Olympic Preview
Surfing's second crack at the Olympics is go, with an almost certain start on Day One of the waiting period - Sunday morning 3am AEST. Time for paid up members of the keyboard warrior class to sack up and make a few calls.
First up: How's your froth level tracking?
Have to admit, with a dicky forecast I'm struggling to kick mine over and get it past a 5/10. Yes, we will see waves for the first couple of days, but I'm confident it will be recreational surfer-sized Teahupoo and not freeze/panic cry-for-mummy-size. That will remove some of the perverse pleasure of watching Mother Nature make a mockery of so-called elite Olympic athletes.
The second half of the forecast period may have a couple of large, scrappy days with dubious swell direction, and that opens up the podium to some true dark horses. More on that later.
It's not easy to find a less-than-impressive shot of Teahupoo, so despite the ordinary forecast we'll keep the imagery dreamy (WSL/Dunbar)
The bigger question of how surfing's inclusion as an Olympic sport is elevating it into the mainstream remains open. Those with long memories still recall the breathless hype former-CEO Erik Logan employed last time around as surfing prepared for its debut in Tokyo. Elo was certain the Olympic inclusion would lead to rivers of sponsorship gold flowing into the sport, particularly at the QS/CS levels. Said Elo, “The exposure and the attention we’re now driving from a media perspective actually gives you what you need as a surfer to go get the media deals and sponsorship deals so you can make a living on the road just like every other professional athlete.”
That statement hasn't aged well. We still have CT surfers with blank boards. Morgan Cibilic, a former top fiver, is training up as a surveyor. Two-time Olympian Billy Stairmand is still selling raffle tickets on a meat tray at the local bowlo to fund his surfing dreams.
Yes, it's true. Surfing's Olympic inclusion has led to an injection of government money at the organisational level. Mostly benefiting the High Performance Centre on the Tweed Coast. And to be fair, they have produced results and improved performances, especially as far as women's surfing is concerned. The 'pipeline of world champions' hasn't quite materialised but they did play a role in Owen Wright's podium finish. They are nurturing talent. Dane Henry of Fingal is coming through that system and looks a CT level surfer. There are other examples.
Elo was right about the media attention. You can hardly scroll through any mainstream media outlet at the moment without reading purple prose about the death-defying challenge of surfing Teahupoo. Mums and dads reading might be a little perplexed when they tune in expecting gladiatorial blood and gore, and find participants sitting in a peaceful Pacific waiting for beautiful blue waves that will be more alluring than dangerous. The perennial problem of surfing. You need to keep the purple prose in the back pocket until you see the forecast.
Most likely the second Olympics will produce more of a bump in interest than the first Olympics, just due to the aesthetics of Tahiti-iti. Tahiti will beguile the Western mind the way it has since Gaugin and Cook. It won't be the huge boost that Elo banked on and that current CEO Ryan Crosby has been wisely silent on.
Under Elo, pro surfing tried to emulate the success of UFC with its reality series Ultimate Surfer, then F1 via Make or Break. Both were failed gambits, and while the Olympics was arguably more successful it hasn't led to Changa warriors being able to “make a living on the road like every other professional athlete”.
While the Olympics plays out, the male surfer most qualified and in-form won't be in Tahiti but instead hooning his dune buggy around Baia Formosa (WSL/Dunbar)
Now, for the Form Guide. You can't speak about a tricky forecast - or any forecast - without heavy favouritism for Gabe Medina. If the first day comes in hot, he has the full skill set. Tricky winds, funky swell direction - he can make things happen. On the face, in the air. His main rival as far as that adaptability goes is the reigning gold medallist and current Teahupoo champion Italo Ferreira. By some weird quirk of qualification, the most qualified man on the planet will not be able to defend his gold medal.
Jack and John, of course, if it's pumping. Kauli Vaast should podium.
If the latter part of the waiting period gets weird - south or south-southeast swells and funky winds then the field gets thrown wide open.
I've looked carefully at the candidates and believe a clear dark horse exists as a potential podium finisher.
Alan Cleland, representing Mexico. He's a little light on for experience out at Chopes, which could be an advantage if take-off spots become atypical. Hailing from Pascuales, one of the heaviest and shiftiest beachies on Earth, he can adapt and pack them from any point on the reef. Al Cleland is my dark horse pick.
The women's side of the draw has more no names and more potentially easy heats for favourites. Vahine Fierro has to be considered as No 1 favourite, along with the finalists from the last competition at Chopes. Notably Tatiana Weston-Webb and Caity Simmers. My dark horse pick on the womens side of the draw is Nadia Erostarbe from the Basque Country. She was able to get the job done at Skeleton Bay on a swell last year and based on those skills she has potential to get the job done at Teahupoo.
Thick wetsuit, brown water. Skeleton Bay is a long way from Teahupoo but they're both hollow and run left, and that's enough to make Nadia Erostarbe a dark horse (Now Now Media)
Our Aussie contingent?
Jack Robbo is a full Teahupoo master and great chance of a medal, including gold. Ethan is improving all the time but remains long odds for the podium.
Both Tyler and Molly Picklum are still in a building phase of their Teahupoo surfing and will thus rely on favourable draws to get to the podium. Tyler is consistent but not at the level of, say, Vahine or TWW. Molly can reach those levels at times, but remains plagued by inconsistent performances. Long odds for a medal.
Set the alarms for Sunday morning.
Seeya then.
//STEVE SHEARER
Comments
Robbo injured according to media reports. Sound like a reef cut so probably won't count him out but could hamper his shot at Olympic Gold
pascuales is no joke, but peaky slab beachies don't function the same as a bending bowl on a reef break (imo), so not sure al'll be all that advantaged by a funky chopes. BUT, he fkn rips haha. i'm nervous my boy connor is pitted against gabe early on, but by the looks/reading of the draw, there's a repechage heat similar to round 1 in wsl format? am i reading that right?
Yeah, Al Cleland is no stranger to heavy water. He'd be my dark horse too and I'd like to see how he matches up against Gabe/JJF/Jack Robbo in proper pumping chopes.
Mens gold - Gabe, especially if its average conditions and turns or punts are involved
Mens medal dark horse - Rio Waida, how sick would an Indo surfing medal be!
Womens gold - Caroline, iffy forecast screams judges juicing Caroline turns
Womens medal dark horse - Shino Matsuda, goofy and seen some pics of her threading a couple of nugs in the warm ups.
In general I'm hoping for massive upsets (ala the south african chick in Tokyo), especially if the cons are average. How funny would it be if perennial battler Billy Stairmand can end his extremely lackluster surfing career with an olympic medal.
Rio impressed me sooo much in may,
Paddling out from the shore to surf heats.
Hardcore !
Gotta give him a shot, held up well also, he's had micro in his corner all year. Go the stairmand also!
Shino Matsuda. I saw her IG maybe one month ago. She has been doing lots of training at Chopes this year with Tahitian coach.
I'd pick Nadia Erostarbe as a dark horse too, although I think the finalists will be a bit more predictable on the womens side in general.
On the men's, there are plenty of chargers. Could go any number of ways. If it's mid sized and clean with easy exits, it could come down to simply being on the nicest looking waves.... and luck has a lot to do with that. Although would agree with pretty much everyone else that Medina is a solid bet.
Is it too late for team Brazil to do a Biden?
Frothometer was barely raising a spittle but ratchets up a notch now Steve
I think it will be a Toledo win for the ages…
A Toledo Gold at Teahupoo would have a certain poetic justice to it.
Hoping they don't go too hard early in the comp if the wind is suss on the first day. Plenty of trades for the last 4-5 days for the shamans to shine.
EC showing a nice looking low coming around the corner that might sneak in a proper swell for the final day.
Mcgillivray my roughy on a perfect finals day.
You called that low last week DP. Hats off to you.
Looks like its showing alot of promise and might hold those winds in a better direction if it slows up in its E/W movements.
Defiinitely something brewing at the very end...whether it gets there in time.
Sly five on Anat. She'll have a dig at Chopes.
.
The oceans give plenty and receives...
An Olympic paradox of sport, media, money & roll of the paradice?
Some of those interconnected to the Pacific living in the Teahupo'o village, dont see much benefit in these games.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jul/25/surfing-olym...
I hope the surfers enjoy their great rides, a fleeting passionate moment in time, in a beautiful part of the world.
Tucker Wooding has given us an excellent birdeye veiw of these glorious waves & masters of the surf.
Thanks Steve, Tucker and Wooding; hope you scored some great waves too...!
P.S. A true Olympian could give his place to the current local surf champions; Matahi Drollet, Eimeo Czermak & Ítalo Ferreira... for immortality.
"Healy strongly urged the Australian (Olympic ) representative to insist on the Americans being given an opportunity to compete in the (Olympic swimming) final, insisting that it would be unsportsman like to bar their entry." The Duke Kahanamoku won ....easily for Hawaii (USA).
https://sahof.org.au/hall-of-fame-member/cecil-healy/
"Finally, mainly due to the Australians attitude, and in spite of the opposition ....., the Americans were allowed to compete in a special semi-final…” The first two progressed to the final, Kahanamoku was one of them.
In the final, Kahanamoku won easily, by 1.2 seconds, over a bodylength, with Healy in second place."
Hoping some Irukandji venom worked in with some fitzy froth and a shot of bronzeozzy is the just right juice for Ms Molly Pickles.
‘Mostly benefiting the High Performance Centre on the Tweed Coast. And to be fair, they have produced results and improved performances, especially as far as women's surfing is concerned.’
But have they? That’s a long bow to stretch to say Owen’s success was due to them. Maybe, but correlation does not equal causation.
I’d love to see a bit of a deeper dive into the HPC and their supposed results. I’d wager Parko, Mick, Steph and Tyler’s titles were nothing to do with them.
Sally (too big to fail) fitzgibbons might be the perfect example of HPC success... millions invested
Still wondering why she is all green and gold photo bombing and taking glory from the Para Olympics athletes adds and promotions on high rotation atm?
I did raise an eyebrow at that too.
Fully cashing in on the Olympics when she isn't even in the team.
An article I read yesterday said she is the injury standby. If that is correct, she technically is in the team. Is that not true?
That is correct.
I guess it's just the shameless level of commercialisation compared to, say, Ryan Callinan who is the injury replacement for the mens team.
Still, that is her job- and she does it better than anyone.
HN sponsorship, says it all.
.
With Jack injured what's the chances rcal gets a run ?
Cut on his foot?
That's a clickbait headline not an injury.
they said ankle on the story i read, so maybe even less of an issue
He's already been cleared to compete.
No Worries...Goat has Oz Residency & Dual Citizenship...Oi Oi Oi How ya like me now!
Also has Taboo Greg Brady Tiki Idol Reef sacrifice Voodoo Doll immunity!
man... i was in love with Cindy
Snapped Board ...that also may have cut his foot...deep enough to prop it up to stop the bleed?
https://www.nine.com.au/sport/olympics/paris-2024-surfing-jack-robinson-...
See Jack on shore...can't put weight on his foot...with both arms shouldering 2 strong crew!
Note : None are smiling...they all look very serious!
https://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/d5956c5387b9dd6ef1a20faa303e7b9d?...
A few reports say Jack needed an Ambulance...to the Games Medic Site...
Said Team Doctor saw to him...
Pretty sure tbb heard either 9/10 News mention Stitches...anyone verify that?
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/olympics/article-13670075/Australia-Ja...
Update on Jack...Good to go...
Yeah! Board Broke as we can see...Either at that moment (or)
'or' says ... as he 'came off a wave' he cut his foot on his own fin/s
Sliced his foot near the ankle requiring 5 stitches...that confirms last night's news!
Guessing the dual arm support was not to put extra weight on it to rip it open some more!
That makes sense...trying to minimise the injury to hasten mending time!
So nothing to do with the reef apart from cleaning the wound of Reef Nasties.
That would be the greater risk...them reef infections can set in for months they do!
Soon know...coz ya feel the sting burning inside as it swells up...nasty it is!
https://www.reuters.com/sports/olympics/surfing-australian-jack-robinson...
Beg yer Pardon : Please forgive the crew Sal...
Sort this straight here & now > Once & for all! FFS!
Layne awarded Sally for her Olympic Stoke > Aim for the Stars Grant.
We all backed Sally's Olympic Stoke...
Sally was honoured to be invited by IOC into OPC Olympic Program Commission
https://www.olympics.com.au/news/iwd-2023-sallys-olympic-sized-wave-towa...
Sally decides if Surfing is to be continually included into Qld Olympics & Germany > onwards...Got it!
Feel free to check...There is NO surfing / venue in 2032 Qld Olympics...well durr!
Was never ever once listed in Paris Sports...until last few weeks...
None give a shit about world's cheapest ticket Olympic sport.
Without Sally's Stoke ~ Surfing has zero chance...
Up against Govt backed E-Games / SLSA / Cricket / Nettie / AFL / Golf...all know it!
(Inside word) Very early on only Sally has openly supported Goldie Surfing for 2032...(Shh!)
Sally is surfing's last,only & best hope...Salute! All say Aye!
What the crew see is very real...Here it is..Sporty Katie's Dream Team.
https://www.olympics.com.au/aocsponsor/harvey-norman/
Nothing has changed since Sophie's Choice > Sally is still WSL / Olympics biggest ticket in Town!
As tbb reminded...Sally surfs the Longest most prolific backed WSL Tours ~ No Pro comes close!
Ya'll think that's by accident...having Sal surf all year Round in all Nations to pump prime WSL.
tbb recently called her in for the win against Largest ever Field of Pros! Livin' the dream Go Sal Go!
Sal is World Surfing's #1 Competitor across all outfits...none come near the Grom of Ages!
Sally is also #1 Olympic Stoker/ Supporter...Yes! Officially...well durr!
That's who she is & what she does & is the best in the world at doin' it!
Aussie Legend she is...tbb is stoked she's on our side...bloody little ripper!
Leave off our #1 Chiko Chick..All sorted Sal...please do carry on being our dead set Legend!
https://www.facebook.com/SallyFitzgibbons1/videos/i-cant-wait-to-cheer-o...
Share Sally's Olympic Athlete Profile to show how & why the crew see Sally up Front in Olympics.
Sally will frontline these Olympics / Paralympics, possibly Winter Olympics & next & so on!
That's her deserved career & she's earned that in spades...none have a right to deny her natural role!
Sally's record, recent world domination are most deserving of Olympic Qualification...& all stress so!
Oz has IOC Supa Sal (Winners) vs France has IOC Foamie Tony (Losers) Suffer France...Ha ha!
https://www.harveynorman.com.au/blog/initiatives/sally-fitzgibbons/
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/matildas-blazing-a-path-to-gl...
Here's another fact check for Qld 2032 Olympics...
Supa Sal is the best performing World Surf Pro in Qld Line Ups.
Qldurr Goldie Comp Boardrider / Exhibitionist tbb.
"Stoked to welcome our #1 Pro Comp Surfer to Qld 2032 Olympics Team!
Who wouldn't want the best...Salute our neighbours for Stoking our Line Ups!
Qld & Goldie proudly salute the best comp surfer in our Line Ups...Go Sally Go!
Flying the Oz Flag over Qld...that's wot we all hoot for...Sally is our golden girl!"
I think she is on stand by incase Tyler does not compete
Good call...Ted from the moon...tbb read the same.
Sally is definitely in the Oz Olympic Team for more reasons than most!
IOC rep / advisory + Olympic/Paralympic - Key Partner/Supporter + Standby Competitor!
So don't freak out if ya see Sal on yer Telly around each Olympics.
Officially checks out...ticks all boxes...that's her job!
live....
#1 swellnet Olympic Preview Ideal Companion Guide
https://surfingaustralia.com/irukandjis/
https://olympics.com/en/news/australia-surfing-team-paris-2024-olympics-...
https://www.olympics.com.au/sports/surfing/
Teahupoo Olympic Surfing Timetable TV9/NOW online
https://www.9now.com.au/surfing-olympic-games-paris-2024
2024 Olympic Surfing Heat Draw
https://isasurf.org/event/paris-2024/
Sun 28 July R1 M 3am-7:42am + W 7:48am-12:30pm
Mon 29 July R2 M 3am-7:42am + W 7:48am-12:30pm
Tues 30 July R3 M 3am-7:42am + W 7:48am-12:30pm
Wed 31 July QF M 3am-5:18am + W 5:24am - 7:42am
Wed 31 July SF M 7:48am-8:54am + W 9am- 10:06am
Wed 31 July Fin M 10:12am-12:09pm + W 10:53am-12:50pm
Wed 31 July MC M 1pm-1:07pm + W 1:08-1:15pm
Wed 31 July Irukandjis Celebrations into the Night
~/(Compliments #1 swellnet Irukandjis support crew...no hassles!
Bonus Olympic Skateboard Companion ~ Compliments #1swellnet Skate Crew.
https://www.olympics.com.au/news/paris-2024-preview-skateboarding/
https://www.olympics.com.au/sports/skateboarding/
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/sports/skateboarding
Sat 27 July Street M 8pm -11:50pm
Sun 28 July Final M 1am-2:30am + MC 2:47am-2:54am
Sun 28 July Street W 8pm -11:50pm
Mon 29 July Final W 1am-2:30am + MC 2:47am-2:54am
Tues 6 Aug Park W 8:30pm-11:31pm
Wed 7 Aug Final W 1:30am-2:14am + MC 2:24am-2:31am
Wed 7 Aug Park M 8:30pm-11:31pm
Thur 8 Aug Final M 1:30am-2:14am + MC 2:24am-2:31am
Ollie Aussie Ollie Oi Oi Oi!
"By some weird quirk of qualification, the most qualified man on the planet will not be able to defend his gold medaL"
Just wrong that Italo was left off the Brasil team - Felipe needs to justify his inclusion with a decent performance. if he can -
Do we know who the judges are? Are they provided by WSL?
Daniel Kosoof (NZL), Benjamin Lowe (AUS) , Tatsuya Fukagawa (JPN), Thierry Vidal (FRA), Tory Gilkerson (USA), Mikel Zalacain (ESP), Luiz Dantas (BRA)
Could be shaping up to be an epic finals day for the 5th. Big and clean, blood curdling, nail biting stuff with the remaining contestants delivering on what we all want to see - huge challenges being met by some and living nightmares for others. The real dark horse could be Yolanda Hopkins. More impressed with her every time I watch. Her day will come soon. We shall see.
sheet yeah
Nice wave
?si=1rvYQKIZPZP6dVdkWill we be able to watch, stream, the entire contest live?
Will it be through the WSL, or are we going to rely on what Channel 9 or 9Now allows us to see?
Will it just be what Nine deems highlights; wipeouts, bikini birds, shark attacks?
It's crazy they still just use such an old school format to broadcast the events.
Youtube.w t f
i think.ill be too busy to check it out.
WSL will have nothing to do with it
I think 9 now has many channels dedicated so should be on there. Given it’s going to run through the day in Tahiti might be one of the only things on
Good thing they don't have to use the train to get to the comp.........
Hard to go past Gabe
Siqi Yang could be one to watch
9 NOW Sign Up/Log in or Smart TVs (Runs Whole Surf / Skate Comps Live)
https://www.9now.com.au/live/event-clyqebbag000y0glei4z0m1jt
See Timetable Above
Foamie Tony bosses the Live Olympic TV cross > As for each sport?
(Message : Local Regional Lock Out for existing subscribers...not sure if that's a thing?)
Read here for more...Guessing they want crew to resign under a 3rd Party scam to get live gigs.
tbb watched Replays Ok..but the Live Link may request an additional click Scam...Dunno!
So...if ya got one of them Regional Lockouts yer meant to click Not in Region
https://help.9now.com.au/hc/en-au/articles/34083985095705-Why-does-9Now-...
Crew were asking about Free 9 TV Coverage > Cheekiest Bikini / Biggest Jugs / Wipeout Bloopers
First Up tbb just saw Opening Ceremony Live Cross to Teahupoo Teams Drone Loop on the Point.
Teams each stood Waving behind a Similar Paipo of sorts! No Iconic Waves/Statues/Shacks shown!
Trad Paipos backed by some Woke Synth Goth Soundtrack! Short 1min whizz 'round but not Tacky
Nothing about Surfing or Teahupoo Ceremony on other News/Networks as expected!
9 Live TV Electronic Program Guide Surfing ( Oz States as Follows )
swellnet are Free View Inclusive crew & don't discriminate between online / TV viewers.
Broadcasts 'may cross live to surfing' if Chiko Chix put out for the Boys or for an Aussie Surfer!
NT does not get any Live Surfing Coverage...Sorry!
Sunday 28th July : R1 (3am-5am) Mens Only ( No Women )
Qld / NSW / Vic / Tas (Ht 1 Ethan Ht 2 Jack > Ht3/4 > Ht 5 NZ Billy) Telecast Ends Sorry!
SA 2:30-3:00am (Ht 1 Ethan / Ht 2 Jack) Ends + WA 1:00am-3:00am as Eastern States...Heats 1-5.
Recap...No Chiko Chicks on the Telly in Round 1 Ok!
Mon 29th -Tues 30th July : R2-R3 No Live Surfing Coverage in any Oz States Sorry!
Wed 31st July : Finals Day (5am-7am)
Qld / NSW / Vic / Tas (M QF 4 + W QF 1/2/3) Finals Telecast ends Sorry
WA 3am-4am ( M QF 4 + W QF 1/2) Finals Telecast ends Sorry
SA + NT (No Finals Day Action Sorry) + No Oz > SF / Finals action on yer Telly (See 9 Now)
They will likely have Morning / Noon / Evening wraps of Oz Surfers..
Take note : You'll need to watch 9 News for 'Action Vids'
Seems other Networks are now confined to Slides of the Action...Yeah! I know!
9 (Above is 2nd Back Up Surfing Channel) This explains the Gap Days!
Confusion being the Announcers refer to 9 Go as their Back Up Station?
Just ignore them...
Use the above Olympic Surfing Channel as back up to [ 9Gem ]
Good news for the Free View crew...we scored big time!
Can watch whole Teahupoo Olympic Surf Comp Live on [9 Gem] with no sign up!
[9 Gem] (2024 Official Olympic Surfing Channel) Ok! Got that!
Sun 28th July R1
Qld / NSW / Vic / Tas (3am-6am) Break (8am -12:30pm)
SA + NT (2:30am-5:30am) Break (7:30am-12pm)
WA (1am-4am) Break (6am-10:30am)
Mon 29th July R2 (Please note Different Start Time / 1 Session)
Qld / NSW / Vic / Tas (8am-12:30pm)
SA + NT (7:30am-12pm)
WA (6am-10:30am)
Tues 30th July R3
Qld / NSW / Vic / Tas (3am-6am) Break (8am-12:30am)
SA + NT (2:30am -5:30am) Break (7:30am-12am)
WA (1am-4am) Break (6am-10:30am)
Wed 31st July Finals Day
Qld / NSW / Vic / Tas (3am-6am) Break (8am-1pm)
SA + NT (2:30am-5:30am) Break (7:30am-12am)
WA (1am-4am) Break (6am-11am)
Much better tbb...All say Aye...Enjoy the Comp Couch Potatoes!
So is the models for chopes on SN our time or there’s?
Is it on people?
Progressive Olympic Heat Scores
https://isasurf.org/event/paris-2024/
Just wondering how Brasil has 3 women in their team and when they 2 surfing in one heat Round1 Heat 6 and prior to the they showed judges list for that heat and they had 3 Brasilian judges adjudicating that heat.
Brazil has an extra surfer in each gender due to winning the last ISA Games.
Not sure about the judges.
Thanks for that, with the judges 1 was head judge, 1 was performance judge and 1 was priority judge .
Crew are asking about the OBS Surfers View Teahupoo Drone Coverage
Olympic Broadcasting Services
Est 2001 Madrid based but entirely Nation Neutral work for IOC (Chinese Broadcast Rights > 2032)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Broadcasting_Services
https://www.obs.tv/home
https://blog.mainconcept.com/olympics-coverage-picking-up-the-uhd-torch
https://tmbroadcast.com/index.php/obs-tv-production-olympic-games-paris-...
Teahupoo drone overview was lost in translation with Tower of Power
Need to read between the lines so to speak...so we woulda missed that with all the drama!
750m Land cams were too far + Boat cams were too side on obstructed by set waves.
Drones were made 'additional' to other Tower cams for Judges...
Explains why crew get a Surfing Judges eagle eye view of the action + delayed Drone check scores.
tbb had read additional need for a Fixed Rescue Mount Cam > re: 24/7 Seaway Channel Function
Security for Games Venue...can also be an argument to utilize tower as Seaway monitor!
They needed the Tower coz Drones aren't suitable for continuous coverage...(Tech / weather)
https://press.paris2024.org/news/organisation-of-surfing-competitions-fo...