Gabriel Medina Withdraws From Pipeline Masters
Overnight, three-time world champ Gabriel Medina announced he'd be withdrawing from the Pipeline Masters - the first event of the season and a contest he won in 2018.
In a lengthy (by his standards) Instagram post, Medina cited a lack of mental and physical wellbeing. The situation not dissimilar to US gymnast Simone Biles who made a partial withdrawal from the 2020 Olympics.
Medina first alluded to a rest in a 2021 interview with Brazilian sports newspaper Lance where he expressed uncertainty about this year’s CT:
“I need to stop thinking about competition for a while, because everything I do today, food, routine… It’s all focused on competition. I never missed a step. It’s been hard to do this for years. I think the time has come when I need to take a break,” Medina said.
"It’s very intense, it demands a lot. I want to give myself a break, but it’s something I’ll still stop to think about, leaving it day after day… Let’s see how it goes.”
Medina has had a turbulent three years, marrying girlfriend Yasmin Brunet, and severing familial ties with his mother Simone and stepfather Charlie - who also served as Gabriel's manager and coach. The rift atomised the once-tight Medina nuclear bond, with various assets - such as the Gabriel Medina Institute - doled out to various family members for severance. The split also brought him into the orbit of his biological father, Claudio Ferreira.
In a heat, Medina has always carried himself with passive indifference, his public image, at least in the English-speaking world, a facsimile of the same. Yet those who know him claim Medina is far more emotional and sensitive then that one-dimensional portrayal. Mick Fanning has repeatedly vouched for Medina's softer side, something the media were never privy to.
Medina's full statement is as follows:
The past few months have been a difficult time for me personally and it has taken a toll.
As such, I've decided to withdraw from the start of the 2022 WSL Championship Tour.
I had every intention of competing for the full season, had made all the preparations medically (I took my Covid vaccination during my holidays) and mentally and physically, but I'm not in a place where I believe I can perform against the world's best surfers right now and I need to focus on my well-being. I don't know how long it will take, but I aim to return to the Championship Tour as soon as I am ready.
I very much appreciate everyone's ongoing love and support.
I'll be back when I am able.
Love.
The Pipeline Masters begins on January 29th. Medina's place will be filled by Caio Ibelli - first alternate Matthew McGillivray having already filled the injured Yago Dora's place.
Comments
Medina’s biological name is Ferreira? Are him and Italo related?
Fer sure, I'm stoke-ed that they are related. Very much a possibility in a country of only 200-odd million.
Makes sense. They both surf goofy and do heaps of airs which is unusual for Brazilians.
Very.
Good on him. Slowing down is good and not being part of that amoebic circus (WSL) will only benefit him in the long term. Frankly, how any surfer survives that ‘consumption’ tour is beyond belief. WSL is just a giant retail outlet with every square millimetre of it emblazoned with someone trying to sell you something. Should I be surprised, no, it’s just the American way.
Great comment. Interesting however that the modern tour was as much the dream child of Australian surfers as it was the yanks…
Agree with you there Hamish Bro. It was conjured up by both U.S. and Australian surfers. Still sucks, just my opinion, I really don’t enjoy watching that type of competitive surfing, just laden with heavyweight product promotion, above the lip airs, and all the familiar contenders and all that look at me stuff. I’ve got sick of all the bullshit links my email started to receive as a result of watching WSL. I know todays surfing is way different than decades ago. Free surfing and competitive surfing are miles apart. Before I get clobbered, I know the Michael Peterson era and all that mob surfed competitively but no way did they entertain the idea of watching what you ate, drank, smoked, what time you went to bed before a heat etc. Todays WSL is scripted, choreographed, colourful entertainment for some, but not me.
Rabbit's dream...
Sounds like he needs to hop on the sled and reset.
Unreal
Like many others, Gabs really grew on me last year, a much more relaxed, less ruthless and more loving side was revealed. The change in coach, reconnection to his father and his new wife seemed to have made a big impact.
Here's to some healthy rest time, coming back even stronger than ever.
Never had a problem with Gabs even though outwardly he seemed a bit of a prick. Mick and Joel vouched for him early on which was good enough for me. But Charlie always disturbed me. The helicopter sports star parent, big worry, reminded me of Jelana Docik's old man or what happened to boxer Dean Waters.
Glad he became his own man and wish him the best, he's a phenomenal surfer, a real animal in the water and the tour has an asterisk without him.
I didn’t realise his split with Charlie caused a rift?
I’ve always been a fan of his. Best competitor on tour.
I didn’t realise his split with Charlie caused a rift?
I’ve always been a fan of his. Best competitor on tour.
Wish him all the best....
Few guys on tour just got a better chance on getting through some heats...
.... The building anticipation of something sensational during crappy, lully, swelled heats...
... nothing.
The hours pass.
Then... Medina comes out and... well,
What is possible 'is' recorded in history.
First of all i hope Gab's gets himself better especially mentally, it will be interesting to see how the WSL handle his situation considering the mid season cut after the first 5 events
That's a really good point. Both Slater and Fanning have taken events off and been granted an injury wildcard by the Woz.
However that was all ironed out at the end of the year, and as far as I'm aware there's no allowance for injury wildcard with the mid-year cut.
That was my understanding also, 500 odd points per missed event will make it extremely tough, more than likely would need a finals finish in one event to go thru.
Who could blame him really? I am looking forward to seeing how (if) his surfing changes as a result.
I read this and think (not for the 1st time) we are all being asked to accept mental health issues are like physical health issues, indeed it's one system, all connected. I find it awkward to accept but a step forward for humanity. Rest well Gabes > you're an amazing athlete > I hope you find a way for all of your beliefs and values to align with your elite surfing lifestyle.
From memory I think the GOAT was about the same age when he had a rest. I think it would be fair to say they are the 2 most dedicated professional surfers we've ever seen and I guess the tires wear out eventually. Fingers crossed he gets himself right and hopefully in 2023 we can see the real world title fight unfold.
Wow, censorship is alive and well on this platform.
Freedom of speech is in Australia is eroding away faster than a Belongil beachfront property.
Remember, we must maintain the following stance: "The jabs are safe and effective" lol.
Anyway, I'll be uploading the screenshots later. Whereabouts I wonder? I'll let you figure that out.
Free speech eroding?
Mate, in a 530-long comment thread you made 52 of them without a single comment being deleted.
Now you want to poison every other thread with your tunnel vision?
I'll continue to delete off topic comments for the sake of the majority who have to put up with boors like you. If you persist then I'll cancel your account. As you're a subscriber we'll refund your money pro-rata.
That's the last word on it.
Here Here Stu!!! Thank you.
Beyond painful!!
Sorry Stu, don't get me wrong. I know I'm a guest in your house (albeit a paying one- which is fine- I appreciate your site). I assure you I wasn't going to go on any poisonous diatribe on this or any other unrelated thread. That previous thread was directly about that topic. All I was doing was asking a simple question: Could his withdrawal possibly be jab related? I understand you don't want a can of worms opened. I've no doubt there'll be many others thinking the same way as me though. Cancel me if you want. If you choose to let me stay I promise to zip it and go sit in the corner like a good little boy.
Kinda fascinating that Yago and RCal are also not going to be there though...
Far out. Personally, i'm enjoying the comments!!
Careful mate. You might find yourself in detention with this "painful nutjob tin foil hat wearing cretin boor pest" lol!
haha. I'm up for it. Getting used to the abuse from the usual suspects on here. Keep fighting the good fight mate. No need to tell you to hold your ground. It's admirable.
Haha, thanks for the backup mate. I'm a thorn in many a side brother! Certain politicians don't seem overly stoked with the grief I'm currently giving them. It's fun though.
Nailed it Stu - thank you!
Go away you pest. We get it. You have it all figured out. For the rest of us, ignorance is bliss.
Fuck off Nutjob.
I come here to read about surfing, not the ramblings of some tin foil hat wearing cretin.
As a avid and passionate proponent of an individual's right to freedom of speech and expression I'm sure you'll support me in my desire to tell you to fark right off Algaeblanket you cunt :)
Oh man that is hilarious! Laughing hard mate! I absolutely support you! Freedom of speech? Will it be allowed or will it be crushed? I guess we'll see... :)
Also Callinan not surfing Pipe? And Yago? Neither are in the draw
Callinan broken wrist. Dora foot injury.
Cheers
Ah, fair enough.
Hope he recovers fully and quickly.
From a sports fans perspective it feels like we have been robbed of the potential best rivalry since AI/Slater by missing out on JJF/Medina.
Seems like either one of them (mostly JJF) has spent the best part of the last 4 years injured and the Tour is the loser as a result.
I was really looking forwards to seeing them go head to head this year.
There was always a convenient sports storyline in the Gabs vs JJF rivalry.
The Dark Prince vs the White Knight.
The cunning and cold-blooded competitor, never a shred of vulnerability, never offering explanation after the fact - the deeds were done, the media did the talking - raised by an aloof stepdad to be an equally aloof competitor versus the beach kid, gregarious and accessible, relatable to the majority, wanting to win on surfing alone, impervious to scandal, even when vanquished by tactics (think Zeke Lau at Bells) still acting his bigger self.
Reckon at least half that storyline is wrong.
Maybe behind the scenes, but as far as how the action played out, it's dead right.
It was at least one storyline that wasn't manufactured WSL corpo-speak BS.
In fact the WSL did their best to tone down Gabe's ruthless competitive act.
An Italo/JJF rivalry has zero heat to it.
Slater is too old.
Who else is there?
"as far as how the action played out, it's dead right."
Yeah true, but it would seem to me that there's more to Gabe and he's trying to break out from behind the mask.
More power to him.
Stu, freeride76,
You two read the medina profile in the new surfers journal yet ?
Found it super informing.
No gabs this year...my favourite surfer on tour.
Painfull for the wsl.
Was going to refer to the same article LD, a real eye opener that's well worth reading as it turns a lot of our preconceptions about Medina upside down. Like millions, I've never been a big fan his general attitude, his amazing surfing notwithstanding. That he's following Charlie's master plan to the absolute enth degree makes it all seem pretty logical. He wanted to be the world champ. Charlie said fine, do what I say, EXACTLY what I say. He got three titles. Job done. Hope he sorts it all out.
"Who else is there?"
Ciao Ibelli by the sounds of it (first reserve?) Pretty underwhelming replacement. Surely the WSL could have bent the rules to get some new (exciting) kid on the block in there?
They seem to make everything else up on the run.
I think ibelli shreds, great replacement
Jack Robbo
He's on the CT as it is...
Let be totally honest, he didn't really get vaccinated. He just wanted to remain a pure blood apex predator and didn't want to risk his health with the jab. A true healthy elite sportsman. The Usa and Australia shutting there boarders to the unvaccinated was just the excuse he needed for an extended holiday. Lets see what the World Health Organization has to say about that: https://canberraweekly.com.au/who-recommends-lifting-international-trave...
He reckons he did which is good enough for me.
Charlie could take his place
Bahahaha, he’d be a certain winner for the ‘towel/ shirt waving nutjob on the beach event ‘ Thank god the goose is gone!
AlgaeBanquet. By the sheer virtue of your name, here’s a few snacks for your afternoon eating pleasure. Cylindrospermopsis, Microcystis, Oscillatoria, Umezakia, Nodularia, Nostoc and Anabaena - please ingest as much as possible of the last two, chew and swallow well, you won’t come up for air at all you knob.
Ahhahaha! That's gold mate! The more you strike me down the stronger I become lol. For the victor is the one who laughs last!
The guy is an incredible surfer… stay off tour I say and really show us what you can do without the competition constraints and completion head space. Pumping J Bay free surfing for instance….. freaky good
Agreed. Would be sick to see him unleashing without comp restraints, He'll come back with an extra dimension to his surfing on top of the mindblowing shit he already does.
Hopefully he's actually able to come back. Who else is there to match JJF? Gab seems to be the only one at that level. 2nd tier: Italo, Filipe, maybe Jordy. Then who? Robbo? Dark horse Ethan? Perpetual runner up Kolohe? No chance for Kelly at this stage, (for reasons that must now remain unspoken lol). Actually, if the tour gets that far this year and if Toledo manages to be top 5 by (yawn) Trestles, might as well pencil him in for the title. Even though John will demonstrably be the best overall surfer. *Injuries aside of course.
A break well earned Gabriel.
Not that fond of Brasil Nuts as they roam in packs.....having said that & having surfed with Medina numerous times( free surf) he has the best backhand snap in the business for mine!
He's no different to Slats another ruthless competitor that's why their world title holders....Obviously!!!
Anyway I hope he's able to recharge - rejoin the tour etc. as he's a serious talent.
Wonder if he will hop on a mid length?
Christ i hope not...imagine the rest of Brazil following Medina and Surfing the Globe on Middys
Not a great fan but it won't be a real title without him
What are you talking about , Florence has definitely in my opinion got his measure, and he's not been around last few years with injury concerns , so Medina’s titles can’t be real either by your reasoning.
Good on him. Break did Slater and Fanning good. Should go and do some free surfing videos. Something seriously lacking in his portfolio. Love his surfing in comps but his free surfing needs a good dose of creativity.
I check this site most days and I wasn't aware of the split with Charlie.
I'm surprised there wasn't more conversation around this especially as he is a polarising character.
"I took my Covid vaccination during my holidays"
Or did he???
Hmmm
Reckon he mighta been watching that circus that went down with Djokovic,and the smaller one with Slater after that.
As the current world champ with the highest profile of all the pros these days,he would of been another big fish target for the over zealous media and politicians/bureaucrats like they were.
But then again those two incidents were solely regarding competing in Australia,which is 3 months away still for the CT events.
I doubt he would give Pipe the flick if it was solely because of that,as i've heard it's still easier to get into the US unvaxxed than Australia.
It's definitely weird. Reigning world champ, Beast at pipe, Most hardened and gritty surfing competitor we've ever seen (of course there's Kelly but many would argue Gab takes that title), Opportunity to compete again (at Pipe!) with a fit JJF and Kelly on his last year? Dunno, something's amiss...
you're persistent, I'll give you that.
You don't reckon he might just be keen for a break after winning his 3rd title, getting married, relationship with family gone to shit.... etc etc
The blokes been going hard as fuck competitively for years. Not everything is a conspiracy mate
Yeah, for sure, more than valid points. It's well documented how much Kelly and Kelly's achievements have influenced and inspired him, driven him even. Many would think he'd want to be there for that alone. I'm just making the point, things mustn't be too flash for Gabs right now.
After he won the world title in September last year he straight up said "I'll probably take next year off".
There's a thing called the principle of parsimony: the most acceptable theory is the most simplest and most logical. He is human. He is maturing. He has competing priorities. He has a family. The past two years have been difficult. He is feeling physically and mentally burntout (it seems). All these things are a common human experience. He has won 3 world titles (not so common). Why is it that there has to be something more complex? I think he deserves the respect from us to accept his decision to take a break without some wild theories. Guys, c'mon.
@goofy , I think you just summed it up , as he’s growing up he’s seeing there’s more to life than simply being on tour year in year out . Now has a young wife and why not take some time out and enjoy life to the fullest. Best to take time out before burnout. Slater took time out and bounced back pretty good .
And the other thing Medina maybe saying to all of us is that it's perfectly Ok to take a break if you are physically and/or mentally burnt out. I applaud him for this. There are so many people out there hesitant to speak up if they are not OK. If the world champ is human, then...
the US has the same vax entry rules for non citizens as australia. old baldy was reminded of this after his melbourne stolkhome comment....then he deleted his rant.
"Yet those who know him claim Medina is far more emotional and sensitive then that one-dimensional portrayal"
I think alot of Brazilian guys are like this, they are similar to the Italians, conditioned by that strong mothering smothering.
Many Brazilian girls I associate with avoid Brazilian men because of this.
2022 just got about 50% less interesting. Damn it!
JJF is an incredible surfer, but he's about as exciting and interesting as Kevin Rudd's earwax. And apart from Margarets in 2017 he's never really lit up a CT event. All my opinion, of course.
But who knows, maybe Kolohe Andino or someone will get a rocket up their arse and start surfing their heart out and getting a bit rowdy.
Yeah, I have somewhat already checked out IB. Was really looking forward to those two (specifically) going at it. As mentioned above, there is no other rivalry on tour that comes close...yet anyway. Will still watch for the love of surfing, but damn, was really looking forward to seeing how hungry he was/is to back up his supreme run last year.
I thought he lit up the Bells event in 2019 better than most do.
That barrel he got at Margs in his last heat for the season last year was one of the best waves all year too.
If you've never met him why would you care about his personality?
That never stopped Tom Curren being one of the biggest legends ever,who is probably the most famous world champ regarding having a personality that didn't resonate with a lot of people.
At Bells he did the same turn on every wave. I found it almost sad to watch. The judges thought it was excellent.
I find Tom Curren very interesting, fwiw. Weird as hell, but interesting. And I think JJF is intelligent and has integrity, but he seems to try his hardest to be as bland as possible - possibly the way he protects himself from getting completely devoured by pro surfing.
I'll continue to enjoy and marvel at his North Shore surfing, but as a CT competitor not so much (ok then, Teahupoo, hehe).
https://beachgrit.com/2022/01/sizzling-hot-rumor-kolohe-andino-disqualif...
Just posted the above link IB..then saw the updated version.
I'm sure the truth lives somewhere between the two stories
https://beachgrit.com/2022/01/update-kolohe-andino-not-disqualified-from...
Go Brother!
Handled that well, didn't he. Who knew he had that in him?
I reckon L.O.B has the dark horse qualities for a few upsets this year, plus he seems to have a strong head on him.. Zeke Lau been surfing insane too.
Good on him! Competitive beast, has to be hard on you day in, day out. Had the success very young, 3 titles nothing to prove. Had to laugh at ‘Joel & Mick vouched for him’. Sorry, that doesn’t persuade me.
Mick probably got to know him better than any other non brazzo pro,being a 3 time world champ himself just before handing the number 1 Rip Curl team rider baton over to him when he won his first world title in 2014.
I don't recall seeing or reading about Parko saying what a great bloke he is outside of his surfing talent,but that doesn't mean he didn't of course.
Fair enough, why put yourself through it this year if you don't have to. Pretty much won everything, nothing to prove, financially secure, change in priorities, age on his side with the potential for a stop start tour jumping through covid hoops making him feel like its a good time for a few at the local. Expect Medina mk2 when he returns.
Give Mason Ho a wildcard at Pipe I reckon.
Ken Oath! It's a shame to not see him in the draw. How were his Shootout waves!
Where the fuck did you come from ,been reading these forums for a few years and haven’t heard boo , I’m surprised blowin hasn’t told you to fuck off his turf.
Ahhaha! I've been lurking for ages mate. I've been paying attention to all sorts of stuff. Surfing's my passion and pro surfing is actually the only "sport" I pay attention to these days (even if it is just a distraction from the deadly serious reality of what is actually going on in the world). Maybe I'll continue to contribute, maybe I won't. "Should I stay or should I go now?"
Agree he’s great there, but without solid consistent waves the dynamic changes. Avg waves at pipe are the worst. You expect flawless from pipe. Takes away any advantage the guys who’ve put time in there.
Nicely put upnorth. Geez I love a few at the local, after a few waves at the local.
Haha yeah waves at home probably look a bit different for a 3x champ living the life in Brazil
If G-land is going ahead with a good forecast I reckon gabs will be there.
There is provision for Gabe to be granted event wildcards if he were to announce himself fit for the second half of the tour after the mid year cut.
Without any knowledge of current form I’ve got a feeling that Toledo is going to go nuts this year.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he took out Pipe for a start. Phillipe’s small wave destruction has expanded into the 6ft plus range , as evidenced by his impressive win at chunky Margs? If it’s not thundering death at Pipe and Sunset he could hit turbo early.
Perhaps someone could correct me but it seems that Sunset is all about proficiency on rail and Toledo’s rail game is top shelf these days. Crew lose their minds over JJF’s gaffes but Pip is growing into a rail tearing beast.
Back end of Toledo’s career is going to make crew stand up and realise that the small wave wizardry of his early years was just a kid with extreme talent getting put in the deep end of waves beyond his experience. He may not match JJF and Robbo in the true upper realms of the CT tour wave size bracket but he won’t need to in order to take a title. The huge days are rare, those 6-8 foot days will soon be Toledo’s happy hunting ground if they’re not already.
Late bloomer.
The absence of Gabby will grace Toledo the breathing room he needs to expand his confidence. A few heat wins in chunky tubes and beast mode will override youthful hesitation.
I have the same feeling Blowin.
Toledo's rail game is so underrated & heads and shoulders above almost all on tour [including Gabs and Italo]
If the waves don't get huge like you said, I think he is odds on to win as there is not a piece missing in his surfing.
To me toldeo probably has the best rail-game of anyone at the moment [possibly- Ethan Ewing?] That's a big call I know but if you watch Toledo in slow-mo [because his is too Fucking fast to appreciate at normal speed] you will see he is pushing just as hard as JJF but also with more variation as well. I love JJF's surfing but it's not as smooth, unique and unpredictable as Toledo's
I really think he has already unofficially won a world title with his surfing but he needs to bring it together for one season [Like Parko] and get the number one position when it counts
" I love JJF's surfing but it's not as smooth, unique and unpredictable as Toledo's"
Now i realise surfing a very subjective thing and I'm biased as i think JJF is as good as it gets, BUT!!, and thats a huge but if you cant tell ;-0, I think you're very wrong.
Have you seen the carves JJF has been doing at 8-10 ft Haleiwa and Sunset?!!
Smooth - body and board in perfect positioning
Unique - no one else is doing it
Unpredictable - see unique ha ha
@Goofyfoot
as I stated in my comment :)
"If the waves don't get huge"
...and don't forget this is said in the context of competitive surfing....not surfing in general where JJF is just beyond everyone by a mile
To clarify even further. Toledo is my pick in waves under 6-8ft.
JJF makes everyone look pedestrian when it's 8-10ft and is the best surfer on the planet by far in ALL surfing conditions.
I still feel Toledo has a bit more unpredictability and flow in his surfing in small-medium waves though.
but like you said, Surfing is a subjective sport and there is no right or wrong!
I just hope they get waves where they can show us their best surfing
Agree with pretty much all of that. Let’s hope the waves co operate hey
You could be right, Blowin. And it'd be great to see Filipe in great mental shape, finally stepping up in solid waves.
For me the most under rated factor in surfing (any sport really) is audacity - who dares wins - Medina, JJ, (Slater, AI etc) consistently make you exclaim "who IS that man" . That creative brilliance is a huge loss to the tour as the rest are kinda predictable in comparison. Not to mention the excitement of a red hot rivalry between two best evers pushing each other to go huge now fails to launch. Get well soon Gabriel, I'll miss your genius level surfing and John John will too.
Oh well, who are we all going to hate on now? He was definitely becoming more human without Charlie the step-flog hanging off him. I've been told by those in the know (on tour) that Charlie is bad news on many levels - good that Gabby has launched him. I guess we'll wait for the new Search flick with Gabe in G-land going off with Mason and Mick
Blah blah blah.....most on here seem comfortable with comatose dribble....don't have to think to hard to understand it....blah blah blah.
Better not speak out against the FLOW of dribble coming from the GOOGLE and television educated....can't fire up the powers of critical thinking in the masses suffering from mass formation psychosis.......the cognitive dissonance would cause them to have a melt down and delete everything deemed a "conspiracy theory"......wonder if it will even dawn on the sheeple when they see the cliff their blindly accepted shepherd is pied piping them all toward....haha quick delete me for have an opinion and expressing free speech!
Google can actually help you. :) I'm not a doctor but I found the following
Paranoia Symptoms :
They depend on the cause but, generally, a person who is Paranoid may show the following symptoms:
Be easily offended.
Find it difficult to trust others.
Not cope with any type of criticism.
Assign harmful meanings to other people's remarks.
Be always on the defensive.
Be hostile, aggressive and argumentative.
Not be able to compromise.
I may also add,
-A tendency to push their bullshit on others
Ah yes just Google it...never fails to deliver the GOODS....cough!!!
Wouldn't have a clue much about Google eh!
Better jump back into Google and "fact Check" everything eh!! Can't go wrong there.....cough!
Back to it good sir....if the shoe fits but only if your mirror is clean.
Fuck me you talk shit. Find a new page to blather on champ, my bet you've been kicked off and banned everywhere else. . Oh and BTW, the Pied Piper didn't entice sheep over the cliff - it was rats. Something you plague rat anti vaxx wankers would relate to, encouraged over the cliff by Craig Kelly, George Christensen and Pete Evens. Grow up FFS.
I think anyone trying to compare JJF's hawaiian surfing to Toledo is tripping, and I say that respectfully.
JJF is several notches above Toledo and I think we will see that at Sunset.
Small Pipe is a crapshoot.
Maybe in the 8-10 foot plus range and there’d be the local knowledge advantage but I don’t reckon the performance difference in the sub 8 feet range is that great.
Toledo gets manhandled by anything over 8 feet. Surprising because JJF isn't a bulky surfer. He's just so pure in his approach to the ocean. Anyone that's sailed half the Pacific ocean is going to have a different understanding of swells, wave movement etc. I'm surprised this element of JJFs surfing has been so neglected by the surf media. I'd consider it to be the foundation of his whole approach to the ocean. Can't imagine what goes on out there in that big wide wild ocean.
JJF is 6'1 and no stringbean. I reckon he weighs as much as Jordy.
yep, he's a much bigger man than is commonly thought.
True that. His style and technique are so perfect you forget that he's a solid lad.
Well Agitator. If you don’t have to think so …..hard, you’ll fit in perfectly.
Up until last year I didn't like anything about gabe at all. But after last year I'm cheering for him over Italo. Italo needs to stop being a hyperactive coke-head and trying to go a million miles an hour to do attempted airs on every wave that comes trough. It's just ugly.
Could not agree more gragan, Italo no doubt rips, but thats not what its about IMO
No offence to Italo, I'm not inferring that I think he's on coke or anything (I'll take that bit back), he's just been too frantic this last year or so. In interviews he used to be super mellow, humble, relaxed and happy, but last year was like he'd just skolled a red bull. I dunno
From the couch, it looked like Italo was trying too hard to prove to himself and everybody watching that he could match it with the two top dogs with each edit or session. It really seemed manufactured and not genuine for me. Soulless to a degree. Then again, it's clear no one can match JJF/Medina, not even Toledo, who I think rounds out the top three, competitively speaking. JJF freesurfing for mine is easily the best in the world. We don't see enough of Gabby to know how hard he could go if he released the shackles. I heard (Fannings words finals day @Trestles) that he really pulls back in freesurfs as he is worried about injuries and CT longevity. Would love to see him travel the world and surf unrestrained with it documented within a 30min feature, filmed & edited by Eric Knutson (Jon’s guy).
Only person that can take it up to JJF in real pipe is Jack Robinson remember I said real pipe.
With Slater next last trip there 2020 as much as I hate to say it Slater did it the easiest and
most comfortable looked in control better than JOB,JJF,Jack and the rest of the crew. Fact
Just checked the long range forecast only small pipe anyone can win but if I was a betting
man it would be JJF
Good call Evo, on Slater. He's put in more time than anyone out there. Just saw some footage of him doing a big backhand reo in the pocket at Pipe. Not many guys doing that!!
Just saw this clip.....alot of crew in the past wrote Morgs off in anything but right hand points.....the drop to tube at the 25 second mark is a bit of an eye opener.
Tatiana Weston-Webb gets a nice little cover-up at 2:56. It’s good to see some more women getting the job done at Pipe.
Never forget AI.
Slater may be considered 'old'. But I just can't bring myself to write him off for a 12th title. I just can't.
I believe that the judging, scored had been 'underrated', 2020 especially as an example, when 'variety' had been clearly showcased on occasion and disappointment resulted for him and me.
Agreed mate. That wave he copped flak for burning the Hawaiian fella, have a look at the carve he does when he comes out of the pit. As crisp and on point as anyone. He's had a year of not having to push too hard to get his body right. It's Kelly Slater. He's still near the top in my opinion.
I was beginning to think I'd been alone noticing crispyness of mentioned carve. He isn't where he is from being a half ass jackass.
Robbo rips but after meeting his dad in my town i didnt like his dad at all. Way too over-proud of his son Jack and critical of everyone else, also never stopped talking to let others speak. Could have been the excellent coffees at the coffee van or nerves or some thing else..not sure but thats not Jack anyway, Jack rules.
If G-land pro is on this year Medina i think will take it out, either him or Jack Robbo.
Or the Big O. Still clearly remember his 2 10's at pumping Cloudbreak. Owen lives in left hand drainpipes.
I like how this thread is trying to shift talk away from Medina.
Rumour (from over at BG) that Meds has split with his missus:
https://www.uol.com.br/esporte/colunas/olhar-olimpico/2022/01/27/gabriel...
Speculation is rife on Brazilian sports media that Gabriel Medina split from his wife Yasmin Brunet, and that's the reason for his last-minute withdrawal from Pipe.
Two days back Brunet wrote this on Instagram:
"I have spoken to you here many times about my battles with depression and anxiety. Only those who have any kind of mental disorder know how difficult it is to deal with it. As we live, we learn a lot, for example, without your mental and physical health, you have nothing. They are the most important possessions you have. It's no use money, it's no use if you don't have the health to enjoy it.
"Last year was a very difficult year for me and Gabriel. I've said many interviews that anyone else in his place wouldn't have been able to get where he did, in fact anyone in his place wouldn't even have gotten out of bed. I saw firsthand everything he suffered because I suffered along with him. I saw him hold back a lot that was extremely unfair to him. Many times we were slaughtered needlessly without even knowing the truth of what they were publishing. A lot of lies were told and we had to swallow a lot of things to not take the focus off the competition because at the end of the day the goal was to make him fulfill his dream of being a three-time champion and we did it.
"But I've also seen the strength he has so I know he's going to get better and he's going to come back better than ever. Whoever wants to help at this moment, I sincerely ask you to pray, not to speculate, and not to publish what you don't really know if it's true or not. I also ask that this serve as a warning to take great care of your mental health. We often think we don't have time to take care of ourselves, and there are people who still think this is fresh.
"As I said at the beginning, only those who suffer from this kind of thing know how difficult it is and how we need support. If you are going through anything similar, seek help, seek support, you don't have to go through this alone. Gabriel has all the support he needs and will come out of this much better, that's for sure. I think his decision to take this time for himself is the best choice he could have made and he has my full support. God can do everything and is good all the time."
Sounds like they are together from that?
I think so too.
Without being too insensitive, I wouldn't have got out of her bed either.
Quick gnooogle search:
https://newsbulletin247.com/entertainment/38969.html
Says it's official
Interesting the comment 'i took the vaccine' in there.
Wonder if it is to stop the gossip about him not doing the tour because he was thought to be unvaxxed or something deeper regarding his health and the effects of the vaccine.
When you're a hammer everything looks like a nail, hey BD?
Yeah nice Stu.
Didn't seem like something he necessarily needed to add in there. Thought it was a relevant observation. Notice it was a question not a statement of fact either way on my behalf.
You guys being mainstream media though, you stick to your script mate. Thanks for the whack.
I always assumed Gabby was homosexual.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
I reckon I’d like him more if he came out as happily homosexual, not necessarily full camp, just a far softer edge than the old scowling presence. A hardcore competitive vibe is one thing but surfing is still a play time activity.
Quite the opposite Blowin, very much so.
I’ve seen too many sham marriages and over compensatory womanising to think that every staunch hetero bloke is as committed to girls as they’d have you believe.
It was just a vibe I got off Gabby.
Shaving his armpits and cuddling his soccer star mate didn’t hurt the idea.
Poor bugger’s hearts broken , anyone that’s been through a marriage breakdown would understand the emotional pain involved. Pipeline would be the last thing on his mind. Never been a fan but his surfing at pipeline and chopes was always good to watch . Wishing him a emotional and spiritual recovery.
Imagine if he and Charlie went bush, reconciled their differences, and came back completely changed. Like Cheech and Chong or something. Charlie stoned off his head stumbling around the beach attempting to 'coach' Gab during a heat. Gabs comes in all red-eyed, giggling talking about the clouds. And still winning heats though...
You were stoned when you posted that, weren't ya!
Good luck to him and his missus. I don’t like the guy/competitor he was, but mental health is too important not to take it seriously. I wish them well.
Can’t help thinking about those time(s) that he dropped in on a competitor with priority so he couldn’t get a score to beat him. ( was one at Pipe?).
Anyways, that sort of shite stays in your soul. Plenty of people would say ‘that’s just business’, and fair enough too, but I tend to the other side.
He might come back a much better, more rounded, softer character. Had definitely noticed the change since he got married and Charlie had reduced input. Those toxic dad types are just the worst.
Its physical health which he is not willing to roll the dice on....look up all the soccer players, over a hundred this season, which have collapsed/died in Europe alone....Gabs watches soccer....people taking cheap shots at him calling him homo, struggling mentally cant read between the lines....
On the WSL. Seeing quality surfers pull out in droves says it all. Does it pressure people, oath it does. Changing them into what ? The money, the pressure from sponsors, the greed. Seen it first hand. They think they can go through years of this unscathed. No you cant !
Gabby doing what he needs to do to save himself.
Rumour has it he might be calling it a day?