El Salvador Pro 2023: Finals Day
El Salvador Pro 2023: Finals Day
So much of pro surfing's recent history seems based on outlandish statements and incredibly short memories. It's like a modern fairytale with as many of the current shibboleths jammed in there as possible. In the telling of the tale, the cut was going to deliver us an unparalleled experience whereby we'd be maximising swells and finishing at peak moments. Wavepools were going to democratise surfing etc etc.
Reality tends to trump fairytales (but not billionaire money) and today we saw another post-cut Finals Day held in dreary, onshore dribble.
That's no big deal for WSL spin merchants.
The crowning achievement for corporate storytellers remains unfulfilled but is now in sight. Greenwashing Middle Eastern oil money and even a possible sale to a fossil fuel powerhouse looking for easy image rehabilitation will be the final destination for the current direction of the WSL. We are well down that track now.
Onshore winds and a janky, inconsistent surf turned Finals Day into a game of wave catching and binary strategy. Paddle up the point and sit deep for a two or three turn runner, or sit down the line and wait for something with marginally better shape. Starting at the end and working backwards, it was no surprise to see the two Men's Finalists from last year reprise their Final.
Last year's Final was tight. Brazilian fans thought an injustice had been served on Toledo and Colapinto went to Brazil with the threat of gnarly Saquarema crowds over his head.
This year's Final was more one-sided, although the score-line very much flattered Toledo. Judges were enthusiastic in highballing the current World Champ, erring on the side of caution, no doubt to avoid the possibility of another fiasco heading into Brazil.
Filipe (WSL/Hughes)
Death threats, by the way, are nothing new. Sunshine Coast Head Judge Steve Fookes detailed death threats as one of the reasons for relinquishing his thirteen-year reign as Head Judge of the then-ASP in the 80's.
With thirteen minutes remaining in a genteel forty-minute Final, Toledo put the foot flat to the floor for two consecutive rides, a 9.00 and an 8.33. Those two rides crushed Colapinto like a bug and the Final was done. Assuming we go to Trestles with both gentlemen in the Final, Toledo will take incredible confidence from that result. There will be no angry words or trash talk, Colapinto has already styled himself as a Californian Dalai Lama - a peacemaker. Toledo's thunderous death stares at the judging panel during El Salvador have largely had the desired effect and he will be largely pacified heading into the country of his birth.
Griff (WSL/Hughes)
Rewinding the tape, Griff had an easy win over LOB with two consecutive rides. The crucial exchange occurred with seven minutes to go. An 8.17 to Griff for a 5.93 to LOB. The generous spread favoured Griff but judges were in no mood for controversy after Lemoore. They wanted clear winners and that's what they made happen.
Toledo was more active in his Semi against Ian Gentil. He piloted his chartreuse-railed Sharpeye into eight waves to Gentil's ten. Two were judged excellent while Gentil could only crack the 8-point mark once. Airs were once again in favour, especially on the outside section.
Ian (WSL/Hughes)
If the Women seemed to get the best of it on the opening two days they got completely skunked on Final's Day. Dribble and low scores - not a single excellent ride logged for the two Semis and a Final.
Tyler Wright scrapped her way past Gilmore, who could only manage three turns and a fall on the end for her best ride. Steph does claw her way into the Top 5 though, with Brazil, J-Bay and Tahiti to play. One is a clear strength, one is neutral, and one a clear weakness before she gets to Trestles, assuming she can hold on.
Steph (WSL/Hughes)
Carissa and Caz Marks surfed an even scrappier Semi, if that is possible. Carissa had eleven attempts with her best two a 6.44 and a 4.77.
The best women's ride of the day occurred with eight minutes to play. Marks picked up a gurgly right that offered a handful of curvey pockets which she duly spiked for a 7.50.
Six rides apiece in the Final between Caz Marks and Tyler Wright. The final score of 11.60 (Marks) to 8.67 (Wright) shows the wave quality on offer. Caz opened up a handy lead with a 6.33 and was never headed. Three minutes to go, Tyler needed a 6.50, caught a wave and got obliterated on the end section. That caused an injury to the back of the ribs and underarm region, which seems to be superficial damage.
Caz (WSL/Hughes)
Same as last year, apart from the race for the final five, the year is dribbling away as the back half of the post-cut roster hit cruise control in ordinary surf. Surely, after the epic skunking the Woz has endured in 2023 there has to be some epic days ahead at J-Bay and Teahupoo.
I was initially in favour of the cut and the tour being rejigged and the surf industry pulling out. In a case of be careful of what you wish for, this current alternative has turned out to be very much inferior.
Yes, the current standard of webcast is insanely good, but the tour itself, especially the second half needs a serious re-jig.
Maybe we will have to wait for Middle East oil money for that to happen?
// STEVE SHEARER
Comments
Nice wrap up FreeRide.
Unfortunately for the WSL the low number of comments on these El Salvador articles is probably a reflection on the overall lack of spectator interest in the venue.
Meanwhile the International Windsurfer event at Cloudbreak running at the same time scored solid waves!
"Unfortunately for the WSL the low number of comments on these El Salvador articles is probably a reflection on the overall lack of spectator interest in the venue"
The time slot i think factors into things a lot too, best waves are generally in the morning and this comp aligns with a start time of almost midnight for us, i tried to stay up last nioght to watch some finals, it didnt seem to start straight away and from the live camera footage it barely looked rideable.
But then i woke and saw it had been completed, i had a quick look at the heats but once its done and you know the results its almost pointless, you really have to see things unfold in real time.
I think if it was in our time window even with the disappointing final day waves i think it would be more popular, IMHO on the clean days it was still very contestable., but yeah it's no J-Bay.
If the WSL is intent on persisting with the cut...then to keep the back half of the season interesting, they could easily spice the format up by simply eliminating two or four more surfers after each and every comp after Margaret River, until they are left with just eight surfers in the last event trying to make the final five. Then ditch Trestles and make Tahiti the place for the finals - a proper test for world champions. It would be a cheaper tour to run then with less time needed every event second half of the season, and chances for better waves. But you are right Steve, it looks as if a sports washing Arab Emirates deal maybe a reality soon... Well, at least they might pump more money in to facilitate a proper Dream Tour again, even if it means a pool comp in Abu Dhabi as part of the tour.
I like the idea of continual elimination, slowly whittling down the field. I presume if you get eliminated after the main "cut" you're still qualified for the start of next year's tour. Get some time off to release some edits! The draw might be tricky when you don't have 2^n competitors but I'm sure they could figure that out.
I got a wsl email a couple days ago that exemplifies how tone deaf they are, it started “Storylines you need to know for finals day”. I don’t need to know anything about wsl finals day, the competition should speak for itself; and Eric Logan’s prioritization of storylines is killing any remaining interest I have in these contests. I haven’t watched any of last three contests, and will only watch tahiti of the remaining ones.
If it wasn’t for flag-waving Brasilians, the wsl would already be finished. And for me, its become clear the final coup de grace (or jumping of the shark) was when they decided to make a finals day at trestles, rather than finishing the year at pipeline.
I’d like to read more about the wsl being used as a corporate green washing machine.
Gabriel now #5, with J-Bay & Chopes on the ticket, plus Brazil a rare long-term comp he has not won. This said, Gabriel looks not his usual self.
It’s a peculiar penance for you to pay, FR, to sit up and watch this contest.
For what sins I can only imagine.
Chin up, J-Bay and Chopes will be much easier to manage. Hopefully.
Hard to quantify my lack of interest in this one.
Pete Mel said in the post show that he thought El Salvador was a really good addition to the tour……wipe your chin mate.
If you weren’t the wiser the highlights had it look like a super mediocre beach break.
Anyways thanks Steve as per usual. Here’s hoping they get that pumping right at Saquerema.
I tried watching this shit for a couple of heats. Mind numblingly boring.
Ended up watching the bodyboard comp instead in thumping beachies. Better commentary, less bullshit and the 'athletes' seemed alot more like genuine humans instead of competition machines/win at all costs. blah blah.
Oh, and the waves (even though it was average) had consequences!! Which created its own drama and storyline!! Who would've guessed!!
As above, i commend you on your resilience to cover these FR.
Bazball is where its at! But don't get me wrong I'd be happy chilling out at Punta Roca for a few weeks.
spot on steve (as usual) and greatly appreciated
can’t believe fil going excellent for those waves in the final- granted he did what he could and did it well…but if that’s a postcard for wsl excellent range surfing……..
Onya Steve,
Shout-out to all the sports lovers watching catch-up on the WSL. It requires a proper media blackout for a start or you'll have the winner getting chaired in your face before you've finished watching the semi and a special shout to those legends doing the catch up thing at work.
Some workplaces may seem more conducive. Your local ocean road outpost surf shop for example it would seem wrong in that scenario not to be replaying last night's heats but if you haven't seen them yet and you're heavily invested in a spicy battle of the Qldrz Ethan vs Goat Slayer when an old grump hunting a good fitting wettie at a price he can affordable walks in, he's just been watching it and knows the result. Swears to silence, not even a hint. The clock is ticking, seconds lap against your conscious like waves on the shoreline. Sure you can pause it and rewind but it sucks the spirit out.
It's tough enough in the workshop to focus on anything else with one eye on the deceptive Punta lineup far away in time and space. Welder on, check. Helmet gloves, check, bright light, rod, oh hang on Ethan's up.
Two waves appear out of nowhere and it's over, the elusive brilliance of live action, seeing it unfold in the moment even well delayed still gives me a shot of something and clearly there are other distracted surf tragics out there trying to go about their daily lives while staying abreast as a crunch heat unfolds. The audacity of that moptop fella .. And a customer comes in with a return/exchange for gift card and wants to tell loudly the story how her fashion choice was savaged by the grandson. Smiling, seconds tick by. It's hard to reconcile live customers and live sports.
Youths come and go in a most disturbing manner, skulk like rodents across the hardwood floor, have a nibble at a hoodie, check the pricetag and scurry away, are they shoplifting? Nah just fantasizing.
Oh goody, the heat recap.
Anyway he read me like a book, great to have an experienced local in charge of your surf gear, thrust a cheaper wettie at me and pointed to the dressing rooms.
2 hour surf not a shiver.
Cheers to you cashier 422
This final day was soooo (×100 'O's more) difficult to watch.
And Toledos' 9... ffs.
Great write up, as per usual. Agree with everything you say, except the standard of the broadcast. What kind of Mickey Mouse operation is this..? Camera work is pretty good, but the direction, production and talent are abysmal. The format, ad breaks and wall of positive noise are so bad as to not even be comparable to other sports broadcasts. Waves missed every heat, rigid formulaic ad break structure. And yes we know it’s a tough gig commentating surfing, but the current crop are just so bad. It’s like they flicked anyone with insight and talent and kept the rest. It’s so obvious when Slater or Ross Williams or anyone with insight or opinion is calling it.
Don't get too irate about Middle eastern oil money, Stevo. Most of yours and my Surfing cache is probably made by Uyghur slave labour in far off Chinese concentration camps.
Where IS the yellow leaders rashy made I wonder?
Just watched fils 9.0
Jesus
Is that a 9.0
Must have looked pretty good in real life cos on utube it looked fairly yawn.
No wonder italo couldn’t win in the tub .
No one knows how to score a wave any more.
I ain’t saying he didn’t win the heat or anything , just can’t get my head around that wave being a 9.
But what would I know.
I’ve only been surfing for 50 years and I’ve never even ridden a SUP.
Howzit 'eat-your -vegies'
If you ever do try to ride a sup, go to the places that you alway's wanted to surf/ride, but couldn't be fucked paddling to. you will love the G's that a good big board can give you. Stay away from everyone in the ocean if you can. Been there ,done that.
9-2=7plus max for Felipe. Only heat I watched and couldn’t carry on. It should be about surfing not politics.
Given the forecast I didn't bother making any effort to watch this comp. Only watched a few heat recaps, which were very ordinary. Ang agree Fil clearly won the final, but not sure how he was awarded a 9. 4 identical manoeuvres, which admittedly were performed flawlessly. I guess they are just bringing it into line with a backhanders smashing 4 identical critical snaps, they generally eat that shit up.
Shibboleth . . . I love it !
as for Fil Whatshisname's 9 points for four identical turns , that's it right there . If your time is valuable to you and your still not sure whether to tune in to this WSL rubbish , the litmus test is those four turns.
Go back , watch them , then watch one of JJF's 9 point rides at Margret River Pro 2017 .
I’m usually the first one to cook the judges but I’m not sure what your point is with comparing two scores from two totally different locations/comps.
I also haven’t watched much of this comp but I’ve noticed a trend this year of bumping up the scoring in the final. Makes for a good press release…
Moored , yeah , different wave , they would have needed 6' perfect conditions to get close to a 9 awarded at this location . My point was if the WSL choose to hold the Tour comps at sub par locations , then they should own the fact that those sub par waves will only produce sub par scores . A 9 for four "forced" top turns . . . really ?
Still not really following. Not every spot serves up 8 foot pipe style barrels so you have to score accordingly. If an excellently surfed wave at a point break is 4 top turns then an 8-10 score it is. Otherwise every comp outside of Hawaii or Indo would only ever produce 6 point heat totals.
If your me saying that WSL needs better locations then I 100% agree with you.
Yeah that 9 was ridiculous, even in the context of the poor waves it was nowhere near a 9.
Yep - they've lost me...
I'll just keep watching Cliff Kapono
"open rythyms" on YouTube.. that is surfing I can watch
9.0??? What a hoax. WSL paying far too much attention to all the noise from the Brazzos IMO
at the risk of sounding half interested..
Ill say that the whole judging needs a revamp and a coherent, consistent structure/framework which gives space for quality surfing (maybe traditional power ripping) and progression (not at the expense of style, flow).
This is necessary - as death threats and intimidation (regardless of where they come from) aren't ok.. I hope there are good people around Ethan helping him with his thinking etc. The recent events would be especially unsettling.
Good point, but for clarity, has anyone ever heard of a death threat coming from anywhere other than the Brazilian fans? I know the Hawaiians can be punchy based on poor behaviour in the water, but I don’t know if anyone else elevates contest results to that level of stupidity
albatross point NZ
FR and Stu,
My sources say that the event will not be held on the right - Barrinha.
The reason is simple, a huge structure at the point, too many invitees, activations and happy hours. Forecast looks good now, better for a great couple of days at Barrinha, but this is with Craig.
Cheers
Aptly describes a further problem of the World Sycophant League - lack of mobility on account of their gargantuan structures full of hanger-on-erer zones, piss up areas etc.
Would be a mighty shame if those rights are on and they don’t surf them.
Would be entertaining to see it happen and how they'd justify it.
Thanks for the intel, Julio.
Real shame though as it appears a more consistently hollow wave than the other end of the beach.
This footage is Joao Chianca at Barrinha shot two days ago:
Jeez, that's a real shame Julio. Thanks for the intel.
You’d think the Woz would be gagging for good waves.
Why stop at immobile events in front of temporary surf clubs?
Just put contests out of surf season in peak summer tourist times like they did in the 80’s and early 90’s.
Fark me, Is this the reality of wsl?
A 9 point ride for 4 identical turns? Do the brazzo fans have a problem with it now?
WSL is beyond a joke. The format of the tour, the locations, the judging, the pundits and commentators, all so poor.
For me Toledo 9 was an 8 at very best and the 8.33 well surfed and very much justified. The judging panel needs schooling with copious amounts of homework
Toledos horrendous overscore aside.
Wsl dropped this. IMHO, alot of gold nuggets ridden well, with a huge amount of variety and styles, easy for all to see.
EVERY EXCELLENT WAVE - Surf City El Salvador Pro …:
I think the cut is ok, it adds drama whatever. But, the key thing is wave quality! I know it’s hard because they have to go where sponsor money is, but I am worlds biggest consumer of pro surfing and even I find it hard to get engaged in small wobbly waves that I wouldn’t even be that frothing to surf personally. And then don’t get me started in ending at trestles! Boring! I mean that is an amazing wave that every one would
Love to surf uncrowded but not super entertaining to watch compared to say Pipe or Cloud break
Lost interest in the tour since the mid season cut off came in. It's a tricks contest now days.
Don’t get me started on the WSL app to catch up on the next day. …Too late.
Trying to catch up at the end and they’ve already posted the winners ? Check. Try to watch condensed heats , but sometimes they actually show full heat ? Check. last few heats most of the time don’t actually have replays available ( even thought it has a box to watch heat replay ) you consistently tap the screen to no avail ? Check ( unless you go to heats results, see the results, then watch it ( boo) . The trick is to watch it all on YouTube and perfect the 15 seconds jump/scrolls. Especially slow heats, tappity tap tap tap tappity tap..and finally, when interviewing a heat winner either shut them up for a second and show the wave being surfed in FULL SCREEN, not a little corner box. Missed a few excellent waves that weren’t even commented on.
When Filipe thanks God for a win , does that mean God’s mad at Italo and Gab ?
The judging has been so inconsistent I reckon the worst it’s ever been. I don’t usually get biased over Kelly but he was knocked out with two fives,when you watched the replays he was really carving and putting himself in positions mortals can only dream of and his free surfing has gone to new levels.Just the different scores for different surfers for different heats aren’t adding up men and women.
More about the Middle East oil money please - from where, how much, etc