The Pipe Pro: Day 1
The Pipe Pro: Day 1
Incredibly gripping and enthralling opening day of the WSL 2024 Season at 10-12ft (according to Shane Dorian) Pipeline.
I know the arguments against Pipe opening the season, as opposed to ending it, are legitimate and have an iron-clad logic behind them – and we will discuss them - but I can live with Pipe as season-opener after the drama of a day like today where rookies and timid World Champs were put in the spotlight in the most arbitrarily ruthless sporting arena on Earth.
We knew the tour had been taken over by San Clemente rookies but it wasn't until today that the extent of the Californication of the tour roster became clear. It felt like a 2-percenter in every heat. The mantra for these kids is personal development through pro surfing; a reaction according to Flick Parmeteer against the “shallowness” of surfing. Journals and goals and emotions and therapy-speak are as common to these folk as beers and bongs and nude pin-ups used to be for the Aussie surf animals of old. However, packing barrels of uncommon girth remains a constant for the members of both tribes, as alien to each other in all other ways, as any groups of human beings have ever been.
Referencing them as a group, they killed it today.
Guarded by a helmet and armed with self-belief, Griff wailed into one of the highest scoring waves of the day - an 8.50 (WSL/Bielmann)
Kade Matson (6'3”) arm-barred a pretty little Backdoor peak for his opening ride then tried the same thing on a bomb minutes later. Computer said no. He went sideways in the lip, then pitched from crest to trough before the whole thing unloaded on him. Lesser wipeouts this season have seen surfers stretchered off the beach clinging to consciousness. He emerged unscathed, butterflies vanquished. He looked a bit jiggy in the elimination heat, proning out of one barrel and go-karting another after a pigdog went wrong. But he did enough to get through.
Kade Matson three-falling (WSL/Bielmann)
Houshmand was solid but went down in a close heat after wildcard Jackson Bunch (I already see the two Hawaiian wildcards as rookies) speared an absolute monster on the buzzer. It was, according to Strider Wasilewski, “nothing but nuts out there”.
Eli Hanneman, not technically a 2-percenter, but inducted spiritually into the club in a reversal of the typical Polynesian process of 'adopting' haoles into the family structure, was imperious. A sideslip takeoff that ended in disaster was followed next wave by the same takeoff with perfect execution for a heat win over Kanoa and Connor O'Leary. Two years ago, Hanneman let us know from the glass, he was watching the event from hospital after a Pipe wipeout knocked him out and badly injured his pancreas. That added a little post-heat spice to an incredibly gritty and composed performance.
Small digression: I feel a little ripped off that Connor has chosen to surf for Japan. He was raised here in Australia, his encouragement and support from this area alone (Northern Rivers) has been immense. His wins were celebrated, his losses and journey back to the CT after relegation were held with supportive arms. It seems cynical, despite his Japanese mother, to ditch his country of birth for naked career advancement. Not to mention the actual born and raised Japanese surfers he is displacing. Of course, he's not the first, nor the last, and who could say they wouldn't do the same thing in his position. Rant over.
Crosby Colapinto was the last of the Californian rookies to surf. He did not shirk it. Packed a Backdoor bomb for a 7.33 and generally made Pipe look like a blood meal to a hungry mosquito.
Australian surf fans had to wait for the last heat of the round to see our sole rookie, Jacob Willcox. Chippo confessed later in the day to feeling a bit overwhelmed with emotion when hit with the reality that his long journey to qualify had finally reached its destination. Straight away he started threading Pipe caverns, looking as at home as he does in the desert lefts. He was only relegated to third place by the fact that two Brazilian goofyfoots, Italo and Miggy Poops, were on the better waves. Willcox got the job done in the last Elimination Round heat of the day and surfs now against Yago Dora in Heat 8. That will not be easy.
Ramzi keeps his nose clean on a late drop (WSL/Bielmann)
OK, the rookies covered it - Ramzi Boukhiam included. Compared to Snapper with its user-friendly sub-tropical sand-bottom walls, Pipe is a nightmare for rookies. It remains a nightmare for our current World Champ Filipe Toledo. He said he was sick and that's why he quit on the stool instead of surfing his Elimination Round heat. OK, we believe him, against all the evidence.
It doesn't justify or excuse his earlier Heat 6 performance against Sammy Pupo and Shion Crawford.
He started the heat by sitting well off on the shoulder. “He's on the shoulder of the lefts,” observed water guy Wasilewski. We were told by the booth this was so he was in position for the rights. I've never seen a Backdoor wave break from the channel at Pipe but...plausible deniability, I guess. Then he sat and sat. Halfway through the heat he snuck over a bit near the peak. He didn't paddle for a wave, he didn't catch a wave. Good waves, hollow waves, were ridden around him like he wasn't there. Seven minutes to go he paddled into a soft-shouldered Pipe wave and kicked out after a short ride with no barrel. The booth was in a pickle. Finally, Strider seemed to lose patience, “I wanna see him step up and surf Pipeline - he has to get over the fear factor.”
But he didn't. Taken as a single performance we could write it off to dodgy guts, a bad day, poor sleep, low blood sugar, Pipe doesn't respect me – I dunno, take your pick, Slater has come up with a million excuses over the years.
Toledo, puckered and ready (WSL/Bielmann)
But unlike Slater, seen in the light of his entire body of work in heavy waves this matches the tenor of his approach. Box, Pipe, Tahiti. All of them have been marked by maddening refusals to improve his skill set and enable him to be competitive in waves of consequence. Yes, there have been some moments, but the clear direction of movement is towards worse, not better performances. 1.77 for 2 waves ridden in glassy, barrelling Pipe?
Being the Woz, after the disgrace comes the denial, the stone-walling, the fingers-in-the-ears and absolute refusal to acknowledge that the current two-time World Champ is hopelessly inept at the most important wave on the schedule. This on a day where they almost gave themselves a whiplash patting themselves on the back for “communication and transparency”. Yes, they did.
Holding the lead and priority, Gabriel Medina dropped in on Callum Robson (above) in a dangerous, yet legal, blocking move. Just minutes later, Robson paddled into the best wave of the heat, and ultimately the best wave of the day, scored 9.00 points and took the heat win (WSL/Bielmann)
A beautiful piece of cosmic symmetry presented itself - perhaps journaled by one of the Californians. Pip was surfing in his 100th CT event. JJF was likewise surfing his 100th CT event.
Both two-time World Champs, John presented the perfect mirror image of Pip's hapless, deer in the headlights heat. He made every wave look like it was absolutely perfect, like any old Joe Sixpack could ride it.
Further contrast to Pip: John said the 100th event announcement gave him, “a lot of confidence.” He said the tour, the Olympics, having a kid etc etc was making him feel overwhelmed but excited and he was “gunna have fun with it.”
Further contrast between Toledo and Florence: Toledo's withdrawal comes pre-loaded with the knowledge that Pipe is a throwaway and he could still win the World Title at a canter at Trestles in September.
Which brings us back to the original posit about Pipe as season opener. That remains the single greatest objection to it: that our most consequential contest can be treated as a throwaway by world champs. That cannot be a way to produce a legitimately recognised World Champion. Whatever it takes, that state of affairs has to be remedied.
Lot of blank space on the sleds today. Most had a single sticker on the beak, a few rocked Red Bull as back up. Elo's vision half-succeeded. We got an American renaissance on tour, but where oh where is the American money?
Tricky back end of the forecast with a lot of north swell contamination. That anomaly was pointed out by JJF in his forecast as a feature of the season so far. It could be one contributing factor for the extraordinarily high injury count this season. You can't blame Toledo for tapping out if he doesn't need to be there, can you?
// STEVE SHEARER
Comments
Can't take the mongrel out of Medina.
Shouldn't be allowed to do what he did. Imagine he injured landed on Robson, at a wave of consequence like that it could be very serious.
He's a great surfer, although I don't like his style, but that dropping in bs is dangerous .
No more dangerous than any other brazzo at any other break around the world!!!
He did the same thing to Slater at Backdoor, did he not? No scoring potential, just a dick move. Is Charlie the step-flog back?
A dog act, hence my previous commitment.
The World champ barely even able to catch a wave at Pipe ???
Embarassing for both WSL & Toledo!
“Philomena”Toledo might get a wildcard on the women’s event
But would be dusted by a few of them
*most
Thanks Steve.
Can Pip get a late entry into the QS event at urbnsurf this Saturday and get some mojo back?
Looks a lot heavier in the photos than it did on video. That photo of Matson is awesome.
Cheers for that, reckon you nailed it.
Even when it was at the end of the season Pipe had the potential to be a free event for any world champ who had the title sewed up going into the comp. This narrative that Filipe is an undeserving champion is ridiculous. Last year, under the old system, he would've had the title done and dusted before Pipe.
"Even when it was at the end of the season Pipe had the potential to be a free event for any world champ who had the title sewed up going into the comp."
It happened, I think, four times since the tours split in 1992 - so thirty years. Not really a solid justification. Also, the way it is now, any surfer, not just a world champ, can afford to back away from Pipeline knowing they've got throwaways up their sleeve. In the old style, surfers had to throw everything at the last event as there were no further opportunities to improve.
I liked how the old style put the focus on Pipeline, it created real pressure and drama, amplifying an already scary wave, and of course it made for excellent viewing. That's largely lost now.
Agree massively.
The finals format compounds the issue, because a surfer only needs to make the top 5.
Sure Toledo has come first in the last few years, but I would argue that if there was no Top 5 then every surfer would go harder at every event to try to come first at the end of the year.
Right On Stunet.
Last year the waves barely topped 4 ft all year. It wasn’t a tour that tested competitors in all types of waves.
Had the waves of consequence fired, it might have allowed Fil’s feet to be held to the fire, bringing the season to the last event - finals event not withstanding.
The real question is, what should the last event be - final 5 or open contest? A top five finalists event biases the field to the chosen wave, whereas, if the last event is taken on the balance of all the other wave types throughout the season- a few consequential waves, a few points, a few beachies, then yep, the winner would be a deserving world champ; The most consistently winningest surfer across all waves, not a limited style.
I don’t talk shit about Fil because he is a tremendous surfer and competitor, but there will always be the asterix next to the world title if he isn’t going over the ledge on slabs. It’s a shame too, because he has shown he can do it.
The final 5 event only reinforces that.
I think we can and should talk shit on Fil. If things go to wsl plan, he will win his 3rd world title.....1 more than Tom Carrol, JJF & Media. Same amount as Curren, AI and Fanning. What a travesty that this guy can be incuded on a list like that, when he consistently does what he did at pipe on day 1.
Imagine boxing restructured things so you could win a belt but never risk getting hit, or formula 1 changed things so you could win the championship but never need to get out of 2nd gear......unimaginable......but this is what the wsl has done to our sport....fuck them forever
Great write up FR.
The below has been discussed to death but duly ignored by the WSL.
"Which brings us back to the original posit about Pipe as season opener. That remains the single greatest objection to it: that our most consequential contest can be treated as a throwaway by world champs. That cannot be a way to produce a legitimately recognised World Champion. Whatever it takes, that state of affairs has to be remedied."
Felt uneasy about O'Leary surfing for Japan as well, but then thought about it and would have done the exact same thing in his shoes! He's never gonna win a world championship but going to the olympics would be cool.
I agree- unless he's a Japanese citizen which I guarantee he's not (you cannot have dual Oz Japanese citizenship) then he shouldn't be allowed to surf for Japan. There are lots of great Japanese surfers who should get a shot at the Olympics.
If he can read this as any 5 year old Japanese kid can he gets a pass- 私の母は日本人です.
Without google translate.
Watash no ? wa nihon jin desu
I must be at the level of a 4 year old
Not bad Roady, very close- watashinohaha wa nihonjin desu.
(My mother is Japanese)
BTW, I'm tapped out, that's about my max level. I can't read Japanese very well but I'm reasonably fluent in speaking. But if Connor can't read that I reckon he shouldn't be competing for Japan. Not that I have anything against him, he seems like a top bloke, I'm more of the mindset that there are more deserving surfers who were actually born here, grew up here, learned to surf here and represented Japan in the past. To take a spot away from them is pretty rough. Don't worry, felt the same about Kanoa too. He's basically an unknown here.
I think he is actually fluent in Japanese.
Kanoa is reasonably fluent but nowhere near native level. I've never heard Conor speak Japanese but if he is fluent, I apologise. If he isn't, he better brush up cause he'll look like a dill if he has to front Japanese media.
Pretty sure he speaks it well.
Ok then Lost, cheers, have to take that one on the chin.
Gambatte Conor!
He is above conversational level. He doesn’t think about it when speaking so must think in Japanese. He gets nuances and uses Japanese fill in sounds as a pro. Must have learnt it as a kid based on when I have heard him talk.
You had some good snow over there, Zen. Appi was looking good when I last looked at their cam.
Roady, tbh, it's been shithouse. Worst year since 2017 that I can remember. Got a great powder day at Inawashiro two Tuesdays ago and there's been barely anything since, including Hokkaido. Temps dropping again next week, hope we can get some snow with it.
On the flipside, the surf has been pumping and the water is unbelievable- you could get away without gloves and even booties I reckon . Been getting some good seshes in.
Rugby league letting guys play for Tier 2 teams in the world cup has been great for the sport. Hopefully it does the same for surfing.
How’s his Nihongo sound to you Zen ? Seems to be making a effort on that front. I only picked up a handful of words.
Now I'm keen to hear him speak. Certainly happy to be corrected.
Around 2mins Zen
https://www.worldsurfleague.com/posts/525416/connor-oleary-lays-it-on-th...
I’ve had a few conversations with Connor’s dad at surf comps over the years and know that Connor was basically brought up as a Japanese kid , both when living in Australia, or at the many times he spent with his mum in Japan.
Their whole family speak fluent Japanese and is basically the first language at home.
Connor and his wife were married in Japan last year and apparently Connor is a Japanese passport holder.
A great, respectful kid when he was young at the comps and he still seems it now as an adult from what I’ve seen in his interviews.
I didn’t at first like the idea of O’Leary changing to Japan but after thinking about what’s been happening sponsorship wise for all surfers these days, the lack of support from Australian surfing organisations for anyone not in the top 2 and then the short careers of most professional surfers, I can understand him trying to find a way to further his career.
I’m sure he would’ve thought long and hard about his move and as Steve said,, he’s not the first to do it.
There would be a list a mile long of Olympians who have represented more than one country, so good luck to Connor and I hope he does well !
So, you don't need citizenship to represent your country in the Olympics?
I was wondering the same too Nick.
Very odd, aye.
But i had Sore Tummy . . .
Fearlipe has all the time and money to do something about his pipe issues, but he prefers to double down on his bullshit excuses. Pretty bizarre behaviour from a pro sportsman...
Even with the world title decided beforehand, year end Pipe has always been a barometer to vouch a champ's worthiness.
With all his skill, Toledo should have the confidence at least to pull into some quick risk free cover ups.
Good write up. You were very kind to Toledo in the write up. If the SN chat members had a committee meeting to draft a critique they would not have held back. :)
Had to look up the 2%ers, have not come across that. It's like a new form of self-improvement Puritanism. We've come a long way from Frank Black's 10%er.
Thought JJF looked good in his heat.
Great read and so true: "Toledo's withdrawal comes pre-loaded with the knowledge that Pipe is a throwaway and he could still win the World Title at a canter at Trestles in September"...
this is the real issue without a doubt.
The irony isn't lost of Flippy having to wear the yellow jersey so that he stood out like dogs balls everytime he sprinted diagonally for the horizon.
Great write up FR.
Some epic surfing today by the field.
Proper charging.
Glad no serious casualties.
There were many a thick one rolling through.
Yeah that yellow jersey looked uncomfortable
Actually maybe the yellow color was very appropriate.
Haha!
Indeed.
Maybe it needs to be a new colour.....perhaps baby poo brown?
Fearlipe Toled0.0 Not my world champ
Thanks for the write-up Steve! Looking forward to the next
Poor Felipe - not - you're getting paid to be a world champ mate.
Question: isn't there a precedent here? Didn't some surfers (who I'd prefer not to name) refuse to go out at maxing Waimea back in 198? - the outcome was that they were canceled from that competition by the WSL (equivalent) and derided by their peers and punters thereafter.
"I feel sick" doesn't cut it for a professional athlete does it? We all know he couldn't cope with his fear, which is his prerogative but surely the WSL must have a rule for this type of non-participation by a professional athlete?
Note: Professional tennis is changing the rule for "injury time' due to the technical way Jokovitch uses it as a weapon when the momentum has swung against him. What the Joker does is "legal" but unethical - that's why the governing body is changing the rule.
Bryce Ellis and Gary Green, 1986 Billabong Pro at Waimea Bay.
It was 25-30 foot yeah? Didn’t Rob Bain and a few others get caught inside by a closeout and one guy almost drowned? Not quite the same as 6-8 foot pipe with ski rescues etc right there
well same could be said about Steph.....multiple world titles but maybe lacking at heavy water waves
This ^^^^^
I think many will ignore this or pretend it wasn’t said.
You would think an 8 x world champ would have done time at Pipe and got to the same level as Carisa.
Plenty of us have said this.
I have never heard the plenty speak about Steph the same way they speak about Fil? I only ever reading glowing posts about how awesome and smooth and style driven Steph is. Criticism of Steph is soft, polite and respectful…nothing at all like the bagging Fil is getting.
Surely an 8 x world champ should be held to a higher standard than a 2 x world champ?
A few differences, but it is clear Steph is deficient in this same area. Any barreling left for that matter.
- Pipe wasn’t even on the tour for most of Steph’s wins and wasn’t expected of women at that time, but now it is transitioning to be.
- Whereas, Pipe has always been the epicentre and most highly regarded venue of men’s competitive surfing (and free surfing).
- Steph openly said she sucks at barreling lefts while Filipe gets defensive and goes into his hole and then beats his chest at the next event with wave faces to turn on. People don’t like that.
- Steph’s win against Carissa imo is cheered on for exposing the sham of the finals series in the WSL but most commenters from my encounters say Carissa should be champ that year.
Steph has had years as she travels the world and paid to surf, to get time at Pipe…has known for a few years they will be competing at Pipe. An 8 x world champ should have prepared. Just like Tyler.
2 Australian world champs…both go missing.
You can spin at however you want.
Roadkill knows all this doggy, it’s just that he has taken it upon himself to be swellnets resident contrarian, it’s his schtick.
So am I wrong goofy?
No you’re partly right, but you also know ld is right too.
Well, I’m happy with that. And I agree LD does make valid points, we are all partly right then
Completely and utterly.
Steve has written it many times, and by and large the sentiment below the line was the same.
Not sure how you've missed it.
Yes Steve has, I don’t disagree with that. The comp chat on the other hand mostly has not imo.
Pipe is transitioning to be…a women’s event? Lucky for Fil he won’t have to surf it then!
Men have been charging pipe and heavy water for a long time now, with women it really is quite recent. Ie fil stands out amongst literally every single competitor on tour for not having a go, whereas Steph was one of many amongst the women, which is also now changing quickly.
BD yes and no, do you remember Layne Beachley ? she charged and we are going back in time to the early 2000 s and they even had a Billabong contest at Chopes back then cause women wanted to be equal with the men....so all the girls have wanted these contests in heavy water for years ...so no excuses....now back to Phil a world champ has to be able to surf anything ..end of story.
Look all due respect to Layne, I shared a lineup with her at very big sunset and I was terrified whilst she absolutely charged, she did slot in a timeline that was a bit bereft of talent. Rochelle Ballard 100% charged, Kealla etc BUT did layne charge shallow water lefts specifically? I really don’t remember her having a dig, 100% she charged big deep water spots but shallow lefts? Anyway it’s immaterial my point is that back then very few of the girls charged bar the odd outlier (Pauline menczer !!), it’s actually shifting really quickly now and any new women world champs really will face the same issue as Filipe has now. I think at heart as fans you want a world champ to be one of if not the best in all conditions, not just an elite wave pool surfer. Surfing bigger waves is a lot more than technical skill, it’s positioning, timing which wave of a set to go, the sheer physicality of gripping a rail for life as you launch over the ledge- its impressive stuff. Being a sub 6 foot ripper is incredible, I just think fans me included want more from our world champs. The women are taking up that charge themselves now but really it has been long established by the majority of men, not just a few outliers.
Can't believe the time has come where I can actually reference this, but the absolute masterpiece of a film Blue Crush had a lot of the women on tour do the stunt work for the film.
Kate Skarratt famously wiped out on purpose for one of the shots at Pipe and was seriously injured. They actually use the footage in the movie during the Pipe comp scene to mentally freak out Kate Bosworth's character more.
Say what you will about some of the women on tour today, but in my teenage years, these women were charging and my whole girl group looked up to them as strong and empowering role models.
Agree 100% on the influence of Blue Crush.
Haha fair enough, when I was a kid I was mainly focussed on the male pros my memory is somewhat biased!
Can not even compare. Only a Dill would think this is even remotely similar to Toledo.
Steph would have won 10 out of 10 heats against toledo at pipe.
100% agree. Big fan of Steph’s style, a great ambassador and she has progressed women’s surfing. However, there is definitely a gap in the heavy water, backside barrel riding. Obvious neither champ has tried to work on this.
Fil surfed to the schedule and won 2 titles. Fact. With Cloudbreak effectively replacing Jbay he has lost a big strategic advantage. Nevertheless I'm looking forward to see how he goes at Cloudbreak.
Good call on Jacob getting Yago in rd3, that's near as tough as it gets.
Awesome write up
Nice day one summary. I was watching Toledo’s heat while doing work, and did notice him sitting on the shoulder, then halfway through the heat that he hadn’t attempted a wave. I like his surfing but his heat was puzzling, even if he did have food poisoning. Personally, I would have loved to be able to surf Pipe in those conditions with only two others in the lineup. What is going to happen if the Olympics are held in macking waves?
Also, it struck me that the site of the WSL finals should be determined by a spin of the wheel like on american game show Wheel of Fortune. Wishful thinking, but it would at least add some drama and a semblance of appeasing all surfers and surf fans.
Fearlipe. Complete embarrassment. WSL deserves their "Champion".
"Journals and goals and emotions and therapy speak are as common to these folk as beers and bongs and nude pin-ups used to be for the Aussie surf animals of old." Absolute gold Steve. LOL. Great write-up as usual.
Onya Strider,
Fil seems to have no interest in facing or challenging those fears he has in heavy, shallow conditions.
Why bother when the format suits his chances at another title.??
I don't see that as a good trait for any World Champ, or world champ contender to have in any sport.
If the final 5 shootout was at Pipe he'd have to rethink his whole game plan if he wanted a world title.
Trestles is the biggest farce of this whole shit show. Fuck it off.
If Chopes is firing for Olympics Fillie will really embarrass himself Infront of the whole world. I'm hoping sunset is huge and pumping some goes for Portugal and Margie's. If 3 of the next 4 comps are held in heavy water he will struggle to make the cut
He will go Margies at size. It’s the heavy shallow reefs he shirks.
Maybe not if they hold it at "The Box"
Wouldn’t that be glorious. Don’t forget cloudbreak. He will be really unwell come August
Sydney Morning Herald haven't held back!
Brilliant.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/reigning-world-champ-toledo-in-big-wave-no-...
Got paywalled but the intro said it all!
Here ya go...
Reigning back-to-back world champion Filipe Toledo bowed out of the Pipeline Pro with just two waves for a combined score of 1.77 before withdrawing citing food poisoning, triggering further questions over his commitment in big surf.
Heavy two-metre Pipeline waves delivered snapped boards and saw rookie Crosby Colapinto briefly needing a jet ski rescue as this year’s Tour kicked off at the iconic Hawaiian break.
Fearsome winter swells have already injured five pro surfers in a variety of incidents since December, with big-wave specialists John John Florence and Australian Jack Robinson starring on day one.
Toledo, though, was barely sighted in his round one heat, waiting almost 25 minutes for his first wave – which did not barrel and was scored 0.50.
A follow-up of 1.27 saw the Brazilian champion relegated to the elimination round, from which he withdrew due to illness.
Professional big-wave surfer Laura Enever and world No.5 Molly Picklum spoke about Toledo’s frustrations and tactics in commentary as his first heat of 2024 ticked down, while WSL’s veteran analyst Strider Wasilewski – renowned for his prowess at Teahupo’o during his younger years – identified Toledo pulling back on several waves from his vantage point in the water.
“He’s got to get those butterflies out of his stomach because at the moment you can see the hesitation,” Wasilewski said. “I want to see him step up and surf Pipeline the way that [he can]. He’s got the talent, he’s just got to get over that fear factor.”
Toledo took aim at critics via Instagram on Thursday after his Pipeline Pro withdrawal.
“To the critics on duty, and the world champions who comment on social media, believe what you want, I’m not here to prove anything to you!” Toledo wrote.
“My health is my priority! To those cheering me on, thank you very much! We are together haha we will be back better and stronger!”
Toledo’s no-show continued a theme of several notable misfires in heaving conditions, most infamously registering a 0.0 score at Teahupo’o in 2015 and then opting not to paddle for waves in a 2022 heat at the Tahitian break.
In small waves, the 28-year-old ranks among surfing’s modern greats, and Toledo has performed well in serious swells throughout his career – finishing fifth in the Pipeline Pro last year and third in Tahiti in 2018.
But repeated questions have been asked over his big-wave approach upon his two world titles and the WSL format that decides the championship in a winner-takes-all shoot-out at Trestles in California, typically a smaller, high-performance break.
Toledo’s spot on Brazil’s Olympic surfing team – automatically awarded based on his world ranking – has also been criticised given the event will be held at Teahupo’o for Paris 2024.
In an interview with this masthead last year, Toledo spoke candidly of his fears and surfing approach at Teahupo’o.
“Everybody’s scared of this wave, they just don’t talk about it,” he said. “Of course I need to improve here and that’s what I’m trying to do … You have to be smart about it, too. There are risks when you surf this wave and when you’ve already qualified for the finals, you think about these things.”
Robinson led a contingent of Australians including Ethan Ewing, Ryan Callinan, Callum Robson, Liam O’Brien and Jacob Willcox into the Pipeline Pro’s knockout stages later this week.
Robson’s 9.0 ride was the best-scoring wave of the day, with slightly smaller conditions predicted on Friday (AEDT) when the women’s competition is expected to begin.
Two-time world champion Tyler Wright and rising star Picklum headline an Australia pack that also features veteran Sally Fitzgibbons in her return to the World Tour.
“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”
The litany of fear. I use it every time fear arises in my stomach
From Fil's Instagram story
https://www.instagram.com/stories/filipetoledo/3292777833174583938/
Translation
To the critics on duty, and the world champions who comment on social networks outside, believe what you want, I'm not here to prove anything to you! My health is my priority! to those cheering me on, thank you very much! We are together and haha we will be back better and stronger!
Slater moved himself to pipe to get better when younger ..hmm nailed it I reckon…pip moves himself to trestles..to get better..the stats won’t lie in years to come but the surfing world will never forget how pathetic the venues of choice for a champion has become..pip upset tummy ?? Nerves!!! I’m tipn
“ Kade Matson (6'3”) arm-barred a pretty little Backdoor peak for his opening ride then tried the same thing on a bomb minutes later. Computer said no.” - lol
It takes a day like yesterday for the actual surf to match this kind of writing. Great job!
It was a great day but a couple of things could have made it even better.
1. More consequence - How about only the winner of the 3 mans goes through then a second round of three men heats with again only the Winner going through ?
2. 35 or 40 min heats to give everyone more set opportunities.
So does the world champ check the forecast before going to the Olympics , pretty sad in the end the champ only taking on certain waves for how good he is
I don’t think we should pour shit on Connor O’Leary.
Let’s get behind him and support.
It is/was the best option for him to compete at the Olympics and the dude fucking rips. Can’t wait to see him in Chopes!
I love Felipe Toledo. I have always spoken positively about the Brazilians. But this behaviour is unacceptable. He really needs to go somewhere like Chile or The Womb in Ellensbrook and practice, practice, practice, practice,practice, practice, practice, practice,practice, practice, practice, practice,practice, practice, practice, practice,practice, practice, practice, practice,practice, practice, practice, practice,practice, practice, practice, practice,practice, practice, practice, practice,practice, practice, practice, practice,practice, practice, practice, practice,practice, practice, practice, practice,practice, practice, practice, practice,practice, practice, practice, practice,practice, practice, practice, practice,practice, practice, practice, practice,practice, practice, practice, practice,practice, practice, practice, practice,practice, practice, practice, practice,practice, practice, practice, practice,practice, practice, practice, practice,practice, practice, practice, practice,practice, practice, practice, practice,practice, practice, practice, practice,practice, practice, practice, practice,practice, practice, practice, practice,practice, practice, practice, practice,practice, practice, practice, practice,practice, practice, practice, practice,practice, practice, practice, practice,practice, practice, practice, practice,practice, practice, practice, practice,practice, practice, practice, practice.
He is a professional surfer. This behaviour is disgraceful.
I'm all for therapy speak and men being in touch with their emotions etc. But pro surfing is pro surfing not the English Premier League. In English Premier League men pretend to fall over and learn to be sneaky and cheat. In pro surfing men CHARGE when the waves are heavy, That is the culture. There is no excuse for weak excuses and sneakiness.
100%
MB Cool it naming waves - also bad behaviour some might say
Kelly says he can’t turn but can go in a straight line just fine.
Poor old Pip is the opposite.
Kelly looked amazing today.
he was half a point behind current Pipe Champion Jack Robinson at the end of their heat and that is probably a fair reflection of his current standing at Pipe.
Highly competitive and easily capable of taking down the best guys.
True but all the reasons when he doesnt progress just kills me. How hard would it be to say “x surfed better than me’
Wouldn't mind seeing a copy of Pip's doctor's note. Y'know, the one he has to show his employer that explains why he's absent from work.
“To Whom it may concern,
F. Toledo has four foot fever and will be unavailable for work until his conditions return.
Signed
Dr Phil N. Sookypants”
Four foot fever! Haha
Thanks for your insights Steve
So good to watch these gutsy guys go for it.
If this was for the world title, Filipe would have to battle his Leviathan & go for it too ....
maybe singing a mantra
Looking at that footage griffins wave at 30 seconds in how the hell was that an 8.50 ?. Medina also over scored for that 8.33 much more than 0.67 apart from Robsons wave imo
I agree Gabe's wave was overscored. It was exciting at 1st glance but replays showed it was overscored. Robson's wave i sensed was perfect as soon as I saw the wave start to form on the reef from the aerial camera. It was pure shaped glass and it proved that. Robson was totally blown out. Yes, definitely at least 1.5 points better than Gabriel's wave.
Be good to hear what Pritamo thinks of the scoring?
100% Ben
No doubt that the amount of serious injuries at Pipe this season played a big part in Fil’s head noise today. I’m sure his team all probably told him not to worry and to save himself for defending his title at Sunset, and just focus on making the final 5 again.
But jeez, talk about turning the monkey on your back into a gorilla. Today was legacy defining for Felipe, I wonder if he’ll realise that when he looks in the mirror tomorrow morning.
Filepe knows God can't be trusted in shallow reef breaks (and in war zones, cancer wards etc.) but loves helping out faithful Brazzos do airs and rip at Trestles.
Haha that’s very funny
Amazing. I hope he reads your comment.
So true
Pipe and Bells are probably the most prestigious trophys to have in your cabinet and toledo has none , maybe he should retire if he can't surf pipe and thinks its a throwaway contest
he won bells
It was shitty bells but. Hope it is big this year.
Alot of amazing waves to be gotten all over the world. Freshening it up wouldn't be totally out of the questions as well as removing any way heck that pro can have a throw away... I think thats why they call them A PRO right?
What about the mid season cut? If fill stumbles at sunset against a ( probably) sunset specialist wild card he might take two throw away scores from Hawaii??
Think someone said it earlier but just think back to all those ridiculous claims, the wolverine, the chest pumping, the flexing, the bowing, christ even that bloody lion tatoo. All piss n wind.
Sorry phil but you're a pro mate.
Phil might have to go to a tattoo shop and get that lion changed to a kitten
Toledo + Chopes + Olympics = ???
Toledo + Chopes + Olympics + a real bad stomach ache
AI knows-
“Does Filipe Toledo like surfing pipeline
ChatGPT
Filipe Toledo is known for his progressive and aerial surfing, which may not be as suited to the powerful and barreling waves of Pipeline. However, surfers can enjoy different styles and conditions, so it's possible he appreciates Pipeline even if it's not his primary focus.”
I wonder if the photo at the top of the article is a revealing image. The current Pipe Pro champ, Jack Robinson, walks along the beach seemingly alone (except for the WSL person taking the photo) while 7 photographers cluster around Kelly Slater.
Wozzle post show-
“ Pipe Turns On, Tests World's Best To Start 2024 CT \\ 805 Post Show - Day 1
The Tour is back! Pipeline delivered a memorable opening day at the Lexus Pipe Pro presented by YET with near-perfection and excellence under the spotlight of a fresh Championship Tour season. First eliminations are already in the books after incredible showings from 2x WSL Champion John John Florence, the hard-charging Callum Robson, wildcard sensation Jackson Bunch, and 2023 Final 5 contender Griffin Colapinto all delivering excellent Opening Round showings. With elimination pressure on the line, Connor O'Leary and Jordy Smith joined rookie threat Jacob Wilcox into the Round of 32 after salvaging their CT debuts in heavy waters.
FT at pipe joins the every expanding ”things we don’t talk about to keep our jobs” subjects.
I wonder if Strider will be tuned up for his live comments during the end of heat?
Funny comment from a non-surfing mate of mine. "What's his problem? It's only water breaking his fall." I explained the shallow lava reef beneath. "So? Sand is rock hard underwater too" He had a point.
In hindsight Fil should have just pulled the pin from the start of the event rather than using the "food poisoning" reason to save face a little.....If sunset is big he's going to be found out even more.
Like I've said before winning at Trestles finals day deserves an * next to your name due to the format and conditions, but not even competing at the premier venue on tour at a manageable size is not what a world champ should be doing.
Maybe to avoid such situations in the future the WSL should count all events towards points rather than a "throwaway" event being allowed?
The WSL is dead and the Champion killed it.
can we add an * to all the Aussie world champs who claimed their crown at Manly Beach - Chileans would be rightly aggrieved about that...
Fair point however those world titles (if your'e talking 80's and i think 90's) would have been year long results I'm thinking and the * imo is more about the format and venue rather than the surfer.
Fil would've won last year under previous format I'm pretty sure.....I believe it highlights the flaws in the system/format and the reasoning behind a one day finals event when it should be the old system of best surfer all year wins, for example Carissa Moore. But this is my opinion and not everyone is going to agree.Cheers
Great read Steve and the commentators above.
When Fil pulled that double air combo and won at JBay that year he went right up near/at the top of my guys to watch on tour tree. Amazing talent and speed. Perfect technique.
But without getting too personal or body shaming, well, maybe the opposite, I remember looking at his rig and body shape and thinking there's not much muscle on him, bit of a whippet when you compared him to the other fast and technically superior guys like say Mick or others at the time. Even Kelly at 51, when you look at his physique, particularly his back, he's still stacked with muscle. Still looks powerful.
Not that being muscled up always counts, plenty of little guys surf Pipe exceptionally well, Mason Ho for one, plenty of others. Even Lopez wasn't a bulked up guy himself. But even though Mason is a relatively small guy, he still is ripped. What I'm trying to say is, firstly I don't watch surfing to check out the rigs, but I always saw Fil and still do see him as a guy that's a bit/ a lot underdone physically. Doesn't necessarily matter at small wave shredding and he is undisputed one of/ the best at that, but surfing , particularly in waves of consequence is an intensely physical sport, and strength is confidence. Something you find out like a slap in the face once you fall off the physical proverbial cliff and turn 60 and beyond.
Comparing Fil to Gabs, who also looked a bit underdone to me when he first burst his talent on tour, Gabs now looks like a superman, like a powerful middleweight or light heavyweight boxer in prime condition. Fil still looks the same as he did back then to me.
Maybe I'm way off, genes count too I suppose, and mental state of mind. Just trying to understand what's going on with his glaring weakness in putting himself under the lip and going when he's the champ in the water with one or two others, the whole world watching and the best water patrol on the planet sitting in the channel if you fuck it up.
I'd be moving the whole family to the North Shore and be ready to kill myself trying if I was him, particularly after copping the shit he's copped. Not checking Trestles every day in my downtime. And I'd be making my body as strong and powerful as I could get it. Fils, to my eye, is nowhere near that.
But if I decided to stay in San Clemente, then I'd be looking up a guy like Kanga Cairns to take me under his wing, an old school surfing warrior scared of no wave, get a bit of his "they shouldn't have cut me loose" mindset.
Also remember that Wiamea contest Gary Green and Bryce Ellis wouldn't paddle out in that RCJ did and launched his big wave career in. Never held any disrespect for their decision not to go, but not really a comparison to Pipe yesterday, different times, different water safety protocols, they weren't the reigning champs with a decade of going to the North Shore. They were both really great surfers, but more like grommets in waves like that at the time. The Bay was copping close out sets that day.
But I do note that that day pretty much ended their careers, RCJ still has his today.
I'm probably not making sense, (as usual as old mate Roadkill is probably mumbling to himself if he reads this) so I'll shut up now.
Just waiting for some smart arsed screen printer to do "Eddie would Go...Fil wouldn't" t-shirts.
Make a bomb with those I reckon.
Lopez?
Short and slight, moved with feline grace, and though he may have been Conan the Barbarian's sidekick, no-one called him macho during all those years he ruled Pipeline.
Lopez is tiny , built like a 13 year old , maybe 5ft , Derek and to a lesser degree michael Ho both pretty small , actually works to advantage for standing tall when others are squatting or grabbing the rail
Tom Carroll another shorty
Nice to see Jack Robbo with an Arakawa under his arm, right tool for the job , go Jack !
Derek Ho is tiny. Sorry, was, RIP.
I remember when I was on the North Shore feeling up some of his boards, absolute slivers.
Machado is even tinier.
There is a graphic on another site showing comp logos etc with a toilet in the middle...caption
"phil would go"
Adam check out Makana Pang.
Pipe local who looks like he’s about 12 years old and 45 kgs.
Some of the waves he puts himself on and in are incredible.
Blows me away someone so slight surfs pipe like that
https://www.instagram.com/m_pang?igsh=MWlvb2pwMG5rZ3Mycw==
The bigger you are the harder you fall and you might need 2x as much energy to get over the ledge on that extra foam and under it on the way back out. How about Moana Jones Wong, never seen her up close but doesn't look like a giant person to me and wow she went for it!
Dont forget Moana Jones -Wong.......maybe 50 kgs wringing wet....charges pipe.....
Serious question, can any of you avid pro surf watchers hand on heart say they are excited for the WSL?
I was asking a few people around town (who would normally be frothing) if they caught pipe yesterday and nearly everyone either didn’t watch it or saw a few snippets.
I’m struggling to be keen that’s for sure. Feel like a gross waste of energy and time these days……..
If the waves are pumping like yesterday then I’ll watch it all day.
If not couldn’t care less really.
100% can say I am excited for every comp.
Too many whinge but nearly every comp throws up some drama.
I love the whole season.
Yeah, points all well taken, probably why a career in surf commentary never got a number on my bingo card, I did say I'm probably/maybe way off. Just an opinion and my thoughts, wondering what's going on in Fil's head.
Probably best I stick to wondering what's going on in my own which can be a puzzling prospect at the best of times.
Was trying to think of Makana Pang's name when I was talking about Mason. He's got that wave down, that's for sure. Pretty solid Pipe pedigree and crew he grew up surfing it with too which must help I think.
Maybe it's not Fil's shoulder, arm and back girth at all, maybe just his nads after all.
But then true that @Simba about Moana, so maybe it's not even the nads.
Maybe it's just me.
Fuck I'm getting confused on SN again, self inflicted again.
I'll shut up now. Some inbound power starting to show locally this weekend, might need to go check on my own nads.
Edit: not looking good.
I really appreciated your points of view and comments. I could tell you were kinda making it up as you went. It was thought provoking. Cheers.
Enjoyed the write up as per usual Steve.
Was however a little disappointed in your days summary that generally goes in a chronological order that made no comment or reference to Robson's heat or ultimately, highest scoring wave of the day.
I realise you have admitted previously to not holding any personal patriotic sense, and perhaps that was your reasoning for it omission, however your audience is mainly Aussies and by default we love to see our guys/girls do well.
It was a major turning point late in that early heat against one of the worlds best, in what turned out to be probably the most testing conditions of the day.
Just thought it deserved comment in the main body of your piece rather than a mention on a photo caption that was more about Gabe's drop-in than Cal's 9.00...
It definitely did and I had copious notes written about it- might give them a spruce up and add below the line here.
It was an amazing heat and for Cal Robson to beat the 3 time World Champ and Pipe Master at pumping Pipe (and get the days best ride) after he was ruthlessly dropped in on was an amazing competitive achievement.
I've always loved Medina's competitive ruthlessness but for the first time I found myself thinking: "you dog" after he did that.
F.T. have a look at this Bloke 45 + yrs ago ...its Windy and Riding a Big Barge Downrailer with 1 Fin
and a Layer of Shit Wax ...
https://www.lxfound.com/blogs/news/the-drop-at-pipeline-by-gerry-lopez
The young buck just needs to change his mental game.
He's looking at all the what ifs and running scenarios of injury/death/failure through his head.
Which would be fine if that's all it was.
But people don't surf these waves for that.
It's all about the vish! The vision.
Gotta start picturing how much vision he can possibly get on those waves.
When paddling out and looking into them. How much vish?
When paddling in....am i deep enough for the vish?
The rest...the technical stuff will take care of itself..he's got it in spades, more than pretty much anyone.
And the haunting voices in his head will have no place to reside while he's on a vision quest.
Only problem is, gotta take off on a couple to get a little taste of what he's actually chasing.
Otherwise..yeah, it is just taking off to get injured, killed, slaughtered.
Pure mindset.
Wishing him the best of luck in conquering this cos no one want's to see another fella suffer, especially as publicly as he is.
Carn Fil!
WSL's back and it is awesome! more importantly these write ups are back. love it.
feel sorry for FT, in a way. felt bad for him watching his heat on the feed, imagine being on the beach! but it does throw a new angle on our entertainment in waves that scare the shit out of him. sadly we won't get it at Sunset, he seems to "handle" big, just not slabs.
except for Griff's sunglasses the Californians i like, i don't know what 2%'er means and i'm going to keep it that way.
Baron's 8.93 wave.... late sideways take off, rail grab, no grab pump and back to rail grab while intentionally going super high in the barrel. sick. compared to that a few other surfer's waves were overscored,
proud of all the Aussies and how they surfed. Robinson is clearly in his element. Wilcox shows similar comfort in these conditions.
but JJF put on an all round clinic. he was next level. if the day's competition was held as an 8 hour super session he'd have blitzed everyone. his dominance of the entire setup and wave type reminded me of Medina's performance in that Cloudbreak comp (vs Wilko final?), total domination of a heavy line up, the other surfers irrelevant.
JJF, Medina & Robinson are just a few notches above everyone else, they look like they're toying with every wave, no matter how big and sketchy it is.
one negative note on the broadcast: "wave of consequence" yes, agree, but it sounds stupid and i'm embarrassed to hear commentators with Australian accents using it. wish they'd stop.
Kind of feel a bit sorry for the roasting Fil is getting.
Anyway no asterisk with this ex Champ. How to surf Pipe.
jeez they know how to kick a man when hes down on BG............almost bullying poor Phil in my opinion which seems to be the way they operate......taken it too far as usual.
How about instead of hammering Filipe, we encourage him to overcome his fears, most of you that are hammering him wouldn’t go either. He is just like any one of us. My 2 cents…
He's done it his entire career. From Chopes, Pipe and the box.
Not a world champ surfer
It’s getting a bit over the top from some quarters.
I’ve given him a bit myself.
But on the other hand, the question mark has been there for years, there has been some encouragement back then but he has refused to address the question mark and repeatedly doubles down saying he doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone. And in this format he doesn’t.
So what can you do?
Did you read today's Swellnet Flyer? (the weekend email)
just did and it sums up the feeling nicely.........so its up to Phil really there's no point in everyone putting him down anymore as he has to rise and face his fears even if he fails at least he tried....that's all anyone can ask .........i hope he rises.
Yep, would love to see him silence his critics.
As pointed out, many critics wouldn't go either, but they're not 2X world champion..
Guess WSL is to blame also.
You would think with that talent you'd be wanting to take it on....
I don’t get that email @thermalben, but I’d like it. Always enjoyed it when it’s post to the home page. I’ve just ticked the news to my inbox under my account, if that’s it
That was indeed a good read.
Surely if Sunset gets big he’d be fine?
It’s just shallow reef waves that give him the heebie jeebies
He is fine at big sunset….as you say shallow reefs scare him. Wave size isn’t the problem..it’s what is under the water that is scary.
He won sunset last year. But I really hope it’s BIG this year and the guy starts with 2 x last places.
Then you’ve got cloudbreak and chopes.
He may not make the final 5
No amount of tatts will make u braver or cooler than u are...
Seems a shift in SN sentiment towards Fil in the last 24 hours. ( except the usual idiot that would obviously out surf Fil)
It became online bullying, from the surf community, towards the Guy who has a few fears. Fark, the surf world went feral for 24 hours…and now a bit of self reflection is changing the narrative.
What are you on about now Dill?
Don’t get too sentimental he’s still a massive pussy ;-)
Watching the Toledo storyline continuing to unfold is fascinating. I reckon the asterisk against his world titles accusations are completely unwarranted. Don’t blame the surfer, blame the format. No other surfer in the past 2 years was good enough to beat him regardless of their heavy water credentials.
In regard to his clear mental barriers to pushing over the ledge at Pipe etc, the longer he takes to address it & overcome it the less likely he ever will imo. It appears to me that he’s clearly got the skill set to have a serious dig at proper Pipe etc & to make late, critical drops more often than not but the mentality required to do so is obviously a huge factor for him to overcome. I’m not so sure he actually wants to. He seems pretty satisfied with his surfing achievements to date. Good luck to him.
The WSL do need to discuss the elephant in the room though. It’s pathetic to deny such a crucial part of surfing’s anatomy when it’s playing out on one of the greatest arenas on the planet and involving the current 2 x world champ.
Agree @Rabs. It's the game not the player.
But the player doesn't reflect well on how most surfers view the surfing heirarchy..especially witht the chest beating in small waves and the denial.
Those that charged the big stuff always sat at the top of the surfing tree as a grom. I think that's what gets under peoples skin.
Anyway, here's a little pre surf amp up song that might work for him by Adelaides finest.. ;-)
https://open.spotify.com/track/0ewDDPyTvlPgoeZCPLCNNF
For the time being he prefers another Adelaide song, (sitting) on the outside looking in.
Yep agree with all that Southern (glad you're back btw). Particularly the chest beating/excessive claims etc only then to shirk the proper scary stuff. I suppose I was just trying to separate his world title worthiness (imo) from where he sits amongst the list of all time great surfers. If he can’t overcome his heavy water issues he will never feature very high on that list that’s for sure.
Cheers Rabs.
Yep.
Agreed on all the above.
Haha good one LD. We could make up a whole play list for him.
Hope he does find a way through it though.
I remember hearing a surf podcast ..cant remember which one, saying that maybe it's all a big scam! Maybe he's pretending he's scared so he can have his Rocky moment at the Olympics! haha. I mean..maybe! He's a damn good actor if so.
my 2.5 cents
Have 4 separate Crowns (3 events)- run like the Triple Crown- so there's always interest
World Champion Crown- highest pts thru the 4 crowns
Crowned at last event- Pipe- nuff said
events got to reflect where previous pro- surfers/ support bases are from- hence a 'mobile crown' to accommodate USA, Europe & Brazil- & start the year with some fun waves at weird interesting spots with flexible swell windows- tasty little hors d'oeuvres before the real stuff
Mobile Crown:
Europe - Portugal/ Spain/ France/ Italy/ Canaries/ Azores/ Iceland/ French Guyana etc- weird euro shite
Nth America/ Mexico- anywhere random- new tub/ Canada/ Socal/ Georgia/ Puerto Escondido etc
South/ Central America- anywhere- funkier the better
Southern Crown:
Jbay
North Point
Bells
Pacific Crown:
Ulu's
Teahupoo
Cloudbreak
Hawaiian Crown:
Sunset
Haleiwa
Pipe
Uluwatu is in the Indian Ocean
Just pointing it out .
Really like the concept !
Never heard this idea mentioned before but it sounds perfect! Maybe tweaked a little though.
For me, surf comps and judging / scoring needs to reflect free surfing, which this concept does so well. Theres no clear way to score like in golf and tennis, it is a subjective aesthetic. This is why so many people have a problem with what’s playing out with poor Phil. We all know that the culture of surfing celebrates charging. It’s an important part of it. For example look at Slaters heat. Bent over and hardly able to turn from recent surgery and age, but totally ruling at maxing Pipe.
He would have surfed terribly if it were Snapper and Phil would have deservedly schooled him. Or our current world champ who’s too scared to go over the ledge. The reality is, what constitutes good surfing is varied in the free surf world too. There’s slab kings and beachy wizards and graceful point Queens. All worthy, talented and important facets of the surfing whole. It plays out like this at both the professional level and at our home breaks with us punters.
Trying to have one world champ is the wrong format, not just the final five. We’ve all debated it forever, whether the tour champ was indeed the best surfer at the time, and reasonably often it hadn’t been.
Having 4 crowns is perfect. We actually need to be more like tennis or golf (sorry Bobby) where the prestige of winning a major tournament, or in our case a crown, is greater than being #1. Still important and still a goal, but not everything.
I reckon you could have the beachy crown, the slab crown, the point crown, and then Hawaii’s triple crown. This feels right to me because it reflects what surfing already is. I can see it helping the surfers, because more get recognition for being in the hunt. This would help with sponsorship and money issues. You could focus on the 3 event beachy tour and be happy with that, or go for all 4 crowns if you had the talent and the backing. This format would open it up to specialists like Clay, who everyone knows is a top 10 surfer, but the year long tour doesn’t suit him. Same with Nate.
Anyway, great idea. WSL and Makua, I hope you’re listening
But doesn't this just prove the point that the true world champ should be the best across all conditions? JJF won the WSL circus title, The Eddie and the Triple Crown all in the same year. Now THAT is the world's best surfer, giving out participation medals to Fil at Trestles is not
Love the idea of the regional crowns.
Love even more that it'll be forever attributed to 'shitabrick'.
haha!
That's exactly what makes swellnet the leaders in world surfing news!
The shitabrick format. (some would say that a brick was already shat at Pipe a few days ago).
4 crowns each to be won by the men and women, all culminating with the golden brick in Hawaii?
Surfalot I reckon it spreads the love.
Phil was the best surfer across all locations last year, regardless of Trestles, so he got all the glory
What a bloody good idea!!!
MGBSATURDAY, 3 FEB 2024 at 11:21AM new
I think we can and should talk shit on Fil. If things go to wsl plan, he will win his 3rd world title.....1 more than Tom Carrol, JJF & Media. Same amount as Curren, AI and Fanning. What a travesty that this guy can be incuded on a list like that, when he consistently does what he did at pipe on day 1.
Imagine boxing restructured things so you could win a belt but never risk getting hit, or formula 1 changed things so you could win the championship but never need to get out of 2nd gear......unimaginable......but this is what the wsl has done to our sport....fuck them forever
-----------------
Spot on .
Exactly. The format is clearly broken & everyone that remotely cares about pro surfing knows it except for the WSL. Bizarre.
The conversation should really be all about the WSL because it was them that arranged for the title to be won at trestles and in so doing opened the door for someone like Phil to win x 2......but if it finished the way it should have at Pipe and not trestles there's no way Toledo would be a world champ....so blame the woz.
Agree @Simba, but Flippy should maybe keep his mouth shut a bit now. The blow up at Bells and the Pool are so lame in hindsight. If he blows up again like that, he's gonna cop a big spray in return. No amount of lion tatts, over the top claiming and posturing will ever undo his softcock rep now
I think what made things worse for Toledo is when he immediately went on instagram after he withdrew and posted an angry response to his detractors. If he had posted something like i really wasn’t feeling well and thought it best to withdraw from the contest, I think the whole thing wouldn’t have spiraled downhill like it has. Even better, was if he had withdrawn before his first heat and allowed wsl to give his spot last minute to one of the many people within the three mile radius who surf Pipe well
RIP Wayne Kramer
In Filipe’s two world title years, he led the points ladder leading into the final event at Trestles. Pipeline, as the first event of the year, counted towards Filipe’s season total in both years.
So, he lead the men’s tour in both years, not even including Trestles.
Therefore, there shouldn’t be an asterisk against his world titles.
Wally, by your reckoning, should Max Verstappen have just stayed in bed for the last half of the 2023 season, or should he do what he did and continue to push as hard as he can and show us just what was possible?
Ive been pretty critical of Chas Smith in the past, but, must say, his and David Lee Scales latest ep of The Grit podcast nails it perfectly. Also because he recently said nice things about our Freeride (LT), I'll happily pump his tyres up.
I wont share the link but go find Ep 253 if The Grit. Its completely rational, not berating, but calling it as it us. A tip of the hat to both those gents. Keeping it real in the same vein as Swellnet.
I quite enjoyed that podcast, first time listening.
That story about the SA guy who as an 18 year old beat the Hawaiians was a gem.
Roady! New profile pic mate!! Ha. Classic. Good on ya.
Yeah a pretty accurate description of events in the podcast..
If you've got IG head over to Makua Rothmans page. His latest post is pretty bloody revealing of how the world currently views the WSL.
Even John John's mum has jumped on board and taken a swipe at the wozzle.
Watch the stories on this guys profile. LOB and Matt McG during the contest waiting period.
Imagine if they were footballers haha. Coaches would not be happy.
https://www.instagram.com/justnicksmedia?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
I have yet to find any pro or known surfer commenting in support of Fil? No one has come out and said the personal attacks and criticism is over the top?
they are not over the top. that's why. Even his brazilian fans are turning against him.
If it was a one time offence, it's totally excusable, but he's done this over and over again.
Here is what the 2 x world champ does when he tries:
?si=sl_E1TWZkm1UnSrAA key point in all this hoo-ha & the one that Filipe has missed in firing back like he did is that most surfers would love to have the talent he does & just want him to do well. We all know he has the raw ability to charge heavy waves. If he ever overcomes his fear & puts on a performance in big, hollow reef break waves that is worthy of a well-rounded world champ - the applause will be deafening. We all love a redemption story.
Totally agree.
The Filipe Fix . . . David Goggins
As someone who is a massive fan of Goggins that would be hilarious to see
That didn't help Tony Ferguson in his last UFC fight.
Onya Steve, your swellnet recaps and the comment section are defo a highlight of the comp surf season and sure need your intel understanding the WTF of the WSL.
Dear Filipe. You didn't know this would become an issue? Swellnet crew sniffed this hairy rat years ago.
Have you been having nightmares?
The top-heavy lurch of open sea swells,
flashes of the pitted Pipe reef sucking hard two storey below, the blinding flashbulbs of paparazzi hunting the “no late drops” world champ ?
This could blow up into a workplace issue, boss pushing you to do death defying shit, hmm sounds familiar but in any case World Surf League the musical just took an unexpectedly dark turn -
Good morning, Worm your honor.
The crown will plainly show
The prisoner who now stands before you
Was caught red-handed dodging barrels
dodging barrels in a most unchamplike way;
This will not do.
Call the schoolmaster!
I always said he'd come to no pits
In the end your honor.
If they'd let me have my way I could
Have flayed him into slabs.
But my hands were tied,
The bleeding hearts and artists
Let him get away with head dips
Let me pigdog him today?
Fil, my friend, you have revealed your deepest fear, I sentence you to be exposed before your peers
… Read all the comments
..Read all the comments
The Trial (Waters, Bob Ezrin) The Wall
?si=nNSxTZUWh772Bzuapologies to pink floyd
PS Ethan got body slammed but he's back out there packin pipes.
Reckon it would be safer to catch a few waves out pipe the other day then land some of the airs Fil has done over the years eg Brazil comp 2018....
So....as the dust settles.... i can't help but wonder. What must it be like to be the current reigning world champion, stuck on the North Shore...out of Pipe..10 days til Sunset..can't go anywhere.....basically a fishbowl community surrounded by all the worlds best male and female surfers, the whole North shore surfing community...heavies and all, the Hawaiian mainstream news media, the world surf media, your own fellow country men, competitors, friends, family, people you see at the supermarket that you don't know, but...they now know damn well who you are. How does one human survive such an extreme environment. Fark. I feel sorry for him deaing with all that. How does he feel everytime someone looks at him right now in the street. We know the 'bustin down the door' story of Rabs and crew getting stinkeyed. But this is a completely different level.
I watched the Pipeline Masters doco last night on youtube. It highlighted even more if it was ever needed the prestige of Pipe. How would the Rabbits and Shauns of the world view Filipes performance at Pipe,. given all they sacrificed to get themselves into the contest. How would Tom Carroll feel,...with his 3 Pipe wins....his first one of monumental significance....how would Andy Irons view Filipes no show, when he basically threw himself over the falls of a 12footer in one of the comps....in a protest to the way his heat was panning out. How would Derek Ho, Dane Kealoha, Gerry Lopez, ....the ultimate zen warriors, who built a relationship with Pipeline that was way beyond surfing and surf contests...how would they feel seeing the world number one, bobbing around in his yellow jersey on the shoulder, showing disdain for what Pipeline means for any and all surfers. Those with respect to the culture and those who've paved the way before us.
It literally is make or break for him. There is nowhere left to hide (except in a cavernous Pipe barrel). Geez how can you not feel for him. It's not like he's a bad human. Probably the opposite. There is an opportunity for the greatest redemption story in history for Fil.
But it's definitely close to the end of the wick as far as time goes. Carn Fil! The whole surfing world is behind you if you. We're all family here.
Just pull in champ! Get some shade. Safest place in the barrel etc etc.
He might pop up at Cloudbreak this week
I reckon Fil will have a red hot crack at Fiji even if big.
I think the shallow sections will be more readable for him and slightly less daunting than pipe and teahupoo.
LD. I think i'm prone to disagree. I feel like Fil and his feeble attempts at shallow reefs...will view the shishkebabs section with supreme caution. We might see him pick off a couple of shouldery ones but expect nothing more than that in my opinion. At the end of the day, he really is a dead set pussy.
you need to go watch all his chopes heats. 100% he will not go if it's big
OOOh I'm Praying for a Thundercloud Swell...
Well it's a start Jono. But there's a huge difference between Cloudy and Pipe. Especially on the initial take off.
It would be baffling to see him pull out of PIPE bseut yet, between comps, go and surf a semi pipe like wave, when the next comp is Sunset.
Where has the heavy water lefts conviction been since his wipeout at Chopes when he got scraped up that time. Seems obvious to me that's what's really gotten into his head. Can't blame him either....but at the same time...why do you surf....
Great obs as always jono.
yeah, I think that scraping cemented his fears for sure.
But as they say, if you can't handle the heat, get out of the kitchen.
Absolutely T.S. My not so subtle point exactly.
And at the end of the day....he's in a kitchen not many of us will ever stand in. I really hope he finds a way through.
Pretty sure most of us have been in a position of fear and found excuses to cover up that fear. His is just on a public stage. Like i said. He's a good dude.
Not his fault. Entirely the systems. Poor dudes just a scapegoat for a monumental system failure.
He once said he "doesn't want to be that guy" (slab dodger) and I thought he was pretty sincere in acknowledging that and he made a commitment to work on it.
I do feel for the bloke of course and am one of the critics who hopes he can get his head around it.
The guy would be unstoppable for years to come if he managed that.
But if, in his head, he doesn't think the full respect of the surfing community for a World Champ warrants a proper crack at pipe and chopes, then, computer says no.
cheers SR
Was more of a tongue in cheek comment as Cloudbreak is going to be huge and perfect on Tues ;)
Nice angle mate
All eyes will be on Fil at Chopes this year.
That's gotta weigh heavily on him after this, one would think.
Tik Tok.
what an engaging ad, @ts, cheers
great write up steve.
i thought at times it looked extra gnarly and scarier than usual for some reason.
unlike a lot of others i highly rate fil but he's not doing himself any favours.
In a netcon world stimutating kids with 10-30 second attention spans, WSL need good ideas, talent & timing to sell a service or product
I'm no hero in big waves (or even big small waves) but I'm not a pro making a living from surfing. I'm not really adding anything new to the conversation but seriously - if Philby can be called "World Champ" but can't surf Pipe its like Tiger saying I'm rubbish at Augusta but I rip at Putt Putt. I loved the old format - start at Snapper, build up through the season with bigger and more challenging venues - wrap it up with the biggest beast of all.
I'm no hero in big waves (or even big small waves) but I'm not a pro making a living from surfing. I'm not really adding anything new to the conversation but seriously - if Philby can be called "World Champ" but can't surf Pipe its like Tiger saying I'm rubbish at Augusta but I rip at Putt Putt. I loved the old format - start at Snapper, build up through the season with bigger and more challenging venues - wrap it up with the biggest beast of all.