Elo Speaks!

Erik Logan
Swellnet Dispatch

To the WSL community,

I want to address the conversation that happened in our community following the recent Championship Tour event at the Surf Ranch. As you likely know, a small number of athletes made statements questioning the judging of the competition and the final results.

I want to respond directly to those statements, however, we first need to address a much more important issue. In recent days, a number of surfers, WSL judges, and employees have been subject to harassment, intimidation, and threats of violence, including death threats, as a direct result of those statements. Those things should never happen in our sport or any sport, and we're devastated that members of our community have been subject to them. It is an important reminder to us all that words have consequences. We hope the entire WSL community stands with us in rejecting all forms of harassment and intimidation.

In terms of the statements made, we completely reject the suggestion that the judging of our competitions is in any way unfair or biased. These claims are not supported by any evidence.

Firstly, the judging criteria are provided to the athletes ahead of each competition. All athletes competing at the Surf Ranch Pro received these materials on May 20th. Every athlete had the opportunity to ask questions about the criteria at that time. None of the athletes who made these statements took advantage of this opportunity at the Surf Ranch Pro.

Secondly, our rules allow any athlete to review the scoring of any wave, with the judges, and receive a more detailed explanation of how they were scored with the judges. This process has been in place for a number of years, and is the direct result of working with the surfers to bring more transparency to the judging process. It is not acceptable, and is a breach of league policy, for surfers to choose not to engage with the proper process and instead air grievances on social media.

A number of athletes at the Surf Ranch Pro received points for elements such as progression and variety, so it is simply incorrect to suggest these are not taken into account in the judging criteria. Furthermore, our rules have been applied consistently throughout the season, including at events this season that were won by athletes who are now questioning those same rules.

Surfing is an ever-evolving, subjective sport and we welcome a robust debate around the progression of our sport and the criteria used to judge our competitions. However, it is unacceptable for any athlete to question the integrity of our judges who, like our surfers, are elite professionals.

No one person or group of people are above the integrity of the sport.

Sincerely,
Erik Logan
WSL Chief Executive Officer

Comments

Sprout's picture
Sprout's picture
Sprout Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 8:07am

Wanker.

vinnyxavier's picture
vinnyxavier's picture
vinnyxavier Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 8:11am

Well said Sprout! (Standing ovation)

southernraw's picture
southernraw's picture
southernraw Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 8:18am

Yep. That comment got me out of my chair and clapping.
Bravo Sprout!

surf.rat's picture
surf.rat's picture
surf.rat Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 8:22am

I am NOT a fan of the WSL in general but, Well said Mr Logan.
Harassment and intimidation have No Place in sport or Society in general.
Regardless of what you think or feel, show respect in your interactions with others and everything will be fine.
Medina has clearly shown complete disregard for any negative outcomes to others due to his actions. Me, me, me, fucking me.
Most people like myself were more than willing to give Medina multiple chances after the multiple disrespectful comments of his youth.
How many chances does he get though? Why should he get a free pass to act the selfish prick all his life? To the detriment of others? Just because he surfs well?
Well I've had enough of your utterly selfish cry-baby antics Medina.

and to the guy who threatened Ethan...would you offer to jump into the ring and go 10 rounds with him? I doubt you'd last 2 seconds you worthless piece of shit hiding behind your screen

Jaspo's picture
Jaspo's picture
Jaspo Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 9:41am

dude we get it, you don't like medina. your garbage comment adds nothing to this convo, just like my garbage-ass comment calling out your garbage comment also adds nothing. stfu.

surf.rat's picture
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surf.rat Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 6:11pm

@Jaspo
Thanks for expressing yourself in no uncertain terms.
Hope you find a way to be a human again some day.

ludoz's picture
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ludoz Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 10:15pm

Completely agree with Surf-Rat

RC's picture
RC's picture
RC Thursday, 1 Jun 2023 at 12:03am

Well said surf rat, couldn’t agree more…

Surfalot67's picture
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Surfalot67 Thursday, 1 Jun 2023 at 8:20am

100% surf rat! As I've posted elsewhere, if the Brazzos want fairness they can start by handing back ADS's gifted world title to Mick. Until then, they can EAD.

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 8:28am

cough 'bullshit' cough

Edit: I agree with most of what he said in terms of physical threats are unacceptable but he didn't directly address the elephant in the room and that was the non-application of their own judging criteria.

andy-mac's picture
andy-mac's picture
andy-mac Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 8:25am

Wow, doubling down ey.

Andrew P's picture
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Andrew P Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 8:32am

I think the surfers need to employ Noa Deane to represent them. He communicates with influence and speaks for all in the WSL "community"

Roadkill's picture
Roadkill's picture
Roadkill Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 8:33am

Logan is correct.

burleigh's picture
burleigh's picture
burleigh Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 9:33am

What a surprise you’ve chosen Logan’s side.

Roadkill's picture
Roadkill's picture
Roadkill Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 9:49am

People demanded he address it…he addressed it.

What more do you want him to do? Answer every little silly conspiracy theorists question about scripted outcomes?

lostdoggy's picture
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lostdoggy Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 8:35am

ELO, still failing at attracting a mainstream audience and trying his best to piss the measly audience he inherited off.
By my judging scale, you are pathetic at your job, mate.

Agree on no to death threats and harassment part.

fitzroy-21's picture
fitzroy-21's picture
fitzroy-21 Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 8:36am

"Our community".
The corporate BS is sickening. How the F did he get the gig as CEO.

Other than the harassment, he did not address the real issue.

RockyIsland's picture
RockyIsland's picture
RockyIsland Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 8:37am

Joel Tudor got banned for just criticising the lack of comps for the long boarders looks like GM is too valuable as a drawcard....no consistency just like the judging.

andy-mac's picture
andy-mac's picture
andy-mac Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 8:37am

But agree that there should be no threats etc.... Horrible.

adam12's picture
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adam12 Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 8:38am

`What I don't get is why the Brazzo fans are threatening the surfers and not the judges, it's not the surfer's fault. Also think if Elo had any balls and took the threats and the safety of the pros seriously he should cancel or move the Brazil comp. There are so many people on the beach it would be no problem for someone to shoot at one of the competitors if they were so inclined, and don't think it is fair or professional to put the competitors in fear for their lives to compete there. May also send the message to the Brazzo pros to shut the fuck up on social media and put their grievances through internal channels. WSL has a duty of care, Brazil is a zoo, anything could happen. It's an issue now.

ludoz's picture
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ludoz Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 10:17pm

Exactly, Brazil (shitty) comp should be cancelled

surf.rat's picture
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surf.rat Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 8:39am

Does anyone actually know any of the WSL judges? Does anyone know how seriously they take their job?
Well I do, and this guy is about as honest and dedicated a human as you will find on the fucking planet. I grew up with him, and his integrity cannot be questioned, unlike those pointing the finger at the judges
I guess the same people slinging WSL conspiracy theories around the place are the same people who thought covid was a hoax ? and anything else out there they didn't understand or agree with.
Damn this world has a lot of people with Trust issues.

freeride76's picture
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freeride76 Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 9:29am

I do.

I know Pritamo and he's an excellent surfer and I have zero issues with his integrity. He's a 100% rock solid individual.

This is a communication issue, not an integrity problem.

StormyAndBo's picture
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StormyAndBo Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 11:46am

Absolutely agree. He's point man in a job where you'll never please everyone, but I've never heard an explanation of a score from him that isn't incredibly nuanced and examined. He bloody rips, too.
Claims of nationalistic bias and the childish threats are unfounded, and only seek to undermine any credible examination of a pretty shitty set of scores. Griff and Carissa were (for my money) surfing for sevens, not goin for gold, and I the points of difference were not scored appropriately. But hey, no ones paying for my opinion or threatening me over it so its a super easy one to have. You can bet a few of the most passionate surfers on the planet are huddled and going over all of it right now and working out how to try get it right- the judges

burleigh's picture
burleigh's picture
burleigh Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 11:54am

What about the rest of them FR? Watching make or break it appears that there is one overlord that basically gives the score for the puppets to press.

They make mistakes sure and the screen doesnt always show what they see in real life (wave size etc), but at the pool these type of mistakes should have been minimised, yet the mistakes were more obvious.

I feel they are judging the best surfers against themselves and that is not fair

seahound's picture
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seahound Thursday, 1 Jun 2023 at 8:23pm

There is a 'group think' problem too. Same old points of view. A fresh batch of judges would see the surfing differently. Obvious solution is for the judging panel to be rejuvenated with new eyes every couple of events, with rotating panels. Same with the head judge's position. Not questioning his or their integrity, rather, just those stale points of view and the same group all seeing and thinking pretty much the same all the time. Head judge should be a spotter only to make sure all waves ridden are seen and scored. Not there to influence whatsoever any of the scoring. And for goodness sake - widen the scores given.

Batswana's picture
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Batswana Saturday, 3 Jun 2023 at 5:41pm

Exactly.

There is not one "professional" sport in the world that allows its athletes/employees to openly criticise their officials in the public domain.

If Medina did what he did, in any other sport. he'd be looking at a fine (minimum) and a sit down on the sidelines for a while.

Lordbertram's picture
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Lordbertram Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 8:55am

At what point did surfing become so insanely technical that we need several pages of garble (above) to explain a result that clearly stinks? Why dont the judges just adopt a more simplified approach and judge on the merits of surfing ? I must say, I think they generally do a good job in tough circumstances but occasionally get it wrong. This was one of those occasions. Admit it. Move on.

lostdoggy's picture
lostdoggy's picture
lostdoggy Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 8:54am

They get it wrong (subjectively) plenty but you can put an argument up for both sides of the decision, usually.

This one, I, and most surf fans, cannot see an argument anywhere that Griff could possibly have won that heat.

I know Stamos and surf.rat have but I don’t buy it.

Most of us on this site usually bag and whinge that the brazilians are being overscored but most have gone the other way for this particular heat.

I don’t think it was a mistake.

surf.rat's picture
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surf.rat Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 9:14am

@lostdoggy
Sorry mate but you are trying to put words in my mouth there.
I NEVER said anything about who was right or wrong, or who should have won/lost.
I actually feel Italo possibly won, but again, I never stated anything about who I thought won.
My beef was with the people acting like the judges are corrupt. They get it wrong of course but I think people are trying to crucify them when they are just doing their job. Eric and the others can explain why things are the way they are [but as we know they avoided it.] which I feel is a mistake.
Funny how everyone has an Objective idea of who won a completely Subjective contest

lostdoggy's picture
lostdoggy's picture
lostdoggy Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 9:15am

Sorry, if I misread.
I thought I saw you put an argument forward that Griff was putting more power into the turns and I disagree with that completely.
I’ve never thought the judges were corrupt at all before but this heat stank from the get go.

surf.rat's picture
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surf.rat Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 9:30am

@lostdoggy
No worries mate.
I was making the point that it's not clear if any parts of the judging criteria [power was an example] is worth more points than any of the other criteria. again I didn't say Griff was doing more powerful turns, just questioning the criteria and how it affects the final score
Just a damn un-clarified mess this judging criteria and it confuses us all. Wish they would define it better.

NDC's picture
NDC's picture
NDC Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 8:55am

+1

savanova's picture
savanova's picture
savanova Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 8:53am

WSL is surfing's version of The Karate Kid

NDC's picture
NDC's picture
NDC Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 8:54am

‘Welcome robust debate’ - laughable

wallpaper's picture
wallpaper's picture
wallpaper Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 9:14am

when did 'beef' (I think to mean something like argument though I have only the vaguest idea) ever become part of the Australian vernacular? That's the greatest travesty here. Oh and 'steez' - whatever that is supposed to mean god only knows. Freeride you're a fucking embarrasment. Unless you actually are from Santa Barbara or wherever the fuck that incomprehensible garbage comes from.

peabo's picture
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peabo Thursday, 1 Jun 2023 at 9:16am

Watch out everyone, the language police are here!

wallpaper's picture
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wallpaper Thursday, 1 Jun 2023 at 5:03pm

No mate the pollution inspectors

Stephen Allen's picture
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Stephen Allen Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 9:24am

So why didn't Madina raise the judging with the judges?

Standingleft's picture
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Standingleft Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 9:38am

The judges ARE professionals. They've been on tour longer than many of the surfers. The one I kind of know is just a regular stock standard top bloke. I'm sure they just score it as they see it but is there pressure from above to control the narrative?
Death threats to competitors, calm the farm, we all know brazos supporters are a passionate people but ffs it's a sport with judges, there will be controversy. I never threatened to kill the next competitor who won a heat with a single air and that's where we've been for a few years now

Garden Gnome's picture
Garden Gnome's picture
Garden Gnome Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 11:19am

Great comment Standingleft. Judges are pros. They're human. If there's a bias I don't see it, 6 out of the last 10 male world titles are held by Brazilians... just to give that perspective that is 4 out of the last 5... so, if anything, the current bias is the other way.
Besides... I reckon there was another guy on this forum who really nailed it when he said that the Goofy's claims were WAY better than the Natural's.
Standingleft, I remember a heat at Steamer Lane a few years ago where a single air by one of these complainants (on a lefthander???) knocked Wilko out who was clearly surfing a blinder.

ron's picture
ron's picture
ron Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 9:43am

Fairly reasonable statement.

The more i watch the side by sides the more unclear it becomes.

I haven't come across a write up comparing each manoeuvre on each wave on paper but think it could help. The progression argument doesn't really hold up.

Either way, hopefully this is the nail in the surf ranch coffin. Ever since that first video of Kelly watching the first wave break it's been down hill.

Godarren's picture
Godarren's picture
Godarren Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 10:05am

Let's face it...it's all about business - as usual.

Nick Bone's picture
Nick Bone's picture
Nick Bone Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 10:11am

Stu - Would you ever reach out to ELo for a interview and if yes, do you reckon he would answer the call?

Would you be able to penetrate the corpo blabber bubble?

stunet's picture
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stunet Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 10:20am

I would, but I also wouldn't bother. Over the years, the Woz has made it patently obvious that Swellnet is persona non grata - or whatever the website version of that is.

They stopped answering emails years ago, their communications people included, and when in 2016 they had an open video call to every surf media site in the world, including some journalists who hadn't written a surf column in years, yet left us out, the die was cast.

(Last year I received a reply from JMD's assistant, however I knew she had to reply to counter false info flowing elsewhere)

southernraw's picture
southernraw's picture
southernraw Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 10:31am

Which is exactly why you guys at SN are the gold standard in surf journalism and articles.
Says so much about the WSL corporation being out of touch with the real surfing community.
Three cheers to you lot for keeping it real.

Nick Bone's picture
Nick Bone's picture
Nick Bone Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 2:42pm

Hahha. Wowee. Similar to above - if that’s how the WSL feels about SN, in a roundabout bizarro world way, it’s the actually a excellent compliment. The further removed from them the more you’ve got a grasp on the surfing world.

Nick Bone's picture
Nick Bone's picture
Nick Bone Friday, 2 Jun 2023 at 12:36pm

“ The WSL is tone deaf to the core of its fanbase. You shun outside media, ignoring requests, emails and critique from surf media. BeachGrit is persona non grata, Swellnet, too.”

There ya go. Not the only ones.

But Chas was able to get a audience with Lord ELo no?

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Friday, 2 Jun 2023 at 12:40pm

Invite to the wavepool too.

southernraw's picture
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southernraw Friday, 2 Jun 2023 at 1:01pm

A bit of brilliance up on BG.
SN gets an honourable mention too.
Can't normally do BG but in this case, alot of gold in here. Bravo!
https://beachgrit.com/2023/06/world-surf-league-ceo-erik-logan-slammed-o...

Nick Bone's picture
Nick Bone's picture
Nick Bone Friday, 2 Jun 2023 at 3:15pm

Yup. Much prefer FR over JP in the write ups but fuck, JP smoked ELo there.

I would love to see a rebuttal!

tubeshooter's picture
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tubeshooter Friday, 2 Jun 2023 at 3:34pm

haha someone buy that man a beer.
"The fact that you can claim to know what the integrity of the sport is might be questionable for people who’ve been involved with it their whole lives. Rather than, say, someone who has discovered it in later life as a byproduct of slithering up the greasy corporate pole." JP

Jono's picture
Jono's picture
Jono Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 10:11am

Considering that Leo was rumoured to have copped a fine for his off the cuff comments about the Apple Watch, Medina should be in plenty of trouble here. But Leo's fine wasn't publicly announced, so perhaps any fine that Gabs receives will go unannounced too?

Michael Adam's picture
Michael Adam's picture
Michael Adam Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 4:42pm

Leo was fined $60000

Jono's picture
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Jono Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 8:35pm

yeah that was the rumour but I never saw it publically confirmed? If true then a premeditated social media post to millions of people must be many levels worse than Leo's outburst.

stinky_wes's picture
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stinky_wes Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 10:17am

IF Logan was about transparency and wanted to hush the vast majority who can't see where Griff out-scored (not out-surfed) Italo, he would release the information in his first and second points to explain his judges decisions once and for all.

"Firstly, the judging criteria are provided to the athletes ahead of each competition. All athletes competing at the Surf Ranch Pro received these materials on May 20th.

Secondly, our rules allow any athlete to review the scoring of any wave, with the judges, and receive a more detailed explanation of how they were scored with the judges."

Hiding behind generic corporate rhetoric without a convincing argument won't bring anyone onside.

mikehunt207's picture
mikehunt207's picture
mikehunt207 Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 10:41am

Finally a surf contest that has created some interest!
It did look like Italo got ripped off to my untrained eye, that backside tuberide was the longest I saw and his tricks were fancier than the winning guy, but isnt that the same winge every contest surfing wanker has always made ( forever ) right down to the local boardriders contest ? The amount of times I,ve heard (insert compy surfers name) got ripped off and did a bigger reo than (insert other compy guys name) ....
The dummy spit is fantastic, just confirms how much Medina (who has been carried around like the grand poobah since he was a grommet) has his head up his own arse. Like the tennis brats before them this generation of groomed since they were kids pro surfers have no idea how removed from reality they are , bets on the wsl wont fine or slap his wrist in case they are labeled racist or some other unwoke term by the storm.
As for judging surf comps...maybe a format more like The Voice on tv ? old has been pros can choose the kids they like and when they do the right trick and have the right hairdo they get cheers and confetti from the adoring fans , everybody is a winner, delusions of grandeur and off to the next event .
Elo has been caught out trying to manipulate the direction of the road to trestles, they need the apple pie contestants to draw the apple pie audience.

Rubicon's picture
Rubicon's picture
Rubicon Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 3:13pm

Never got over that first round exit from '83 Cott Boardriders comp did you MIke? At least the judging criteria was clear then, they were never going to reward you for a Foam Ball Roll at 2 foot Cove unless you maintained contact with the board with at least some part of your body.
I'm just glad that social media hadn't been invented yet...#OGRedheadedMedina

mikehunt207's picture
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mikehunt207 Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 4:30pm

Mr Rubicon, You and the hundreds watching from the cliff that morning know what really happened in that heat, bloody Jake Paterson pulled my legrope just as I was taking off resulting in the foam roll, everybody saw it , totally rigged by the judges, he then went on to win the event , was picked up by quicksilver and got a really cool "snake" nickname , all at my expense.
I remember as I stormed away from the event and a promising career as a contest surfer , I swore that I would get my revenge on the contest world and its minions , cunts .
One day....

Rubicon's picture
Rubicon's picture
Rubicon Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 5:39pm

The nickname was originally Jake "Snaked" Paterson after your "heat strategy" involved sitting inches inside him for the duration of the heat despite Cove having a take off zone larger than Sunset.
And as I recall you had your revenge on contest surfing in Perth later that day with hundreds leaving in disgust, vowing never to return, when somebody inadvertently closed the door on an XB panel van and reveled you pulling something other than a legrope while Stuart Bedford Brown was fixing his hair post heat.

NDC's picture
NDC's picture
NDC Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 9:39pm

Oh boys - best laugh I’ve had in ages
Thanks so much for a great exchange
Hilarious

seaslug's picture
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seaslug Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 10:14pm

Haha SMBCBR81

flollo's picture
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flollo Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 10:47am

WSL is trying to compete with Eurovision

morg's picture
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morg Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 10:52am

I'm on Gabe team with this and ELO's deflection really devalues the WSL. I watched a few heats after reading the varius artices and as FR or someone said the judges appeared to have deviated from the stated judging criteria. Rather than pretend it didn't happen ELO should be acknowledging the situation and trying to get engagement instead of sounding like a total wanker.

burleigh's picture
burleigh's picture
burleigh Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 11:02am

Toledo has also spoken

lostdoggy's picture
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lostdoggy Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 11:28am

Well that was a whole lot of nothing as well.

crg's picture
crg's picture
crg Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 11:20am

Requested answer:
Can the WSL please explain in more detail the apparent discrepancy between the published judging criteria and the actual judging results at the Surf Ranch Pro

Actual response worldwide:
It’s racist
I’m sending death threats
Don’t question integrity
Your a conspiracy theorist
It’s your problem/there is no problem
It was Covid
Etc etc

Fuck me
As you were…

Blake87's picture
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Blake87 Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 12:03pm

Hahahaha. I was wondering if anyone else was reading it as I was. Suprise Trump's name hasn't found its way in there somehow

basesix's picture
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basesix Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 11:25am

is it just me, or is there a lot of double entendre here? (translation of burls post above):

"For the love of the sport,
*To all Brazilian surfers and those who feel included in this message:*
After a long day, many thoughts, analyzes, news and arguments, I realized that I am tired, psychologically exhausted. It is not easy to spend 10 years swallowing dry.
I am a surfer, original and rooted, who grew up not among real surfers, and it has always been one of two main points in my life. That's why I feel tired.
For the love of the sport, I remain firm and strong. And, now, I am feeling happy to see the posts by Gabriel Medina, Ítalo Ferreira, and many others, who can still come to the idea that what we are looking for will always be the evolution of the sport, with fairness and transparency.
We don't want anything other than just. Nothing apart from what is right with us. We need our voice to be heard and respected, well, in the end, we are the protagonists of everything!
Finally, I hope that everyone, family, friends, fans and sponsors, understand my position on this situation and are supporting me in the best way!
PS: I want you to be clear that the other surfers, regardless of their nationalities, have nothing to do with this. Just like me, they are also battling for their dreams. And attack them or disrespect them will not change anything, just worse for us Brazilians!
Filipe Toledo"

Beats's picture
Beats's picture
Beats Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 11:24am

Intimidation and threats are so wrong over this trivial topic. Medina, same as anyone else who surfs in the WSL needs to fall in line with his contractual agreements or face the consequences. Elo did what he SHOULD DO. These threats cause harm and distress to people who in no way deserve it and he addressed this first! Fuck knows on the judging, there are always injustices the same as every sport with a ref, ump or judge but there is no conspiracy theory. I reckon that Ferrari surfed better ........

burleigh's picture
burleigh's picture
burleigh Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 11:27am

Nothing like creating a problem to hide the truth. Almost sounds political.

Those death threats worked perfectly for Elo.

waxyfeet's picture
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waxyfeet Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 11:25am

"Elo speaks, says nothing"

There, I fixed the title for you.

suchas's picture
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suchas Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 11:47am

Elo's response, apart from the threats bit, makes as much sense as the "independent" Hawthorn racism inquiry.

Roadkill's picture
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Roadkill Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 12:01pm

Toledo’s nationalistic brazzo garbage post..wants fairness but only when in their favour.

Ex pros also feeding the bs.

burleigh's picture
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burleigh Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 12:09pm

Maybe because they see a big issue? If something isnt right its good to stand up and be heard toady.

Roadkill's picture
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Roadkill Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 1:15pm

They never spoke up when it was in their favour. No surprise you choose to snipe

Roadkill's picture
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Roadkill Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 1:19pm

Remember Parko taking off behind the rocks at Snapper whilst Medina was over scored for standard takeoffs?
Not a peep back then from the storm. Parko had every reason to cry yet he just got on with it.

burleigh's picture
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burleigh Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 1:19pm

What do you mean "in their favour" do you think they have been getting over scored previously?

Roadkill's picture
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Roadkill Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 2:38pm

Nearly every surfer has been over scored and under scored at times.

You can make a case for over scoring or under scoring nearly every comp and it is irrespective of nationality or any particular surfer.

Stamos's picture
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Stamos Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 8:07pm

Of course.
They've been getting juiced for years.

Ash's picture
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Ash Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 12:38pm

"However, it is unacceptable for any athlete to question the integrity of our judges who, like our surfers, are elite professionals." That's a point of view, the freedom of expressing an opinion, exactly the same rights as Gabriel, Italo and Filipe have to freely express theirs. Elo's response is authoritarian to say the least.
"No one person or group of people are above the integrity of the sport." I assume that this means that the WSL assume they own surfing as a sport and its "integrity" and that as CEO he therefore has the authority by way of ownership, to declare that no one is above himself and the WSL in the surf sports world. As far as I know the WSl owns their tour only, not rest of the surf clubs worldwide which must hold thousands of competitions yearly, which if combined, would be much larger than the WSL. He should clarify that by stating this is for the WSL only.
The WSL has to take and acknowledge some of the heat generated from this current situation. I know they don't want to, but after all it was their competition and the way it was judged that is at the center of it all.

Trentslatterphoto's picture
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Trentslatterphoto Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 12:48pm

I blame Timmy b for all
This

stunet's picture
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stunet Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 2:43pm

Ha ha

manic- mat -rider's picture
manic- mat -rider's picture
manic- mat -rider Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 5:01pm

I blame the Chinese.

mike oxhard's picture
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mike oxhard Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 1:28pm

buncha clowns crying over a surfing contest, if anyone actually gets shanked at shitarama who is responsible? the blokes that fumbled the judging or the blokes stirring up their millions of followers with emotional rants? morons

burleigh's picture
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burleigh Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 1:58pm

The bloke that did the shanking will be my guess, but Elo will make it out to be Medinas fault for a few political points.

mike oxhard's picture
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mike oxhard Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 2:02pm

by that logic hitler was innocent

burleigh's picture
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burleigh Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 2:32pm

LMAO. An individual (most likely a kid) making death threats on social media is a little bit different to Hitler run Germany.

mike oxhard's picture
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mike oxhard Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 2:55pm

obviously, I was comparing your flawed logic.

whether he's aware of it or not there is a responsibility that comes with having millions of fragile minded followers, I'm sure Gabe has the connections to make real changes and fix the flaws with transparancy, but nah I guess it's easier to just incite the masses on instagram

burleigh's picture
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burleigh Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 2:54pm

Same could be said for the WSL.

mike oxhard's picture
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mike oxhard Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 3:00pm

I agree with you there the WSL are obviously very shit at communicating

sanded's picture
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sanded Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 2:02pm

Medina talks about progression -Don't know if the way he surfs the tank is?

Nick Bone's picture
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Nick Bone Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 2:47pm

That’s pretty fucking stupid logic on that post isn’t it? Saying he did that air 5 years ago? If that isn’t progressive then what does that make the safety snaps that have been around for the last 30?

Isn’t Medina being progressive by being the only one bring that to the table?

Faunt Leroy's picture
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Faunt Leroy Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 2:19pm

Medina won at Margaret's surfing the way that he is shitting on the judges about.
Says it all about the judges and Medina

END OF STORY

peabo's picture
peabo's picture
peabo Thursday, 1 Jun 2023 at 9:33am

Not really. Different waves, different judging criteria.

57's picture
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57 Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 2:28pm

screw it,, first wave how many off the tops can do, second how many airs, 3rd wave choose your poison.
leave it to the people to decide the last wave . NEXT!

BD's picture
BD's picture
BD Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 2:58pm

"including at events this season that were won by athletes who are now questioning those same rules"
Such a disingenious argument - ridiculous - you have won before so how can you question this?
Absurd
What a tool

Nick Dowling's picture
Nick Dowling's picture
Nick Dowling Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 3:40pm

Medina has had more than his fair share of calls go his way in the past. In his first world title both Taj Burrow and Parko got absolutely robbed on his way to winning the snapper event.
Having said that, the wave pool event has always been about high risk moves in critical sections and the three barazillas lead (Felipe, Italo and Medina) were the clear stand outs in this event.
I say call it even and move on.

Terminal's picture
Terminal's picture
Terminal Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 3:44pm

Lol, and here I was thinking that my care factor for professional surfing couldn't get any lower. I suppose we do learn something new every day, don't we...

Island Bay's picture
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Island Bay Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 4:07pm

1. It doesn't matter whether a surfer has over/underscored in the past. The point is whether the judging ay the tub was following the criteria laid out by WSL.
2. A surfer making a reasonable public statement, which does not incite violence, can not be responsible for any actions of others.
3. 'Death Threats' are a dime a dozen. That doesn't mean that one might not have been made in earnest, both it's most likely an internet thing.

Astroboomboy's picture
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Astroboomboy Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 4:44pm

Andino vs Ferreira, 2019 Snapper Rocks, crappy little air for a winning score.Maybe the Brazilians should check that out.

jasper99's picture
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jasper99 Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 8:07pm

Absolutely on the money there mate. Also check out the Finals day last year and see how FT beat IF in the last heats and that would give the surfers an indication of where the judges heads are at. Don't think FT went to the air at all in those 2 heats and no-one was banging on about that result.
Also besides an end air/whirly bird where was Italos progression and "risk"? A little air drop into the backside tube or going backwards on the left for a bit? What a joke if that's the argument....
Reckon EL is within his rights to reply and if I were a non brazzo I would boycott the brazil event an hope that all non-brazzos boycott and see how popular an event is with a handful of competitors goes down.....threats can work both ways i guess

tubeshooter's picture
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tubeshooter Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 4:54pm

Predictable response from Elo. He only bothered to address it because of the threats.
Not sure what anyone was expecting from a SUP riding former Oprah Executive who hasn't got a clue about performance surfing.

Not only do judges make mistakes but there is also still a subjective element to it. I agree too, that it is the WSL system that is broken and not the individual judges. Suggesting that 'no correspondence shall be entered into' the decisions by the judges, or the criteria set for them, by their top athletes' just reeks of arrogance. I don't think it should or would reverse a determined result, but how do they expect to fix anything for the future if they don't listen to the athletes or the fans.

Fark Elo and the horse he rode in on.

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 5:01pm

Bit unfair to the horse.

It's just doing its job.

tubeshooter's picture
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tubeshooter Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 5:23pm

Yeah true.
Better be careful what I say about Elos' horse, he'd probably call the RSPCA on me for suggesting it.

Edit to Elos response.......
"..... and even my horse has been threatened with buggery.."

freeride76's picture
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freeride76 Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 6:05pm

bahahahahahaahahha

Standingleft's picture
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Standingleft Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 8:33pm

Hahaha
horse?
an intern
with coconuts

tubeshooter's picture
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tubeshooter Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 9:45pm

In Elos' case, this horse is the pedestal that Oprah helped place him on.

AndyM's picture
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AndyM Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 5:43pm

"even my horse has been threatened with buggery"

Hahahahahaha!

Nick Bone's picture
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Nick Bone Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 5:54pm

Just had a geeze over at Surfline. Nada about the whole thing. The forecast partner doesn't want to bite the hand?

burleigh's picture
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burleigh Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 5:59pm

Surfline are an absolute bunch of pussies. It’s the biggest news in surfing for a while and nothing.

Well done to swellnet for having this open thread.

southernraw's picture
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southernraw Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 6:30pm

What would really spice things up now, (and add to the hilarity)would be if the highly financially secure Gabby Medina, decided to sue Elo and the Woz for slanderous comments against him.
Stranger things have happened/are happening.
After all, Elo's statement kinda suggests it's Gabs fault that brazzo 'fans' wanna murder Aussie pros.
Thats highly flammable language to use against a top line professional athlete whose reputation and brand are brought into question.

Balbero's picture
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Balbero Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 6:53pm

When this wave pool was shown to us/public, circa 2015 the hype about size improvement, different air sections etc, etc were feed to us, who at least saw the potential that one day there would be a narly barrell take off, over head stand up tubes and room to hook and boost multiple times, even a proper round house cutty mid ride. Unfortunately it seems that nothing has changed with the wave progression. That what i see as pissing off the old guard is no improvements to the wave structure, as promised. Young guns are just stoked to be surfing it for free, so don't know any different. Someone somewhere will make that wave sometime soon i hope.

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yodai Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 7:46pm

Look forward to some surfers boycotting the Brazilian contest due to security issues
EE and griffin just use it as throwaway and head straight to Jbay

As to why the issue arose surely WSL could have foreseen this going to the wave pool
I had heard many of the top 34 were not happy when the contest schedule was released in January
And likewise the one day finals at trestles for top 5 needs to go
Perception is that it’s too California centric
Just revert back to finishing at pipe each yr in December

Crystal ball. Wct will fold in 2 yrs
Erik will pull out his funding
Brazilian surfers will be crying then

bbbird's picture
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bbbird Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 9:15pm

Why would both the KSWP winners repeatedly tag the lip with similar safety manoeuvrers if the WSL judging criteria reward variety..& risk.?
Maybe 98% of potential customers & sponsors don't know or care about the details in surf comps.?

WSL now have good guys (US) winners vs bad guys (Braz) losers in a worldwide surf ranch story....
maybe a polarising story is good for the press & business; like black vs white; cowboys vs Indians movies, US vs socialists, US vs Russia/ Cuba; US vs Japan; US vs Korea, US vs Vietnam, US vs "rebels"; US vs Iraq; US vs China, US vs Aliens, etc. This is however just another conspiracy theory....
An emotional group of athletes speak publicly of an apparent injustice & a response avoiding their issue of concern; judging criteria vs scores.
"No one person or group of people are above the integrity of the sport."...

I hope the dust settles and we can enjoy more great surfing from all the pros.

tubeshooter's picture
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tubeshooter Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 9:11pm

I know Brazil can be a wild crazy place, but does anyone really think the shit will hit the fan over there for the WSL, violence wise?
Personally, I can't see it. Maybe some jeering here and there but I think the whole death threat thing is being over exaggerated. I'm not suggesting that threats are acceptable, but the internet is what is, and it's hard to take much of it seriously.
Will be interesting to see their security detail on their next visit.

Jake Williams's picture
Jake Williams's picture
Jake Williams Tuesday, 6 Jun 2023 at 8:10pm

The death threat that Ethan made public was from a guy named André Guizelini, a trauma doctor for the Brazilian military.

bbbird's picture
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bbbird Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 9:22pm

I bet many surfers & WSL are thinking.....

"Tahiti looks nice"

Coaster's picture
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Coaster Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 9:49pm

Maybe the WSL has finally stumbled on the formula for generating interest in their contests.

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Dx3 Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 10:32pm

Yep funny you say that Coaster. I didn’t watch even a 5 second clip of the pool comp, had absolutely zero interest. Since this blow up from Medina I’ve watched two comparison clips and read this article… so something at least.

The success of Sport is built on the passion of the fans. Without that, it’s nothing and will never be a true success, and that’s what WSL haven’t been able to tap into. Sure we all might like a surfer here or there, but maybe aside from some hardcore brazzo fans, you rarely see any passion from any fans (and I don’t mean the death threats, that’s another level altogether).

End of the day, any true surfer/surf fan if given the choice between watching a great contest or going for a surf, will go for a surf every time. It’s a participation sport, not a bums on seats/eyes on screen sport, and I can’t ever see that changing, so a truly commercial success will be hard to come by.

Remigogo's picture
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Remigogo Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 10:21pm

Where would Medina find the time to read and understand the policies, procedures of his Wsl contract, with 215 million followers?

David Hunt's picture
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David Hunt Wednesday, 31 May 2023 at 10:22pm

why are you using typical woke tactics here?

Accusations of death threats usually are unfounded but used typically to manipulate.

If you are threatened by words you disagree with then that is pathetic.

If the WSL goes down the woke path then the best way is for surfers to stop buying the boards and products that are in the big club. the factory made ones.

Hit the WSL in the wallet like they hit Bud Weiner and target.

give the local manufacturers a go. I am sure the WSl and manufacturers collude on the price of popular surf boards eg mayhem, JS I as they all are the same price probably same factories. its a club but they have weak spots when it comes to money

peabo's picture
peabo's picture
peabo Thursday, 1 Jun 2023 at 9:40am

The death threats against EE were not unfounded. You can see screenshots quite easily.

You seem less concerned with what's happening here and more concerned with promoting your own anti-'woke' agenda.

Surfalot67's picture
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Surfalot67 Thursday, 1 Jun 2023 at 9:45am

You write "woke", I read "the world left me behind". It's a lame trope, used mostly by Trumpanzees and Skynews boomers

tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter Thursday, 1 Jun 2023 at 1:16am

Maybe the headline could have read 'Elos' backhand attack stomps Medina'..
beat ya to it TBB. ;)

M.'s picture
M.'s picture
M. Thursday, 1 Jun 2023 at 6:25am

Most excellent piece of deflection and straw-maning. And here I thought the whole thing was a storm in a tea cup.

Grahame's picture
Grahame's picture
Grahame Thursday, 1 Jun 2023 at 8:00am

so going in a straight line before a air is better than riding in a tube or a under the lip reo is better
power and style and full use of the wave no longer means anything

RockyIsland's picture
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RockyIsland Thursday, 1 Jun 2023 at 8:21am

Elo would be rubbing his hands with glee.
This is exactly as he wants.
Its becoming a soap opera with an intertwined plot.
You couldn't make this stuff up.
Remember he is a product of Oprah.
He will be doing the rounds of all the talkback shows etc getting the interest of all the regular joes out there so he can carry on with his F1 dream.

southernraw's picture
southernraw's picture
southernraw Thursday, 1 Jun 2023 at 9:01am

I think you're on the money RockyIsland.

velocityjohnno's picture
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velocityjohnno Thursday, 1 Jun 2023 at 12:26pm

Can you imagine if it goes beyond Oprah and goes Jerry Springer

Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!

simsurf's picture
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simsurf Thursday, 1 Jun 2023 at 8:24am

Barazzos have elevated whinging to an art form.

southernraw's picture
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southernraw Thursday, 1 Jun 2023 at 9:02am

I dunno, i reckon the Swellnet forums would give them a good run ;-)

JB1's picture
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JB1 Thursday, 1 Jun 2023 at 5:16pm

You got that right

ryder's picture
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ryder Thursday, 1 Jun 2023 at 8:38am

Can someone please enlighten me on what Medina has said compared to what Joel Tudor said about the lack of longboarding events put on by the WSL, which subsequently got him immediately banned (and probably still is banned?).

IMO Medina off his own back has brought the 'pinnacle' of professional surfing into disrepute, however there has been no fine, ban or action from the WSL?

Komodo's picture
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Komodo Thursday, 1 Jun 2023 at 10:40am

Nailed it!
Southernraw
Cheers
Surf well

BarbB's picture
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BarbB Thursday, 1 Jun 2023 at 1:36pm

It is unacceptable for any athlete to question the integrity of our judges = BULLSHIT

wax-on-danielson's picture
wax-on-danielson's picture
wax-on-danielson Thursday, 1 Jun 2023 at 4:15pm

The funniest thing about this whole debacle is it is the swimming pool competition. It shows how stupid this competition is cause they don’t even know how to judge it. The wave plays no role in the scoring, where it accounts to approximately 50% of the score in a proper competition. Also this is a competition the Brazilians assume they will win, wouldn’t they rather have the same conviction heading into 10 foot Chopes, a competition which is actually what progressive surfing is about. All other extreme sports the professionals keep going bigger and gnarlier, swimming pool and trestles are a step backwards from that direction.

eat-your-vegies's picture
eat-your-vegies's picture
eat-your-vegies Thursday, 1 Jun 2023 at 5:32pm

Hey wax on
You’re spot on with your point that the wave here plays no role in the score.
Well said.
But considering Medina won chopes in probably the best waves for a comp ever your other point I’m not picking up on .

bbbird's picture
bbbird's picture
bbbird Thursday, 1 Jun 2023 at 7:45pm

"Ockham believed that an explanation has no sufficient basis in reality when it does not harmonize with reason, experience or the Bible. "
Reference
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occam_razor

hackonayak's picture
hackonayak's picture
hackonayak Saturday, 3 Jun 2023 at 10:00am

Can we just have the ASP back now?

bukz's picture
bukz's picture
bukz Monday, 5 Jun 2023 at 10:20am

WSL is so full of shit with their little lies, b.s. typical of a dictatorship