Margaret River Pro: Day 1
Margaret River Pro: Day 1
Whatever you think about the cut, it certainly adds drama and spice to what would have otherwise been a pretty standard day, at a pretty standard wave.
Yeah, I know we think about Mainbreak in a different way in the JJF era but considering what is out there and what is being ridden these days, a wobbly, wonky boil-ridden right that gurgles out on a weed covered shelf is barely a pass mark.
Isabella Nichols (Photo: Aaron Hughes)
The cut added a 'best of times, worst of times' element to the story as we saw reigning champ Isabella Nichols bundled out of the event in last place and kicked off tour. A clearly gutted Nichols kept the tears at bay unlike fellow cut-ee Macy Callaghan and had a clear grasp on how this whole game operates.
“That's competitive sport,” she noted, after detailing how she'd gone from the best day of her life last year when she won, to the worst as she got relegated to the second-string tour.
It is Bella, and it's why people apart from friends, family, and Joe Turpel tune in: they wanna see stakes, they want winners and losers.
Bella went further with the sanguine approach. “It's just a surfing contest,” she said. “Life goes on.”
It truly does.
Isabella Nichols (Photo: Aaron Hughes)
Unfortunately for Isabella and Macy that will have to console them for at least six months. When all the chips were on the table both of them folded weakly, which they will also have to deal over the months ahead.
It was all about living the dream according to Lakey Peterson in her presser after a very impressive win over Steph and Caity. Sitting below the cut Lakey came out swinging with an exaggerated high rotation series of rail turns. Not as elegant and refined as Gilmore but it satisfied the judges who kept ratcheting up her scoring rides.
Lakey Peterson (Photo: Aaron Hughes)
Despite the log jam around the cut-line Steph already looks safe, in cruise control after the opening 8.67 ride and a different vibe around her campaign after a very nervous start. Bells, Margies, Surf Ranch, El Salvador, J-Bay is a perfect run for her. She'll likely be able to coast at Teahupoo and make another run from deep in the pocket at Trestles. Or maybe not so deep.
Caity looked a little under-powered in the early heat for a dead last, before recovering strongly in the Elimination Round, where she has ended up every comp this year.
“Another day, another Elimination Round,” she said, before admitting she felt looser, “because I made the cut”.
Caity Simmers (Photo: Cait Miers)
The standard was high for the Opening and Elimination Rounds. Tyler Wright potted two 8's for an excellent heat claiming that the welcoming ceremony from Indigenous elders had helped ground her and was “very important for me.”
Lakey made 16, Gilmore close behind, Bettylou logged an excellent heat throwing the fins free across the inside section. Caz Marks threw some big round hooks at the outside and handled the inside shelf.
Gabby Bryan threw buckets in her Elimination Round to keep the dream alive.
It was only Macy and Bella who folded like wet spaghetti as the emotion and the pressure turned their surfing into mush.
Gabriela Bryan (Photo: Cait Miers)
Who is going to fold on the Men's side? No-one will admit to it in polite company but GOAT haters will be out in force watching the 51-year old try and wrangle a wave he's never really looked good at - apart from a few highlight moment when Mainbreak has been at its absolute best.
What will he ride if, say, it's 8ft and stormy? He'd have to change up the equipment but when he went back to conventional longer boards last time it was solid, they looked terrible under his feet.
If he loses early and gets cut the pressers will be legendary - we could have low blood sugar, bad sleep, insufficient rehab, god knows what else will come to the fore. Purely jesting, of course, but it's this unparalleled competitiveness and refusal to go quietly which makes Kelly so compelling. If there is something else to blame - some external event - then if that event was rectified he would still be a chance, correct? So must go the thinking.
Of course, he could go on a tear and blaze deep into the comp and keep his spot on tour.
Have you noticed that there's been some kind of hangover infusing the Final 5 Women surfers? Defay has been injured but hasn't looked the same. Brisa Hennessy has been around the cut line and looked very shaky. Tatiana Weston-Webb's usual aggression and confidence has been severely deficient. They all got through today but they all still look a step behind last year's form. Carissa has been solid this year but just a bit stale and safe.
It's not like loss hadn't ever occurred in pro surfing, it's just that the grieving former incumbents were shown the door and told to not let it hit them on the way out. It wasn't part of the show. I always think of Wilko - Bells winner, Fiji winner and still ripping - who within a month of losing a tight heat at Pipe was dropped by major sponsors and never heard from again. How would he be treated nowadays in this new system where athlete tears and vulnerabilities are considered a new type of currency and treated with the utmost sensitivity.
One thing's for sure, we won't die wondering how Kelly feels about it. The most bizarre outcome would be Kelly walking away from the sport, but even so, we go straight to the Surf Ranch where he will be all over it. Wildcard, for sure. In the booth, absolutely.
Steph Gilmore (Photo: Aaron Hughes)
While we are all here, having a minute's silence for Kelly' career - if that is in fact what happens - can we all say a silent prayer for John's Dicky Knee. We've seen the free-surf footage, he's still the man. But on a wonky 8ft day if he decides to pit his fragile knee joints against that oncoming closeout section I greatly fear the outcome.
Don't hit it, John. It's not worth it. We just need to keep him healthy until the Finals Day gets shifted from Trestles to Cloudbreak.
Looks like a good mixed bag of solid surf coming up - a perfect place for pro surfer tears to be washed away.
// STEVE SHEARER
Comments
Whatever you think of Margs as a wave, lineup shots like the one above are always timeless.
Looking forward to hearing Kelly in the commentary booth if he is finally cut. Better than 90% of the current flogs (Ronny and Bugs exempted)
The only cure for the equality in pay dispute is for the women to keep improving and the men to stop , the gap is bigger than ever and waves like today exploit that fact .
I don't know why the surfers don't at least look at the lefts. When the sets are quite slow and half the lefts offer 3-4 turns on steepish sections. I would say they are better than most rights. There is lots of them and no one competing for them.
Wsl have changed their rules Slater will get a wildcard for the rest of the season and he will be able to accumulate points and qualify for next year.
I reckon that’s exactly what’s going to happen hrp .. the wsls biggest draw card will get the wildcard..
‘A wobbly wonky boil ridden right that gurgles over a weed shelf…’ you make it sound like some sort of kook’s wave Steve when, in fact, it is arguably one of the most challenging waves on tour to come to grips with, especially with size. See the wave and variable conditions offered for what it really is - a proper test of understanding power, positioning and a surfer’s ability to read heavy waters, deep and shallow, and surf with bravery and skill. Stick that in your easy Lennox pipe and smoke it. Good reporting, as ever, otherwise. Cheers. PS - And yeah, the left remains under-used, sadly. Even just one left per heat could add variety to a score which the judges, I imagine, will reward well, if a surfer picks a good one, not a burger, and bangs off three solid turns. They are out there.
Absolutely agree with you on both points Seahound. Surfers Point at Margs is a quality, powerful wave, and I also can’t understand why more goofy’s aren’t going left.. especially on bigger days!
(And btw Lennox is one of the worlds classic waves ... definitely a bit better than Surfers point on its day.. and I’m a WA boy! ).
Yes, agree Trev, Lennox is certainly a world class point break on its day. The dig to Steve was just an attempt at some humour, while also expressing my opinion that a sand-bottom point break like Steve's home break at Lennox is far easier to ride than a challenging deep water/shallow reef break like Main Break. Forecast looks good for Margs still, great surfing there already. Surfers competing are stoked too, and that says heaps. Cheers.
Lennox world class??? Nah.
It has it's days.
So does South Narrabeen.
A good quality pointbreak, reliable but alot of variables need to align for it to be world class.
True...but variables aligning is the same that can be said for many of the better sand-bottom point breaks around the world... Personally, give me reliable reefs anytime...and minus the crowds.
Definitely agree.
I've seen it go months if not years without sand or with the wrong sand alignment.
What would your definition of world class be (if Lennox is not) ?
Good question Solitude.
Somewhere that when the swell gets up, can handle more often than not.
Lennox definitely doesn't fall into that category. Too reliant on sand, tide and swell direction.
A reef/point an hour south however, definitely does. Just add swell and it's world class.
That's my definition anyway. It's completely subjective.
Lennox is more consistent and can handle more varied swell directions than angourie.
But yeh, it’s definitely not always world class.
Yes! Not always. :-D
(looking forward to my cheque in the mail for this F.R)
The WSL have all but admitted Kelly will get a wildcard for the rest of the season and will be able to accumulate points. He really doesn’t have to worry about Margs from a cut perspective. As to his new and long list of excuses for not winning……how good would it for just once to admit someone just surfed better than him (we all know it to be true).
Teahupoʻo will be Kelly's last chance.
Very contestable conditions at Margaret River, with ample waves.
sick Caity Simmers photograph.
steve do you have any inside info on wilko?? - on the surface it is perplexing how rapid he went to the background- i have always thought he must have done something behind the scenes that warranted the wsl giving him the cold shoulder…
(sorry for off topic)
I'd be interested too. It's weird if you think of Kolohe Andino having top tier sponsors for a decade, never getting kicked off tour but never winning even one event.
Yeah interesting one that good surfer in relation to his peers but there are plenty on the tour better. I am sure he doesn't want to admit it but its true and he may struggle to get back on.
Hands down your event day summaries are 1 million times better than Stabs. Thanks heaps!
So you're the one that reads Stab?
+1
I enjoy watching surfers pushing the limits of ability & equipment vs gravity & WSL judges sh'noodling.
The lady surfers with core sponsors had 6 months to 'retune' performance up to 50-70% critical turns....
Maybe... this was possible due last years WSL sponsorship safety 'cut' off ....(by removing the two teen explosive 100% committent chargers sent backpacking to QS for 6mths? ).
Go for it Caitlin & Molly in 2023 & beyond!!!
PS Kelly S, Filipe T, JJohn & now Jack R surf injuries suggest the pros could avoid going for those crazy air moves ..... as the cut or break may be physical (regardless of their extreme level of skills, experience & confidence)
Great insightful writing as usual. It’s a powerful scary wave that can rag doll easily-hard to surf for an average punter-but the lefts have room to carve and with a more westerly swell direction (I think) definitely stand up.
Why dont they go left in the WSL comp?
Dunno if it’s just me, but the majority of the field looked notably stronger on rail this year. Some proper rail getting wet. Highlights were really enjoyable!
JFC. 6 foot powerful sets, offshore winds, and people still complain.
Ke12y is 51 years old.
The only surprise is not that he may get guillotined off tour - but that he is on tour at all.
jeez, what can Tyler say? also, Kelly is great in the booth but needs someone to wrangle him (like Rosie telling him to stfu) as all talk turns to Kelly. his strategy brain is awesome and when he talks objectively it adds another layer. like Warnie when they got him to commentate cricket, all of a sudden you could see where the energy went. in fact, mic up Kelly while he's in a heat, talking strategy on the fly would be watchable win or lose.
Real gutsy rip freeride76...call it how it is.
Kelly's Totally Eclipsed Twilight Zone Ground Hog Day!
Heat 6: #1 Joao #2 Jack #26 Kelly (2 below the Cut!)
#2 Local Hero Jack Exits for a Massage (Back in a jiffy!)
Nice coincidence paving Kelly's way!
Then comes the Double Bunger Coincidence...
Exact same surfer that Kelly drew & beat in 2022
Local lad Jack r/u in trials > CT WSL Margs & again draws Kelly!
Caught 4 Waves against Kelly's 8 + Caught 2 waves against Owen's 4.
Currently 43/50 on Oz QS leg...
Think that's weird...check out Jack's WSL CT Trials Final Combo score...[4.47] of 20 points.
Yes! That's the Wild Card's 2023 Surfer's Point entry score...less than 2022 [ 6.90] Elimination score.
Jack : "I'm super Stoked & I feel I've Learned so much from Last Year!"
https://surfingwa.com.au/south-west-locals-jerome-forrest-bronte-macaula...
tbb is not having a crack & even checked Jack's Insta...this lad can surf well...happy to share that...
https://www.instagram.com/jackthomas.15/?hl=en
Just can't help thinking this is all too weird for a local to keep tanking worse each outing at home break!
WSL Jack's Surfers Point Scores > 2022 ht [9.94] Elim' [6.90] > 2023 Trial [4.47] Kelly's heat (2._ _?)
Just the kinda local WA Wild Card that Hodad Kelly dreams of surfing against! (How is this possible!)
#1 Joao can team up with Kelly to starve wild card Jack to halve his last Marg's wave count to one!
M Pupo is ranked 1 spot above Kelly > Now he Pulls out at height of his career! Coincidence?
Coincidence that Both injured WSL tour surfers fly around in wave pools between Comps?
Kelly is rocketing up the charts before even waxing up...
If Kelly doesn't make the Cut...he sponsors himself for Next WSL CT Comp > His Comp! Coincidence?
This weird Story says past #1 > #5 Wildcards are exempt & can push on with CT & accumulate points.
Here's the Pod [32:35] See if ya reckon it's a joke or if Hodads can ever leave WSL even if they try!
https://beachgrit.com/2023/04/brazilian-surfer-who-beat-hell-out-of-fema...
How does so much drama follow our WSL Hero...they should make a mini series about this shit.
Get with the Plot tbb...Like Wot!
So tbb has been reading the plot twist in the Apple Grapple...OMG! So tbb has just worked it out!
How was tbb to know gromz get off on ELO's wet dream!
If Kelly gets wildcards for the rest of the year, and then went on to win the entire tour, he would still be cut from the tour next year right? The mid-season cut would seem to prevent anyone from requalifying after Margs
Not sure why that link switched...
Here's alt "original" link from earlier rendition...may hold up better!
Menu > Load Play [32:35]
https://beachgrit.com/2023/04/world-surf-league-changes-rules-under-cove...
Champs Top 5 wild card Tour exemption on points accumulation.
Pod says any who participate as 'point scorers' in back half auto qualify for next season.
Regular Wild Cards don't amass points so can't play the game!
Add this crossover link just in case of coincidence'n'stuff + has Full menu!
https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2023/02/24/slater-retire...
If only the Local Wild Card Jack knew that, reduce the pressure of being that WA Grom that Eclipsed the WSL.
WA Eclipse...Heat 6...The 2nd Coming...The Tension ~ The Drama...will have gromz peeing in their wetties! Wot!
Just did some checking on other sports that parachute past / reigning champs into Finals.
There are a few but most quit the habit due to Champ Hodad Athletes boycotting vaxes (Ring a bell!)
Huh! All recall...'not putting that shit in this athletes body'...we all got that!
Kelly is fond of Golf & they leech off VIP Hodad Wildcard exemptions to restock the Bar.
'Remember when that eagle swooped down on my eagle putt..."
"Whose shout is it anyway...Like who cares...just gonna sign this Grom'z forehead...so cool!"
Rebel LIV golf is currently being assessed as points crossover for OWGR.
Yes! Alt tours sharing same Scoreboard! This is not new in Golf...many weird Champ point combos!
Golf sets past Champ wildcard invites at aged 60 or under!
Pretty much buys Kelly 10 years invites to most Tour Comps or change the Tour to suit Kelly!
Commentator : "Did you know Kelly has won every Comp on the tour...Wot a coincidence!"
So thru Kelly's eyes this follows ideal sportsmanlike sporting tradition!
Simply put ...
WSL Tour that allows VIP "Champ" Wildcards to Parachute drop & cross over as CT point scorers.
Saudi Sponsor takes out the snotty Ripcurl grom with his Rolex Pipe / Chopes wind up hodad!
We the little people don't get it but Champs are Godz that earn this right!
They see nothing wrong with Parachute drops to knock off the groms & Fans luv it...so they claim!
Recall Kelly's Vax drama...we all reckon he's had shots for all sorts of exotic spots!
Think the dude was sweating like a junkie that he was being cut outta his Life long Pro Comp habit.
Vax was the diversionary tactic to take the heat off his Pro Tour Addition.
We could be seeing the same addiction...Kelly needs his Pro Comp fix...when he needs it...or else!
Who in the world is gonna overrule the Pro of Pro surfing that runs the show! Huh...Exactly...No one!
If crew think they see the Ultimate competitor then that's what ya get for the rest of yer life!
As long as there is fast, backwashy shifty tricky beachies on tour then surely there’s a place for a chunky/wobbly powerful tricky reef break as well? Mainbreak, like bells, is a hard wave to surf well so i really enjoy watching the comp to see who has figured it out and who hasn’t. (I may be biased though)
I like Margies on tour for the reasons Moored has mentioned here. The place really tests the best and how fun is the box when the likes of Owen and Italo conquer the beast for the first time in comp.
Yep agree completely. It's great seeing who can handle the powerful sections and how they read the waves.
Watching the cameras with all the pros out, it's a clear divide between those who take off on a wierd wobbly right that you'd avoid normally, and try to milk a turn out of one section, and those who can read the good waves, hit the big sections with big turns, but also link the whole wave together smoothly.
The first group look a bit ridiculous. The second group, like your JJFs look mercurial.
It really is hard to believe they have Trestles as a final decider for the world champ as there is absolutely NO comparison between Cloudbreak and it as FR has highlighted, and Fil Toledo being champ proves it. Surfed it recently and it is a serious wave that would be a challenge to the pro's with size, Trestles is soft mush I wouldn't bother surfing.
If you are kicked off at the half way point, do you have enough earnings for the rest of the year to survive without getting another job? You know, after putting in years of unpaid work to get to where you are.
Interested.
Rabbit… Legend yep. As a commentator no thanks. Standard WSL cliche dribble.
Sneak preview of How to Unfold the WSL Apple Watch Drama...
Problems begin with 2 different watches 8/Ultra & how Elo hands these out to his pets!
WSL say both get handed out to all surfers before heats...eg: Trialling Both #8 / Ultra.
We know Carissa said Fuck Off (Work in progress as WSL make her cover her own or App watch!)
Top old school pros tested watches for 2 years & know when & where to dump which watch...Loser!
So can grab an advantage...leaving newbie with the dud #8 / Ultra Watch at comparable Site.
Hassles with Pressing down on Board for Take off or Jet Ski Mount sees skin folds pause watch!
Wettie / Tennis / Oars all that Wrist flex stuff does the same etc etc...Watch goes Cold!
Apple say to switch face around or switch buttons away from wrists...all know it's an ongoing hassle!
Leonardo / Caio often complain about their possibly #8 dud watches
https://beachgrit.com/2023/02/apple-shares-somehow-soar-even-after-high-...
Now check these 2 Apple Grapplers 2023 Ranking decline right up until today...
#7 Caio 6,085 > 4,745 > 3,320 > 1,330 Marg's Elimination
#10 Leo 7,800 > 3,320 > 1,330 > 1,330 Marg's Elimination
https://www.worldsurfleague.com/athletes/tour/mct?year=2023
Ok! That is supa creepy...The only 2 surfers complaining share the same fate of declining scores
So! Is there a conspiracy & did they cop Apple fines of > 1st $5,000 > 2nd $10,000 > 3rd $50,000
Well, when we go back & check what R/U Leo said from day one at The Pipe!
...he said "Our Watches are Always shit ...Not fair on our Careers!"
Leo is speaking up for whole group & as such likely cops #8 every session & goes more spazz!
So wot did he mean by all...are all watches pieces of shit...he did cleverly tip further investigation!
tbb can help with that, luv diggin up this shit, but needed a tad more to go on!
Yes! We saw Leo's shit unfold again today...correct...today!
Thanx to Jailbird Leonardo bravely singin' out again...we're getting to the root of all evil!
Anyone pick up on this...This Bookends Part one...All the watches are Fucked...it's a No Show!
Heat 1 sees Leo waving his hands > BUGZ & all tell him to man up & get with the plan...
However! Leonardo made his point clear & provoked an instant Heavy shit response from WSL.
Exactly...few would notice what WSL Cut Price Crisis was goin' down...
Also explains why Fall guy Leo keeps copping shit as the Shit kicker Apprentice!
Unanimous vote for Leo to sort out that Apple Shit..."Why me!" Coz that's the Apprentice's Job!
Lets assume the Hot Dogs get Ultra Watches & newbies get the #8 ...Wotz the big deal?
Here's the big deal alright....these watches work on 4G not 5G or whateva
WSL Outposts have shitty reception onshore > So offshore is fuckin' useless for Apple Connect!
Basically the Apple Watch is the most shitty product for outpost offshore WSL Comp Surfers.
Just as distant Sight'n'sound is an offshore issue > so too are #8 Watches that can't pick up signals!
Now watch this...tbb recalls these Creepy WSL / Marine Authorities Dr No Super Yachts hug the line-up!
All recall Pipe Final with VIP Yacht bossing / Blocking Outta Reef Swell in Comp zone! Why?
Exactly ...where possible they triangulate onshore tower signals to the watches...but not well enough!
Nope! No one tells ya this shit...but we can go back in time... for a great 2014 Tracks Margs review!
Tracks were covering the Shark boat but shared this exact same issue...Salute!
Just don't ask how tbb dug this one out...Bingo...solves Leo's Arm waving puzzle 10 years later!
How cool is 10 year Marg's Comp history when it unlocks today's Hot Apple Pie Drama!
https://tracksmag.com.au/new-shark-boat-to-patrol-margaret-river-425260
For those wanting to know what Leo was waving about...read on...
For the record > stinky_wes & tbb spoke of this today...
Check Men's WSL First heat replay or YouTube
When Leo waved > What don't the crew see...have a good look!
Notice the Dr No Shark Boat was in the Bay but the Bay itself was empty of Jet Skis...
Huh! How can WSL hold a Comp without a Gazillion Jet Skis!
Soon after Leo frantically waved >>> a Jet Ski Armada was invading the Wave Zone...
Ok! But why wave for Jetskis...SHARK! Nope! Dud Watches...Yep!
Coz each WSL Dr No Jet Ski comes fitted with WSL 4G Boosters for New beaut Apple Watches!
All of them hustlin' for better reception...Leo guides them into position until the Apple Watches Work!
Exactly! Leo takes one for the Team as the lightning rod that hooked up today's "Ultra" Hot Apple Pie.
Without Leo's waving there would be no Comp today! Correct...well durr!
Commentators the world over shit on his head & reckon he's some piss head or Dumbarse!
So how do WSL repay his kind service > Elimination Chamber...Salute Leo > Get Fucked WSL!
Pretty much for certain each site needs to go thru this waving drama & Jet Ski Chess.
Just to Hook up Elo's Hot Apple Pie...
First heat or Peak Transmission Surfers gotta pedal & Windmill Arms until Elo gets his Disney Channel!
CS Apprentices are slaves that gotta pedal faster than others...Mush! Mush!
ELO shows how to hook up the New Apple Watch into WSL Ranch line up!
Might wanna stand back a bit Champ...You Gromz' gotta look away!
It's Pretty Hi tech...so we advise the crew to put on yer Xray Spex!
Ready & Go...