Wildcards Power Through As Shearer Pulls Out Of Rio Pro
Figuring if it's good enough for an 11-time world champion then it's good enough for him, Steve Shearer has pulled out of the Rio Pro. In a media statement this morning, he blamed his absence on low blood sugar levels, the wave not respecting him, and a troublesome time zone.
Under threat of sanction, Steve promised he'd deliver a contest wrap up after the Rio Finals.
Meanwhile, here's the Woz presser from overnight in Saquarema:
PRAIA DE ITAÚNA, Saquarema, Brazil (Sunday, June 22, 2025) - The energy of the ocean turned on to match the energy of the crowd at Praia de Itaúna and kick-off the VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Cero, Stop No. 9 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2025 Championship Tour (CT). After a flat opening day of the waiting period, the three-to-four-feet of swell on offer provided plenty of opportunity for the world’s best surfers to earn the cheers of the thousands of fans lining the beach. The women’s and men’s Opening Rounds were completed, along with the women’s Elimination Round. The next call will be Monday, June 23, at 6:45 a.m. for a possible 7:03 a.m. (GMT-3) start.
Wildcards Power Through as Tatiana Weston-Webb Returns and Arena Rodriguez Defeats World No. 1 in CT Debut
World No. 1 and 2 heading into the event, Gabriela Bryan (HAW) and Caity Simmers (USA), were both eliminated due to the appearance of event wildcards Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) and Arena Rodriguez (BRA).
Weston-Webb returned to competition as a wildcard in Brazil after a few months off. The Olympic Silver Medalist and 2021 World Title runner-up cruised to a comfortable victory over two-time World Champion Tyler Wright (AUS), as well as Simmers, the reigning World Champion and back-to-back Rio Pro winner, before Luana Silva (BRA), Weston-Webb’s Olympic teammate for Brazil, defeated Simmers in the Elimination Round. The loss saw Simmers drop to No. 3 on the live rankings, the Californian’s lowest placing of the season so far. Having last appeared in competition at CT Stop No. 3 in Portugal before taking time away from the jersey to prioritize her well-being, Weston-Webb enjoyed utilizing her forehand to attack the lip on the lefts, earning a 7.00 and 5.17 for a 12.17 (out of a possible 20) heat total, the second-highest of the round.
"It's been so weird to be back in the water with everyone," Weston-Webb said. "Even, actually, my first surf out here at Itaúna was this morning before the contest. I just wanted to go out and have fun and be able to just let my surfing actually free flow. I feel like the beginning of this year…it was just really different for me because I didn't have that mind, body, soul connection. I got some time off, went to the Mentawais, got some really good waves, spent a lot of time with my husband and my family and my close ones, which I really, really cherished, and yeah, I feel really excited to be here. It's really weird because I really thought I was going to take the whole year off, but as it was my home, I feel at home here in Itaúna, and the Brazilian fans are amazing."
Caity (WSL/Othon)
A tough Opening Round heat saw Rodriguez immediately sent to the Elimination Round in her CT debut, but the 19-year-old bounced back with a major upset over Bryan, the current World No. 1. The heat win was a big victory for Rodriguez, who appears in the event thanks to her current placing as the highest-ranked South American on the Challenger Series. Returning to the Challenger in 2025 for a full season for the first time in three years, the Peruvian started with her best placing yet in the opening event in Newcastle, Australia, and just days later finds herself in the Quarterfinals of her first-ever CT.
"I'm really happy to make it through," Rodriguez said. "I'm really, really happy with how the heat panned out, I was searching for lefts. In the morning I wanted to surf because it was really good actually, but I didn't catch the waves I wanted. I'm so happy to have shown my surfing this heat and beat the number one. [Gabriela Bryan's] been ripping all year long and I love her surfing so much. I'm so stoked to be in the Quarters. I'm actually so without nerves. I'm just taking it all in and learning so much from the best because they make no mistakes and they capitalize on yours. So it's really important to be present. I'm feeling so much right now."
To add to the upsets, Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) was defeated by Wright in the Elimination Round after the Hawaiian had won two of the last three CT events and made her way into the Top 5 for the first time this season.
Molly Picklum and Cole Houshmand Deliver Top Numbers With Power Leading the Day
Molly Picklum (AUS) closed out the women’s Opening Round with both the highest heat total of 13.50 and single wave score 7.83 (out of a possible 10) of the round. Delivering what is becoming one of her trademarks, the 22-year-old drove through an aggressive single maneuver with full commitment on a critical section to earn her near-excellent score and send 2023 World Champion Caroline Marks (USA) and 2024 World Junior Champion Luana Silva (BRA) to the Elimination Round. Fresh from a runner-up finish at the Lexus Trestles Pro, Picklum was the only woman currently sitting in the Top 5 to make the Quarterfinals. The Australian is also the only woman of the five to not win an event so far this season, a fact she is hoping to turn around in Brazil.
"I woke up this morning feeling a little foggy, so I was just really happy to make my waves and work with the swell here," Picklum said. "But yeah, obviously so happy to get through that. Everyone's surfing so good at the moment. And yeah, I'm happy to skip that Elimination Round. Brazil's definitely one I want to win. I love the energy here. I have so many good friends here, and it's definitely something I would love to win. This year, I've made a couple Finals, but unfortunately, haven't got the win. I just keep knocking on the door, you know, just keep showing up, and let's see if I can try and crack it and take home the trophy."
Molly (WSL/Othon)
Brazilian Wildcard Gabriel Klaussner (BRA) got off to a quick early lead in his first appearance on the CT, where the 20-year-old found himself in the middle of the ongoing rivalry between the two biggest surfers on Tour, Jordy Smith (RSA) and Cole Houshmand (USA). Houshmand struggled to find rhythm for much of the heat until a powerful, perfectly-timed two-turn combo on his forehand earned the first excellent score of the event, an 8.00. With a 5.30 added shortly after, the Californian jumped into the Round of 16 ahead of Klaussner and Smith, the current World No. 1.
"There wasn't really much strategy except for identify the lefts and try to go left," said Houshmand. "I was struggling out there. I literally surfed a two-minute heat. I caught both those waves in maybe less than two minutes. But yeah, it was fun. The crowd here is crazy. I mean, the reason you want to win here is because of the crowd. It's like you're surfing in a packed stadium or something. There's got to be thousands and thousands of people on the beach. So yeah, it'd be fun to win here in front of everyone, but you know heat-by-heat and just enjoying it. It's a good life here. I love it here. It's one of my favorite places."
Houshmand’s fellow San Clemente surfer Crosby Colapinto (USA) also moved into the Round of 16 after defeating back-to-back Rio Pro Finalist Yago Dora (BRA), and former CT surfer Peterson Crisanto (BRA), who is appearing as a wildcard thanks to a strong showing in the opening event of the Challenger Series season.
Brazilian World Champions Filipe Toledo (BRA) and Italo Ferreira (BRA) both picked up Opening Round heat wins, along with Miguel Pupo (BRA). Toledo, the four-time Rio Pro winner, holds high expectations from the local crowd as he returns after taking last season off. The two-time World Champion emerged on top in a stacked heat that featured João Chianca (BRA), who calls Saquarema home, and Griffin Colapinto (USA). Meanwhile, Ferreira, the 2019 World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist who is the defending event winner, also moved straight into the Round of 16.
"I'm so happy to be back in Brazil again," Ferreira said. "Last year, it was one of my best moments of the year right here in Saquarema and I have the opportunity to do it again. That first heat was pretty nice against two nice surfers, Seth [Moniz] and Connor [O’Leary]. I tried to find the good waves. It's hard because there's a lot of current and then white-water at the same time and it's hard to find a good wall. But I had one on a channel and my last one was kind of good, but I fell on the last turn. But yeah, it's just the first heat so I'm super stoked.”
Rookie of the Year Frontrunners Erin Brooks and Joel Vaughan Channel Good Memories to Collect Early Wins
The only women’s Rookie to survive the Mid-season Cut, Erin Brooks (CAN), collected her first Opening Round heat win since CT Stop No. 3 in Portugal in the first heat of the event. The 17-year-old earned the jump straight into the Quarterfinals and sent two women currently sitting in the Top 5, Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) and Isabella Nichols (AUS), into the Elimination Round where both were subsequently eliminated. Though competing in a Championship Tour event for the first time in Brazil, Brooks has fond memories of Saquarema, having won the Corona Saquarema Pro Challenger Series event in 2023 and earned her CT qualification on its sands in 2024.
"I just love Brazil," Brooks said. "I mean, the waves are so fun. I love the lefts and I'm just really happy to be here. I woke up early, came down and it was actually really, really small. It kind of grew once the sun came up, but there's so much opportunity, so many waves out there, so I was just trying to stay active and I'm lucky that I did."
Erin (WSL/Othon)
The current men’s frontrunner for Rookie of the Year, Joel Vaughan (AUS), took the win over Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) and Alejo Muniz (BRA) to advance into the Round of 16. Vaughan bookended his heat with mid-range 6’s, one on the left, one on the right, for a 13.33 two-wave total, the second-highest of the men for the day. Having previously earned a Perfect 10-point ride during the Challenger Series event in 2023, the 21-year-old is happy to return to Brazil for his first South American CT appearance.
"It feels awesome to be back," Vaughan said. "I love this beach and the crowd that it brings, the energy is just so amazing. I'm pretty excited to be back here. I've tried to just keep it pretty simple and work on myself and try to get some good waves and yeah, stoked to make that one.”
It was mixed fates for Vaughan’s competition in the Rookie of the Year race, Alan Cleland Jr. (MEX) and Marco Mignot (FRA). Cleland picked up the second-highest single wave score of the round, a 7.33, on his way to a heat win while Mignot, the 2024 Corona Saquarema Pro Challenger Series event winner, was sent to the Elimination Round.
VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Cero Women’s Opening Round Results:
HEAT 1: Erin Brooks (CAN) 11.56 DEF. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 10.10, Isabella Nichols (AUS) 9.66
HEAT 2: Lakey Peterson (USA) 9.56 DEF. Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 8.20, Arena Rodriguez (PER) 4.13
HEAT 3: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 12.17 DEF. Caitlin Simmers (USA) 9.00, Tyler Wright (AUS) 7.27
HEAT 4: Molly Picklum (AUS) 13.50 DEF. Caroline Marks (USA) 9.60, Luana Silva (BRA) 6.30
VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Cero Men’s Opening Round Results:
HEAT 1: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 12.43 DEF. Connor O'Leary (JPN) 11.20, Seth Moniz (HAW) 7.47
HEAT 2: Joel Vaughan (AUS) 13.33 DEF. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 6.34, Alejo Muniz (BRA) 4.97
HEAT 3: Crosby Colapinto (USA) 12.50 DEF. Yago Dora (BRA) 10.60, Peterson Crisanto (BRA) 7.77
HEAT 4: Cole Houshmand (USA) 13.30 DEF. Gabriel Klaussner (BRA) 10.90, Jordy Smith (RSA) 9.43
HEAT 5: Alan Cleland (MEX) 12.33 DEF. Jake Marshall (USA) 9.97, Barron Mamiya (HAW) 8.33
HEAT 6: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 12.00 DEF. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 8.93, Marco Mignot (FRA) 8.24
HEAT 7: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 13.84 DEF. Jack Robinson (AUS) 10.83, Rio Waida (INA) 6.56
HEAT 8: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 12.90 DEF. Joao Chianca (BRA) 11.23, Griffin Colapinto (USA) 8.57
VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Cero Women’s Elimination Round Results:
HEAT 1: Arena Rodriguez (PER) 8.90 DEF. Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 6.50
HEAT 2: Tyler Wright (AUS) 11.90 DEF. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 9.63
HEAT 3: Luana Silva (BRA) 10.47 DEF. Caitlin Simmers (USA) 10.24
HEAT 4: Caroline Marks (USA) 11.43 DEF. Isabella Nichols (AUS) 9.57
Comments
priceless! with you all the way FR
Shearer out, Mamiya in. How did that happen? I thought he was gone for the season.
Anyone???
Not sure even the goat used 'low blood sugar levels' as an excuse to pull out of Rio, admire your work FR
I'm sensing some HR whitewashing...we need a concurrent investigation to go along with the "What happened to E-Lo in Brazil" inquiry.
#FreeFreeride76
PS. Will probably pale in comparison to the hiding Rusty surfboards is currently copping on social media.
What'd Rusty do?
Apparently they got a local artist to paint a mural on their shop in Carlsbad, CA and then didn't pay her. When she asked for payment they put lawyers on to her and then turned off comments on all their new social media posts but there old posts are getting smashed.
I've only heard one side of the story.
a local artist asked if she could paint on their wall and they said yes.
then she demanded payment, which she wont get because there was no agreement.
hence the lawyers
Firk you Steve, I have already dropped a Bradman on Sportsbet for the win
Surf was contestable but it's still a dud venue.
In anticipation of Steve’s write up I was actually going suggest this would be like asking someone to work Christmas Day and that if he was I hope he’s getting double time and a half.
Sanity has prevailed and Steve realising nothing would be worth missing for Rio Pro, least of of which sleep.
See ya’s @ J Baii
Surfing well in these kind of shifty, random beachbreak waves is difficult.
Surfing perfect waves is easy.
The surfers that do well at venues like Saquarema can surf well anywhere.
That's why Brasil produces multiple world champions and places with perfect waves, like Tahiti and Indonesia, do not.
Pretty sure Australia has many perfect waves, and 45 world titles in our trophy cabinet...
Yep, a lot of world champions grew up surfing perfect right hand pointbreaks.
I could elaborate on the actual reasons why people from certain third world countries (with perfect waves) struggle to become world champions, but after seeing this guy's comments on other topics I'm not sure if he's a troll or just totally clueless.
Here you go -
MENS WORLD SURFING CHAMPIONS (I think you can understand this part)
BRASIL - 7 (shit waves)
FLORIDA, USA - 12 (even shittier waves)
TOTAL 19 TITLES
AUSTRALIA - 14 (perfect waves blowing everywhere mate!)
Are you getting it?
Shit waves make for better surfers - perfect waves are EASY to surf and make for lazy, unmotivated surfers who dismiss competitive surfing as they would rather stay home and surf perfect waves.
Not talking about women, as until recently, the talent pool was too shallow to make a valid comparison.
not a big enough data set and you’d probably need to take out the GOAT outlier.
socio-economic factors may also come into play.
doesn’t matter, the data set is basically an anecdote. good for the front bar and the local TAB.
Haha, you’re amazing John :)
Thank You -
If you appreciate my comments on this thread, I have written a book with 56 982 words in it about surfing, travel and various other subjects along with 624 images.
surfEXPLORE: Discovering New Surfing Locations Worldwide is due for release on 29 September 2025 and is available for pre-order on Amazon Australia.
: o
Far out this guy is next level.
Hey are you the guy who wrote a book?
This your work mate?
https://wavelengthmag.com/john-callahans-most-exciting-surf-discoveries/
Yup -
Did that project at the request of Luke Gartside when he was at Wavelength UK - was a good magazine, turned out rather well, don't you think?
If you like this feature in Wavelength, you should take a look at MY BOOK, due for release on 29 September 2025 - 304 pages of similar materials.
https://amzn.asia/d/gRKlOch
Good on ya mate, good shit.
I've never written a book....attempted 2 and i know it takes alot of dedication and willpower.
All power to you. That's a great achievement to be proud of.
Will have a deep dive of it over next few days.
Thank You for you kind words - it is indeed very difficult,
I did NOTHING but write about surf trips for three months straight, all day every day.
Not a bad gig, but still - it is a lot of work.
THE BOOK was originally 50 chapters, not 28 - we cut 22 chapters of material (!) as the Publisher explained quite clearly 300 page books sell 25x better than 500 page books.
That's the kind of good advice you get working with a major publisher that puts out several hundred books in a calendar year and sells thousands of books annually.
They should know, it is their job to sell books -
Take a look at the Amazon Australia page, also available in Kindle format ebook.
Gobsmacked someone was actually complimentary and not scathingly hostile - I could get used to this.
NOT SO FAST MATE YOU SUCK AND SO DOES YOUR SHIT BOOK FUCK YOU FUCKING EGO TRIPPING YANK
That's more like it - BWWWWAAHAHAHAHAHA
All good mate.
Ultimately it takes alot of guts to put yourself out there, not to mention all the hurdles you mentioned.
We're all on our personal journeys and it's always refreshing and interesting to hear of others, especially those who achieve something significant, that once would have started as a little dream or idea. This fucken website wouldn't even exist if it wasn't for such characters. And characters we all are, which is what makes life interesting.
So cheers to you. Haha. I'll save the insults. You and i have had the odd difference of opinion in the comp threads but nothing that wasn't hashed out respectfully. Keep up the good work John.
Looking forward to checking out more of your work.
deep dive of what? his book that ain't out yet..?
..or his prehistory colonialist approach to first-world exposure of developing-world breaks with only minimal accountability as to what their look-at-me-isms mean to the particular communities they leave behind them.. sam bleakley's professional involvement the only thing giving some cultural capital to the great white hunters expeditions..
good on you though, @SR.. dude needs a soft breast and a kind word.. his birthright, from the way he speaks to others. I am totally willing to give him a 7th chance.
"prehistory colonialist approach to first-world exposure of developing-world breaks"
You might want to display a sign of intelligence and withhold your opinion as to the contents of my book - until it has actually been published?
Or are you a powerful clairvoyant and already know the contents without reading them?
Just saying -
Sam had no involvement with my book - he has his own projects to publish.
Respectfully, your beef w each other has nothing to do with me @base.
Keep me out of it dawg.
@basesix and @AndyM - what drives your need to lash out at someone who expresses contrary views/beliefs etc to your own?
Embracing different perspectives and challenging our own can help us all escape the constraints of our early life/cultural bubble existence (which is not all bad - there's just broader and richer philosophies out there).
@SR - I appreciate the compassion and grace of your recent posts - they give me cause to reflect and smile.
Spare me the #wellness psychobabble.
Nothing worse than an apologist for bad behaviour hiding behind moral sanctimony.
I wasn't apologising for your bad behaviour Andy.
But you were hiding behind moral sanctimony then?
Haha. You are right there, it does read a bit self righteous. We all have our biases…
The description of the Australian "Tall Poppy Syndrome" is spot-on correct -
"Tall poppy syndrome is a social phenomenon where people who achieve notable success are criticized, resented, or ostracized. It's a tendency to cut down those who stand out, stemming from a desire for conformity or egalitarianism, or perhaps even from jealousy. This can manifest as belittling accomplishments, spreading rumors, or excluding the individual from social groups"
Does that sound familiar?
Geez johnny boy, you’re comin in all guns blazing like a proper yank ;)
- you may have failed to differentiate between an imagined tall poppy syndrome persecution complex and simply being a cockhead ;);)
… & since you have a fully self appointed range of advice giving bum splatter chatter, pls also consider these amazing prospective titles for your upcoming projects :
- “How to be a cockhead” by john.callahan
- “How to shamelessly plug a shit book whilst pretending ppl give a shit, whilst being a cockhead” (by j.c)
- “How to blow your own trumpet with your head up your arse” (by j.c)
- “How to avoid being a tall poppy whilst pretending to claim to be one, whilst cockheading your way around the world wide web yay” (by j.c)
& last but not least!
- “The biography of a cockhead who had the chance to peacefully promote a book but …decided to just be a cockhead instead” by john.callahan
& … surely you could’ve just introduced yaself in a more accurate way ;)
Erm - I think you just confirmed my point.
Thank You
Not sure how this all kicked off, but have to note the high level insults. More of it, I say!
Yep - Stu should pay me a bonus for all the extra traffic to the swellnet site from the Tall Poppy pile-ons, as all and sundry take the opportunity to get in some good old Yank-bashing.
I do think Stu should schedule extra server capacity for when Steve publishes his review of my book - surfEXPLORE: Discovering New Surfing Locations Worldwide as so many people have expressed interest in the book and will want to read his review and see if he actually likes the book, or restores the natural order of things and says it is a large, steaming turd of wanking Seppo ego-babbling!
You can decide for yourself - https://amzn.asia/d/3WhlCj2
think most people have said what they have to say, @j.c.
hope this wasn't all and attempt to avoid *just-crickets* in an impending book-review's comments.
nice compliment to @SN, you deigning to descent for a promo.
we love the yanks here on SN: @wax, @mick, there's Sth Carolina to SoCal repping in the comp threads...
@Lanky's Hawaii guessing-games on here are great, you'd enjoy them.
even fake yank @greenroom can be ok value.
good luck to you, and to your future endeavours.
Cheers Nolan.
Appreciate that.
I’ll give it a miss thanks John, if I buy surfEXPLOIT, it will just feed your sense of entitlement and your American ego
really hoping it's @Facto, or someone with a brainbox just playing for shits and giggles..
it is simply too excruciating to believe that someone promoting their work thinks getting a surf-site community offside by displaying an astringent, undiagnosed personality can be offset by providing said community with a wordcount for a book they don't much like the sound of : ?
Should probably stay in your lane, mate - leave the polysyllabic words to the professionals.
Just saying
Dictionary
Definitions from Oxford Languages ·
astringent
/əˈstrɪn(d)ʒ(ə)nt/
adjective
1.
causing the contraction of skin cells and other body tissues.
"an astringent skin lotion"
Similar:
2.
(of taste or smell) slightly acidic or bitter.
"fresh blackcurrants have a rather astringent flavour"
yep, skin crawl, that's the one.. figured I was dealing with a literary behemoth - but tots getting the aloe vera out.. burn as, brah..
at least you're monitoring your aussie 'publicity' tentacle..
fair play for that ; ) publicity team must be stoked with your stoking
Remember what we talked about regarding "Tall Poppy Syndrome" and the effect it has on Australian society in general?
How it originated from the brutal penal system imposed by the British and how NOT conforming to the "mateship" ideals would condemn one to certain death while incarcerated?
And how the "Tall Poppy Syndrone" renders Australia a largely mediocre country of no significant achievers outside of athletics?
We don't have it in America - BWAAHAHAHAHAHAHA
it is becoming increasingly clear that your mum convinced you that the other kids were mean to you because they were jealous of you.. your towering intellect, your insight and talent. I would never speak ill of a special kid's mom (sic), so I'll leave it there..
I was classmates with Barry Obama at Punahou School 1841 Buff and Blu, brah - that's President Obama to you.
I can call him "Barry" because he never told anyone his real name was "Barack" - ha ha
Barry was also the only black guy in the entire school, but that didn't matter because he was friendly and popular, no one gave him any shit for being a black guy - as popolos were (and are) not common in Hawaii.
He was raised by his white grandmother, so in case you have not noticed he talks like a white guy, thinks like a white guy, he has the body language of a white guy - he just happens to be half-African.
That was an awesome non sequitur, please do continue :)
You are a nut job.
Do you actually read what you write?
And , by the way, what on earth has skin colour got to do with anything anyway ?
Your diatribe lacks any form of relevance. You’re simply a racial profilist. AW
: o
Haha, Jesus mate how’s that working out for you?
By far the most delusional country in the world, a nation unhinged.
Normally, I would not respond to your verbal diarrhea, but the quip around Tall Poppy syndrome is ridiculous, even by your low standards. I would not expect someone coming from a nation of bootlicking sycophants to understand the notion of egalitarianism, but your ignorance is even worse than most. Call Australia what you want, but I guarantee you we would never elect a rapist, paedo, draft-dodging felon who trivializes the abuse of woman as our head of state, let alone want to make him a king. Maybe stick to exposing secrets for profit champ.
I agree - it is a mystery to me why Donald Trump is in the White House and not in prison, where he belongs.
Even Brasil has the balls to prosecute Bolsonaro for his attempted coup d'etat, and 6 January was certainly an attempted coup d'etat - Trump got away not only with no prosecution, he was able to pardon criminals and put them back on the street!
I voted for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz and the US would be much better off with them in office.
I would NEVER vote for Trump for anything.
“And how the "Tall Poppy Syndrone" renders Australia a largely mediocre country of no significant achievers outside of athletics?”
Pig ignorant.
If you wanted to you’d realise we punch way above our weight in achievements that have greatly improved the world. Nothing to do with sport.
But don’t bother, just keep being American.
what improvements ?
Black box flight recorder, spray-on skin, pacemaker, Google maps, medical penicillin, polymer bank notes, cochlear implant, the electric drill, wi-fi, the ultrasound scanner, inflatable aircraft escape slides, cervical cancer vaccine, the fridge, powered flight, atomic absorption spectrophotometer, the lawn mower, musical synthesiser, power board, dual flush toilet, frozen embryos, anti-flu medication etc etc.
Probably fair to say that striving for some degree of egalitarianism does not equate to a mediocre society in any form.
A bit of a strange thing to post on here @AndyM, considering this is a surf forecast/camera/tell you where to go and when website...?
you dont surf
stick to the camera
Actually, I do -
About the Author
John Seaton Callahan has been a professional photographer since graduating from the College of Fine Arts at UCLA in 1987. His images, represented by Getty, appear globally with over 3,000 editorial pages and 125+ covers for major outlets like National Geographic, the New York Times, and the BBC. He is creative director of the surfEXPLORE® Group and a widely published contributor to major global surfing publications. Originally from Hawaii, where he began surfing at Kuhio Beach in Waikiki in 1969, John has lived in Singapore since 2001.
You can review a seleção of more than 6 000 pages of published editorial materials on flickr at this link
https://www.flickr.com/photos/surfexplore/albums
you dont surf
you exploit it
I am sure I have ridden more waves in more different locations around the world than you have - stick to your local, and please don't bring your ignorant attitudes outside of Australia.
Thank You
I've travelled all around the world for years of my life and the Aussies aren't the ignorant ones. You'd know that if you're half as smart as you think you are.
Approximately 48.36% of Americans hold a passport even though they're connected to two different countries by land. They don't speak Spanish or French despite their contiguous neighbours speaking it. The three countries that primarily use the imperial system of measurement are the United States, Liberia, and Myanmar.
If you're giving out awards for ignorance, there's yanks and then daylight second.
I look forward to downloading your book from libgen
I forgot my favourite from those enlightened people in the EE.UU!
In a group when going around introducing yourself, in a different country with a bunch of diverse people from all around the world. Americans will tell you the state they're from instead of just the country! These are the ones WITH a passport!
we all know why you chase half naked men to photograph .,
lets leave it at that
Kind of irrelevant when they're trying to sell us "the best surfers in the best waves" what a load of crap lol
Thats probably true.
Offset a bit by the evidence base of Hawaiian world champs.
Of the two dominant 3 time world champs (male) of the modern era- one grew up in Brazilian beachbreaks, the other grew up at Pipeline.
Womens world champs- one grew up surfing perfect Pointbreaks, the other grew up in Hawaii.
Thank You -
Ferocious, natural-born competitors like Carissa Moore, Marin Potter and Mick Fanning are going to be champions regardless of wave quality where they grow up, but GENERALLY SPEAKING -
Shit waves produce better surfers.
They have to work to develop their skills in ALL types of waves, whereas for surfers growing up in areas of perfect waves, like Indonesia and Hawaii, this is a profound disincentive.
You have to be obsessed with WINNING, not surfing perfect waves -
I agree with you but it's not just that, it's the sheer quantity of waves you get. I've surfed 20 second swells where there's like 2 or 3 set waves per hour. Add a crowd and it's not conducive to improving. On the east coast, surfing a wedging beachy you're going to be exposed to every type of wave, every hour, generally uncrowded.
Also I think you're a fuck head on a personal level but on a broader, zoned out level your work is just a symptom of the current situation and you're just trying to profit off it. I agree with the above, you're a modern day narcissistic colonialist. I think the world hasn't been kind to you and this is your vengeance. I hope you find some peace in your life.
and the one from kauai
Beautifully written FR, your best work yet.
A shit wave, and the backwash makes it even worse. When there are better waves at Middleton SA you know something has gone horribly wrong. Suckarama can't possibly be the best available wave/venue in all of Brazil ??? Can it ???
Few good set ups to the north. Need a long waiting period but.
Erm - pardon, but the state of Santa Catarina, specifically the island of Santa Catarina around the city of Florianopolis is generally acknowledged to have the best, most consistent surf in Brasil.
There are coral reef waves to the north of Saquarema, in states like Bahia and Pernambuco, but they are so inconsistent that few people have actually scored there, at least far fewer than have scored very good waves on the Ilha de Santa Catarina.
Erm, it was a subtle reference to the article we posted last week.
Never mind...
Yes, I was that feature and thought it was very good - let's see more from Lorena!
John Callahan, suppository of all wisdom.
I’m awarding top points for “Suckarama”.
I graciously accept.
it’s a low bar but better waves at dribbleton? pics or it didn’t happen.
hahah! Can I post pics here? Anyway I guess my point is that we've had a great run down here. Clean 2-3ft and 3-5ft days with offshores almost every week, and it's looking the same for Friday through Monday this week. Good sand too if you know where to look and on what tide. I got great waves this weekend when most places looked too straight, because it just needed the right tide to turn on. Had great surf this year...which makes a nice change from four horror years for SA and Vic surfers from 2020=2024...
Middleton Bay can fire on its day....once every couple of years:)
Fucken oath wot a shit show fucken dream tour my arse I don’t like the wave pool but literally anything is better than suckarama
meanwhile nias has been pumping the surfers might not be as good but it’s 20 times better to watch
Watched 4 waves, didn't seems so bad.
J V ripped his last wave. Watch a couple of yago's waves.
Looked a little shake, layback tail turn thingy,
Cote went gooey for yago from the get go of the heat .claimed he was going to win the contest. Then title..
Joe said something I was not thinking about. Also.
A completely different topic rather than talk about Brazil backwash
Much promotion about the new nick cage movie The Surfer
On STAN
What a load of rubbish
D grade at best
No surfing at all unless you count guys riding close outs 250 metres away
Save yourself the time .it’s 90 minutes you never gonna get back
Judy because Cage stayed at tam burrow house doesn’t give it credibility
A woeful movie
I’d be interested to here comments of anyone else sucked into watch it
Obviously directed at Aussie surf fans
Oh and the half dozen shots of aust fauna a joke
Still Carn't believe beachgrot didn't title the article " cagey shits in taj's toilet" .....
As a 30-year veteran of the film industry, I'm wholly embarrassed by this POS. Oversaturated color, lame script, woeful acting. It's beyond me how they got funding, and Nick attached
It's not a movie for surfers, patriotic australians, or parochial west Australians. It's a movie for movie buffs as it riffs on 70s exploitation films - exploits them if you will.
Was clearly written for a niche audience so I'm surprised it got the budget it did. Perhaps the WA tourism bureau fell for the pitch?
Agreed 100%. I couldn't finish it fast enough (even fast-forwarded through much of the agonising, over-indulgent psycho-babble)
Feels like it was written for the Cannes Film Festival audience (where it was launched to much critical acclaim?)
Un-ironically delivered in art-house style - but marketed to the opposite audience.
For context, it makes this 'Suckarema' contest worth watching...
Appalling, just embarrassingly terrible. A pyscho thriller that leaves you on the edge of your seat? Pppfffftttt, complete waste of time.
jesus, I gotta see this film..! anywhere other than Stan?
(I did enjoy that bodysurfing film Nicholas Cage did,
with the comp between the Malibu Mafia,
and the Nicholas Canyon Naturalist..)
So the surf journalist who has a 6 month off season is burnt out already huh… go figure..
Jks Steve, just jks.
Rest up, see ya at Jeffrey’s.
FR has proved superhuman powers at watching and reporting comp surfing in all time slots - as well as talking to us in the live thread with insights. Kudos.
I really fade away from watching it after the Aussie leg myself, and then come back by JBay or Tahiti.
I'm not sure how you can get low blood sugar while Turpell is commentating....he piles on the icing at every opportunity. Everything is great. Bad conditions are tricky. Closeouts become soft landing pads. Thankfully he has stopped saying "loses the handle"... what fvcking handle?????
Just a pause to refresh before J-Bay.
Looking forward to seeing you hop back on the sled and reset.
Wow @ vj
You think like Joe turpel!
Or regroup... I'm not sure how one person can regroup unless Turdpell has MPD.
Maybe the Swellnet goat ( FR76) has had a baby late in life like our other goat ??
.... Is he secretly on baby duties and not able to tune into Suckaramea ???
hmmm ......
Lol sheepy !
Just take it comp by comp, stay in the moment and have fun etc etc etc etc
Damn the wozzle press release is as unreadable as this comp is unwatchable.
The WSL cookers could benefit from your brevity Steve - it took me way too long to scroll past the cheese down to the main feast (comments) for this one. Your daily wraps are perfectly matched and easily digestible, leaving the consumer always wanting more.
“After a flat opening day of the waiting period, the three-to-four-feet of swell on offer.”
So the woz are back to common feet and not surfline feet?
The above comments in regard to the venue might be off the mark, according to the competitors. Look at the comments from them, ..they love the place, the crowd and the vibe, "Id love to win here,"etc. It takes more than perfect waves to make a good contest it seems.
I read that too gnomen. Couldn't help but be cynical though, of all the surfing trophies you could have on the mantle piece, the Rio Pro is the catch eh? I think wozzle speak to wozzle reps who promote only positive feedback. Or spono inspired $$$ talk 'look at that crowd mate, win here and your (our, my) merch is gonna go ballistic'
I perform the riotus interruptus every season
Rip bowls can be the uncrowded surf jems; requiring stamina and observation of water flow that landlubbers quickly burn out & move from.... eg. Newport NSW (Tom Carrol, Martin Potter), N.Narrabeen ( Col Smith, Mark Warren, Simon Anderson, Michael Novakov, etc) Spot X (Ross C Jones)
I imagine Steve fishing deep gutters at night, meanwhile on the othrside of the planet in Brazil their having a party... except the pro surfers with early heats
Soundtrack ...
?si=NjS8oVFMeWgt40S5&t=356
?si=jfnLvL2wT4VWZzVf&t=331
?si=9Ru4AW1r4wTJ5r7t&t=286
?si=d7KM64pk-nTW48Zp&t=325
https://www.eos.surf/encyclopedia/novakov-mike
video of the shortboard future in 2011
https://www.eos.surf/videos/kneeboarding-2011
"thingsare getting weirrd"
Hahaha fucken gold!! Good move FR. No one should have to go through this torture.
Read the room Wozzle.
This is not a fucken surf break!!
TOTAL respect to @FR, and to @swellnet..
Hear, Hear!!
Freeride feeling comfortable with rio as his throwaway.
Wildcard now goes to JP Currie who could well be a threat in these conditions
Looks like JP Currie has pulled a hammy & is out of the event too...
I’m with Steve. I can live without following this comp.
Actually that’s two, missed Trestles too. Got a medical certificate though, ingrown toenail, ok I made that up. Not as good as low blood sugar levels (eat a cake!).
Hopefully back in action for J-Bay, but will have to consult my psychologist.
Should SN’s WSL beat correspondent be experiencing any ‘feelings’ or ‘issues’ in relation to their connection with mind body and soul, and take the brave decision to relinquish reporting for the remainder of the year, I trust Swellnet will take appropriate action. SN should facilitate its journalists in any desire they may express to free flow, have fun and cherish themselves in the Mentawai and like locales, before a potential return to work at a date of the journalist’s choosing. If the journalist is made to feel in any way ‘weird’ in relation to such courageous decisions, this would constitute a negligent abrogation of duty of care by the publisher and reflect a failure to maintain pace with modern standards.
I'll put 20 on gland as fr location..
Saquarema doesn’t inspire as a CT venue, but it seems a very good B grade wave. Powerful beach break, lefts and rights, aerial sections, big turn sections, barrels, backwash to add surprise. It provides diverse wave situations with good power. I would love to have it as part of my local wave offerings.
The optics don’t help it as a televised venue. It’s a wave that never seems to look pretty. Whereas at the Burleigh comp, though waves were smallish and rather humdrum, the glassy sections looked so pretty coming around the point in the morning light, that adds a lot to the viewing spectacle.
People ,we have got to stop commenting on this thread,
With all these comments the woz will think we actually enjoy this stop on tour. .....
Noted.
End Communication.
The equation is simple
Q1. Are you an 11 time world champion and the Greatest Of All Time ?
A. YES - do whatever the hell, whenever the hell
A. NO - get your sorry arse to Saqa asap
;);)
Finally, some faarken honesty haha
Aussie humour use to be subtle
Some moments are worthwhile being there
Pity about the sugar levels FreeRide, did you consider the goats ate my homework/notes excuse?!
Shearer is becoming a bit of a prima donna.
#SanctionSteve
I forgot how bland those wozzle pressers are.
haha exactly!! SN, wrap him in a Brazillian flag, chain him to his lappy, give him a few bags of pretzels, a couple of cartons of coopers and a bucket, play some latin folk music in the background and let those creative juices fly!!We the people demand it!
Otherwise....This could be grounds for a royal commission you know! Just saying...
It's a travesty!!
Let's just hope SN nips this sort of behaviour in the bud.
A couple of weeks mowing lawns might sort him out.
Bahahahaha...
Robbo enjoying a layday down the beach:
Qld Health paging Dr Shearer...
Luv yer work...we need wildcard Doctors like you to kill off our patients for LNP's [Hospital Rescue Plan]
Here's how our Hospital Rescue Plan works...
We need you to perform 5 postponements + 3 DoS on Goldie outpatient tbb in yer first 8 months
Can start today by not phoning tbb for his 8:00 am Telehealth Neurology Appointment...
Then convince him he never had an appointment and that yer sick of this mental case making shit up!
But please don't tell him we're trying to lock him up in the mental ward...Welcome aboard Dr Shearer!
WSL Viva La Vida Loca Pro Average Combo score = [9.85] Not up to par!
Qld Health grant Dr Shearer a wildcard Brain Surgeon exemption...to fuck with tbb's brain some more!
"Please can ya take away tbb's pain with a bullet to his brain!"
&t=204sI wonder if chatGPT would do a better recap than wsl ...