Olympics 2024: Day Four
Olympics 2024: Day Four
Sixteen heats of Olympic surfing conducted today in very scrappy conditions at Teahupoo, marred by south winds and south swell. That took the competition to the Semi-Final stage with eight more heats to run to get all the medallists.
We've consistently been told by the athletes that Olympic gold means so much, more than a world title even but actions so far this Olympics have shown that to be empty rhetoric. Olympic gold was not sufficient motivation for certain surfers to overcome fears, not enough motivation to break out of poor heats and find an extra gear. We'll come back to that theme in a moment.
The enduring and viral image from the day of days was Medina's flyaway Jesus kickout. The major mainstream story today was Australian judge Ben Lowe being relieved of his duties for contravening IOC and ISA codes of conduct by having his photo taken with Bede and Ethan. That image, when it was posted on social media, caused a firestorm of allegations of potential bias from Brazilian fans. I'll make a few quick points on the fiasco before moving on.
First, this didn't happen in a vacuum. Lowe was subject to official complaint over biased scoring towards Gabe Medina at the Tokyo Olympics with plausible accusations his consistent low-balling led to close losses to Kanoa Igarashi (silver medallist) and Owen Wright (bronze). No action was taken and even assuming those accusations were completely baseless it should have put the sport and Lowe himself on extra vigilance to guard against any perceived bias, even moreso considering the controversies surrounding Medina and close losses which were blamed on poor judging.
Second, Lowe is getting paid to be an Olympic judge and, unless he was completely clueless about his professional obligations, must have known he was subject to at least two codes of conduct from the IOC and the ISA. Those codes are supposed to protect the integrity of the sport - whether they do or not is immaterial, Lowe was getting paid under those codes.
Third, nothing is more fundamental to the integrity of subjectively-judged sports than the independence of the judges. Perceptions of bias are as corrosive to the sport as actual bias and have always dogged competitive surfing, where conflicts of interest are scarcely bothered to be hidden. In surfing, like the law, judges have to be seen to be beyond being influenced by friendships and national or regional affiliations. The old quote applies: 'It's of fundamental importance that justice should not only be done, but should manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done.'
As for Bede, Australia's Head Coach? He should know better than to be happy snapped with a judge while Ethan was still alive in the draw, even if it is his old Straddy pal. It's part of his job to not to fall foul of code of conduct guidelines.
It hasn't been a good year for Aussie surfing judges so lets hope Ben doesn't lose his livelihood over what, no doubt, was a completely innocent moment between old pals.
Ethan Ewing (ISA/McKenna)
Eight heats of Womens Round 3 completed in mostly low-scoring affairs decided by turns. The lowest score of the round was from Chinese teen Siqi Yang with a 1.63. Yang caught four waves with a high score of 1.00 for her best ride. She was easily bested by Caz Marks.
Second lowest score went to current world number one Caity Simmers. Simmers hasn't specifically said the Olympic gold was any special motivation for her, so it is a little unfair to judge. But it was obvious from her performance that there was no extra motivation on the table. Simmers pulled the trigger three times in thirty mins for a combined total of 1.93, with a highest score of 1.50.
You could just about see the moment in the heat where Caity thought: “Fuck it, whatever happens, happens." And what happened was she sat out the back with nothing while Tatiana Weston-Webb racked up five rides with a pair of 6's. Which she didn't need. A sole 3.33 from Tati would have got the job done against a petulant and very un-Olympic performance from Simmers.
Caity Simmers (ISA/Ryder)
Heavy contrast with Tyler's Round 3 heat with Israeli Anat Leilor. Both clearly wanted the win and although the final score of 11.10 to 7.74 looks comprehensive, it was much closer. Tyler held a slender lead of less than a point as both surfers traded off multiple times, only icing it with her last ride in the dying minutes.
Vahine could not find a decent barrel and was taken out by Defay and Carissa looked solid but unspectacular to defeat Sarah Baum. The only non-CT dark horse to get through the round was Mundaka's Nadia Erostarbe.
Poor surf can be offset by solid match-ups and that is mostly what the Men's Quarters delivered, although there was a minor but noticeable improvement in surf quality as winds backed around southeast. That helped deliver a few quality heats.
Alonso Correa kept the dark horse dream alive for Peru with a scrappy win over Reo Inaba. Judges looked like they would start paying turns highly after a late, hung-up hit from Correa received a 6.33. It was the beginning of some shambolic scoring as they went all over the shop with turns. Ethan whipped an incredible three-turn wave against Jack Robbo for a 4.68 for example.
Didn't matter much in the final wash. The Correa/Inaba heat was the last heat where it was close enough that turns matttered.
Medal motivation matters. How do you lose at scrappy Teahupoo? Sit there and wait for waves that never come.
How do you win? Hunt the reef line and inspect every scrap of energy, find the hollow segments that hit the shallowest part of the reef.
Kauli Vaast rode nine waves in his quarter against 35-year old Joan Duru. Moving relentlessly and riding any scrap of energy until he found the hollow nugs he knew were on the reef. Eventually he found a 7.33 and an 8.00 and it was game over. Competitive inexperience can't be used as an excuse for Caity Simmers when the lesser inexperienced Vaast was so easily able to access a winning strategy.
Medina must have been sitting there watching, with Charlie on the modified poop deck, and he didn't need nine waves to find those hollow nugs which had been hiding in plain sight. It was a vintage Medina performance, conducted according to the Medina formula, which all his competitors must know about but are powerless to resist - when it works.
Gabriel Medina (ISA/Ryder)
He paddles up the reef, catches the first wave. Threads a small hollow runner with deft pumping and weaving through multiple sections. Judges reward with 6.67.
Paddles up to Chianca, who is studiously trying to ignore him. Paddles around him and back down the reef, then back up past him. Chianca, by way of reaction, now sits stock still looking out to sea, trying his best not to get pulled into Medina's trap.
This passivity gives Medina exactly what he wants. With Chianca's attention focussed seawards, Medina can hunt down waves passing under him, which so often are the best scoring waves on these smaller-sized swells at Teahupoo. He paddles back to him and forces Chianca into a shitty wave which he wipes out on.
Then within minutes Medina converts the best wave of the heat, an 8.10 for a nice tube and botched hack.
That's it. Chianca is comboed and Medina has all the time in the world to either sit back and watch his opponent self-destruct (which Chianca did) or keep upping the ante if required.
The only man who seems to have a similar level of competitive mastery is 26-year old Jack Robinson. Fuck, 26? It seems like Jack should have at least a world title by now. Maybe the gold medal would be sufficient motivation for Jack to best Medina when they meet in the Semis. Jack got past Ewing with high level technical tuberiding that seemed a little under-appreciated by judges. I won't say it was Lowe-balled, but it was cooly received, in my view.
Four very scrappy womens Quarter-Final heats rounded out the day as the wind went more onshore and the inside nuggets went missing.
Tyler ends her Olympic campaign after going down to Caz Marks. Thirty years of age, it's possible Tyler has one more Olympics in her. The venue hasn't been her strong suit but she has improved out here and surfed with tenacity.
Tyler Wright (ISA/McKenna)
Same could be said for Carissa Moore. Her turns looked a bit stagey and flat but she threw down five attempts for a 6.50 heat total and a loss to Johanne Defay.
Tati and Brisa ended the day with scrappy CT-style wins.
We won't get a glorious finish. But hopefully the Jack/Medina match-up does the heavy lifting in place of the surf.
On the Women's side I have to say vive la France and tip Johanne Defay for a life-changing Gold Medal.
// STEVE SHEARER
Comments
Another excellent piece. Thanks Steve
Totally agree on medina and robbo in terms of competitive skills. Doesn’t make me love them as competitors but respect it for sure. On the other hand Caity is
supremely talented but some days when it doesn’t go her way and she can’t figure it out she shuts down. Don’t really see it as petulant just frustrated with the world and herself unable to do what she knows she capable of. It may look like she doesn’t care but I don’t think that’s the case.
If she doesn't care enough to try and figure out a remedy then she doesn't care.
.
I think she cares a lot but some days cannot figure it out at all in the moment. As always though respect your perspective but think we will just disagree on this one.
No probs.
I think she mostly cares but definitely has moments of petulance, where she quite clearly says fuck it. And acts accordingly.
She's been quite clear about that and how she sometimes feels ambivalence about surfing competition.
She definitely has a strong "non-jock" perspective on surfing.
Combine that with being a very wealthy teenager and you can understand why, when things don't go her way she could shrug her shoulders and move on.
All those things are part of her charm.
Got to remember she is only 18!
She has got a bit of time to get her comp head on if she wants to go that way. Parko and Fanning took a while....
Love her laid back nonchalant attitude really.
My 2 cents....
But great write up. Thanks
Good reply Andy,
But I have to remind myself constantly, that FR is an accomplished journalist.
It is part of their creed to garner a reaction!
Identify problem, agitate ,solve.
He does it bloody well and gets my blood boiling on numerous occasions.
But therein, lies the beauty of being alive.
Cheers.
Very nicely put, Steve. Even before the superb last paragraph.
Thanks Steve. Didn’t watch any today, you painted a picture.
So what other Australian judging issues have there been?
I don’t know but the surf media claiming things like ‘surfing has won the Olympics’ and similar hyperbole. I reckon it won’t have made a dent in the mainstream. I don’t know a single non-surfer who’s sat there and watched, let alone given a hoot about it.
And it’s almost impossible to see any replays. Will come and go like just another CT with a few memorable moments
Seeing Medina's board in THAT photo... It looks pretty user friendly for a board that's designed for pumping chopes.
Great analysis SS.
How good is Medina!…?…..
2nd best competitive surfer of all time….
..he’s that good…always a pleasure to watch
love the waves-caught tally, steve, at least as interesting as the scores in a comp like this.
re caity, agree with above, her petulance/fuck-it attitude (I'd call it a 'this is shit, and just down to dumb luck, which is not my wheelhouse sea-stare' - JJF and others do the same thing) is part of her charm.. takes a lot to get into the elite lineup, and if you're used to frothing, responding despondently to the sea letting you down has a poetry about it..
it was a sweet gesture that they let Ben Lowe don the Phryge mascot outfit for a lap of honour.
Steve that was a very authoritative take on the the Straddie “photo gate” judge fiasco. Well done.
No in-crowd back slapping on Swellnet - thank god. It has always sat apart from that BS, which is a vintage asset.
it's so interesting seeing the different responses to this debacle on the various surf websites, Stab is clearly very Aussie patriot heavy whilst BG not so much.
i could have used some of the same mind reading on motivation that was done on the competitors to be done on the particpants of the photo. best case they didn't know how badly they were fucking up, olympic love heart hand signal vibes or some shit. Worst case they all dropped their guard due to past connections but that's exactly the issue. Either way, the judge fella is demonstrating incompetence.
Thanks Steve for your inights into todays plays.
Phryge mascot is a hat, symbol of french revolution to slavery under roman & autocratic rulers; a symbol of freedom....
Paris Olympic licencing PR estimate revenue of 100M Euro from the sale of these freedom icons.
Caity has displayed a symbol of freedom from prosurfings stupidity of running major Olympic heats in junk waves today. Only cost her a medal.
At least these competitors didnt have to swim a Trathalon in the Parisian river of sewerage & stormwater overflows eg. (dog sh*t & E.Coli) .
Wow… what about the photo on the home page!!!!!!
Lets chat about Barton.
He’s a complete nutter when it comes to some his theories and personal ideas (conspiracy etc) but i was listening in the car today not watching and he does a great job of describing whats happening. Way better than anyone else and done with passion. I vote for a return to WSL CTs*
*just for short stints. Pretty sure he could easily drive me mad if too much
Barton filled those long voids between waves with background; strategy, stories, insights...live; climaxing in maximum frothaganza during the surfers individual wave replays (enjoyable last weekend).
What surfer says away from that salt water medicine, is just another primate pov.
so there was a deadly virus & a vaccine that saved the world (rather than a vaccine that caused 12% excess deaths in australia)?
Not wanting to be too down, but my 98 year old grandfather was given a flu vaccination and a COVID vaccination at the same time and 3 weeks later was gone.
Wow in news that literally everyone saw coming, BlaaB is not only a Brazzo bootlicker (comment of the week "Medina gave JJF all his titles") but also an anti-vaxx conspiracy numpty. Wanna add Trump supporter for the trifecta of stupid?
All “up to date” with your booster shots are ya? What a clever fella you are “trusting the science” lol.
Peak cooker reply, bang on-script tiger well done. Actually though, whilst I may be clever at many things, immunology and virology aren't two of them. That's why I prefer to get my information from actual doctors and scientists with years of study and research behind them, rather than Joe Rogan, Craig Kelly, Novak Jokabitch or some other undereducated bogan like Poolean. You may do well to remember the following.
You're not "Special"
You're no "Awake"
You're not "Enlightened"
You're not "One of the few"
You're not "An expert"
You're not "An investigator"
You're not "Right"
You just have internet access.....
You believe the conspiracy nonsense because you don't feel in control of your life and you're afraid. Good luck.
A few years ago the public health officials worldwide were saying that jab recipients would not catch nor spread the “oh so deadly” covid. You and many others trusted their “science”. They were wrong though weren’t they. Then they changed their “science” to say that the jabs would do nothing more than reduce severity of symptoms ie. their efficacy was not what had been stated by them. Do you remember, “2 weeks to flatten the curve” hahaha. They also said that people who decided to refrain from the rushed experimental mRNA injections would “suffer a severe winter of illness and death”. They were wrong…. again.
I assume from your reply that you are actually “up to date” with your booster shots, because that’s what the “health experts” recommend in order to be “fully vaccinated”? If so, you are in the minority. Less than 5% of Aussies are still participating in this elongated mRNA vaccine experiment. Thus, 95% of us are now wearing your “peak cooker” label? This would (no doubt) include the majority of your family and friends - are they also “peak cookers”? I know many people that openly regret taking it and none that regret not taking it. Have you not noticed this in the people surrounding you?
Not many people know that the South African Government was forced to release the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine contract as part of a court order. Within the contract dated March 30, 2021, it states that the “Purchaser further acknowledges that the long-term effects and efficacy of the Vaccine are not currently known and that there may be adverse effects of the Vaccine that are not currently known. Further, to the extent applicable, Purchaser acknowledges that the Product shall not be serialized.”
Worlds all time best tennis player, Novak Djokovic, Peak cooker , big claim!
37 year old Novak Djokovic , wins gold at the Paris Olympics , he’s no pharmaceutical Phool !
Algae ..How did your Young Worker get on that got Mycarditis after his Jab and needed a Heart Transplant ?
If I had trusted the scientific experts, I’d be sitting at home all day ,with no driver’s license, bad depression, overweight, unfit, heart damage , sleeping half the day ,no libido and no surfing. But I didn’t trust the so called experts, and now I’ve regained fitness and libido, depression disappeared instantly, lost weight, driving around and happy to be surfing again. The funny part is, the ‘’experts’’ think I’m still on the medication that ruined my life , because I’m normal , that’s how intelligent they are.
Rage against the machine is one thing many can relate to. Politics sucks, at least you can vote here.
I would still prefer science before Facebook/ twits rants, on any matter requiring logic, knowledge & experience. Healthy people can become immune to most viruses.
Young children, frail and elderly cannot fight somes virus's, so we washed hands, masked up & isolated to not spread the new virus..
50 million died from the flu pandemic in 1919,.....after the 1st world war took most of the young men to an early grave.
https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/influenza-pandemic
So a methodological, textbook approach & possible misdiagnosis from a few 10 minute consultations, on potential complex problems, from often overworked, highly trained & qualified people, can be frustrating & reconsidered in a quiet moment.
Ive just had a 6th Covid19 booster this evening...
Your body will tell your mind what is best, if your calm, intuitive, & relatively healthy.
PS. snorkling...is uncrowded, except for those fish.
Well Put Bird.
Man has evolved with plants and herbs for 10s of thousands of years. The 3 wise men brought Frankincense and Myrhh to Jesus’s birth because they knew back then that they work in synergy..Science comes along and extracts one or two medical nutrients from a plant or herb and the synergistic effect of all the other nutrients is lost .Then they synthesise these nutrients with chemicals, which man hasn’t evolved with for thousands of years. The billion dollar pharmaceutical companies can’t make money out of already growing plants and herbs, so they make their own out of chemicals.
Well I’ve never had a COVID vaccine, or a flu vaccine, and I’ve never had COVID and can’t remember the last time I had flu. There’s many natural antivirals that science doesn’t tell you about, Andrographis , Lemon Balm, etc and many herbs which boost your immune system naturally, Astragalus etc .
Can’t imagine the hippies from Lauren Canyon lining up for COVID shots!
I can add more to the small list of "cookers" you mentioned. In fact the list is getting very very long and includes immunologists, virologists, biologists and well know scientists. It seems you're too afraid to face the truth. All the best.
sorry, dont judge me but i didnt watch the women.
the men looks like it will be a vaust vs medina or robinson final.
and that makes me happy in some ways.
the local who has shown such knowledge/experience of the break vs one of the best interlopers.
i have respect for all three and consider them all worthy of the gold medal.
well played France, i hope you get the gold.
btw, congrats Joan Duru on a stella career.
Did Joan say the final au revoir?
Yes.
Both Joan and Carissa retired.
Well, he bowed out in style.
Go well, Joan!
Edit: looking on his Insta, it seems like he's been at Chopes since early June, preparing for the Olympics. Someone tell Fil.
Riss gone,CT also ?
On tomorrow/tonight 3am?
hey freeride, I used to be bummed you left BG, but I’ve come to accept it and I’m happy to get over here and read your stuff for sure
Simmers reminds if JJ, getting sour when things aren’t perfect, also like when an artist has a temper tantrum! I still dig her surf style and even admire her insular veneer;
it’s surfing!
Cheers Steve ..another beautiful summary.. I will never forget Matty John’s comments years ago saying, social media will potentially end more careers than injuries..he was spot on !!!
“Lowe balled” I see what you did there very good
Vaast is the dark horse in the race to gold with his local knowledge. Robo and Medina are very evenly matched if the waves are on. Should be a goody.
I agree, except I wouldn't call Vaast a dark horse, very much capable of Gold.
In 2019, Vaast came up against Robbo in the semis of the Teahupoo Trials - it was the years before Robbo made the CT.
Waves weren't great, tactics mattered and Vaast was a far superior competitor, even doing a paddle behind takeoff a-la Slater on Beschen at the US Open. Vaast won the TYrails and made it two rounds in the main event.
Robbo's come a long way but the important thing to know is Vaast knows how to scrap hard.
Thanks for the insight Stu.
Competitive history always contributes to confidence one way or the other
Yes Vaast does that paddle behind snake and he tried it again in the earlier heats but couldn't quite get there. While it might be fair to say its a tactic its a slimy way to orchestrate an interference. The one he did to Jack Robbo some years ago was vile
wish Australia didnt have that union jack on the flag.........really noticed it today on tele with so many gold medals won....
Go Jack...
I couldn’t agree more!
don't look at your passport,to see who grants you freedom,
Wow,
No Union Jack?
Were you born in Australia
Simba?
haha of course ...fuk the union jack
Thankyou Ben,Stu and all contributing journalists
It has been a fantastic ride!
After that last comment from Simba.
I am officially putting the cue in the rack.
I will go back to my well learned
Intrinsic surf forecasting methods.
All the best and good luck!
I am cancelling my membership immediately.
Regards Komodo!
Odd reason to cancel a membership.
You understand Simba doesn't work for Swellnet, right?
And that editorial is free to everyone?
And that commenters have freedom of speech?
Nevertheless, thanks for your support.
It's not an airport mate, no need to announce your departure. Also, well said Simba, fuck the colonizers. Remember, if they had their evil anti indigenous-tradition way in Hawaii and succeeded in banning surfing, none of us would be here commenting right now,
That seems like the worlds biggest over reaction but an interesting and passionate one nonetheless.
Seems crazy that during medal presentations etc we have the Oz, aboriginal flag and Torres straight flag all on show.
Surely it’s time to get them all on one, we are all Australians, we should be creating unity not more division.
.
Thankyou Stu!
I have enjoyed your commentary's.
Surf and travel well.
Regards Komodo.
What was the problem with the Union Jack comment Komodo?
Keen to know.
Aways enjoyed your pov.
Staunchly proud Australian!
Freeride.
Surf well old friend!
Regards Komodo
A lot to be proud of, imho.
Godspeed Komodo.
Can you fly this patriotic flag in Sydney for us migrants.. from 1908
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_City_of_Sydney
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_City_of_Sydney#/media/File:Cit...
or if in a more empirical moment fly
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Empire_flag
the commonwealth nations flag
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Empire_flag#/media/File:British_Em...
or flamboyant mood, fly this one...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Empire_flag#/media/File:1926_Briti...
A more bling flying thing in 1976
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Empire_flag#/media/File:Commonweal...
Class act.... involving a farcical aquatic ceremony....
English history education perpective on the working class
I thought you were leaving? Classic cry for attention
Do you think he means it?
M I 5 Bot
I would have thought that if you were a staunchly proud Australian then you'd be pretty keen to have a fully Australian flag.
Surprising reaction. I’m sure he has his reasons.
I wish it were green and gold and incorporated the aboriginal flag. Never happening but we a very different place to 200 years ago
The past is a different country. Doesn't mean we sack the place, or live racked with guilt or anguish.
No not at all. As said change of flag won’t happen. I just don’t think it’s as representative of who we are these days. A change of flag doesn’t sack anything or aim to disrespect the past.
I can understand it offends people who fought under it etc.
Green and gold is snazzy,
Unique, Australian. Just as black and and white is Kiwi. I like the nod to our indigenous heritage on our uniforms too.
I agree with many of your points, and my comment wasn't directed at you.
But Chesterton's Fence should not be disregarded, particularly when it comes to national flags :-)
Fair enough IB.
On a lighter note, saw this odd flag / coloured trackies the swimming today: AIN (individual neutral atheletes).
Russians and Belarusians in other words . Interesting . Not many of them.
Chesterton’s Fence. Nice IB, hadn’t come across that before.
Sort of a cure-all for ‘don’t do anything’ types. Sits right up there with the ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ mentality.
An all purpose excuse to do nothing. Seen many a gate swinging off its hinges and been confronted with the ‘if it ain’t broke ….’ saying.
I don’t think the Ches fence really applies to flags though.
Staunchly proud Australian , hanging on to the British flag?
Komodo, obviously we see the flag in two different ways and i would love to see the aboriginal flag incorporated in the flag without the union jack as we are in the 21 st century now not the 1800s.
Everyone's got an opinion mate and that's mine . Time to move on.
Our NZ one looks much the same as yours. One less star. We had a referendum on a new flag a few years ago but it failed. I voted for the new red one but there were too many options and none of them got over the line. Wasted 50 Mill on it from memory and it was meant to be previous prime minister John Keys legacy
we had a similar thing @poo-man. (isn't it great how swellnet comments can take on a life of their own?)
from a fence sitter on matters where majority should rule, I reckon the flag is a good one. I'm a traditionalist and anglophile, and thanks to IB, realise I adhere to the idea of chesterton's fence. Also advocate for Aboriginal heritage, open-minded change, fighting cultural-cringe, and think the union jack means different things to different people, all should be respected and considered.
quitting our UK heritage would be a bit like a brexit, UK quitting Europe. ideologically. but our flag will obviously need to progress at some point. please, no 'president' for a long while though.
It seems to me that sportslovers favour green and gold. global politics people quite like the idea of those colours to indicate our southern-hemisphereness too.
people who think Australia has a certain conservative international dignity underpinning its culture favour blue, red and white, as do people who think the sea, desert and stars are more expansively Aussie than bush and wattle.
but we all like kangaroos.
I'm in the blue camp, but could easily enjoy green and gold if people wanted it IF there was an effort to disassociate the flag design from tacky boxing kangaroo caricature.
Imagine if Aus and NZ could evolve their flags at the same time to have a continued commonality!
Would not a large percentage of NZers go for the silver fern?
hot topic,
kaali vaast photographed accepting a mentos from jetski safety driver.
surely these sorts of gifts raise red flags for the ioc.
Griff claims of the water patrol secret signals to vaast.
surely there's more collusion there than Ben low and the strad broke ferry effect amitty point lookout >
Sorry for the link to Stab, but this is worth a listen. I’m going to miss Carissa in the water. Amazing surfer and seems like a genuinely decent person.
https://m.soundcloud.com/stabpodcasts/carissas-retirement-speech/s-qWrD4...
Really sorry to see her go I still think she had a lot of wins left in her but she has other plans. One of the Best role models for womens sport ever. Someone very special for my grand daughter to look up to. Wishing her the best in the future. Aloha Riss
Spot on Zonaras.
Well some issues here to be dealt with! Def. time to move on with the flag, Southern Cross stays & Union Jack off! HaHa!! Well as far as THE photo shoot goes of the "Straddie boyZ" goes shoulda been left for a backyard barbie @ Spechty's place @ Amity! Caity is Caity, she's just a kid who has immense natural talent buttt maturity comes with age(for some)& it's different for everybody because were all different(thank GOD!) Just seen the heat on EE & Robo, it appears that Jack got the nod with the barrels he scored! I'm yet to see Gabe's heat buttt he is the ultimate competitor/stratigest & plumber (Note:Pipeblockage). I think on the mens side of competition that Vasst has a VAST advantage by knowing the reef like the back of his hand! Time will tell! Go Robbo ur our last hope for GOLD! Did I cover it all peeps??? Happy Daze, from an Insomniacs rave!
Not bad Greg. But you forgot to mention the flag.
Edit- whoops, total numpty here- first line. I will leave my post up so all can bask in my stupidity (or lack of comprehension).
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Surfing Pin (Ultra Rare Teahupoo Backdoor Switchfoot Tatiana)
AUD {Was $13.59 > swellnet crew price $9.51}
https://www.dragoparis.fr/pins-jo-2024-outdoor-bleu-surf-x41039x000
Teahupoo Surf Village
https://www.tahiti-infos.com/Vairao-pare-pour-les-JO_a224957.html
Official Teahupoo
https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/teahupoo
Jeux Surf Tahiti
https://www.facebook.com/JeuxSurfTahiti
Surf Mascot Doonah {AUD Was $123.98 > swellnet crew price $92.99}
https://images.footballfanatics.com/paris-2024/paris-2024-olympics-masco...
Tahati Infos (Big Thanks from swellnet!)
https://www.tahiti-infos.com/Actualite-de-Tahiti-et-ses-iles_r14.html
TNTV News (Big Thanx from swellnet)
https://www.tntv.pf/tntvnews/
Paris Lay Day Mascot {AUD Was $63.60 > swellnet crew price $47.70}
https://shop.olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paris-2024-olympics-mascot-surfi...
Paris Olympic Surfing
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/sports/surfing
Paris 2024 Surfing Schedule
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/schedule/surfing
Surf Spray T (Was $74.39 > swellnet crew price $44.63)
https://shop.olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paris-2024-olympics-graphic-t-sh...
Heat Draw / Results
https://isasurf.org/event/paris-2024/
Paris 2024 Olympic Surfing Gold Medal {AUD $18.59}
https://shop.olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paris-2024-olympics-alphabet-spo...
SOLD OUT : Deluxe Team Canada 2024 Olympic Surfing Pin
https://www.coastlinesurf.com/products/csa-surf-canada-comemmorative-pin...
Bottom of the Barrel (Digging Deep now!)
Generic Team USA Pin
https://www.teamusashop.com/team-usa-surfing-lapel-pin/p-14929384068648+...
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/pcIAAOSwhA1mjzTd/s-l1600.jpg
Rogue Pirated Merch (Not officially in the Unofficial Olympic Show Bag Ok!)
https://www.teepublic.com/pin/60877072-paris-olympics-2024-surfing?count...
swellnet special "Complete" Olympic Timeline Bonus from tbb
https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2019/12/15/confirmed-par...
https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2023/12/02/barge-olympic...
https://www.swellnet.com/news/form-guide/2024/06/01/olympic-surfing-draw...
Sting is in the Tail > Go the Irukandjis
https://surfingaustralia.com/irukandjis/
^ funner than a Bertie Beetle bag to a tiny grom, cheers, tbb : )
Cheers basesix...ya just scored a bonus empathetic showbag story book!
+ Shit hot Bonus *Irunkandji Mascot reveal...that Officially surfed into yer show bags...
Well! How else could it get in...tbb swears he never wrestled it in there!
All hail the rugged Bertie Beetle as the bees knees in Show Bagz...
Real sad Bertie Beetle Show Bag story...put the Gromz to bed!
In 2023 Swarm of Bertie Beetles up'n'flew their Showbag outta the Ekka Showbag Pavillion.
They Flew their Showbag as a balloon > Made for the border 86kms to Reedy Creek...they crashed!
Pause : That could be a Bertie Beetle escape record that...not bad going!
Local Old Coach Rogue Pickerupperer tbb rescued the escapees from the roadside.
All swear tbb was crying...trying to breathe life into their Sun Melted wings.
Others tooted at tbb to stop licking the bitumen ya dirty bastard...was just trying to save their best bits.
Showbag is still intact but a dozen Bertie Beetles got baked in their Foilies...poor little buggerz!
Put 'em in the freezer with Cane Toads to sweeten them up a bit...but they got a brain freeze...
Never gonna come good...once they lost their integrity!
Aussies reckon can never stop at one...always get demolished in the one rummage...well durr!
So they died in proper fashion...all sacrifice themselves at once...pick me! pick me!...naughtly little buggerz!
Can't change that fact...wotz not to love! Quit droolin' & lickin' yer lips...it's a really sad story!
Basesix wanna see somethin' funny...dig deeper in yer Teahupoo Show Bag...give it a good rummage.
There's another secret life like Aussie surprise in yer Teahupoo Swag...anyone fish it out yet!
tbb gave ya all a hint...Sting is in the tail!
Hodad fans of Sigmund the Sea Monster are gonna freak out with our Oz Irukandji Mascot.
Introducing #1 Freaky Oz Mascot
Freeze Frame Vid @ [0.01] What the fuck is that...is that one of our Aussie freaks...Oh! Yes Please!
Crew : "I think it's a bucket bong with carrot spew tbb!" Could be right'n'all..good call crew!
How can Oz loose with our loveable Irukandji Mascot....watch everyone flee the beach...Gold booty is ours!
https://www.facebook.com/JeuxSurfTahiti/videos/896658192296384/
Didn't sigmund live at a place with the same name as last week's going-off-vlog-joint? I had a trip to banana puffnstuff krofft-astic land last night. cheers, again tbb : )
It was a strange day, surf-wise. But we’re here to talk about suspensions and getting sent home and Aussie flags.
FR, you said in the live discussion that there’s much more to the Ben Lowe story than just the photo. Reference to Tokyo and perceptions of under-scoring of Medina puts some meat on those bones.
On the other hand, when did a Brazzo not complain about being underscored after losing a heat? It’s a rare bird, they see bias in everyone except themselves.
Further to this, I think Medina is overscored, consistently, more than any other surfer. That’s my perception.
And I pointed to that article in The Inertia, which get this, analysed Ben Lowe’s scoring against the final score given since forever and he underscores everyone, over 50% of the time, and underscores Australian surfers more than he underscores Brazilian surfers. Those are just real numbers, actual analysis.
And FR’s response was that the article totally misses the point. Some mental gymnastics required for me to follow that line of reasoning.
And as to perceptions of bias - yes, it would be good if we could get rid of it and courts of law do a good, but not impeccable job of it.
But that’s in the wide blue world. This is a surfing community and those judges aren’t there because of their previous employment as nuclear physicists. They’ve made their way up to exalted judgery by their experience, which has meant they have been around other surfers for many years and probably fraternised, nay socialised with pretty much all of them, some for decades, and not just their own countrymen.
So perceptions of bias are unavoidable in the surfing sphere. It happens at club, regional, state, national and wsl levels.
And as for perceptions of bias, well in the ladies final the Brazzo judge highballed Tati and lowballed Marks, and the US judge did vice versa.
‘Perceptions of bias’ are rampant, they are integral and unavoidable. It’s almost like it’s part of the human condition.
In the final, Jack Robbo gets a very bad call on priority from, someone stated in the live discussion, two Brazilian priority judges and a Brazilian head priority judge. I’ll take that as written. Any perceptions there? I have some.
I’ll leave you with a Gough Whitlam quote. Only the impotent are pure.
Australian Prime Misiter's Gough Whitlam & M.Frazier (& more recently M. Turnbill) supported an republic....
Rupert Media brainwashed public rules... statu$ quid
R.M's own 3 kids are also being made legally impotent from his News media empire....atm.
"James Murdoch had once been seen as a possible successor but has become a vocal critic of the Fox media assets’ denial of climate change. After the January 6 insurrection, James Murdoch criticized the US media for “propagating lies” that unleashed “insidious and uncontrollable forces”."
References
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-21/photos-and-quotes-whitlam/5829298
https://www.theguardian.com/media/article/2024/jul/24/rupert-murdoch-leg...