First day at Freshwater Pro

LEMOORE, California/USA (Thursday, September 19, 2019) - The opening day of the World Surf League (WSL) Freshwater Pro presented by Outerknown, the seventh stop of the women’s Championship Tour (CT) and eighth stop of the men’s CT, fired into action with the world’s best taking on perfection at the Surf Ranch. The pressure-cooker was in full effect with men’s Round of 36 powering through half of their contingent and the women’s Round of 18 getting underway. The implications of this event are paramount and tested the world’s best with all eyes on them as some thrived and others merely survived.  

It was current No. 4 on the Jeep Leaderboard and two-time, reigning WSL Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) who decimated his debut with an immaculate 17.77 (out of a possible 20) heat total, surfing alongside the likes of wildcard Barron Mamiya (HAW) and 11-time World Champion Kelly Slater (USA). Medina’s signature “Kerrupt Flip” aerial maneuver finish earned him an excellent 8.27 before dismantling the righthander to earn an equivalent 8.27. The World Champ looks to defend his Freshwater Pro win and showed that desire to perform by improving opening scores with an 8.77 and near-perfect 9.00. 
 
“I just want to thank God for this opportunity and we have perfect waves, all we have to do is surf our best,” Medina said. “I’m happy with my performance. The turns I wanted to do on both waves I was able to do so it feels amazing to not have any mistakes. It’s important to be toward the top of the leaderboard but there’s still so much to go but I’m feeling good and confident. I like this pressure situation and I feel that pressure, I think everyone does. Hopefully, I can keep this going and get another good result.”

Current World No. 10 Johanne Defay (FRA) is searching for a breakthrough result, only accruing a Quarterfinal appearance so far in 2019, and started off in near-perfect form during her second run with a 9.33 and 17.50 (out of a possible 20) heat total. Defay was in disbelief coming out of the basin and can rest easy heading into cut day atop the event leaderboard. 
 
“I can’t believe it, usually I get my best score on the left and honestly I’m just so surprised,” Defay said. “I was really feeling good and didn’t feel a lot of stress when I got here after stressing at home since it was such a long day, overthinking everything. So just getting in the water, I wanted to have fun after I felt like I had some good waves on the training day. I’ll just take it all and I’m stoked to get another chance to surf.”

Medina’s fellow countrymen and World Title threat Italo Ferreira (BRA) is on a whirlwind of competitions after competing in Tahiti, Japan, and now the Freshwater Pro with a great debut to put him third on the leaderboard despite feeling the fatigue. Current World No. 1 Filipe Toledo (BRA) and No. 2 Jordy Smith (ZAF) await their starts on Friday, but current No. 3 Kolohe Andino (USA) continues his World Title chase here in Lemoore and currently sits at No. 16 on the event leaderboard with 12 surfers still to take their opening run. 

Griffin Colapinto

CT sophomore Griffin Colapinto (USA) took early control of the leaderboard with explosive maneuvers throughout the entirety of his first righthander, garnering an excellent 8.00 (out of a possible 10) and followed up with a brilliant execution of his second left opportunity to back it up with a 7.50. The 21-year-old made vital improvements from his opening performance last year and held the top spot through the day’s first competition break. 
 
“It’s a totally different story when the jersey’s on just getting a few waves before the event but it’s good because you get used to the pressure of the contest,” Colapinto said. “I feel like every day I’ve been warming up the same and doing everything exactly how I would before my heat. I’m really happy about that after bettering my left by 1.50 which is huge for me - I think last year my score was a 5.67 on the left. To do that, all the hard work I feel is paying off.” Current World No. 4 Lakey Peterson (USA) took control out of the gates as women made their debut to close out qualifying day. The Santa Barbara, California, native opened up on her forehand attack and showcased multiple power turns in critical sections from start to finish and accrued an excellent 8.17.

Seth Moniz

Rookie sensation Seth Moniz (HAW) put himself into the Top 10 with a showcase of barrel-riding technique and powerful forehand turns. The young Hawaiian currently sits at No. 9 on the 2019 Jeep Leaderboard coming into the Freshwater Pro in his first year among the world’s best and withstood the pressure of his first exhibition at the Surf Ranch. Fellow rookies Deivid Silva (BRA) and Peterson Crisanto (BRA) also got their first experience of perfection but couldn’t find their rhythm.

Wildcards Barron Mamiya (HAW), reigning WSL World Junior Champion Mateus Herdy (BRA), and Crosby Colapinto (USA) also got their first competitive taste of the Surf Ranch and have plenty of work ahead after struggling in their opening run.

Rookies Macy Callaghan (AUS) and Brisa Hennessy (CRI), along with wildcard Gabriela Bryan (HAW) will surf tomorrow in the women’s Round of 18 starting at 12:22 p.m. PT.

Men’s Freshwater Pro pres. by Outerknown Leaderboard Top 8

  1. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 17.77
  2. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 15.50
  3. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 14.97
  4. Conner Coffin (USA) 14.07
  5. Kelly Slater (USA) 13.87
  6. Yago Dora (BRA) 13.63
  7. Jesse Mendes (BRA) 13.30
  8. Owen Wright (AUS) 13.26

 Women’s Freshwater Pro pres. by Outerknown Leaderboard Top 4

  1. Johanne Defay (FRA) 17.50
  2. Lakey Peterson (USA) 15.70
  3. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 15.00
  4. Paige Hareb (NZL) 13.00

Comments

Tarzan71's picture
Tarzan71's picture
Tarzan71 Friday, 20 Sep 2019 at 4:59pm

Better off roller skating in Dogtown
Fuck that hot-tub wank-fest

crg's picture
crg's picture
crg Friday, 20 Sep 2019 at 5:16pm

Wouldn’t the Kerrupt flip be Josh Kerr’s signature move?

Surfalot67's picture
Surfalot67's picture
Surfalot67 Friday, 20 Sep 2019 at 5:29pm

Haha! Just beat me too it CRG...too funny, apparently God and Medina are in charge now

mibs-oner's picture
mibs-oner's picture
mibs-oner Friday, 20 Sep 2019 at 5:24pm

Lucky for gabs god was there. He’d be fucked otherwise.

Surfalot67's picture
Surfalot67's picture
Surfalot67 Friday, 20 Sep 2019 at 5:27pm

Oh shit, sorry - I crashed. Yawn. I love this write up for laughs though, did you poach this verbatim from the Wozzle? My fav - "Medina’s signature “Kerrupt Flip” aerial maneuver"...I'm sure Kerrzy might have another view on this!

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Friday, 20 Sep 2019 at 6:11pm

Did we poach this from the Wozzle?

They wrote it. It's a press release.

It was enough to cut and paste it, I cant be arsed putting any more energy into their sideshow.

Surfalot67's picture
Surfalot67's picture
Surfalot67 Friday, 20 Sep 2019 at 6:17pm

Fair call Stu - no offense meant to swellnet, it wasn't credited but it's funny shit. Imagine being Silva and Cristanto, and not seeing perfection until today! Surely this will be the last year in the tub? As a one off it was kind of interesting but this is just terrible to watch.

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Friday, 20 Sep 2019 at 6:08pm

I just stopped reading. I almost feel dirty.

memlasurf's picture
memlasurf's picture
memlasurf Saturday, 21 Sep 2019 at 12:27pm

Gold Zen.

greyhound's picture
greyhound's picture
greyhound Friday, 20 Sep 2019 at 6:14pm

All of the above.

Spuddups's picture
Spuddups's picture
Spuddups Friday, 20 Sep 2019 at 6:22pm

Watched about ten minutes of it. Not my cup of tea.

frog's picture
frog's picture
frog Saturday, 21 Sep 2019 at 8:12am

Wozzle speak

Gabriel: "decimated his debut" = kill, destroy, or remove a large proportion of his first appearance

Makes no sense

The whole writing style is rather irritating and try hard: "The implications of this event are paramount and tested the world’s best with all eyes on them as some thrived and others merely survived. "

Go wozzle

memlasurf's picture
memlasurf's picture
memlasurf Saturday, 21 Sep 2019 at 12:31pm

You should read some of the shite I get from large companies, government and the worst are solicitors, that is another language. These guys are just starting out! I still can't get my head around 'value management' aka cost cutting.

freeride76's picture
freeride76's picture
freeride76 Saturday, 21 Sep 2019 at 8:36am

just be some unpaid intern writing it most likely.

Squidy's picture
Squidy's picture
Squidy Saturday, 21 Sep 2019 at 8:37am

Only point of interest was Slater on a twin fin. No matter what you think of Slater the guy sure does mix up his boards compared to the rest of the tour on their stock standard

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Sunday, 22 Sep 2019 at 12:12pm

Weird Shit about The Ranch

*Bowline is the mascot (A shaggy golden retriever labrador)

*Ranch used to be 2 ski lakes of exact same size & shape

*[PURE]WSL pool holds 15m gal-wastes 300,000 gal/day or 1.14m litres (This Much)
https://stabmag.com/assets/Screen-Shot-2018-04-30-at-9.38.56-AM.png
Daily supply for 10,000 Stanthorpe Qldurrz or (Nuke Plant for town of 2,500)

*Freshwater Pro requires double WSL comp Semi Trailer Container Trucks.

*Comp prices in AUD [P] $40/day or $220 RV Camp...(Free [P] > Shuttle via Casino)
Comp entry fee (2018 -$120-VIP $13,070) price drop > (2019 -$75 -VIP $7,600)
Wonka wrapper fine print. WSL own everything you've seen,heard,smelt or dreamt.
You may have the weekend off to study for WSL terms & conditions entry exam.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/freshwater-pro-presented-by-outerknown-sept...

*Team USA pool boy changes Olympic Pool rules! (Nuthin Suss!)
https://www.wslfreshwaterpro.com/event-info/

* Pool Boy decides which Olympic Team can train in his Olympic Pool! (Nuthin Suss!)

*Spectators alternate end views miles from ride ...300m from the money pit shot.
Only 30m of Pool end width offers clear dry view of wave face & only at a distance.

*Sidewall spectators get splashed by approaching wave & view rear end action after.
re:vid [00:10] Best keep back from the side walls...now he tells me!

https://www.surfline.com/surf-news/new-ct-format-pro-surfing-now-easier-...

* Several Massive Screens tower over wave Train for Judging business end of ride.
https://www.surfline.com/surf-news/win-freshwater-pro/62574

Photo: Corner roped off redos + Mega screens menacing the Wave Train)
https://d14fqx6aetz9ka.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/1113151...
Note the shipping Container / Trucks in background.
https://d14fqx6aetz9ka.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/1721400...

*Best seat in the house for the money shot! Well...Apart from that & the other !
https://d14fqx6aetz9ka.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/1113135...
Note: Judges Tents/Tower at rear...refer to TV for moneyshot.

*Trapeze artist with puppet strings tests out the Safety Net
https://d14fqx6aetz9ka.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/1111213...

*The Ranch Comp records 5,000 Crowd but no more than 500 can view live.
Webcam viewers get the best option.

*Surfing Fees: $415-$625 per wave (10 surfers each pay =$5,000-$7,500/day) AUD
https://motionsmag.com/originals/how-much-does-it-cost-to-surf-at-kelly-...

*The Wave
50 wave variations run @ 30kms/hr for 460m
Surfers say Ranch's 'long ride legwork' is opposite to surfer's 'long paddle armwork'
Strange twist is very same former Ski Lake was a walk in the park for novice skiers?
The speed doesn't alter, making it difficult in auto attack mode...need rest between.

*Central Judges can't reward Bonus Claims (Anti surfing or real old school surfing?)
Many viewers state that rides are good but lack excitement +(Many fall towards end?)
WSL Judges usually seat at ride's end...(Impossible at reverse flow Freshwater Pro).
Central Judges remove eyes from Pool to screen the barrel & end manoeuvres.
Similar to World Cup Football Ref halting game to slot a coin in VAR arcade game.

In this manner surfers see no need to make a claim when Judges are not present.
tbb believes Drone-Cam + Head Judge are in Guard Tower with Judges Tent beneath.
tbb has also seen the Pool designer head Life Guard hang out there as well...

*Surfers + Jetskis? Why can't surfers simply & naturally catch the reverse wave back ?
Pro surfers wipeout on different boards for forehand / backhand.
Jet ski fetch/return to hanger to swap boards then return a 2nd time from lineup setting!
All part of WSL [PURE] promotion to clock up more fuel emissions +Water waste!

*Coronas will still get sprayed? ..C'mon! Sorry! WSL now bottle Kelly's organic piss!
https://www.facebook.com/WSL/videos/10155874652762058/

*2019 Freshwater Pro (This comp ) might be the last...just shit stirrin'...game on.
https://beachgrit.com/2019/09/sizzling-hot-rumor-wsl-to-take-the-freshwa...
off-tour-and-shutter-surf-ranch-at-the-end-of-19/
https://beachgrit.com/2019/09/cock-eyed-retraction-surf-ranch-is-not-onl...

redmondo's picture
redmondo's picture
redmondo Saturday, 21 Sep 2019 at 6:05pm

Have it at night with fancy led water lights and some bioluminescence. Maybe random fountains going off. And you definitely need sound effects for airs and errors

Remigogo's picture
Remigogo's picture
Remigogo Saturday, 21 Sep 2019 at 9:28pm

Rip snorter of an idea for the puddle park out Miami way Redmondo.

lost's picture
lost's picture
lost Saturday, 21 Sep 2019 at 9:31pm

I’ve only tuned in because I’m close to the top of my fantasy league which they have put zero effort into. In fact it’s hard to get a score or overview anywhere on the App. Two days done so what happens now ?

Remigogo's picture
Remigogo's picture
Remigogo Saturday, 21 Sep 2019 at 10:49pm

Maybe they did sack a bunch of office staff.

TBB's research has discovered they are all to pissed to take care of the finer points of record keeping and information distribution to the punters, probably.

Organic beer hasn't been around that long, must take a bit to get used to.

Refreshing prime viewing platform required first few waves to assist rise and shine.

Sam2609's picture
Sam2609's picture
Sam2609 Sunday, 22 Sep 2019 at 11:15am

i love pro surfing, i love to watch great surfers ripping primo waves. but the wozzle have frustrated me to the point of becoming a keyboard warrior. fuck their tennis tour. the stream quality, the relentless repetitive advertisements, the fucking terrible commentary.
I get half an hour, maybe 2 hours on a slow day to devour surf media. I'd be a fucking lunatic to continue waste 15 minutes worth of it trying find/filter out their Bullshit.

its laurie and torren and mason clips on repeat now.
Its swellnet's news feed and opinion pieces.
garage entertainment streams
and alternative surfing australia FB group.

Remigogo's picture
Remigogo's picture
Remigogo Friday, 27 Sep 2019 at 11:13pm

Have the finals finished?

Aaah shit...