WSL transformed: World Titles to be decided in a single day
LOS ANGELES, Calif./USA (Tuesday, April 28, 2020) - Due to the continued evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Surf League (WSL) is postponing or canceling all events, at all levels of competition, through the end of June. The WSL will continue to monitor the situation and make the next call in early June.
In a video released on all WSL Channels today, WSL's CEO Erik Logan said to fans: "Where and when we will run this year is still very much an open question, but we will continue to work with governments, world health authorities and our local communities on returning to the lineup.”
“That said, we are extending the postponement of all WSL events through June. This means the scheduled Championship Tour stop in June, the Oi Rio Pro, is officially postponed in hopes that travel conditions ease enough to run this year. Our ‘Next Call’ update for the 2020 Championship Tour season and all our events will be on June 1.”
The WSL has also announced an evolved Tours and Competitions format for 2021 covering the Championship Tour, the Challenger Series, and the Qualifying Series.
In the video, Logan also said: “Prior to COVID-19, we had been working hard on how we would evolve the Championship Tour, the path to the CT, and all our tours in 2022 and beyond. The more we worked on this transformation, the more we became excited and it became clear that our pause due to COVID really allowed us to see that now is the time to accelerate these changes.”
Starting in 2021 the women’s and men’s World Titles will be decided in a single day of competition on the last day of the Championship Tour season, with the top surfers battling for their respective titles in a new surf-off format. This evolution has been part of a multi-year discussion, and the final design is a collaboration between the surfers, partners, and the WSL.
Two-time WSL Champion, Tyler Wright, said, “I feel like the new format raises the intensity of the entire World Title situation. The difference is that you get to win in the water, which is huge! It comes down to nobody else, and that kind of intensity, that kind of competitive pressure, raises the bar. It’s pretty exciting!”
“The world title being decided in the final, between two surfers in the running, is super exciting,” said WSL Surfer’s Representative, Conner Coffin. “I was glued to Pipe last year on the last day. So it’s a great moment for the sport and it’s exciting to think that from 2021 onwards that will always be how the world title is decided.”
In addition to the redesign of the Championship Tour (CT), the schedule will be updated to create distinct seasons between the CT and the Challenger Series. This update will not only provide an enhanced showcase for the surfers, but also allow those who fail to requalify through the CT the opportunity to perform on the Challenger Series and requalify for the elite CT the very next season as opposed to waiting an entire year.
“With the Challenger Series at a different time of the year you can highlight the up comers, you can highlight who is in the Challenger Series, you can highlight what’s new, who is coming up that is fresh, who is requalifying, and the people that drop off the CT will have an opportunity to go on and completely focus on the Challenger Series,” continued Wright.
Increased weight and value will also be given to regional Qualifying Series events to encourage up-and-coming surfers to develop closer to home without financially overleveraging themselves before jumping to the Challenger Series and beyond. The regional series will provide increased opportunities to celebrate regional stars, reduce economic pressure for surfers and sponsors, as well as drive media interest around those athletes.
“We’ll have more details soon but we’re really excited about what this means for surfers and surfing worldwide. We are approaching these updates and evolutions as holistically as possible,” said Logan. “Working with our entire community, we know we are going to emerge through this pandemic with a strong, exciting platform that propels professional surfing, and all surfing, forward in a positive and impactful manner.”
Comments
"...decided in a single day of competition on the last day of the Championship Tour season".
I appreciate that it'll (potentially) create a more dynamic day of competition, but.... assuming this is all to happen at Pipe... what if the surf's terrible and the forecast isn't great either?
And there are quite a few variables (wind, tide, sand, swell size/period/direction) that can rapidly turn surf conditions about-face, even with a good forecast.
'Tis a large roll of the dice I reckon. Will be interesting to see what happens (in 20 months time, of course.. a long time away!).
Yeah and although pipe is an awesone wave, it's a specialised spot and no one wave represent all-round surfing as a whole. If the spot is pipe and its winner take all guys like Jack Robinson or Jeremy Flores would start jumping ahead in likelihood of say Toledo as a World Champ. There is probably guys not on tour with a better shot of winning at pipe than half the guys on tour.
And that (rightly) assumes it'll be at Pipe.
Remember the proposed rejig with Pipe up first? What if the decider is at Portugal?
When was the last time the Portugal contest was good viewing?
Seems like they've been skunked there for a while or I haven't been paying attention.
How do you pick the perfect grand final event anyway - perfect right, perfect left, high performance beachie, wave of consequence?
Felipe could have an epic year and be streets ahead of 2nd place eg Gabby and then it's held in perfect pipe.
Can't see him winning that.
Portugal hasn't been spectacular (bar the odd two hour tidal window) for quite a while.
But, Pipe can also disappoint. So can Chopes. Everywhere on the World Tour can be either epic or shithouse in any given year; there are no guarantees.
Also, assuming this WT showdown runs at the conclusion of the associated event - i.e. Pipe in December - it'll have a very small window to pick and choose from, not twelve whole days.
I was looking for that comment before I typed it and didn't have to scroll far. My thoughts exactly. Someone could wipe the floor all year and have it all come undone due to luck of the draw.
Maybe good in theory (depends who you ask), but I think trying to replicate the drama surrounding italo and Gabby's final is stupid, as per the quote in the article. Those two happen to absolutely charge heavy waves and are two of the most talented surfers in any wave conditions going round. But then again, what do I know, they pay people a couple hundred grand a year to make these decisions, let's see if they get it right. Also hope it's not too cringe worthy watching someone like Felipe get mauled at heavy pipe after a year where it all comes together for him.
I like it. Grand Final days are a lot of fun, good days to get together with friends and have a couple beers and watch the drama unfold. Surely they’ll have a waiting period for the day. I agree it sounds like they’ve been talked out of macaroni’s and plan to have it at the only deserving location, Pipe.
Regarding recommencement of the tour, I predict it will re start with a higher number of cv cases than when they cancelled, March 13, with 145,417 world wide cases.
This will prove it was an unsustainable action in the first place.
What if you win every event of the year and then lose on finals day? Doesn't make sense..
100% and then was happens if they are way out in front and in an early heat at pipe or even before it have an injury and cant compete?
Im with you on that but remember it is a circus
Exactly what i was thinking.
Yep, that was my thought. Not fair on the person who has been the best all year, especially if they won every event.
Lets say it is the top 6 in this final event. In 2019 Kanoa Igorashi was almost 20,000 points behind Italo. How does he deserve to be world champion?
ha yea, like winning the Premiership but losing the Grand Final.
You still get a trophy, its just not as big.
Terrible idea to have a grand final day in a sport that is so dependant on surf conditions beyond the control of organisers. Certain conditions suit certain surfers and styles - that's why the variation of the tour is so important.
Womens World Title to be decided at Honolua Bay? Or moved to Pipe? Or somewhere else?
Surely not Pipe? Only 2 or 3 could surf it
The end of the Aussie leg?
Though it's not mentioned, while Elo is talking about the new Challenger Series this graph appears:
There are 12 gaps, ostensibly indicating the CT begins in mid-April.
Considering Easter can be as early as March 22nd, that puts a question mark over the inclusion of Bells in their forward plans. Snapper too, for that matter.
Does snapper even deserve to be on there anymore? Unless they luck into a cyclone its more a longboard wave 99% of the time.
Problem with every event was too many surfers, too many rounds, swells not long enough to allow good surfing in every round and too many meaningless heats.
Tour should have been reduced to either 16 or 32 surfers so events could be run 2 days and pick the eyes out of the waiting period.
Also needs an incentive to innovate, go big and remove safety surfing. Too many outstanding surfers who did just enough to get through a heat. Perhaps double point waves, longer heats or tweaking the scoring system in some way.
In concept it looks good.
Can't help but think they will make it flexible enough to pick the best spot and wait for the best swell and conditions.
Yes looks like the current aust leg is about to change big time. Don't know if that such a bad thing. It has been pretty static for a long time. Imagine if Margaret River became a challenger event. That would be worthy.
One thing I don't agree with is the comment. "the WSL is the home of surfing". No, not even close. It may be the home of competition surfing but overall surfing is way, way bigger than that.
Just shuffling the deckchairs in the hope of grabbing a slightly less pathetic slice of the viewer pie.
How weird so one guy could win every comp and be way out in front and then the second on the leader board could take it from him, that sucks.
What happens if the guy in number one position gets injured and can't surf the last comp, but still has the points to win?
No different to a footy grand final.
Top two teams qualify for the chance to be the champion
Not really, it's more like playing 10 footy games, winning them all and then come the final one, losing and then losing the whole year. Doesn't add up.
Yep, which is what happens when a team goes undefeated all season then loses in the grand final to the team who finished second.
It’s how you play on the day that counts.
No, because in footy you don't play against the same team 10x. Surfing you surf against the same people every event.
Chance plays a part in any sport, however a static field is a wholly different medium than the ocean.
As has already been mentioned, choosing a wave that suits some surfers and hinders others puts the latter at a pronounced disadvantage.
And if it is Pipeline, as suspected, how the hell do those without experience get it? It's too crowded and localised to make any meaningful improvements.
I'm not totally against the idea, but the Woz has to take the above into account.
Surely the question is then, that’s probably worth it’s on forum post, is what is the most competitive neutral wave?
Go!
Surely it has to be some sort of a-frame or viable left and rights. You can’t have a one directional wave. Ill go off the top of my head and say trestles but no shack there, maybe lakeys?
Competitively neutral?
Take Slater out of the equation and it's the Lemoore Hot Tub.
*natural
Surely there not deciding titles in pools. Thats should be a different leauge.
I'm with Stu and with that, to take away from the heaviness and theatre of Pipe would be a disastrous decision.
I can see them planning it like a GF though with performances in the middle, packed bleachers etc. Ughhh yuck!
Imagine - Meatloaf, marching bands, anthems, a flyover, a nipple slip, and pyrotechnics. There will always be someone who would have preferred Bon Jovi, but you can't please everyone.
Meatloaf.........haha.....horrid
No waiting period.
Can be run in one day.
Draw can be constructed so the final two go head-to-head.
Every surfer rides exactly the same waves.
No luck is involved.
I'd say it's even money that's where it will be.
That would be truely fucked.
This could be the last straw for the WSL.
And hopefully they have given up on G-land
OMG! I think you might be right. Just imagine in a few years the tour could be exclusively held in pools - all in the name of fairness.
I'm not even sure if I'm mucking around.
Not really, it's more like playing 10 footy games, winning them all and then come the final one, losing and then losing the whole year. Doesn't add up.
@Craig - South Sydney 1989
Greatest footy league world wide is the EPL. No GF.
I don't think this is a good fit for surfing. Not that I care.
Looks like the WSL are preparing. for a deeply interrupted 2021 tour.
I can't think of a sport that will be more impacted by coronavirus. Half the surfers on the tour are from basket case countries, Brazil and the USA. Event locations are mostly in countries that have, or had, seriously high rates of infection. Australia is highly unlikely to open borders to people from the USA or Brazil anytime soon. About the only thing that could save the 2021 tour is a vaccine.
They lost me. Bye WSL....
Yep!
Not much of a championship tour if world champion is decided on one day.
Sounds poxy..
Sounds like it will be held in the wave pool. Laced with some disinfectant.
How do you increase the potential for an even playing field by ensuring good (enough) and predictable conditions on any given day? KS Wave Co...
These types of significant changes are never received well by the masses. My surf history isn't great, but how were world champions of the 70s, 80s and 90s crowned (prior to the ASP, 'dream tour' or whatever it was called back in the day)?
My understanding was PT originally kept a notebook of results from events all around the world. Selected events he did well in, tallied the results, and announced himself the first ever ISP World Champion. The rest, they say, is history.
So we can assume 2020 tour is done. 2021 - a lot of 'if's', 'buts' and maybes.
I think some of the previously mentioned ideas such as fewer surfers, longer windows, better locals etc would be the way to go.
Many a year there seems to be that of a 'Grand Final' feel @ Pipe anyway....there's usually 2-5 surfers with a possibility of winning.
I'd love to see them include Haleiwa, Sunset and Pipe into who can win the world title. That would be a TRUE champion.
Anyone remember that TV show Gladiator?
Really devalues all-round performance across all types of waves and conditions, but I guess they can start working on their final showdown sound-effects and hype package earlier now.
It's the dud events, classic days, people going on a tear throughout the year etc. that means every world title race is unique, and that makes the CT interesting.
Not wanting to start another conspiracy theory - but this could be the WSL “managing the narrative “ With a view to stage a wave pool final event
I would prefer the World champion is decided in a 3 event showdown in Hawaii (the real World Cup) results up till then decide the seeding
Yep! That sounds good to me. 3 different types of waves, all challenging in their own way, and best of 3 gives the very best the opportunity to prove themselves as the best. It would be like the footy finals, leading into the GF, not just a season and then a grandfinal straight away.
Without a deep dive.. I'd guess that the final day of competition at Pipe will be the top 10 / 16 decided by results from the tour. If this is the case perhaps leaders would be seeded? Also if it's one day I guess they could extend the waiting period and use a traffic light system as per big wave events for the call; and one day with limited surfers means longer heats giving everyone a better chance to shine?
Anyway, this lil' installment is yet another in the WSL narrative for the year. We're due an update on June 1 ("Will the 2020 season start at all?", to which the answer will be "No"), followed by another update in July about how this one-day-winner-takes-all World Title will actually work.
According to Wikipedia, narrative 'pace' is "sometimes dictated by the genre of the story: comedies move faster than dramas; action adventures move faster than suspense. A dragging pace is characteristic of many novels turned down by publishers, and of some that find their way into print but not into the hearts and recommendations of readers."
At this stage, it sounds like a dragging pace to me.
More of a case of not wanting to state the obvious bad news. Trump's banned, immigration, borders are closed, and even if people can get in to contest locations, they will be doing the 14 day quarantine thing for the foreseeable future. Unless there's a miracle breakthrough with a virus, there's zero chance of a tour this year.
VL - I feel you've developed an almost paranoid obsession with this virus and all/any news surrounding it. All your comments are centred solely on it. I mean this sincerely and with respect, take a deep breath and focus on the beauty around you. As there still is plenty of that around. From what I've read on here, you live in a fantastic spot. Switch the news off and break away from the virus thinking and reclaim your thoughts. Covid won't define us, there is still a whole lot more living to be done.
Hi Ben, Thanks for your feedback. Don't worry about me, I'm getting out, exercising, teaching my kids maths, English and Bahasa Indonesian and staying busy. I'm also writing a few articles about this topic, so it's interesting to take part in the debate and see what others are thinking.
"Covid won't define us". Sorry but I completely disagree.
The coronavirus is the defining moment of this generation. It's more significant than the GFC, Asian Financial Crisis, Tech Wreck, and 9/11 combined. I'm actually fascinated how this episode will shape the next few decades, from how we work, to what we value in life, to geo-political implications.
I'm particularly interested in how people's attitude to the virus is shaped by self interest and mad conspiracy theories. This is leading to some truly delusional and lethal policies. Sit back and think about the need for cleaning product companies having to issue warnings about not drinking or injecting bleach. Wow, it's mind blowing to be in that position.
Covid 19 has shattered the myth of American superiority and rocked their society. People are using the crisis to push some genuinely bizarre agendas, and play the blame game to coverup their own incompetence.
When this is all said and done, the "tough guy" nationalist leaders in the USA, Brazil, UK, Turkey etc will be exposed as utter frauds. Not that their tribes will admit it. What replaces this failed Uber-nationalism will be fascinating. Will Trump and his followers accept election defeat? Are we on the brink of a US civil war based on ideology? What happens if Trump wins and making up the facts is the spoil of the victor? It's a key moment in history. Plus I may be breaking out the big wave board on Friday. So life is good.
I'm not sure about this.
Lots of people talking up how different life will be like on the other side. But I'm not so sure about this beyond businesses now genuinely supporting flexible working arrangements (what I've been hearing is the feared collapse in productivity has not happened, and some people doing better); and governments will use national security reasons (understandably so) to bring certain supply chains back on national soil (or perhaps to strategic ally shores).
Everything beyond that seems like total guessing and maybe even some wishful thinking to me. Don't forget, our whole socio-political economy is built on people buying shit that doesn't last, that they don't need, to impress people that don't give a (real) fuck, coupled with a system that helps to ensure this paradigm by constantly depressing us about our lives (with advertising) and distracting us with manufactured drama to both sell us stuff and to distract us from the money they pilfer from the masses. The push from the powers that be to return everything and everyone to BAU will be immense.
They are creating mystery, Ben. That’s a way to generate pre-launch buzz.
Like with a new phone.
The Pipeline is still backed up from Charlie's dip shit.
ELO is dusting off a bespoke shoot-out at the Ranch! [Super 8] or [BETA]
Ha.
this is very odd. i thought i was misunderstanding him until i read the comments with similar sentiments. i thought the whole CT thing in the first place was to decide who is the best (well rounded) surfer in the world across a number of different conditions and locations.
Looks to be playing right into Robert mountain goats hands.
Doesn't he have shares in the tour.
It doesn't really make sense to have a world tour then?
Seems pretty odd to me .
It doesnt make sense? Its trying to make an individual sport into a team sport? Why surf around the globe in all different conditions to a final held on one day in a wave that can be 2ft slop? I thought the tour was to find the best all round performance surfer?
It would be like finishing of the F1 tour at Eastern Creek Drag races to see who was fastest in a straight line.
.........is this the start of the Wave tank tour?
Erik Logan is to surfing as what Donald Trump is to being the POTUSA
2019 (No Chix) WSL Pipemasters = 8 lay days / 4 comp days
2020 WSL Charlies Angels Pipe Title Shoot Out = 15 Lay Days / 7 comp days
Add 2 days as Rookies / Wildcards tap into the Ring = (Pipe Comp runs for 24 days)
Allow for Pipe's double/triple length set & lull time (Best not! Long enough as it is!)
Both Pipe & Teahupoo flip as most dormant Olympic / All in one comp sites. Durr!
27th April / North Shore Coronavirus (Pipeline Naughty List )
https://www.khon2.com/top-stories/city-parks-and-state-beaches-re-open-f...
Aussie Pros must upgrade from 1.5m > 1.8m Hawaiian size Covid -19 boards
No Crowds, Coronas, Towels, Comp Sheets, Judges Chairs > see: (Electric Chairs)
Hawaii Covid -19 WSL Comp Fines $5,000 x 70 WSL Surfie Bludgerz x 15 laydays.
WSL Coronasurfluenza Pipe Shoot out (State fines alone amount to $5.25m)
GOAT palms Charlie $5 to spike JJF on the Reef, just to see if the Olympic singlet fits.
Worth $5m, just see Kelly's evil revenge plot!...One Shot! One chance...Take him out!
Dumb move.
Note they don't say final day of competition "at Pipeline".
The world title shouldn't be a one day wonder. It devalues it.
The only way this could work is if the points gained during the regular season determines what round you enter for the tour championship decider. eg last on the rankings enter round 1, first in the rankings enter at quarter final stage or somewhere along those lines.
The last time they talked about this was a top 6 men finals day.
6 v 5 first 1 hour heat
Winner v 4 second 1 hour heat
until it’s winner v 1 for the final.
So it’s heavily bias for seeding.
I reckon both world titles and event wins, only around 50% of the time the very best surfer is the eventual winner. That’s sport...
Sounds like Occy at bells in the skins...sort of....
If a massive swell is headed for Cloudbreak, and the pro's are aware of the forecast and the expectation to bring the right equipment, will the new tour still find a reason to sook and call off the comp for the day?
Even with the new format they’ll still be sooo last century, I mean they don’t even have a gender non specific league...
Here’s a thought.
Maybe they’ve listened to us, and the GF will be a 1 day strike mission to anywhere (with broadcast capabilities) in the world, subject to forecast.
Now that would be interesting
Note: 2019: Deciding events into + both WSL Pipe contests were corrupted
We can see / hear each time that a good handful of players were involved.
Jack's Pipe payback & Caio exit in Masters, were orchestrated by many beforehand.
No denying the commentators were awake to it all, adding Judge's slip ups!
Note these were Title deciding events as with this Fairytale ending.
Shoot Out Surfers + Judges have months to fabricate a winner...Won't be pretty!
Oh sure! It won't as no one gotta a pass out last year..Much!
Pay to recall these Pros signed 10 year acting contracts with WSL...whose turn is it?
Wildcard into Olympics would shake things up, as most Players have their tickets
Olympic -Coach/Contracts/Clause/Add ons, also change prior to new Shoot Out rules.
Team USA failed WHO/IOC Lockdown Test - Does IOC ban the illicit viral cheats.
For the record swellnet did broadcast the new format 2020 WSL Margs Pro Event.
https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2019/02/25/margaret-rive...
Our fearless leader, ELO! We're in safe hands.
European soccer has the best format - a league which represents consistency and then a knockout competition to showcase drama and who turns up on the day. Keep the tour as the league format and for drama surely we have a few locations that could be turned into some kind of 2 or 3 event surf fest in a variety of waves to even out the playing field. All in a small time frame ala the triple crown
I don't get it seems to make all other events meaningless all that matters is a pipe final? Am I missing soething here?
"Am I missing something here?"
No.......this is what happens when a bunch of corporates with ZERO surfing background or knowledge of the history of it somehow end up running the whole fucken thing.
*somehow = shitloads of money to blow on it that the surfing cohort doesn't have
Announcement on WA ABC radio today that the Margs pro may be run later in the year than normal (april-may) , not sure how that fits into this or if they mean just this year ( dream on ) or in the future . Back to the old days of spring rather than autumn perhaps?
We will probably be paying for the privilege to watch the WSL in 2021
Don't the competitors themselves have a say in it? Or are they just well paid lemmings?
Yawn
Boring yawn
When is pro surfing going to realise the tour is a load of shit.
Do it like the skate board world champs oh hang on there is none because real skaters dont give a fuck about judges and glory. The highest accolade a skater can get is to be voted Thrasher magazine skater of the year. Done via peer review. No need to prance about a full blown circus, you can still be a fucked up mongrel and win this coveted crown. WSL is just so fucked on so many levels. The sooner it dies the better for surf culture.
Totally agree - beach closures for comps and then a whole lot more people in the water - WSL is just a surf industry marketing tool. Rather be surfing than watching people surf
Rediculas...
Why is the "end" being assumed to be in Hawaii?
And.
Do you all think this one day will be free to view? If not, what's the call on price to view?
As an aside, alternate process, why not use a tennis or golf style world ranking system? Have the elite CT type events worth more points like the majors and opens, with a sub tier of other events... Progressive tour, world number one is highest ranked and can change as events unfold etc.
At least by making announcements the WSL are staying in the discussion, fuelling discussion and trying to stay relevant. TBH I haven't had any feelings of loss from not having any tour events ATM. It's actually been good to not have the pro circus distracting my surfing enjoyment.
I'm another that reckons a Grand Final like scenario works well in sports where conditions don't play such a big part - like they do in surfing.
Unlike in footy where pretty much everyone forgets who won the competition round tally and only remembers the grand final winner I think in surfing there will be plenty of years where world champs are crowned and the surfing fan base believe the guy who topped the tally count was the best that year - making each victory somewhat hollow
Having said all of that - and not liking everything the WSL does - competitive surfing and the brands that funded it were bankrupted by the GFC - I like following competitive surfing, it has its place... so I'm grateful Dirk and his family stepped in ... if they eventually sell out competetive surfing, I'll stop watching it - it won't spoil my enjoyment of being a surfer and riding waves...
so I'll be watching events in whatever format they put-em on when things re-start and fingers crossed it goes well
I just hope we don't see something next year where JJF wins 8 events then the final event is held in shitty conditions and he can't make the final against the 35 kg aerial specialists.
The most sensible thing to do for this year, if it becomes possible to travel would be to just run the triple crown and who ever wins that gets the world tittle.
No Bells + No end of year Pipe = every reasonable pro surfing fan that has any soul/dignity walking off into the sunset to find a new pursuit.
The Grogan has spogan.
Quote from his interview referring to the pandemic - "I look on this period as a tremendous gift". Published on CW.
Me thinks Grogan reads way too many power of positive thinking books.
Everyone seems to have forgotten we already have a ratings leader this year.
Spangles for the men and Chloe for the womens.
Noosa Festival of Surfing Dog Comp WSL Approved.
Get The Dog! a nice big trophy.
Unless they can run an event this year we will have our first ever canine world champs. Unfortunately rules are rules WSL.
This feels like a desperate ploy to increase viewer numbers by grasping at the excitement of last years finals day. It is a joke to think that one days surfing can decide the world champ. It leaves open the possibility of a small wave aerialist taking the ultimate prize without having to first charge big waves, or vica versa.
Pretty sure the Yanks hold a million World Cups without the World ever knowing!
World : 'But all the flights are still down !'
USA: "Too bad so sad !"
World: 'Did Team USA just host a another World Cup without the World ?'
USA: " ELO! ELO! ELO! "
Pre recorded 2020 WSL USA extra sparkly slow-mo World Cup "Victory Montage."
[ Order Now ] & receive a free box or boxes of Tokyo 2020 Olympic [Surf Stickerz).
Regarding paying to watch the WSL possibly next year or whenever.. I wouldn't unless it was a pumping swell and conditions, then It'd be worth it.
So that puts more pressure on being more flexible in the waiting period, say with less surfers or longer waiting periods etc to better locations.
One thing that this format creates is even more meaningless heats and/or comps for individual surfers. This is a real problem given the rise of sports betting and the real financial pressure on WQS surfers.
The WSL would want to be right on top of this situation. Sports, played by individuals, with low prize money second and third tier circuits are the most vulnerable to match and spot fixing.
English Premier League has no GF. The title goes to the team that are most consistent for the year. Makes more sense. The same should apply to the Surfing World Title.
Also, the 2022 ASL Donald Trump Surf for the 1% Pro at The Coolum CessPit is looking a starter after FPFK* Research found overwhelming support for the event in Kansas.
* free pizza for kiddies .
Vote 1 Occy for the next WSL CEO , not some corporate thunderbird looking automaton . Sorry Erik but you’d be better suited to a car salesmans job really . Wsl is morphing into some Disneyland type circus . We need a groundswell to uprise against the machine ..bring back the likes of some modern day err.. MP and Buttons types to take over . Arrrrrrr
Occy will remove the interference rule so everyone can drop in like he does.
Just remembered: the WSL's slogan is "You Can't Script This". They even produced a 90 second promo clip (below).
But.. deciding the World Title in a single day seems pretty scripted to me.
Of course, there's nothing wrong with change, but they'll have to come up with a new slogan.
From an interview with WSL's-then chief marketing officer Scott Hargrove:
CMO.com: One of your first big marketing pushes for the brand was the “You Can’t Script This” campaign, which speaks to the inherent unpredictability of the sport. What was the genesis of this?
For surfing, the simple truth is it’s impossible to predict what will happen next due to the constantly changing swell conditions. This truth is the driver of our brand campaign and [explains] our tagline, “You Can’t Script This.” The campaign celebrates the unexpected and reminds fans about what’s so unique and special about our sport and the WSL.
We debuted the campaign during our Super Bowl: the Billabong Pipe Masters event in Hawaii in December 2015. We launched with an anthem spot entitled “Chaos Theory” and an integrated event campaign celebrating the fact that there were six potential champions going into our final event. The campaign has been extremely successful for us.
That's Gold Ben ..."You can't script this!"
*Last WSL CT comp - scripted/directed by Charlies Angels-(#1 surferz/Booth/Judges)
*2020 Last WSL QS unscripted comp upgrade >1st CS comp-stacked with CT Pros.
Mens Comp seeded 9 current Oz WSL CT Pros > (*All Oz /NZ Olympians competed)
Several Olympians in 96 surfers from 15 countries (All level access WSL comp!)
You Have a Go you Get A Go...no excuses here...Grom can take out his Idle (Idol?) Pro.
By comparison to " #1 & #2 Interstellar Surf Comps "
2020 CT is restricted to 36 surfers from 8 nations (Kiwis got kicked off the WSL dole bro.)
2021 Olympics is restricted to 20 surfers from 10 nations (Don't do Hawaiian Style)
This one off Sydney WSL 'all level' Comp was held as OZ- o/s ban lockdown kicked in.
(Mens) Winner was a banned o/s injured wildcard struggling to qualify for 2020 CT.
Womens)winner, a gap year Pro ring-in that only competes to score empty line-ups.
WSL keep crashing poor surf chix gap year...Not Funny! > 2021(Gap Year compo?)
2019 Only Oz Top 10 Olympic Surfer relegates to 2020 Qualifying Series Rank *293
For the record Oz #2 Olympian was also knocked out in his first heat in a real comp!
Same 2 Olympians also crashed in real ISA comp & beached Aussie Chix for Chiko Rolls.
Ben's unscripted promo best suits current off the charts - up in the air comp reality.
Reality Check!
WSL already held 2020 Comp to end all Comps on home soil & we Aussies blew it!
funny stuff! im surprised elo hasnt announced sending them all to tavarua yet, making a big brother reality tv thing with voting online to decide the world title and loads of ads during hours of live streaming the pool.
i wonder if the "Ultimate Surfer" will be back in 2021? it looks like they are still taking applicants - https://ultimatesurfer.castingcrane.com/
A one day World Title is not a bad idea. Run the allotted heats. The highest 16 heat scores regardless of place goes into a finals series. Highest 2 heat scores from final series goes into the Grand Final. Done. Always try to remember unless you are a surfer Pro Surfing is very boring to watch. And even then most surfers do not even tune in. I liken surfing contests to a tennis match where there is a 10 second rally then the players sit on their backsides for 5 minutes, then repeated. The WSL obviously wants to appeal to a broader audience. This though has nothing to do with actual surfing, but the bureaucracy attempting to get a bigger slice of the sport viewing pie, thus revenue.
I the tour as we know it survives the downturn caused by this Coronavirus thing I’ll be surprised.
IMHO, the one day decider is all about creating flexibility for the 2021 tour in an unpredictable world.
Brazil and the USA are going to be two of the worst hit countries by this virus. I've seen very little to suggest either country isn't getting a second and third wave. I can't see Australia opening the borders to athletes and entourages from either country.
Don't be shocked if the WSL introduce hubs in the Pacific, Europe, Brazil and the USA., with the top 4 or so surfers from each region competing at a final event sometime late in 2021. This would allow the traditional events to run plus a few more. Fiji? Yes please. Hubs would take out a worst case scenario of countries locking down borders, and the late 2021 finish would give all surfers a fighting chance. A world champion simply wouldn't be legitimate if US surfers and Brazzos couldn't compete at Snapper, Bells and Margs.
Scomo's (NRL $10m package) NZ resumes Essential international flights this weekend
Essential NRL Oz Clubs < > NZ Tour flights resumes by end of this month...
Mere mortals & non believers...STFAH.
WSL Pipe Comp just got a little heavier...Pros gotta double up on ankle straps
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2020/04/24/welcome-hawaii-heres-your-ankle...