Changes to the Championship Tour

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Form Guide

Ch-ch-changes...

Late last year the Woz announced the schedule for this year's Championship Tour and there it sat on the woz.com for many months, all seemingly locked in save for the Finals Series which I assumed would be a grand reveal. Indo? Mexico?

Anyway, with Pipe just over the horizon, I checked the schedule two days back to reacquaint myself with the stops. All were still as they were: five stops before the cut, five after, one Finals Series To Be Announced.

This morning, however, the announcement came and it's more than just the Finals Series that have changed, though we'll begin with that.

All the rumours were wrong and the Finals Series are returning to Trestles - the site of last year's Finals Series. Says ELO from Woz HQ:

"The inaugural edition of the Rip Curl WSL Finals was an incredible success. To see the WSL Final 5 go head-to-head in amazing waves and to witness the women's and men's World Titles be decided on the same day, in the water, for the first time was special. This new format captivated our audience and drove consumption like never before. We are excited to return to Lowers this season."

Trestles was originally slated as a standard CT, the seventh of the season, running from June 15th to 22nd. It is now replaced by the El Salvador Pro - to be held in Surf City no less - from June 12th to 20th.

Surf City - otherwise known as La Libertad - is where the ISA Games were recently held and were ISA Prez Fernando knocked 'em dead with a rendition of the official surfing song 'A Better World Through Surfing'.

The schedule is as follows:

And a quick refresher:

36 surfers in Men's and 18 in Women's CT.

That gets cut to 24 and 12 after the fifth contest.

Relegated surfers can begin the Challenger Series that begins May 7th on the Gold Coast.

Remaining surfers contest the final five events.

The top five in both Men and Women contest the Finals Series, a one day event at Trestles.

Comments

maddogmorley's picture
maddogmorley's picture
maddogmorley Wednesday, 19 Jan 2022 at 10:12am

No France? Bummer

channel-bottom's picture
channel-bottom's picture
channel-bottom Wednesday, 19 Jan 2022 at 10:36am

Given the Novak saga, I guess Kelly isn't coming? Any other anti-vaxx proponents on the tour?

I like the calibre and variety of waves. Pipe, Sunset, GLand, JBay and Tahiti. Portugal has seemed hit and miss in previous years. Hopefully Margs gets some Box or North Point days.

Off to google Surf City El Salvador ( doesn't look awful

)

Fatso's picture
Fatso's picture
Fatso Wednesday, 19 Jan 2022 at 11:42am

The WSL through and though..."drove consumption like never before."

mike oxhard's picture
mike oxhard's picture
mike oxhard Saturday, 22 Jan 2022 at 3:10pm

that is kinda the point of the WSL though, if they're not generating interest/money then half their events are a complete waste of time and effort.

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Wednesday, 19 Jan 2022 at 11:56am

So despite the new format "captivating their audience" and "driving consumption like never before", there is still no overarching title sponsor for the WSL.

Samsung's last season was 2016, so this will be the WSL's sixth consecutive year without an umbrella sponsor.

Event sponsors are seemingly unchanged from ten years ago: Quiksilver, Rip Curl, Billabong, Hurley, Corona, MEO and Oi.

The evidence clearly shows that surfing is unable to break into the non-endemic sponsorship market.

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Wednesday, 19 Jan 2022 at 12:29pm

Which sounds like a win / win for surfers.

Legacy shredders get to watch the best surfers in the world perform at great venues in real time high definition with impressive camerawork and a ( mostly) decent commentary. Even better is that it’s absolutely free.

All this and we arent confronted with a tsunami of budding Rick Kanes ,rocking up at your local fresh from Arizona, after being inspired by Wozzle propaganda into learning to surf.

Happy days.

channel-bottom's picture
channel-bottom's picture
channel-bottom Wednesday, 19 Jan 2022 at 12:57pm

I think Covid and various lockdowns did more for encouraging new surfers to start than the pro tour ever did.

Clive Rodell's picture
Clive Rodell's picture
Clive Rodell Saturday, 22 Jan 2022 at 8:58am

Spot on, no doubt there. Unfortunately with the new surfer, courtesy. pecking order and safety, went out the window.

bluediamond's picture
bluediamond's picture
bluediamond Saturday, 22 Jan 2022 at 6:44pm

Sponnoed by The Titanic

Solitude's picture
Solitude's picture
Solitude Wednesday, 19 Jan 2022 at 12:14pm

That wave at El Salvador looks 'oookay' but kind of looks like another soft launch pad that doesn't seem fitting for the reduced elite CT field by that stage of the year.

freeride76's picture
freeride76's picture
freeride76 Wednesday, 19 Jan 2022 at 12:35pm

agreed.
seems a bit weird to throw in a soft Point break at this stage of the Tour.

Bob Sacamano's picture
Bob Sacamano's picture
Bob Sacamano Wednesday, 19 Jan 2022 at 2:45pm

I camped up in El Tunco many moons ago and surfed sunzal for a few weeks, its a fat burger of a right hander. Its a fun wave and can get a few nice walls and big open faces but its definitely not a CT quality wave. I thought they would have been down the road at Punta Roca which is much better.

freeride76's picture
freeride76's picture
freeride76 Wednesday, 19 Jan 2022 at 3:51pm

I think they are going to be at Punta Roca

yodai's picture
yodai's picture
yodai Wednesday, 19 Jan 2022 at 12:32pm

Surely for sake of one extra day all the surf offs at Trestles should be best of 3 heats not just 1v2
Too fickle a wave whereby if only one good set in 30 min the guy with priority wins the heat

strrretch's picture
strrretch's picture
strrretch Wednesday, 19 Jan 2022 at 1:51pm

Great locations , will be top viewing. Apart from the finish. Watching a foregone conclusion in soft waves captivating ? It was anything but, last year's was totally boring . The finals format is a dud. The chance that the favorites will trip at the finish and an exciting fight from those hot on their tails in great waves is now a memory.

Simon Ozzie's picture
Simon Ozzie's picture
Simon Ozzie Wednesday, 19 Jan 2022 at 2:49pm

I like the schedule, hopefully they can mix up the commentary to a more sporty bunch then hearing the same script from Joe and 89 world champ

canetoad's picture
canetoad's picture
canetoad Wednesday, 19 Jan 2022 at 3:44pm

Disappointing there is no Snapper Rocks. It has been such a great event.

Solitude's picture
Solitude's picture
Solitude Wednesday, 19 Jan 2022 at 3:53pm

Not sure if your saying that with a straight face? I'm happy its gone.

... fear not though, challenger series comes to GC in May. Likely snapper / d'bah I'd imagine

canetoad's picture
canetoad's picture
canetoad Thursday, 20 Jan 2022 at 9:37am

I get your view. But i flash back to when the swell was maxing and they moved it to Kirra. With a huge rip. I walked back to Snapper and had a pass to vip tent, someone didnt want. Few of the pros out, it was 10 feet and some of the best live surfing id ever seen. And ive always loved the atmosphere of Snapper, it was alive and the energy huge.

freeride76's picture
freeride76's picture
freeride76 Wednesday, 19 Jan 2022 at 3:58pm

To be honest I thought Snapper was as good as it gets for a comp venue.

Super consistent Point break with warm water and a sand bypass system to maximise the chance of a good bank.
Great back-up if small (DBah)
Great back up if big (Kirra).

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Wednesday, 19 Jan 2022 at 4:04pm

Not many locations allow punters to stand barefoot at the low tide mark, watching the Top 32 get pitted just metres away. May not have delivered the goods every year, but when the sand's good, I reckon Snapper is one of the best venues in the world to watch a surf contest.

Solitude's picture
Solitude's picture
Solitude Wednesday, 19 Jan 2022 at 4:09pm

It's a great venue and wave but tough to get the right week. So many recent years they missed the swell before or after. Don't think its the same having it at D'Bah.

Clive Rodell's picture
Clive Rodell's picture
Clive Rodell Saturday, 22 Jan 2022 at 9:11am

Definitely one of them, add Bells, France. Unfortunately 2/3 gone.

crg's picture
crg's picture
crg Wednesday, 19 Jan 2022 at 4:55pm

Geez you'd be gutted you didn't make the first cut and miss out on G-Land.

wally's picture
wally's picture
wally Wednesday, 19 Jan 2022 at 11:50pm

Though Trestles is not the dream wave, swellnet people commenting live seemed to enjoy the finals format last year.

StormyAndBo's picture
StormyAndBo's picture
StormyAndBo Thursday, 20 Jan 2022 at 12:58pm

(surprisingly) enjoyable once, with the caveats that it was as big as it holds and fairly good. Twice? no way, with no caveats. Dead rubber more than epic crescendo, lets be honest. It's F1 drivers playing mario kart for the trophy.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Thursday, 20 Jan 2022 at 12:50pm

Thanx Stu...& Mr Formguide...

Exclusive Oz Leg Peak Covid Timetable
Bells
2020 Vic infections 22nd March (28th / 11th Peaks) 24th April continues
2021 Vic got heavy from 12th April (15th Peak) 25th April continues
2022 Bells 10th April (Peak Covid) 20th April (It looks certain to be the case!)

With that being the case...then crew might wish to prepare for a default Exposure Site.
Experts have little to no precautionary advice other than usual Vax / SD / PPE...

tbb will share what we know to be true but strictly unofficial & off the record!
Vic perfect Covid storm is also Perfect Bells...that's reason enough to wise up!
( Warning! Unofficial Covid Caution Rating System )
1 Holidays- 2 Crowd- 3 Mass Vax- 4 WNW +20km- 5 Humidity under 57%- 6 Rain-7 Temp under 20*
In that order...unless the Earth Moves...Wot!

Self Precautions : BYO thermos / drinks / tucker / Shade / Wind / Rain gear
Keep well up wind of crew > Avoid leaning on fence rails when approaching line-up view
Note on-site drinks are stored at perfect Covid temp & handled several times before you.
Any Pub / Club door handle as such are well over cooked as with waste bins
Bench tops / Sauce Bottles / Salt shakers are well ripe!
A lot of crew flick'n'share Programs...don't grab the top one!
"Anyone for an Easter Egg! They're Free! " ...Well in that case...Doh! (Not fair, he tricked me!)
Avoid entourage ( eg: 16 Fully Vaxed AO players are [+] > Team Crews are well ripe!)
How long can you hold out? Dunny Block / Portaloos will be Peak Rank Hot Spots
Think! Can you return up Bell's epic Staircase without sharing the Hot handrails to Hell.

WA Margaret River Comp ( WA Infectious Waves)
2020 24th April ( Easter smaller 2nd wave ends 29th April
2021 24th April ( Peak @ 28th of Easter smaller 2nd wave ends 6th May
2022 24th April ( re: 2nd smaller wave ) 4th May

Meaning! It's likely that only 1 or 2 Vaxed [+] cases are present each day at WA Comp (Low Risk!)
Follow similar precautions by keeping above crew on Offshore Winds > avoiding hand rails etc...
That was the plan .... Warning!
5th Feb 2022 - WA open their VIP Mass Vaxed Game Park...or Mad Vaxer'z Killing Fields (Nicer!)

Of course any here would love to have a crack at these Comps...
Many will also likely be locked out...just mind how you go!
Happy to share this but not that!

Spudmelon's picture
Spudmelon's picture
Spudmelon Thursday, 20 Jan 2022 at 3:40pm

time for bed trueblue, sleep it off

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Thursday, 5 May 2022 at 4:29pm

tbb slides open the sarcophagus slab & has already seen enough...
April / May Post Bells Vic / WA covid report.
Vic covid spiked thru Bells comp to today's worrying high rates of 11,500 day
Surf Coast winds back surgeries as cases rising thru Comp > Final..now nearing 500/day
NSW / Vic are freaking out at 20,000 cases rises between them...we did warn of that!
https://thewest.com.au/news/victoria-and-nsw-record-almost-20000-covid-c...
Vic is first state to pass 3,000 deaths...as tbb said...mind how ya go!
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-05/victoria-records-covid-death-mile...

Day after WA WSL Final ....
5th May WA State reports a Tsunami Record 10,000 cases
"Big Jump of 635 in South West (Comp region), where there are now 3,000 active Cases."
https://www.amrtimes.com.au/news/coronavirus/covid-in-wa-state-reports-m...
https://www.amrtimes.com.au/news/western-australia-records-more-than-100...

Tracking the data ...tbb / swellnet freely offered Covid safe Comp plans...
Even played it down as to not wake the experts!

Sure! Huey tipped off tbb for this Killer Wave...screamed Out The Back!
Clean Up Set wipe out & clearly not all made it thru...
Comp wave is still rising towards Goldie..Surfs Up! (Cough!)

Clive Rodell's picture
Clive Rodell's picture
Clive Rodell Saturday, 22 Jan 2022 at 9:18am

If the WSL wants to align with the majority of the surfing public, perhaps the air game doesn't match that goal? Whilst I, (more than many), understand the athletic prowess and immense skill, I still prefer a Connor Coffin Carve to an Air.

FrazP's picture
FrazP's picture
FrazP Saturday, 22 Jan 2022 at 2:30pm

Spot on CR.

palpacino's picture
palpacino's picture
palpacino Saturday, 22 Jan 2022 at 9:21am

Surely the El Salvador event is at Punta Roca!

nicko74's picture
nicko74's picture
nicko74 Monday, 24 Jan 2022 at 9:11pm

I’m glad the South West still retains the Margie’s pro it’s a little bitter sweet that Perth will no longer be hosting an event.

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Tuesday, 25 Jan 2022 at 8:05am
Island Bay's picture
Island Bay's picture
Island Bay Tuesday, 25 Jan 2022 at 9:03am

:-(

ringmaster's picture
ringmaster's picture
ringmaster Tuesday, 25 Jan 2022 at 9:36am

That's great news!

Now we get to see more of Ciao Ibelli.

WooHoooooo!!!

Yuri's picture
Yuri's picture
Yuri Thursday, 27 Jan 2022 at 10:21pm

If you don't know EL Salvador, follow some RAW videos of the main spots there

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