John John And Steph Take Leave Of 2025 CT Season
Within an hour of each other, John John Florence and Steph Gilmore anounced they weren't planning to compete on the 2025 CT season. Between them they have eleven world titles. The news comes a week after Gabriel Medina - who has another three world titles - announced he was missing the start of the season through injury.
With a new baby, a burgeoning business venture, a healthy taste for adventure, plus a brother who's finding success outside of the contest singlet, John John's announcement maybe shouldn't come as a surprise.
In what might be considered a generous move, John will not compete in the Pipe Pro which will provide his replacement, Mexico's Al Cleland jr, the maximum opportunity to prove himself before the mid-year cut.
John John Florence (WSL)
"I’ve decided to focus on surfing in a different way this year," said John, who's 32-years old. "I want to create the time to explore, find new waves, and draw different lines."
"I intend to compete full on for another world title in 2026, but right now this idea of adventure and creatively pushing my surfing as far as possible is really exciting! The ocean is so big and there are so many different types of waves to explore. I’m stoked to be filming into some new projects and planning to share the amazing places we get to go along the way."
John will receive the 2026 Season Wildcard, which will allow him to compete in the 2026 CT season.
After taking the 2024 year off to travel and unwind, Steph Gilmore, who turns 37 on the 29th January, postponed her return.
"After careful consideration, I’ve decided to take another season away from the WSL tour," said Steph.
"This time will allow me to focus on healing some lingering injuries and redirect my energy toward continuing my adventures of surfing around the globe. I’m deeply grateful for the unwavering support of my sponsors and I wish all the athletes on tour the best of luck this season!"
Steph will also receive the 2026 Season Wildcard, which will allow her to compete in the 2026 CT season.
Stephanie Gilmore (WSL)
Steph's announcement had the WSL running to the rule book to find her replacement. As per their press release:
"As Gilmore had been assigned the same wildcard for 2025, her position was open to be determined by the WSL Commissioner's Office, which awarded it to Luana Silva (BRA) as the next in line on the 2024 CT rankings (the next in line on the CT rankings would be Lakey Peterson, who was already assigned the 2025 Season Wildcard. With Peterson’s qualification, the position continues down to Silva)."
Meanwhile, Gabriel Medina's injury has been succesfully treated and he'll miss the first three events of the season. Following those events, Gabriel will reassess his plans for the rest of the year. Whatever happens, the WSL Commissioner's Office has already assigned Medina a 2026 Season Wildcard, which will allow him to compete in the 2026 CT season.
2023 Rookie of the Year Ian Gentil has been announced as Gabriel's replacemen. Gentil will replace Medina in the first three events of the season, and perhaps more if Gabriel chooses not to compete.
Lastly, 2022 event winners Moana Jones Wong and Kelly Slater will enter the 2025 Lexus Pipe Pro draw as event wildcards.
Comments
It's getting harder to watch without these 2 surfers involved.....kind of like the Tennis tour without Rafa and Roger, just not the same.
Popular comments:
THAT is the dream tour!!
The writing has been on the wall for quite some time.
Nate has cracked the code...have fun travelling the world with your mates...surf great waves.
Gee who would have thought?
haha, u called it but maybe post pipe.
"Lastly, 2022 event winners Moana Jones Wong and Kelly Slater will enter the 2024 Lexus Pipe Pro draw as event wildcards."
Typo?
Yeah 2025. Cheers.
Who might this favour?
The male rookies will breathe just that bit easier and I expect surfers on the cusp of the title - think Griff, Jack, and Italo - will be relishing it.
Italo's off-season weight training has been an eye-opener.
Captain Beefcake
I remember reading owen wrights biography. He talked about 2012 where he bulked up to 92 kgs from low 80s. Said it was totally useless for his surfing and completely stuffed his air game. It showed. He went from 3rd in 2011 to 10th in 2012 when many thought he'd be in the frame for a title. Hopefully Italo hasn't bulked up to the point it's counter-productive.
Reminds me of Clive James' description of Arnie:
well im sure uplift would have something to say on this
I had to look up the CJ quote, and found a whole bunch of them.. nice to be reminded of how sharp he was
Something about a bag of walnuts if I recall correctly.
rumour is, wsl is pepping up the spectacle at comps with Richie Vas hosting some UF(sea) challenges this season. unclear if it's on land, or 'anything goes' heats.
Bulk like that doesn't help your surfing
I reckon most of our guts would benefit from a photo while wearing a belt like that! Haha! old-skool AI tech!
Italo is only 5'6 though,Owen was 6'3 or 6'4.
A few extra kilos probably won't help him any more in the air,but i reckon he might start getting more recognition for his turns and hacks,which i've always thought were quite a way behind his air game.
I think he is closer to 5’4
I'd be on a yacht straight to the Lines or Marshalls.
JJ and Nate on the Slab Tour.
That's worth watching.
Hope Kelly wins Pipe.
+ Gabby?
Is the forecast showing it'll pump?
I don't wanna see him go out early for the 3rd year in a row.
He needs to get to get to the business end of the event every year to justify his inclusion for the next year.
Otherwise he's taking an opportunity away from someone with their whole career in front of them who should have it.
Steph to join the slab tour?(*rights only)
Slater as a wildcard. Jesus. What about when he's 90? Will he still get a look in?
It's getting a bit silly isn't it.
He'll be dead and they'll still give him a wildcard. Can he just fvck off? Or how about graciously refusing it because he wouldn't want to take a spot from someone with a future? Of course the latter will never happen...
did he ever explain blowing off the last eddie?
i assume just to avoid injury
I can hear his excuses when he fails to make a heat already - wan’t feeling it, nagging injury, was at trumps house advising on vaccines, didn’t sleep well, stubbed his toe, baby this, baby that….
And the words you will never hear - i was beaten by better surfer, he surfer better,
KS "Congrats to my opponent. He really deserved the win. Would he have won if my back, ankle and solar plexus hadn't flared up? I'd like to think not, but I wouldn't use my injuries as an excuse. He won fair and square, even if I wasn't at my best. I wasn't going to mention this, but I'd been up all night, as RFK called me to offer the position of Senior Vaccine Adviser . I told him I couldn't take a full time position, and he never seemed to understand my offer of coming to DC whenever I felt like it, as a wildcard. I think I'm more than qualified, as I certainly know more about health than most "experts." But after speaking with Dirk and MBS, I just think it makes more sense to focus on bringing surfing to the Saudi general public. We'll be working on a new reality show, in which 1 of 16 condemned political prisoners can have their sentences commuted to life at hard labor by winning the pool contest. There was Survivor. Now there's Real Survivor. No judging panel Just me. Like it always should have been. Dirk says the ratings are going to be all-time. If I can do well while doing good, why not, right?"
Post of the year and we're still in January...
Turn out Kellys Tailbone was the Problem and needed some Work
Is that John Hopoate in his new job? And in drag as well !!
Thanks yahabo, but more like my one good post of the year.
Ha nothing superfluous about that!
I just think it makes more sense to focus on bringing surfing to the Saudi general public
Applause emoji
that's my two 'never-miss heats' gone with jjf & medina out...on the plus side no setting the alarm for stupid o'clock
So Nate will have John, Gabriel and Stephie on his yacht? 14 x WTs
With a fully armed film crew
At the best locations in the surfing world
And they won't surf unless it's off the dial
yyeeww
Vs half baked Pipe with old man Slater handing out a master-class in backhand tuberiding for the tour rookies he hasn't trounced already.
OK, let's Gooo
Sold the yacht
Will John go the way of every other ex-CT surfer and ride a twinny?
When the slabs aren't slabbing, would be great if they did a World Champs Testing Shit segment?
vintage boards, radical shapes
Old mans boards I am a convert.
Can't wait for all the Florence content this year.
Can wait for the WSL. If they don't get waves, this year might be the straw.
I don't reckon there'll be as much as people expect.
He'll be at home a lot being a good dad that's around a lot for all those special growing moments with his little bub.
We might get some diaper changing clips and crawling to walking clips drop from him to make up for less surfing clips than we were anticipating though lol.
The best goofy and the best regular surfers of all time out? Oh, no big deal I guess. We still have b grade brazzos and Ian Gentil competing.
I hope Al Cleland seizes the chance though. I look forward to watching the YouTube highlights.
That's now 25 world titles exiting the woz ship in the last 2 years (granted some injuries, some forced out from form and age and some 'taking a break'.
Reckon they might be off to the Darlo coast now the words out Stu!
It's obvious isn't it?
JJF will have his yacht moored offshore, he and li'l bro waiting for the gnarliest day at low tide Spinners to film and post content, while Steph will be on a Search™ with Vaughan Deadly editing out obvious headlands but everyone will know of course.
Place like the Darlo can only stay a secret for so long.
In related, and positive, news:
I hate hip-hop in surf footage ...like .like...
Man can surf but.
Was Steph ever coming back? Not much said about this. I dunno- she’s GOAT I know, but if you’re pulling the pin on two seasons, is it time to utter the ‘R’ word?
The women’s surf world has moved dramatically in 2024, I expect similar seismic shifts this year as well.
Slater came out of his semi-retirement aged 30, feeling like he had much more to achieve. It still took him three more years to match the new generation of surfers and win another world title.
Steph is a brilliant surfer but it's very hard to see her matching the new generation of women surfers right now, let alone two or three years from now when she'll be pushing forty.
Retirement? I'd be more surprised if she returns to the coloured singlet next year.
Agreed.
Ditto
It didn't take him 3 years to match anyone else's level.
He was doing it straight away.
It took him 3 years to beat Andy.
Exactly- he was over-surfing the first couple of years back- took him a minute to settle down and crack the code again.
Steph will get wild carded for Snapper and J-Bay if she wants it.
The real question is how many wildcards does Kelly get- especially in the absence of so much world title talent.
Has to be at least 3- might be more - Pipe, Abu Dhabi, Snapper, Chopes, J-Bay?
Anyone care to bet?
Sponsors will be pushing hard- no-one is showing up or tuning in to watch QS warhorses go around again and scrap for 6's and 7's.
They need stars and wheeling Kelly out, even if he was ice cold on a slab, would still draw a crowd.
Steph is done- this "I'm not retired" retirement announcement is all about placating Rip Curl who inked an 8 year deal with her last year, no doubt with some expectation they would see her back on Tour.
I reckon you’re right, he’ll get wildcards and some 53 year old mayo from the judges.
He will be rubbing his hands together with the prospect of tricky backdoor conditions
If he goes in enough events he might rack up the points, stay above the cut and qualify for 2026
Or win another title!
You can’t script this, but you can change his bogey location for a pool and make the finals at his favourite wave.
If the top seeds aren’t on their game and let him get thru a few early heats, who knows.
Give him endless wild cards FR!!!! haha.
As for Steph, watched the poddy with Mark Howard and when it came to the discussion of big heavy surf she admitted it was a weakness, but didn't seem to show alot of passion in tackling that task in the future. Which is fair enough, but without that dog hungry desire to charge thick slabs, it ain't gonna be pretty for her if/when she does come back. A good mentor wouldn't go astray in that regard i reckon, same as how Desouza called on J.O.B. Does Steph want it that much though? Unlikely i reckon. Not when 16 year olds are winning Pipe trophies right in front of her and are only looking to get better...and more of them! Crikey!
They might have too SR........seriously the mens Tour is now looking very, very light on for marquee surf stars and Kelly keeps the turnstiles moving and the chip fryer's full.
I would not be surprised if Kelly surfed every event this year.
Has he named his kid yet?
I hope so. Just to annoy @lost!! Hehehe
Yeah looks shit now. Not alot of high end superstar talent.
She’s also 36. Maybe she is looking at kids?
I don't think she was ever coming back. She's an amazing surfer but with the new heavy spots on the womens tour (Pipe / Chopes) the standard of the newcomers is too high plus she clearly isn't comfortable in lefts. I'm sure I will offend fans by saying that.
Man, that is disappointing! He along with Ethan were the main reasons I even bothered tuning in. On the plus side, hopefully Ethan and Jack will have a shot at the WT?
Looking forward to seeing John featuring more heavily in Nates youtube channel then. Noone does a better full rail turn...
The best surfers in the world don’t want to surf on the World Tour.
Enough said.
Don't disagree with you in theory, but who are you actually referring to here besides JJF??
Steph is surely not the best in the world at this point and Medina is out due to injury, not choice.
Cmon Peabo…don’t ruin my biased narrative with obvious facts please…
Toledo last year and Carissa for the 2nd year running now shouldn't be forgotten either.
Cannot for the life of me understand why he didn’t announce this news after Pipe? And say that he planned to compete in select events, Tahiti and JBay most likely, depending on the forecast of course. Hasn’t he learnt anything from you know who? Who’s this Al Cleland jr anyway? The plight of these poor schmucks who’re doing the hard grind to make a career for themselves need not be considered. Nor should the question of the integrity of the Tour. Jesus, what’s wrong with this dude?
By announcing his break pre Pipe , JJ gives Al Cleland a clear run at the CT which was very gracious. Otherwise the Wozzle can hand out wildcards at their own discretion. Cleland charges ( final 8 at Chopes in the Olympics) and has an air game ( won Huntington ) . Look his surfing up.
I may be wrong, but I read Roker as a bit of a joker who was actually giving JJF a wrap whilst having a crack at Slater?
im surprised it took john so long to join nate. steph cant go left so its irrelevant, and hearing a pro surfer need to take a year off to travel and unwind, give me a break, thats all pro surfers do. they have the best lifestyle on the planet. her sponsors must have more dollars than sense
Yeah turn it up. Need a ‘break’ - from what exactly? Pro surfers aren’t necessarily to blame, they’re conditioned, but so far from reality it’s not funny.
Only well set up surfers can go ‘explore their surfing and find new lines’………but really - they were paid to surf all day, everyday around the world anyway.
Perhaps, deep down, GM is the only one JJF really cares about proving himself against.
Absolutely agree. They are the top of their generation for sure. And just because Kelly wanted to stay on tour for ever doesn’t mean everyone else feels the same way.
Natural overall talentwise he doesn't need to think that for a second.
I'd rather watch JJF in any good quality waves 5 foot and over in any break,anywhere,anytime,lefts or rights,over Medina.
But he has quite a bit of work to do to be as good or better a competitor than Medina.
Even though they've both got 3 world titles,i reckon Gabe's titles were more convincing and dominating over the rest of the field.
The fact he has about double as many tour victories as John in the same length career pretty much confirms that to me.
Why are pro surfers so afraid to just retire?
Retiring at the top is such a power move and I wish more people did it Ala Ash Barty. Cannot fathom why Steph didn’t retire on the ski after winning #8.
Absolutely 100 percent on this. What more have any of them got left to prove.
Totally agree - eg: Casey Stoner
Announce retirement,your sponsors shake your hand, wish you well for the future and their paychecks stop coming.
String them along indefinitely,then they'll wait on the sidelines thinking you're coming back next year,and keep sending you allowances in the meantime.
Well that'd be the competitive minded sponsors anyway with the biggest names in the sport i reckon.
yep. or just being half as cynical, in cahoots with sponsors, you string general public and potential customers along. (if it helps a deserving legend milk their commercial cache in this wsl climate, fine by me.)
Money.
They're all accustomed to obscene, unimaginable sums of it now. A future outside of the tour is always a gamble, even if the tour itself is hardly what it used to be. Especially when you consider the non-surfing partnerships they deal in who potentially care about "current world number one" type slogans more than the surfing public. I'm thinking here of Steph's partnerships with people like Audio and Woolworths etc. My gut feel is those kinds of income streams start to dry up once you're no longer competing.
Steph, JJ and Slater waiting for a new Dream Tour.
This shit-show the WSL are dishing up the last 4-5 years is really hard to get into...
Slater well past any ‘dream tour’.
Although the current format is different- pipe, snapper, jbay, trestles, cloudbreak,
Bells and WA is basically the dream tour.
Personally i reckon his dream was to never be off tour.
And once he eventually was,to maintain the same level of attention and relevancy he's always had before then.
Well unless i've been watching a different show for a long time now,that seems to be the evidence i've witnessed.
Or maybe he's just seen the pipe forecast.
there’s no way JJF wrote that “find new lines” bullshit, settle down.
but yeah, good on him for giving up his spot at the Pipe comp… even with his ability to manage the crowds there imagine giving up the chance of an uncrowded heat or two at that place!
Something Slater would never do even 20 years older and off the tour lol.
Edit: he's turned up at Pipe. can't blame him.
1 year off and free ticket for a world champ - i can live with that but 2 years and then saunter back on. Na don’t dig that. Don’t think Steph is coming back at any rate.
I think we'd all like to take a year off work and just go surfing.
Look just stay at work,
We don't have to work on our surfing lines or angles.
We don't get paid to surf,
They get paid to surf, in contest or where ever .
Futher more , when it's your business you can make the rules.
florence surfshop/ slab / great waves tour.
In some good news…after finishing up with Billabong…RCal has joined Jules at Rivvia
Awesome!
Me: ‘hey darl, I’m thinking of taking a year off to explore myself, the world and the possibilities of experimenting with various surf craft’
Read: ‘I’ve had a gut full of real world responsibilities and I feel like I could iron out my bog rail cutty if I got a new quiver and surfed from Noosa to Red Bluff next year.’
Wife: ‘sure, I’ll support that. Just let me think about the logisitics’
Read: ‘your choice pal, enjoy those fly ridden camp grounds because once you come back you’ll be like that lunatic ‘Trev’ down at the point who lives out of his station wagon explaining to all and sundry the virtues of living off the dole and mee goreng noodles because you don’t have to answer to anyone’
Ha, and start believing in bizarre conspiracy theories as though they are real; think we have to tear down the whole system (how many times have we heard that since the year dot and it ended in tears); and believe everything Trump says is really true, 'cause it is, really.
Non sequitur of the day :-)
JJ was sick of the circus and the girls have been over taken by new school girls that are amazing . Surely Steph just cruises around having a good old time she has nothing left to prove to anyone , a few wild cards in pumping rights . Good luck to both of em living the dream
Thanx Stu...was just about to share the updated 2025 CT Competitors...now being shredded...oopsie!
Can share that JJ (Red Type) was never there a few hours back...for sure...
https://www.worldsurfleague.com/athletes/tour/mct?year=2025
See Steph...no red type as yet...+ she just ran the 2025 Promos
https://www.theinertia.com/surf/steph-gilmore-filipe-toledo-return-to-co...
Now this...
https://www.theinertia.com/surf/stephanie-gilmore-extends-sabbatical-fro...
Still now no Red Type next to [16] Steph's name...nor any [18] Carissa
WSL must be insisting on the Apple Bookie watches...FU.
Getting like Rollerball with the numbers disappearing off the screen....Gulp!
https://www.worldsurfleague.com/athletes/tour/wct?year=2025
So no one finds it odd...
That 1/2/3/4/5 now 6 number ones just walked out on the 2024/25 WOTD Watch Scam.
Kelly did also say he fuckin' despised the WOTD watch & also wore any shit from early on..
That's a fuckin' telling pact as a matter of fact...how ya like them rotten apples!
#1 Tyler is still good for the Stone Tossing Event ain't she...
Poor Sally has her work cut out in rescuing surfing...that's a tougher job than Coaching Spurs...
Never said that...Strewth tbb the shit that comes outta yer mouth...how dare you insinuate that...#@%!
Also for what it's worth...these ward charts were hanging off JJ's / Steph's Beds...
They delayed sharing these Charts and the very second they did...{Kaboom}
Starting to think WSL never had permission to cut'n'paste both champs names...
Something big just went down & likely all parties are arguing over the same thing at same time!
Not sure what it is but likely the same reason # [18] Carissa / or replacement has been left off...
All these woke gromz have sold out but not our big names...they're not buying it...no way!
Starting to wonder just how ill Gabs is...huh! Coz we already know wot Ward his bed is on..
Must be a bad forecast for the pipe contest
Surely they have both none for sometime they are not competing. This was no last min decision.
There is evidence to this...JJ is one rare surfer that said NO to surfing the Palace Pool.
tbb is searching for any personal hang up with this deal...Coz He's surfed the Ranch Ok!
Kelly would have begged him & paid him & Carissa whatever to greenwash The Palace Pool.
JJ is taller & Carissa a larger frame would need more runs on the Pool as it's shallow...
Jack said he hit the concrete often & this surfer bottomed out (Snap!) in Comp...Dry wretch'd he reckons!
https://www.facebook.com/WSL/videos/wow-kai-broke-his-board-borrowed-one...
So by not seeing them here 'at all', means they were never doing CT 2 ... Agree!
Crew may know more about this...tbb is starting from scratch in this regard...
Do any of the crew feel this Arab Pool or Gaming Tour is a Deal Breaker..
Coz Gambling is Strictly illegal in Hawaii + Indo > Rio likewise has also not surfed the Palace Pool.
https://www.hawaii-aloha.com/blog/casinos-in-hawaii/#:~:text=Gambling%20...'re%20here.
Both Hawaiian #1s don't Surf Abu Dhabi & both are missing from 2025 Scratchies Cards.
Starting to wonder if they feel conflicted on Gambling ethics / laws about it...
Is tbb reading too much into this...Coz they're pretty big deals > massive sins for islanders.
These would be deal breakers for tbb...would definitely walk out on CT gaming tour...No blood money!
Fil must be rubbing his hands together, especially combined with the Pipe forecast.
So hopefully we can all watch some of the worlds best surf at amazing waves & WSL comps.... if the swell shines in their narrow windows.
"The world is your oyster..."
Hey bbbird,
Filipe is not as healthy as Jack, check out their eyes, Filipe looks to be whacked on something maybe it's the sun and salt! very possible,
Too many oysters...?
From my eye Robbo should have one that by at least a point. It is not the number of turns it is the quality. Filipe always looks like he has something up his bum he needs to eject so wiggly.
He doesnt appear to have been affected by gastropoda
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastropoda
Cracks opening down south
Maybe he could have succumbed to one of the Sphincterochila genus?
Trump's Border Relations Promo was already Sharpied & ready to go..
https://www.surfer.com/news/al-cleland-history-first-mexican-surfer-wsl-...
Steph is done.
If she does come back next year, the gulf between her and the new youngins like Caity Simmers and Erin Brooks will be embarrasing.
It already probably is.
Was hoping John would do Pipe and Chopes still this year but looks like he'll be completely missing all year now.
I'd like to see him have a crack at breaking out of that 3 world titles group he's in with Medina,Mick,Andy and Curren,and even going past MR for 5 and becoming the 2nd most winningest guy for world titles.
Not to mention his resume is still a bit emptyish with just 1 Pipe title and still no Chopes ones.
We all would have said he'd have 3 or 4 each by now if asked a decade ago i reckon.
I really hope Robbo pulls off a world title this year.
Oh and Slater in Pipe again?
Well there's 3 things certain in life and we all know what the first 2 are right lol.
Steph’s eyes should’ve lit up when she saw the pipe forecast
Is Flippy definitely coming back? I just can't see how he could...
Pro surfing - now officially broken...
And how many of us actually care?
all of us when an Aussie wins...
My top 3 pick for this year is Jack , EE & Italo , I would like it to be in that order but I believe Italo is the danger man this year, his hunger and commitment might get him over the line .
I agree with Griff nipping at their heels. Looking pretty light on after that other than old Jordy. There's the Crosby injury as well.
I am so relieved that despite her injury Stephanie will be fit enough to concentrate on global adventures. Graceful retirement involves a recognition and acknowledgment that the attention of the world moves on and that one is not thought about as often as they once were.
I think the official term is "The anti-Kelly method" of retiring.
I am announcing that I will be taking a year off from watching the WSL Championship Tour.
While I do like both Jack's and Ethan's surfing, I nailing my colours to Jordy's man turn mast. Hope the big Saffer takes it.
Over the years I reckon Jordy has been underscored, particularly at pipeline .
Most under scored guy of the last ten years, pretty much everywhere.
He must have pissed someone off
no humans of above average stature are allowed to win the tour.
And Taj was the most underscored guy in the 10 years before that,and became the best surfer to never win the world title by the end of his career.
Looking like Jordy will challenge for that mantle too,but it'll stay with Taj for me.
He got closer to winning world titles than Jordy ever has,was a better competitor,and has won quite a few more events than Jordy has.
I wonder how Steph’s Malibu house went in the fires….hope it’s all good.
Not sure it's the same for men on tour, but for the women what does a 37 year old Steph Gilmore have in common with the 18-21 year old girls. Basically totally different generation that struggle with conversation for starters.
Still 17 these girls are...it's illegal
To exploit a Child by wrapping them in XXXX Comp Shirts
Child or Adult To promote Grog on World Stage with or around Children
Illegal to even scratch'n'sniff grog on Beaches & Foreshores for deadly reason.
Child To compete in Live fixed interactive Gaming Tournaments
Child or Adults / Parents to gamble on these underage competitors
Caring parents don't touch blood money nor corrupt their child in blatant slave rorts.
Any decent human would boycott WSL Gromz TAB Pub Crawl...exempting us that is!
No nation or Town would back or host Child Exploitation Events apart from my town of course.
No carriage service would webcast mass scale exploitation of minors apart from all of them.
Ask how is the tour equal if a child can't even back themself or Celebrate with a Shoey?
Actually surprised any step forward to compete...tbb would refuse to sign until they make good.
Salute all Pros that drew a line in the sand...no offer is enough to wash this much shit off yer hands.
Is this the lowest level of Grom legacy you or yer God aspire too...coz it's pretty fuckin' shit...Hey!
All know it stinks more & worth less everyday...ya grow up, take a stroll & a sniff...Yeah Nah, See Ya!
FYI... John John is surfing the Pipe Pro... He's just taken a local wildcard for the event.
Nice one udo , some deep pits amongst that lot .
Read somewhere that John has been given a wildcard to the Pipe contest.
He's in Blackers- awarded the local wildcard.
Yew!!
Kelly/JJF final.
That'd be sweet.
That would be classic and maybe a hot chance with tricky back door conditions.
Kelly won't make a heat in head high Backdoor.
Yeah of course. Unless he is currently in the cryo chamber injecting youth serum and Italo needs a heat to adapt to his new muscle strategy
Request for Stu / freeride76 to please check CT 2 Intro...
Sharing current Surf Abu Dhabi Promo...seems to be locking in JJ on contractual terms...
Now! This may prove important...(Sharing all these Sites released JJ info / promo on 22nd Jan!)
22nd Jan Inertia released Surf Abu Dhabi Prices (Seemingly from Surf Abu Dhabi Main Page)
22nd swellnet feature...just saying that this Comp Site Promo can be dated back to same day...Ok!
22nd Jan this Surf Abu Dhabi intro is released...(Dependent upon Inertia getting same day memo in box!)
Says this...
* This Landmark Event will feature the (Current World #1)
* Celebrated as one of the Greatest Surfers of a Generation!
Guessing that's Starkie talking up Pipe is for the #@!*'n lowest ever winning scorers [ 3.83 ]
Also boasting 7 Olympic Medalists showcasing the Abu Dhabi Skyline
First Arab Pro Surfer to Reach CT...( Pretty sure that's the Syrian Dictator...called Kelly )
https://www.ticketmaster.ae/artist/surf-abu-dhabi-pro-tickets/1363513
or
If it don't link...can Click [Get your Tickets] from Main Page to bring up same intro.
https://www.surfabudhabi.com/wsl-2025-ct
Anyhow...requesting if swellnet / crew know anything about this...coz ain't no one else onto it!
tbb thinks it's odd to include that unless JJ is the Star...in that case...watch this space!
Coz maybe JJ don't wanna be associated with 2025 Tour CT Stop 2 [Withdrawn Tag]
So! Wotz going on here then...Huh!
Coz it sure looks like WSL are making the current Champ compete in CT2 or Exhibit (Possibility!)
Firstly sharing ...coz crew may be in for a rude shock if JJ Jumps off Pool Party Jetski in a Clown Suit...
Just saying ya heard it hear first at swellnet...Ok!
There is an Interesting WSL Example of Part retired 'Above Featured Champ' in 2024 lifelike cameo.
Steph likewise competed as #1 Drawcard in 2024 WSL J-Bay Corona Classic (Specialty Event)
That was before SA got their Sports Book WSL Online CT Live Gaming approval stamp.
https://www.worldsurfleague.com/events/2024/spec/4726/j-bay-classic-pres...
Tip : 16 Dec 2025 Rule Book = Prefaces / changes on these Specialty / Heritage Events
Sounds nerdy but you'll need the 2024 Copy to compare the changes...Oh I see (Cough!)
That ain't no slip of the pen is it...Bang! Up front overrule! YES!
Similar yearly changes to WOTD Watches...each have higher Executive overrule...it's a WSL thang!
So...It reads that WSL can Brand Any event how they like within short notice...toss in a Hodad...Ouch!
Guessing that in the event of "Star Withdrawal" WSL still may obligate surfer under "Specialty / Heritage Event"
Basically WSL can dual / rebrand any CT Event to include Old < > Current in form Pro as they see fit!
So they may approve 11th hour Pro release but expect a Cameo of their choosing...WSL Pool Party!
Likewise invite a past winner or similar next highest placed regional Champ as a Wild Card...
Might wanna check out that Barbados Josh Burke as an 11th Hour Replacement...he lapped this pool!
Sounds crazy but that's the point to the obscurity of Open CT Combo Specialty / Heritage branding.
https://www.swellnet.com/news/form-guide/2024/08/16/abu-dhabi-chosen-cha...
Anyhow...if yer bored or desperate enough...
New Forward dated Rules do massage or skirt around this changed clause!
Pretty sure tbb just reviewed & enquired if crew knew of this exact Starpower 2025 change!
Coz only now it seems more relevant as if they saw this coming!
Read the Preface : 3rd Paragraph changes (Seems to grant executive overrule if / when needed)
https://www.worldsurfleague.com/asset/37878/2024+WSL+Rule+Book+Jan+1.pdf
https://www.worldsurfleague.com/asset/40005/2025+WSL+Rule+Book+clean+121...
Read more here...about Why JJ Withdrew but now Competes as a Wild Card.
What changed huh?
https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2024/10/11/2025-champion...
tbb was questioned about researching this very reason...but it is a thing...ya can't wish it away!
JJ (Hawaiian is banned from Online Gaming)
So Dad JJ naturally filed his boycott & withdrew from WSL Pipe Casino
But! Wait...WSL said please don't go JJ...You're worth more to us then them Mobsters! (Cough!)
WSL scratched JJ heats from #6 Pipe Roulette Wheel
Ok! Y'all Wanna see that again...just to prove tbb is not fucking you over!
tbb is FURIOSO mad about WSL God Squad underage Slave Gurl fixing of Fiji XXXX Casino
Did they listen? Huh! Will WSL come clean...Have they a guilty conscience...is that a joke tbb?
WSL scratched Erin from Pipe #6 Roulette Wheel
Crew are free to check how tbb's concerns actually played out in real time...
Thanks to those that backed tbb on flipping the WSL gaming table...this is a very real crisis!
https://nxtbets.com/best-bets-2025-wsl-lexus-pipe-pro-pre-event-odds-ana...
Ok! Are we all on the same page now! All say Aye!
Recapping : WSL are not bigger than a Baby Jesus Pipe Master Xmas Beatle!