Zeke Lau appeals to the gods of Instagram
Fresh off his second place at the World Cup of Surfing, Zeke Lau has thrown shade on Jack Robinson's win by calling into question a collision that occurred at the start of the final.
The collision happened five minutes in after Robbo caught a wave but dived through the back when it shut down. Two waves later, Zeke took off and quickly pulled in, yet his exit was blocked by Robbo's bailed board. See video footage below.
The ride was deemed incomplete, Lau scored just 1.60. Both surfers damaged their boards and had to swap them out. Today Zeke is saying his board broke, yet webcast footage showed WSL colour guy Folkey (Faulkey? Folky?) struggling to find any damage. Scratched fins the final squint-eyed prognosis.
Robbo easily won the heat, 19.07 to Lau's 12.06, and the two embraced in the shorebreak. Yet today, perhaps after the reality of failing to requalify has sunk in, Lau has taken to social media to air his complaint.
Lau, who pushed the rules to the limit in a 2018 heat against JJF at Margaret River, wrote:
“When a surfer is put in a position while paddling out that they cannot get out of the way and a collision happens due to this, it is up to a majority of the judges to call interference based on whether it is determined to be accidental or not”.
"My opinion is that we are “professional surfers”. The best of the best! Going off the rule, surfer in white COULD have gotten out of the way. From this video clip you can see surfer in white has enough time to make a conscious decision where to paddle. Just so happens that the line he chose is directly where I drew my line to come out of the barrel, which is the ONLY option I had."
"The surfer paddling out has options to avoid the surfer on the wave. He should be in the channel paddling back out. It should come down to who had priority over the situation. These 2 surfers are not equal in this specific case and the rules should benefit the surfer on the wave utilizing priority."
"This ride would have been the first major score of the heat, but was deemed incomplete because surfer in white chose to BAIL his surfboard causing me to fall off, hindering the scoring potential of my wave, breaking my board, and leaving white with priority."
"How is it okay for the interfering surfer to gain so much advantage from a collision and an interference not be called?"
"The highlighted rule 168 section 3 ENABLES controversy and should be addressed."
It's unknown if Lau has lodged an official protest or he's expecting his Instagram followers to lobby on his behalf.
Comments
What advantage did Robo gain? Didn't he also damage his board??
Yep, and badly:
Zeke only got a 1.6 for what was one of the best barrels of the heat. That's the advantage. I doubt it was intentional but you asked what advantage he gained.
Yeah I feel for him and see his point of view, but it’s also just one of those things... maybe the surf gods dishing out some payback after the JJF incident
Was wondering if he’d spit it? Thought he’d handled it well......till now.
Just unlucky. I doubt Jack would’ve chosen to paddle into that.
What’s done is done- as if the Wozzle is going to change that result. Few more face in screens next year for having Jack there.
I was never Zeke fan, but was stoked to see him being so gracious after the buzzer.
Maybe some idiot got in his ear afterwards.
He's not going to make many friends from this - outside a small North Shore circle.
And that is a tight and serious circle by the looks of it.
Zeke isn't in the north shore circle,
Townie brah.
but johnny boy fuckwit has chimed in supporting zeke with vague suggestions of violence
He's Hawaiian brah, hes in his own circle of true blooded Hawaiians - the circle that Jack aint in.
Good to see Zeke is not a sycophant. It’s not about making friends.
I reckon his call to call out the interference is correct. Fuck it being a popular thing to do. Popularism is the enemy.
even if jack lost a wave both of his keepers in the finals were worth 16 points each anyway. Zeke's a sook
shame , complaining does not a champion make..............he should learn from the top guys. Its often how well you wear a bit of shit that makes the difference. Chin up Zeke...
"Surfer in white" didn't have a whole lot of choice to my eye did exactly what I would have been doing, paddling hard to the left and bailed when it all got to much. Not that I'm any example, haha
I dont think it would have mattered which way Jack paddled, the result was going to be the same and Jack would still have won the final.
Common Zeke show some class, no way Jack planned that and only had a couple seconds before impact anyway......you were out surfed mate ...bottom line.
What I saw, as a fan of Jack's surfing, is that Jack could've avoided the paddle line he chose. Instead of paddling towards the exit of the barrel, he could have paddled deeper, towards the impact zone - although it goes against self-preservation instinct. This is a rule my friends and I have agreed upon during our sessions to avoid situations exactly like this!
My perception being: Jack was so charged to get back out to the waves and WIN at all costs that he was ignoring everything else. Seeing Jack in the post-event interviews, he was totally hypnotized, struggling to find his own personality (partly speaking Aussie, party speaking American) amidst the competitive training, hype and mindset one get's into - CHARGE!!!!!
But, it's an intense thing when you're stuck in the impact zone on a 8-10 foot day.
Spot on, Ape. He's a top notch surfer, knows the ocean like the back of his hand. When you watch him paddle he's paddling flat out into the line of Lau, when he should have taken it on the head instead. That's no special rule between mates - it's one of the most well-known and longest-held rules in surfing. Sadly, too many muppets don't know it these days and paddle for the shoulder far too often. No different in a comp at any level.
Honestly, I think most of you blokes commenting have got a bit of a Robbo man-crush...if it was Robbo in the barrel getting skunked you'd be calling for a Royal Commission!
OK so Robbos a muppet?...wow
I clearly didn't say he was a muppet. But I will say that I believe the video footage shows he was in the wrong on that occasion. And if it were the other way around I reckon the tune would be a very different one.
Maybe Gabs had a word to him?
That's gold......
Just bad luck really
i have to agree with ape. jack should have paddled inside and coped a hiding because weke made the barrel and looked like he made it out.
we dont know if the wave kept going ??
its hard to tell as the footage is so fast and short. you only see jack for a bit. so the judges had longer to see what was going on and they made their call. shit happens. looking forward to the next contest.
Minor point but my recollection was the infamous JJF / Zeke heat was at Bells not Margaret's, google confirms.
Aussie bias aside.
I recon jack thought he’d be in zekes way if he paddled inside. The rule is cop the flogging, but it was one of those ‘ shit which way do I go to get out of this guys way ‘ calls. We’ve all been there.No way Robbo would have done it deliberately.
Sorry zeke, shit happens.
2019 Bells QF
Commentator: Waves are starting to break further out now!
Jordy paddles in from zone, takes 4 waves on his head.
Sits on board staring at shore. (More than enough to suspend his priority)
Keeps testing priority disc...yet it doesn't switch. (Freebie!)
Checks & lines up Italo blocks him & Italo instantly pulls out of wave.
100 years later Jordy lazes to his feet.
WSL lazily only apply obvious half of rules to reward unsportsmanlike Jordy.
Here! If Zeke holds his highline barrel slot he scores [10]
We clearly see Jack fairly hold back from Zeke's winning high scoring line.
Zeke backs down steering blind thru the curtain to surprise both Jack & himself
Sure! Jack was a bit close for comfort but the best/safest line was always kept clear.
Given the size & power of those waves, be thankful none died.
Not remotely as sinister as Jordy's deliberate calculated evil plot.
https://www.worldsurfleague.com/posts/388142/rip-curl-pro-bells-beach-me...
Nor as aggressive as 2nd priority disc fail with Medina's blood lust in Portugal.
Seriously! tbb was gonna praise the Hawaiians for hosting such a cool gig!
We had Brazzo FIFA ...please no Olympic Oz vs Hawaii Pipe showdown
tbb agrees with commentators & crew...
No one was gonna beat Jack in his magic hour.
Best surfers of all time, would have no trouble agreeing to that!
I was saying yesterday to a friend how gracious Zeke was in losing and maybe he had grown up a bit from being an entitled brat; Unfortunately NOT.
I think Zeke's tube ride should have been scored more as a complete ride, as you can see he rode out on his feet. It would still not have affected the final outcome of the heat; Jack smoked everyone fair and square.
Zeke needs to now focus on pipe.
Good call. They could have scored the tube as a make, as it probably would have been. Can't be fairer than that.
Well said, yeah I've been thinking the same thing,.
Hard to find an equivalent in another sport. Closest thing I can think of is like a penalty try in rugby league, but there's foul play involved..
And given Robbo an interference
Most of the commentators are missing the point. Its not about where he paddled because he didn't get run over, his bailed board did, and he bailed it intentionally. Jack is one of the best professionals in the world and he is more than capable of controlling his board, especially in a heat. He willingly ditched his board to avoid a pounding, even if the intention was innocent, it was willingly. He probably didn't think Zeke was coming out but that's besides the point. A willing and avoidable act clearly interfered with the scoring ability of Zeke, and therefore should be an interference.
He is right about the rule though. What happened is black and white exactly what the rule describes as a paddling interference. Looks like the judges got it wrong.
*Edit - just re-read it and now i don't understand the rule. Is it an interference regardless of whether its accidental or not, or, depends on whether its accidental or not?
That’s called karma.
I think Zeke is right in this instance, Karma’s a bitch hey
yeah its an interference, but the way this has played out is bullshit..keep it of social media ffs zeke..was happy to try n bully jjf(which worked, should got slammed more for that shit), now after he lost...pulling jackrobbo through the mud, he's gotta remember, he has himself to blame for the whole year not just the sunset final, he gets to surf for a living not like the rest of us scum who have proper hard working jobs..i.e real life..and after this next year no-one will give a fuck about zeke lau because he will be gone..not good enoigh in the first place..instead of losing and crying lile a sook and putting it on sm and dragging everyone else into this shit , all the hawaiian brotherhood, who are as bad as brazzillas, he could've handle it heaps better..says more about himself than anyone else needs to
I agree. The tendency for some entitled pros to try to swing things in their favour via social media is pissing me off. It is poor sportsmanship and makes them look sad and pathetic. Why not have a good ol McEnroe dummy spit and get it out of your system - at least that’s funny to watch.
Its all done and dusted now but he’s got a point!
It is all magic!
Jack imagines the most amazing adventures. Those waves were so gnar, well it blew my mind, and the drama just adds to the entertainment.
Congrats to all involved for making it so much fun.
Never thought much of zekes attitude, now even less - he should have been banned for a contest or 2 after the jjf incident (still fresh in my mind as one of the lowest sportsmanships ever seen and wsl should have acted)
After the gabby spat and now this, a professional (gawf, cough) organisation such as the WSL needs to stand up. As a professional sportsperson you cant go on a platform with your thousands or millions of following minions and have spray......well you can, but rightly or wrongly there should be consequences for not going through the right channels. Not only that, but for inciting the bagging and backlash of fellow surfers (jack and Caio). Social media is fucked.
I hope Jack’s not coping shit all over the north shore now. He seems to be fairly liked though, friends in high places over there
And now Robbo has weighed in:
"Everyone has their opinion, but when you are in the moment the only thing I thought of was to get to the shoulder and also not get ran over it was safety first for me. I have the highest ever respect for you Zeke so I would never try and get in the way of you."
I assume Robbo posted this to quell the anger, but with 78 replies to this comment alone, most of them furious one way or another about an incident they had nothing to do with, involving people they don't know, it's only fuel for the fire.
Imagine if all that idiocy could be harnessed somehow..?
Cambridge Analytica is already doing that.
Correct.
They would already know what responses will come, how many , and likely where itll all end up.
Powerful.
This is what I’m talking about. Really sad Jack having to respond to the post and all the fuckwittery that comes with airing this laundry in such a public space.
Gabi has set a horrible precedent. Now Zeke sounds like a sore loser. Reviewing evidence after the fact (Video replays) haven't enhanced cricket or any football code; just creates conjecture and undermines the role of judges
Correct me if I am wrong. This would be a non-priority interference, meaning the penalty would be a 50% reduction on one wave.
Zeke's position would therefore be unchanged due to Robbo's high scores.
If Robbo was nowhere near him and he made the barrel, scored a 10, he still doesn't win.
Nothing makes you look like more of a tool than arguing over this when even if you get your way the result is the same.
zeke is right. zeke is a tool. jack is a much much better surfer and seems like a decent bloke
Your just not good enough Zeke. Your on the CT and the QS and you still can't qualify,
Haha. Fucking sook.
Hopefully he draws JJ at maxing pipe in a must win heat for requalification
Hahaha. Gold!
If Zeke had have a better competitive year he wouldn’t have been in that position in the first place . Sounds like he was put up to this. He showed great sportsmanship on the final day.
Zeke got an interference called on him in the bloody pool at the freshwater pro FFS!!! How much of a twat do you have to be to get that, plus the JJF douche-baggery. Good riddance he is off the tour, hope we don’t hear from him again. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out champ
The waves JR got were under priority so he hardly needed it. I fail to see how JR gained anything from this because he would have got priority even if he didn't get in the way, right? He would have been out before Zeke so why is he claiming a priority interference?
There's a good angle of the moment before the collision in this article. Can't blame Jack for choosing the line he did when faced with that situation.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.news.com.au/sport/sports-life/hawaiian-...
Wow, yeah. If Zeke has gone the doggie door, he would have been right in the way, instead Zeke tucked into the next section... split second decision, def accidental
It was unintentional
Zeke would have lost either way
Rules are rules and he brings this up 24 hours later
He surfed amazing
Came second
I loved his surfing
Now I think a lot worse of him
I wish he hadn’t said anything
What’s done is done
Life goes on
Good vibes to all
Chopper said it best whinge, whinge fuckin whinge. Best surfer won. Zeke could have had 10 more waves, wouldn’t have made an ounce of difference. Sometimes its your day and .... sometimes not.
Does Jack still qualify if this call goes against him ?
If you look at the Semi final heat - Ethan's second wave cutty makes me think Jack knows exactly what he's doing. Nothing worse then someone paddling for the shoulder when you're in the pit... they should take the hit... .. shoulda bailed earlier.
+1
Sour grapes are very bitter apparently.
The person in white has come out of this with dignity intact , the other guy not so much.
hunger comes and goes, but when you give up your dignity its gone for ever.....how you play the game IS important......
Sorry to bypass comments, but if Jack got a interference (i.e lose his top score) would that of got Lau in requalification?
Yes.
Incorrect.
You lose a whole wave for a Priority interference. A non-priority interference (which is what this would have been) results in a 50% reduction of one wave (highest one from memory).
This leaves Jack with around 14.24 combined total vs Zeke's 12.06.
Still smoked him.
when he cocked his leg and pissed on JJF that was a dog act....a bit rich when he now refers to him self as a 'professional'......hes not that and he's not a laid back Polynesian ......Suck it up boy
You can't tell. Sunset is such a big playing field. Jack wasn't the only person caught. There was a guy with a camera duck diving with him. Badluck thats what id call it.
i am over it lets get back to shaping and board design.
As much as I find Zeke uninspiring, he is obviously under the pump from a poor season showing on the CT - which no doubt heightens his emotions. Saying that it is shit sportsmanship considering Jack Robinson has just made the CT for the first time in his life. He and fellow surfers should be celebrating his achievement, instead, Zeke fucks it up by thinking about only his poor self. If it was a close heat, I could understand you would be super bummed. But Jack was in a league of his own. Smoked them.