Sunset 2023: Day 1

The Woz will be stoked to have run a full day of workmanlike competition at contestable, sometimes very good, 6-8 foot Sunset.

No controversies, no distractions, everything unfolding according to the rhythms of Paumalu and skillsets of the contestants.

Continuity was the main theme. Lots of competitors rode the same boards as last year, including Filipe Toledo. The guys and gals who looked the best last year still looked a cut above this year. Carissa looked the most solid of the women in Round 1, albeit lacking some of the edged-out style of Gilmore.

Sally surfed well finishing second in her Opening Round heat to reigning champ Brisa Hennessy (WSL/Heff)

Gilmore and Slater, with 19 World Titles between them, provided the largest contrast of the day. Both coming off 17th place finishes: one dead last, one second last. Sunset is a happy place for Steph; an arena where the swoops, arcs, and style feel perfectly relaxed and in synch. Slater's mutually antagonistic relationship with Sunset is now on the public record - although how a surf spot can “not respect me” has never been properly explained.

Both won their heats on the strength of opening mid-range rides. A 5.50 for Gilmore and 5.83 for Slater. Both were never challenged from that point.

Steph on a DHD thruster drew classic lines. Slater on a 6'3” five fin V-double concave which he termed a “coffee order”, scrubbed by his mate Trinko off a Greg Webber pre-shape looked a little more testy. The opening ride came down to two turns, a wrap back into the foam, and a rail buried power punch into the inside section.

Unlike last year, Slater won his Opening Round heat at Sunset (WSL/Bielmann)

My eye was still accustomed to the insane turn speed of Filipe Toledo and found Kelly's version a wee bit bogged, yet he came out of it clean and with the first ride completed it seemed to bleed off some of the nerves and jitters which now accompany any Slater heat. If he starts well, he usually finishes the job. Heats where he is struggling for a make at the halfway mark (inconceivable for the GOAT a decade ago but now a reality) usually end in bad losses. Kelly through to the Round of 32. A win there would be one of the most significant of his career, assuming he wants to make the cut and go out on his terms. He'd get the Tub, J-Bay, and Tahiti, all of which could suit as locations to retire with dignity. Or he could go to next year's Pipe.

Kelly threw down a little showmanship for his second scorer, what he called “a flair for dramatics” as he comboed up a slice with a late lip glide. No make though. Kelly's unorthodox lines have never looked good at Sunset but with a favourable draw he might have another heat win in him.

Luckily for Slater he wasn't in the next heat because he would have been absolutely smoked by JJF and Chianca. John somehow inserted himself inside an unaccommodating cavern and traversed it for a messy exit just as the collapsing section grabbed his fins. That was nice for an 8.33, delivered while Kelly was on the glass talking about his birthday and the UFC fights. Next wave, a two-turner for a 7.5, was typically brutal, suggesting an intent from Florence that was missing last year.

Two rides for Florence, both of which could have easily gone excellent - very efficient.

JJF rode just two waves all heat, and easily progressed to the Round of 32 (WSL/Bielmann)

Chianca was more profligate, grabbing anything that moved and ripping into it like a terrier down a rat hole. His last wave was my favourite ride of the heat - a three-turner with immense variety. Poor Jacko Baker looked all at sea despite a strong last-minute ride.

Continuity. Ethan Ewing was sublime. If you see one ride from the day, take the time to enjoy his 9-pointer. The rail to rail speed and hammer off the bottom were insane.

Ethan Ewing's clean style belies a brutal attack: Here burying three-quarters of his board during his 9-point wave (WSL/Heff)

Toledo's turns could go next level. He is very capable of winning. The timid performances at Pipe are gone.

Two Women eliminated. Hapless Wildcard Teresa Bonvalot, who struggled to make a take-off and veteran Courtney Conlogue who looked right out of sorts and will struggle to make the cut after consecutive last place finishes.

Caity Simmers looked very shaky in her opening heat and then put on a minor masterclass in Elimination Heat 2. Commentators called her surfing original but what makes it appealing are the stylistic nods to the past. The stand-tall fades, intuitive tube-riding, classic hooks. There are traces of 70's style peppered all through her modern repertoire. 

Caity Simmers settled down after a shaky Opening Round heat (WSL/Heff)

Jack Robbo will be hoping for a similar elimination heat after getting bounced by Eli Hanneman and Jake Marshall. I don't see too much to be concerned with. He was easily the best surfer of the heat. Just overcooked his first two waves and got marooned at the end despite the best wave of the heat.

Jack, Filipe, Ewing, JJF, then there's a gap to the rest of the field with the big question: How does Medina figure in the Sunset equation?

My best guess is he will be right up there with them.

// STEVE SHEARER