To slab or not to slab?
How do you compare a well-crafted sentence to a work of great literature? A single note to a beautiful song? Surviving a slab to riding a wave?
My old friend and former colleague Paul Holmes has been “stirring the pot”, to use a Cornish colloquialism of his misspent youth, on social media over the early rounds of the Margaret River Pro by venting the view that The Box is not a real wave but a lottery for the supremely hairy-chested.
Holmes, one-time director of Sydney’s Coke 2SM Surfabout (the richest contest in the world in its day) called The Box “a five second tube ride”, which is a bit generous in my view, and noted that holding a world tour event there was “elevating the luck factor by orders of magnitude, putting the goofy-foots at an enormous disadvantage, and making a mockery of priority by changing the flag when someone just looks over the edge.”
Well, I watched chunks of rounds 1, 2 and 3, and I was riveted by some performances and puzzled by others. Like Holmes and many others, I felt it was totally unfair on the goofies until Ace Buchan showed how it could be done in round 1, and Owen Wright blew the thing apart in round 2. So much for that argument.
But there was no doubt that the ever-changing and inconsistent nature of a slab wave meant that as many heats were decided in single digits as in death or glory rides in the excellent range. Even Kelly struggled to get a score in the first round. That’s competitive surfing, of course, but I have to agree with Holmes that the luck factor is hugely increased. And when the rounds were split between breaks, as they were on each of the first three days, the luck of the draw became even more of a factor.
Witness Julian Wilson scraping a round 3 win with a 4 and a 3.5 in the last heat at The Box, and Taj Burrow and Freddie Pattachia absolutely blowing up on huge clean performance faces in the first heat at Main Break an hour later. And in the final heat of the round, Slater gave a near-perfect clinic in demonstrating everything a world tour surfer needs in his kitbag. He was definitely in less mortal danger than the top half of the draw, but for my taste his performance was every bit as thrilling and aesthetically far more pleasing.
Given the near impossibility of creating an even playing field, I think the WSL judges did a pretty good job of working to scale, and I’m sure the slab stuff helped the ratings. But, like Holmes, I’m left wondering about the validity of a nano-second heavy barrel in this situation. Of course Teahupoo has been contested in playful performance conditions as well as Code Red, but to my knowledge not over the same round.
Nick Carroll weighed in on Holmes’s rant in defence of commissioner Keiren Perrow, saying: “KP loves it (The Box) because he’s had some insane surfs out there himself and has a gut feel for its visual and tactile impact. He would be thinking, The Box is the future and Main Break is the past.”
Maybe. But call me a dinosaur if you want, I much preferred watching Taj and Kelly’s very different tracks across that big and beautiful Main Break canvas on Friday afternoon to any of the freefall survivors. //PHIL JARRATT
Comments
Generational difference?
Concentration span difference?
Aesthetic challenge of raw power V flowing , carving surfing........
It is a reflection of the changing times perhaps but I feel that Terry Fitzgerald has also made a valid point in the past about the aesthetics that come with longer boards and larger arcs on turns. The surfing at Main break to my older eye looked as if it would benefit from about a foot added to each board and with it the removal of the need to rooster tail or bang the lip.
Switching the break mid round really complicates things for the surfers though as I would guess this should also entails the judging criteria being modified also.
The final consideration though is spectacle of the visual media so get ready for more slabs, reefs and wipeouts in wild conditions.
I can't get past the stupidity of changing the venue mid way thru the day/round. So many things they can't control (wind, waves etc), it's stupid to be inconsistent with the one thing they can control, particularly when one wave would be surfable, and going off, all day.
Add to that, I find the box boring to watch. Great tubes for sure, and amazing performances to charge it, but a bit repetitive and dull after a while. Main break, big open faces to lay down carves....that is what I love to see.
I don't think you can mount much of an argument against The Box based on luck. Luck is a factor at any location and is the deciding factor in a significant percentage of heats. That The Box is an extremely challenging wave and therefore a valid test of surfing skill would also seem to be beyond argument. Personally I think running heats simultaneously at Mainbreak and The Box would have been ideal but was probably impossible logistically.
"To slab or not to slab?"
I find saying it in a Captain Goodvibes voice helps, and if nothing else it'll clear the phlegm from your throat.
Hey Phil, I believe the stretch of water between Mainbreak and the Box is called the Generation Gap.
ah yes..dear dinosaur...you bring a valid point in 1/2 a round held in heavy barrels....and then switch to the flat lefts of mainbreak ..or the rights..which are the real point scorers ,and the better quality wave than the left.
Kelly's 1st heat was great, heaps of waves and barrels......but the judges scored this heat very low allowing possibly for the K factor , getting an outrageous bomb barrel...so the score is not really a reflection of the performance....
I am sure that the goofys and naturals who have not surfed out there before are at a disadvantage , but as Owen had never surfed out there.... in his interview after the heat he mentioned how much he loves those kind of waves.....and I am sure from a spectators point of view , its been one of the most entertaining contests ever...as the camera work shows us so many great angles and the sound of the wave exploding adds another dimension.......plus we all love watching surfers eat shit.....and the Box has provided more action than most fossil's can bear.......another level of surfing!
Main break rights are great when they are as big as the 10 Kelly caught....what a wave....classic old school surfing,carves ,barrels ......but exciting ??
years ago when the tour 1st went to Chopes ...being on your backhand was a disadvantage ....now naturals are a sgood as any goofy......
Owen showed us that its just the passion and desire of "wanting " to surf waves like the box , and learn how to better ya surfing and take it to another level....plus as entertainment.....just like chopes......made for the audience....which might not be for the dinosaurs who love only the old school on rail carves ....
yes this is the future...I wonder what the right was like???
What is the argument? I loved both as we all probably do surfing different types of waves. Trying to survive a short, sharp hairy wave and then taking off on a big bomb a doing a few turns. Kelly's right at the main break was the best wave (for me) I have seen this year. But then so was Owen's. I couldn't split them they were both insane. However being older I loved the aesthetics of that carve on a giant glassy face, there was definitely some artistry there.
"years ago when the tour 1st went to Chopes ...being on your backhand was a disadvantage ....now naturals are a sgood as any goofy……"
Nuff said.
Why compare an apple with an orange? Never worked in the past. I thinks it's an exciting comp from the point of view of two extreme options being available. Is it fair that some surf the Box and some surf Mainbreak, probably not, but most sporting contests have an element of unfairness. I don't think purely a Box only contest is a good idea tho......
As much as I don't enjoy watching surfing without barrels or airs I feel like the main break is more tactical and "sport -like".
That being said I still much prefer to watch the box -- turns bore me. Its only a pity you can't do airs off the end section on a surfboard.
I'd also much rather surf the box.
Logistics aside how about allowing each surfer to choose individually (i.e both surfers do NOT have to be at the same spot)? Use jetski assist if they change their minds.
I think you can bake your cake AND eat it...... I enjoyed Wrights wave.... But i also enjoyed Kelly's wave..... And some of the hacks being thrown out there today are amazing..... As i said last week, big main break is like a true ocean test in the vein of sunset... But to top it off, we have a massive left that's like a sunset/waimea combo in the mirror, and a haleiwa like right on the same fuckn peak..
So just enjoy..... Stop waffling.....
Is Style or is it luck that wins the contest ? Here we have seen both.
There's always luck in surfing.... Especially in one heat.... But one can't rely on luck to make it through a whole comp......
For a 30 second highlight package on the 6pm news, Box is perfect. Shows the wipeouts and a few tubes. In reality, this is what WSL probably prefer.
As a surfer, I prefer watching Kelly and co going to town at Mainbreak. Partly due to aesthetics but also I can somewhat relate to it having surfed there a few times. Box, like Chopes, just seems so impossible for a regular joe.
Also now there is solid surf, that relies on classical technique, is it any surprise that Slater is resurgent. Not needing to rely on an air game to get the score here.
The most challenging wave in Australia and in such conditions the worlds best generally shine through - at least one righthand slab on tour has to be good for surfing.
If they weren't riding it, Free et al. would be knifing the WSL for not surfing it, they surf it and do it well they still get knives!? Praise to Perrow for having a go.
Jarret - would you prefer to see them at kiddies corner in 3 inch waves with dogs on the nose of their boards? And watch it webcast on this very site!
You know, I think the best part about all this is that the guy making the call, commissioner KP, is out there surfing the wave himself. He's surfing it, knows the risks, and potential.
Now, if only the judges were recent past competitors ...
i vote The Box.
how many of these talented freaks met their match on that wave?
Owen's performance had as much to do with massive nuts and skill as the supposed increased 'luck factor'. besides, see his performance at the main break? the dude has massive nuts and skill, either way.
disclaimer: i have surfed neither wave 'nor read any of the articles apart from the above.
I vote North Point:) Wingnut2443 is right on the money!! BTW variation is not the same manouveur further down the line.
Yeah Leroy! North Point would have been insane for the comp. its a shapeshifting barrel that takes some skill to navigate by the looks.
Margs was great viewing except when they were stuck with the left at bumpy 10ft. In terms of a waterman's skill to ride, it looked tough and a true test of skill, but was also tough to watch 5 cutbacks and hacks made early to avoid the chunks in the lip. When it died off and the walls were more vertical it was great viewing
As for box. There is no more or less luck out there than at any other surf spot, there are the good waves and there are the bad ones. The only difference at the box is you find out whether you are onto a doozey within the first few seconds, its make or break. But surfing a slab like that takes incredible skill in knowing where to position yourself to paddle in, and knowing how to take that drop & the suck of the end bowl. I thought the performances there were more interesting to watch than chopes last year. Big call maybe but it looked much tougher to navigate out there.
Can we please get the commentators to stop giving out the secrets of the lineups, like which boils to sit on etc. Margs isnt my local but geez if they annouced it like they have at this comp i would be spewing. Isnt that half the fun of surfing, figuring your way through a lineup and getting to know it?
If you cant figure out how to use a boil in the lineup to position yourself without commentators help I dont think you will be a real threat in any deep water lineup in terms of getting craploads of good waves. If you need potz to tell you you have no chance so it doesn't matter what he says.
I think its nice to see a comp where airs are no where to be seen.
Im pretty over seeing massive scores for big one hit punts.
I like watching both waves, but dont think they should change mid round unless they really need to.
Dont think the box really suits a 3 man heat either with usually only 1 wave in a set being rideable.
The hardest charging surfers were rewarded at The Box - not a lottery, the likes of Owen, Kelly, Adriano etc just increased there chances by throwing themselves over the ledge way more than some of the other guys. They copped plenty of beatings to find the gems and were justly rewarded.
How easy did JJF made The Box look? I would suggest that his performance had very little to do with luck and much more to do with charging and having exceptional wave riding ability. Ditto his performance at Mainbreak (worth noting mostly on the rights, because anyone under the age of 40 probably has no interest in going left at Jurrasics if the right is surfable)
Reckon Adam Melling might disagree with you.
Wouldn't put AM in the same league as Kelly, Owen, Kerr, JJF etc when it comes to tube prowess, I'd say ability was his shortfall not lack of effort, but full marks to him for having a dig. Certainly took more risks than the current world champ.
According to an article I read somewhere Jay Davies reckons he had Gabs beaten before he even left the boat ramp. While Jay was running down to the surf with froth coming out his mouth Gabs was still lounging around not even in his wetty yet and not even acknowledging the lineup. Guess slabs aren't his thing but hey if you want to be the best you should be good in every type of wave shouldn't you? For me the Box makes awesome viewing....
Yep Maddog, The Box just made clear what I think was also evident at Chopes last year, Gabby may have won that event, but he did it in pretty safe and tactical fashion compared to the no holes barred charging and crazy heaving pits that Kelly, JJF and Owen made in that contest. The guy tears no doubt about it and he has shown some big figs in tackling some of the heavier waves on tour, so no shame in not charging as hard as some of the other lads at Box, just nice to see slabs like Box keeping egos in check.
And look out when JJF actually starts caring about being competitive, if he had the Brazzos determination to win and hatred of losing there'd be no stopping him.
Yeah JJF looks unreal in great waves of consequence and looks bloody awful when it is average (his performance at Bells was abysmal). So much natural ability but doesn't have the noggin of a Kelly (same goes for Jordy).
JJF ( Early 20's ) would have to have the skills and knowledge to match Kelly's ( Early 40's ) in SOLID surf both Perfect but have more so in unpredictable roar stuff .
But when it comes to small tricky conditions:- knowledge , tactics and experience , i would presuem he's probbaly on about the same level as your above average 16-18 yr old Pro Junior competitor ....
Once he's been around the block a bit in shit conditions ( dependant on his patience with the tour ) , then i can't see him being levelled .
Not so sure Southey, Kelly was and always will be a real analyser from what I hear of JJF in his interviews, he fly's more by the seat of his boardies and is nowhere near as articulate. I just don't think he as battle hardened as some of the young Zilla's and Aussies in sub par conditions. Looks like is attention span fizzles. If he had the heart and competitive nouse of Adriano or Mick the guy would win everything. As it is he may well still do so because he definitely has the talent.
New school Dogs on nose in grinding point break 6 to 8 inch surf surely scores better?
Yeah memla , I was pretty much trying to say that . But I was also more so insinuating that JJF has probably more experience (hrs ) in solid surf than say Kelly . And then intern he has less experience COMPETEING in shit waves than some seasoned Australian Junior competitors as they spend years building up from club level in such shit conditions . Lastly where I wholeheartedly agree , ( if I was that talented at that age ) I too wouldn't really be too excited to be on " the tour " , especially where unlike any of the Brazo's these days he could free surf his way through life and earn so much that he would NEVER have to work a real job even if he lived to 80 . The paradox is that , he really didn't come from such a " well off " family . It's just that his mum early on in his life instilled in him a outlook on life that was simple and simply amazing .
I hope he never loses the love of enjoying what he's doing , I for one could quite happily not ever surf again if I could afford to just watch him surf in person every time he paddled out . Unfortunately with my genes , it's a fair assumption that my spawn would never even in that environment provide that position . Horses for courses .
As for Taj , well that's more an indication of his travel itinery , type of waves he prefers to be using , and more so his body shape ( uplift , no I'm not conceding ) . From what I've gathered even the youngest guys see 15ft long period swell and ENE winds Margaret's left as the ultimate test ( in those conditions in that area ) , because any of the extra talented younger guys in that area who love bigger waves , will be lining up to gain the respect of their peers to dominate in such an arena . Taj never really seems to aspire to that , a: he's never really spotted standing out at massive NW spots ,
b: perhaps he's a little gun shy in that region since he was almost scalped on his forehand at Large NP years ago . We can only assume?
Agree with you about jjf Southey. The stuff he does in small, med, and large waves is constantly mind blowing. His carves and turns just seem to get faster, smoother and more tweaked every new clip you see of him. And just so casual in waves you'd never even think of paddling for. I can't wait to see what he does in the future
+1
The box was what we needed to show case the real chargers and expose those who aren't (ie medina). The tour needs the place in my opinion.
Southey, you have obviously not seen Taj surf big north point, he is far from 'gun shy' that's for sure. The reason he never surfs main break is he's from yallingup, and there is probably 20 better breaks on any day that are closer to his house.
Medina doesn't charge? Tell that to Kelly at Chopes last year. Fair dinkum it's easy to call who charges when you're surfing a keyboard. BTW I don't charge! (for free advice) or anything over 3 ft (Hawaiian -double overhead). You guys keep comparing everyone to KS, the greatest athlete/artist of all time. Provide photo's of yourself at 10ft Chopes before you lose credibility:)
how big is 10ft Chopes in your Hawaiian standards?
Whoa steady on !
It's one thing to put Slater amongst the greatest athletes of all time , but to mention him between breathes as the greatest artist of all time ....?
Need I remind you of a particular Demi God that goes by the name of Phil Collins ?
As an aside , what's he difference between Bono and God ?
God doesn't walk around Dublin thinking he's Bono.
Nah, I didn't know that! Is he the bearded bloke with the weird Sunny's standing next to Kelly Slater?:) It's in the Airs tonight. Do you Remember?
They're not my Hawaiian standards. Three times over head above the reef, two times overhead landing on to the reef and once below your heels sucking back off the reef thick:) How big do you think the finals at Teahupoo were last year? I'm happy to go with your call:) The question is whether Medina charges. What do you think? Don't just stand there on the beach eating my left over chips:)
No one remembers or cares about the final at tahiti because of the semifinal before it. The final was tame by comparison.
You're right the two best surfers met each other in the Semi that day. As for the final, Medina to his credit hadn't wiped out in any of his heats up until that point, that's how he got there. The final was bullshit by comparison, but the point is Medina charges. Not like Laurie Towner etc. But he doesn't need that skill set for what he's doing, winning money in all sorts of conditions. In Fact that day showed that KS is still the best surfer in the world and JJF is probably the heir apparent. BTW my favourites are TB and Jordy. Different Strokes for different folks:)
Well medina certainly didn't charge at the box. And then he had a tantrum about being on his backhand.
I met a woman that charged at the box.
Like yourself, I never got that far to care though. Just the sight of those creamy thighs and I was drowning in whitewash.
One.....more....... stroke.......ahhhhhh... what a tunnel.... I snuck out the doggy door, come to think of it I snuck in the doggy door:)
I was impressed by both Medina and Toledo at the Box. To me, they were the 2 x big question marks on whether they would even take off. I recon, if you have the stones to paddle out, take a few (eat it or blaze it), then you qualify as a charger.
Not everyone is going to go as hard as Owen, Kelly, JJ etc... They just charge harder.
Superb observation:)