J bay ( note streamlined globe trotting around southern hemi)
August- ( break)
North hemi leg
Early September - Portugal
Late Sept- France (new comp)
Early Oct- Ranch pro california
Late Oct- Trestles california
Mid Nov- Sunset
Early Dec- Pipeline.
There ya go..... SIMPLE to understand. Streamlined.
As far as the mid year cut goes, FUCK IT OFF!
Its unfair. U bust your guts for a year to make the rankings. You should get the next year IN THE RANKING you earnt.
In 1979, would've Mark Richards missed the cut? Where was he ranked? By memory, he didnt go to the South African leg, was waaaay behind Horan and Dane kealoha, and came storming back to win the title in Hawaii.
This current WSL management is a joke
no over reach , but your assessment of Steph Gilmores performance was underwhelming . Timing, flair , critical turns and all done with a style that is lacking in her rivals .
Agreed, Steph was amazing, best performance since Trestles. Definitely upped her game.
Also missed out on giving Caz Marks due recco.
Agree on women’s surfing FR. They have come on leaps and bounds, and Molly Picklum is upping their game.
The Sally Fitz haters … yeah, I just don’t get it. Pleased to see her go so well. People gonna hate, it’s just what they do. They’d boo Santa Claus. I wasn’t bombarded with Sally Fitz ads though, don’t know why, just watching through YouTube (is there any other way).
Men’s, apart from JJF it’s a lottery. So many of them have A-games these days and they were bringing it. Colapinto continues to show he has serious claims. JR keeps turning up and producing quality rides whatever is required, he seems to cover every base. I can’t think of a sport that has as many variables as comp surfing yet JR maintains amazing levels of consistency.
Surprisingly worthwhile viewing, probs because the waves just got better and silkier as the day progressed.
i went out on a leg 2 weeks ago and said jjf was more likely to get injured than win a ct event this year based on form history last 3 years. happy to fall on my sword after watching him yesterday. defintly my top pick for bb trophy. tottaly in sync and in the zone
Watched most of it yesterday, some great surfing, JJF definitely looked like the person to beat.
The girls are ripping..
As to comparing to the the men I'll quote my mum. 'Comparisons are odious'....
Great write up..
"Equal pay was massive, the integrated tour was huge"
For the women, undoubtedly. It's the best the Women's Tour has ever been.
But it has nobbled the Men's Tour, which is nowhere near its peak. And it doesn't seem to be very sustainable overall.
It has unfortunately had some unintended consequences as they have to squeeze two comps into a single waiting period.
Also, waiting periods used to be longer (2 weeks) right?
Now they're 10 days. It's not often enough time.
Great write up as usual and have to agree, I actually enjoy watching the ladies surfing. In the same way I enjoy womens golf- not for the power but for the technique and finesse.
I like TB‘s tour package above.
( steve on sally fitz)-
"she was paid the ultimate back-handed compliment by Rabbit who claimed she was the “most marketable womans surfer” and that was “her highest achievement.” She maybe able to shift sheds, blenders and Chinese SUV's but she absolutely slayed Winkipop today and to be fair to Bugs he also noted this ability to draw in corporate dollars had lifted Women’s surfing, as a whole."
A bit cheeky, Steve.
Before Bugs went the "most marketable" comment, he also called Sallys first wave a "scorcher", and that "she has added another dimension to her surfing".
He also pointed out re' her marketabilty, that's "it's above ALL THE TITLES she has won". He went on to say that her surfing in the heat was the "most dynamic I've seen in several years".
So Rabs 1 comment taken on its own may come across as slightly patronising, but when the whole macro discussion of Sally in that that heat is looked at, Rabbits overal context is nothing but complimentary to her SURFING.
Agreed, but he went out of his way to call her marketability her "highest achievement".
Thats noteworthy.
Would anyone say that about Kelly Slater? Or Steph Gilmore.
He was making a very clear point.
Oh for sure. But unlike Slats or Steph, Sally is NOT a multiple world champ. So you are comparing apples to oranges. Her marketability has LIFTED her above many female surfers who have won multiple events, but not a world title. I dont see it as an insult.
Also, To be a "marketable" world sports person, you need to be good yeah?
ps hope all is well, Mr Ride. I'm currently getting back in the water after some full on health issues. Got myself a 6'6 with a heap of foam. Maaaaan its been a struggle. But on my feet again, and even putting a little rail back in the face. Cheers dude
Good to hear SD!
Nice one SD.
I know that struggle well.
All the best.
Thanks Mr ride and craig.
Good one Sheepy, glad to hear you’re doing well
we are so used to crap waves from the wsl that mushy 2 foots waves become riveting viewing.
hahah simsurf think it was just good watching them let loose on a point break that most of us have had a crack on ourselves.
The fact the woman scored in flawless conditions was pure chance and not intended by the WSL. If wind forecasts played to prediction then they’d have the mens in the morning in light cross and the woman’s in the arv with a more onshore flow. It had nothing to do imo with equality.
Great write up none the less Steve
Yes, but surf quality was clearly improving by the time the Mens Rd had ended.
They could have easily sent Mens Rd 2 (Elimination) out there.
I thought they were going to.
A call was made to send the Women out in improving surf, instead of the men.
'https://www.urbandictionary.com › ...
Winkipop
Winkipop = unexpected happiness and can prefix any number of words to show this. Winkipop adventure. Winkipop money...'
'Falahey, now in his 80's, recalled that one day, a group of about 8 of them decided to paddle around the Button and checked the wave breaking past it. When they came in to the beach, two crabs were locked in the throws of a reproductive tussle. “Look, they're having a Winkipop!” exclaimed Trist.19 Apr 2020'
Urban dictionary and wavelength mag, trusted sources.
Unexpected by name and by nature. The devil wind took an unexpected turn and left long lines of swell unmolested, they send the women out and the surf improves, that's unexpected and didn't the ladies pile up the points. Sally was electric like the toasters she's so successfully flogging for uncle Gerry before queen Steph went into royal mode and greased it for the highest total of the day in the final heat. Epic stuff all round.
Greasing it was the way to go all day, the power of the wave beautifully matched with power moves and carrying speed that ultimately ends in the air. Farken loved it.
And after all the shit we mercilessly dish around everywhere else's tour legs we're heavily invested in Huey turning up down under and rolling out some lines and the winner day1 was condensed heat replay. Up to 9minutes each jammed with exquisite surfing.
Winkipop indeed.
They should just run alternating heats e.g. m-w-m-w... and flip a coin to see who goes first.
Do the WSL have a gambling sponsor? I guess elo has enough money not to/ runs it as a tax offset.
FR you forgot to mention Jako Baker the most unlikely looking surfer there is looks more like a publican but ripped Winki a new one. Another for the blue collars.
I’ve just watched some condensed heats.
Did Callum get completely ripped by Jordys 5.93? I think jordys was the one with a bunch of weak turns and an average close out hit.. but not sure if they missed one.
Generally good scoring but Matty McGillivray would rightly be feeling completely ripped off with that insane overscore of Joao. Ridiculous how the WSL still have some blatant favourites
That was hideous.
Actually unbelievable.
I thought Sophie Mc Culloch was weirdly underscored....
Would love to have heard your take of Kaipo straddling the Baileys ladder, comical at best, other than that another great wrap Freeride.
In the high vis?
Mental.
Just as Issy took off on a wave too. So shit
Good long walled waves sure help. The best surfers looked super motivated to have an open canvas.
JJ and Jack looked alive, loose and fast.
Some others not so much.
The gaps in skill are often bigger than the scores show because they are super subtle.
On women’s biz topics Jacko Baker had such a powerful and poignant breast cancer message he delivered that not one of the lame arse wsl team backed up. Incredibly inept and poor form. The sounds of falling on deaf ears is well deafening. No room for unscripted advocacy not wsl endorsed. Good onya Jacko
Just saw that on replay, Jacko is a legend! Colourfully stands for an important cause.
Jordys wave overscored,I couldn’t actually believe it.
Occy Marks ripped the bag out of it. Great to watch.
Bells is finished time to move on can't keep living in the past
I Agreed sacash. Though if 6 ft i probably wouldn’t. Until next year.
Improved writing, well done - disciplined ! Zero old song references and only one metaphor. Kelly's "own terms" are clearly to surf on tour till kicked off. .....so he will be going out on his own terms sooner or later is a more accurate analysis.
Great to have bugs in the commentary box. Breath of fresh air
hey Steve, classic read, I had a similar view, u got me giggling on a few paragraphs