Gabriel Medina vs The World
When the WSL changes the interference rule so that intentional blocking of an opponent costs both your scores, no doubt it will be known as the “Medina Rule”. Until then I suppose we’ll just have to put up with everyone ignoring the elephant in the room, which is that everything associated with Medina’s tactical interference against Ciao Ibelli this morning goes against the spirit of competitive surfing.
The interference rule has been modified over the decades but its intent has always been the same – to penalize surfers who don’t observe priority rather than reward those who work out how to exploit the situation.
In terms of sportsmanship we’ve come to expect the worst from Medina and he often delivers, but what was even more galling for me today was the acceptance (in public at least) of the blocking as legitimate, even that it was a piece of staggering tactical genius!
In more than 40 years of watching this sport from near and far, I’ve seen quite a bit of tactical genius – Michael Peterson, Peter Drouyn, Mark Richards and Reno Abellira spring to mind – and somehow having your stepdad do the maths and scream at you from the beach to “burn” your opponent and fellow countryman doesn’t figure in my top 500.
In the commentary booth both Ronnie Blakey and Barton Lynch seemed dumbfounded at first, and when they realized the plan, flabbergasted. I’m sure BL had a lot to say, but he didn’t say it on air. Why? Was there a posse of WSL lawyers waving white flags? Why couldn’t someone say, well, he might go on and win the world title today, but he just shat on the spirit of aloha. Or words to that effect.
Sure, I know, millions of bucks on the line, professional athletes putting their careers on the line, blah, blah, blah. Call me old-fashioned, but it’s still surfing, and this is not how civilized people surf, in competition or free. No one, least of all me, would attempt to deny Gabriel Medina’s commitment to his craft and his extraordinary ability, but in my humble opinion the commentators needed to call him out on this. They owed it to all the young hot rat surfers with impressionable minds watching all over the world.
No, this is not how you play the game of competitive surfing.
As for Medina’s body language after the incident, in his post-heat interview he actually seemed quite proud of what he’d done. Is this the act he’ll take to the Olympics? Is there anything he won’t do to win?
//PHIL JARRATT
Editor's Note: For context, it's worth referring to the WSL's own rules and regulations.
Medina deliberately incurred a priority interference which is dealt with in Article 171, specifically:
171.01 For priority situations when an interference is called on a Surfer, then the Surfer’s heat score will be calculated using only their best scoring wave.
Medina scored zero points for the wave he dropped in on Ibelli, and his second scoring wave was also 'zeroed' as punishment. However, his top scoring wave was higher than both of Ibelli's which, despite the technical foul, allowed him to win.
Yet it doesn't end there. That chapter of the rule book has multiple references to another clause - 171.11 [Sanctions for Unsportsmanlike Interference]
171.11 Serious Unsportsmanlike Interference
If the Discipline Director and Head of Tours and Competition determine that an interference during an Event was intentional, unsportsmanlike and of a serious nature, notwithstanding any penalty available under Article 188 (which may include suspension from Events or an entire Tour), a Surfer will lose the benefit of counting their best Event result when calculating their Ranking on the relevant Tour (e.g. if this Article is violated at a QS Event, their QS Ranking will be effected). Notwithstanding any resulting discipline being imposed by the Discipline Director, the heat in question can be re-surfed if determined by the Head Judge that the result was affected by the Surfer’s conduct referred to within this Article.
Whether the WSL considers Medina's move unsportsmanlike and executes 171.11 remains to be seen.
Comments
what the fuck are you on about Jarrat?
you've never seen Hawaiians play hard ball in 4 man heats before? go talk to Gary Elkerton or Cheyne or anyone else who has been totally blocked before at Pipe.
Seen Bruce and Andy screaming to each other to block other people at Pipe?
Aloha spirit at Pipe?
you've never heard the Wolfpak whistle?
it's a jungle and jungle rules prevail.
ask Shane Beschen or Parko about Kelly's "sportsmanship"
It's not fucking lawn bowls.
Stupid aggresive comment ! So why then do they have a priority rule in the first place why not just make it a free for all and best man wins? No its not like that it is not the days of horan or Kong we have priority rules for a reason and every single person follows them except for medina, if this is what he does when there is two guys out and the other guy has his turn which he has waited for patiently then what does he do in free surfs? There was a level playing field and medina completley took that away and he should be disqualified, there is basically one unwritten rule in the surf dont bloody drop in
Medina has shown time and again he's complete c#$Nt when it come to competition. I agree there have been instances in the past - but that's the past. And we should ALL learn from it.
Are you serious? It is cheatng pure and simple. Says a lot about the type of person you are to take that line.
My suggestion is to read 'Pedagogy of Oppression' by Paulo Freire - its a masterpiece, and a short read.
Anyway, Medina comes from a super oppressed class; and whilst there are a number of options for liberation (like the Medina institute he set up to provide opportunities to impoverished children) it is common for the oppressed, once empowered, to become the oppressors.
My 2 cents worth is that everyone bitching about Medinas conduct should have a good look at their privilege.
These pages aren't filled with people who come from 3rd world living.
On a larger scale, you've basically got the wealthy capitalist west which requires exploitation to sustain itself, and when a 3rd world champion rises and beats you cunts at your own game, you call 'not fair'.
A likely response may be "but if Medina came from a wealthy society I'd still be calling him out".
To this I'd say you're missing the context here: In the current day, surfing is not exclusively Australian (and therefore imbued with Australian values of fair go) or western, surfing is global, and the poor get the picture: The capitalist west will exploit your arse, AND if you rise up and use the rules of competition to exploit others, then the hypercritical beneficiaries of the larger system class exploitation will call you out for your oppressive behaviour.
TO take it another step further, capitalisms number one weapon is corporate psychic colonisation, the archetype of which is the corporate entity: of which everything serves the eternal sustained profits of the shareholders. (yes- this is relevant to the perception of the Medina conduct). The corporate entity become the archetype for the people, and its ethos is expressed in all actives.. including competitive sport.
Medina, or his attitude, or his conduct, is not the problem. His conduct merely highlights the problem, which are contextual/systemic.
Which is probably why the collective 'we' have such a strong reaction to it: due to the cognitive dissonance we experience from the friction between the ideas of fair go, against unsportsmanlike like conduct, set against the broader aforementioned context of exploitation (including western beneficiaries)
I think if you're going to judge the morals of the man, you need to look beyond the scope of competitive sport. Perhaps also look at the details of the Media Institute: http://www.institutogm10.com.br/en/the-gabriel-medina-institute/
And here is the corporate psychic colonisation source:
Liberation from corporate psychic colonization: New subjectivity awakening in conscience. by Hayase, Nozomi, Ph.D. https://pqdtopen.proquest.com/doc/1615424886.html?FMT=ABS
Peace
That, or people don't like unsportsmanlike conduct, regardless of race/class/privilege/east/west. A majority of Aussies loathe David Warner, for example. Dude's a fuckwit
Yeah, theres a whole of relevant context shit that goes into it.
No one likes unsportsmanlike behaviour. It says more about society than the individual.
And as no man is an island, it usually says something about ourselves.
Hence the strong reaction.
Exactly if anyone on the tour did that it would be the same reaction , I liken this to Greg chapels underarm bowl sure it may be technically in the rules but was it unsportsmanlike and a dog act hell yes it was !
Totally agree. If you dont understand how bad this is.Then you dint understand sport and compitetion. At the end of the day it,s not whether you win or lose its how you play the game.For me, Medina can win the next 10 championships and he will never be a real World Champ.!!!
lol, nice justification try, dont think so.
I'm not trying be right, am merely trying to understand, and question the contextual assumptions which most of the commentary here is founded on.
This almost made me vomit. Self gratifying would be the nice way of describing that post. If you are so sceptical of western values and capitalism why not move to Xinjiang, or even Hong Kong. And read George Orwell 1982 followed by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn Gulag Archepeligo and jam that anti west Marxist crap where it belongs.
Thanks for the recommendation.
I haven't read George Orwell's 1982,
But he wrote a book called 1984.
It reads like an instruction manual for the current age.
You should check it out.
Ha how embarrassment thanks for that. While I’m here though I might as well recommend another Orwell classic - The Road To Wigan Jetty ;)
Cheers.
No need to be embarrassed.
I think as long as we are here conducting ourselves in good faith, (good sportsman like) that this is a very important place for arguing out issues such as this, because we're a community here on swellnet.
Thanks for the suggestion, I haven't read it.
It’s actually The Road To Wigan Pier, I was trying to make light of my embarrassing mistake. I cringed hard so thanks for not ripping me harshly. I studied it 1984 in year 12 English! Excellent.
Boom!
you are as big a fuckwit as Medina
Thats all you've got: name calling.
There's no use trying to reason with drunkards, lunatics or fanatics.
err" no. I made a considered evaluation of your proposition and concluded that you are clearly both a fanatic and a fool, as such , and in your own words "there's no use trying to reason with...fanatics'. my only reservation was that you are such a wanker I thought you may be taking the piss. but I don't think you are smart enough for that. that you have (purportedly) read Orwell but clearly have dismissed his ideas and actually seem to think it supports your own idiocy shows how dumb you are. btw, in my opinion Orwell's neglected "Burmese days" has the best opening paragraph I have ever read. the book deals with colonial issues but don't bother reading it, you are clearly not open to new ideas
I think Jackstance made perfect, controlled, sense
Agree and we don’t need troll vibes
All well and good Jack, but I'm not sure a political economy dialectic is really the right tool to be using. Sledgehammer to peanut style.
And beware the 'check your privilege' argument, it tends to result in people being less inclined to accept your thesis. It hardly applies here, Medina may have come from poverty (I don't know, did he? How poor can you be and still learn to surf, go to the nipper contests etc), anyways, his position NOW is hardly lacking in privilege, he is very high up in the 1% group. Rationalisation of 'I did it tough' is the same bullshit the boomers come up with to justify their privilege and make sure it doesn't flow down.
Interesting ideas though, and fully on board with the 'oppressed becoming the oppressors' idea. Many examples of that, including a certain nation state that shall not be named.
Happy Xmas.
After the tactical Medina interference yesterday another much more famous several time world champ came to my mind for his crafty tactics to win quite a few races that got him at least 2 of his 7 world titles........ Michael Schumacker from Formula One.
And he hardly came from some poor disadvantaged 3rd world country to be like he was, he was from modern efficient 1st world Germany.
Proof it's the individual and their personal competitive nature that determines what kind of sportsman they are, not the society they come from.
hi js. yes context matters and there is something for us all to take in board. but the systemic social context balances against individual responsibility- the neo cons for example prefer to focus on that to the exclusion of systemic inequalities. but wealthy powerful adults (in this case, medina) have to take personal responsibility for their actions at some point. you have to take a look at yourself and decide whether or not you’re going to be decent or a cunt. medina is NOT struggling to put food on the table for his kids. note that the victim (caio) is a countryman of his who is apparently struggling financially to stay on the tour, the guy who beat him (italo) apparently comes from a comparatively poorer area of brazil than medina (see julio’s post on the discussion with the live feed). this is not a North vs South argument. this is a brazilian vs brazilian argument. your points are not irrelevant but there is a fair bit of love for italo and caio in these comments so dismissing the critique as privileged westerners whinging about the oppressed-come-good is a fair way wide of the mark here by my reading. think about caio’s life for the past few months and his and medina’s relative places in the global institution and community of professional surfing for context
Hi ojacko,
Thanks for the considered reply, much appreciated.
I agree with your observation on ".. the systemic social context balances against individual responsibility- the neo cons for example prefer to focus on that to the exclusion of systemic inequalities. but wealthy powerful adults (in this case, medina) have to take personal responsibility for their actions at some point. .."
Medina is a wealthy powerful adult who came from an oppressed position, and, as far as the heat is concerned, it looks like his conduct is that which is congruent with an oppressor.
And thats why I from the start I referred Paulo Freire point of the tendency of the previously oppressed, once empowered, to exercise the conciseness of the oppressors. As they are still locked into the oppressor/oppressed consciousness.
But relevantly, this : http://www.institutogm10.com.br/en/the-gabriel-medina-institute/ is a consideration in such a critique.
I also have not taken sides as to who is right or wrong in this instance. Not to be stepping back from my position, its just not as interesting than the context that informs the these strong reactions.
I find it odd how people feel super strong about an perceivably unjust act in a surfing heat, and will go as far as to publish their comments on it, but may likely not publish comments on other injustices like Aboriginal child removal and incarceration rates (highest in the world right here in our own back yard), or the objectification of women in surfing culture and how that impacts on our sisters and daughters and sons and brothers..
Its like, instead of sticking it to true fuckwits of the world, we get disproportionately heated over this.
And then when someone points out the contextual BS, they encroach on another's fanaticism.
I respectfully disagree that this is a "brazilian vs brazilian argument" on a number of grounds. Primarily because here we are on website largely populated by Australians, discussing this precise thing, and we've who have been following, and somewhat invested in, the tour all year, populated by surfers from all over, and on the final day this happens.
Regarding "a fair bit of love for italo and caio in these comments so dismissing the critique as privileged westerners whinging about the oppressed-come-good is a fair way wide of the mark here by my reading."
I'm not dismissing the critique.
I'm criticising the critique as lacking some elements of context.
People call Medina a fuckwit, but:
a) how many pro's or world champs for that matter go so far as to establish an institute to assist impoverished kids, and
b) does Medinas social justice work, particularly in stark contrast with that of his other world champ peers, enter their assessment of Medina as a fuckwik?
Can you imagine occy giving back like that?
Jackstance, there's certainly some very fair points and food for thought in what you say but it still seems like you're scratching around trying to be an apologist for poor behaviour, and throwing in a bingo list of academic terms doesn't change anything.
Hi Andy, and All.
Remember when Mick burnt JJF, so he could surf against CJ instead of JJF?
https://www.surfertoday.com/surfing/the-conspiracy-theory-behind-mick-fa...
Micks conduct, according to the standards expressed here, was definitely poor sportsmanship.
As it is a comparable violation of the interference rules.
That was 2013, can someone post a link to the discussion on here about that? (thanks)
Certainly my first reaction to Medina wasthat it was unbelievable error, and then an act of poor sportsmanship.
But in thinking deeper about it, in my opinion my initial reaction was a bit one dimensional, as life isn't black and white.
I'm yet to workout whether it was poor conduct. More than likely it was. But a contest is a game with rules to abide by. And as spectators, we expect the rules to disallow poor sportsmanship. It's only when someone acts in a way that is within the rules but contrary to our expectation of the rules that the rules are shown to be inadequate.
Ideally the rules evolve to best support the fullest expression of the game.
But 'we' go off at the athlete, not the rule makers.
Was the swellnet community up in arms about paddle battles before the priority rule was introduced? Or Micks burning of JJF?
Probably not. We likely just semi acclimatised to the no priority situation, and likely were a bit split over Mick's poor sportsmanship. To take a punt, I'd guess that many here didn't call out Mick's poor sportsmanship.
I can't read anything that I've written that infers me to be 'an apologist'.
I LOVE football/soccer. But I can not, and will not watch it- all those fake falls.
But it's ok by the rules. I just don't watch it because the rule ruins the game. (for me as a spectator)
The problem isn't the athletes. They may not have gotten deep on the ethics. More likely perhaps is they have gotten deep on it, and become very clear about what they are doing: they are there to win.
And sport is riddled with corruption. Which of course does not make corrupt conduct ok.
At this point, I just think that if we throw 32 hyper competitive individuals into an game and expect them to self regulate under a moral code in places where the rules don't regulate, that the problem is with the game for having insufficient rules and with the spectators for naively expecting anything but competitive behaviour from elite level competitors.
If people have a problem with the game maybe they could get involved in the dialogue to change the rules.
If you Andy had worked and given absolutely everything for many years and stood perhaps 3 waves away from a world title, and had this secret card in your back pocket, would you have played it?
What if you were hyper competitive?
...
(I am not an academic - I have not thrown a bingo list of academic terms, I've merely tried, very much well in good faith AKA good sportsman-like manner, to provide a thoughtful counter view, because I love surfing and community - just like everyone else here. - so if you make a call on my conduct, I'd respectfully appreciate you backing it up - cheers.)
I think voting for pricks who keep fucking the world over is poor behaviour.
Jackstance, I'm not talking about whether or not Medina should have done what he did, I don't particularly care.
I'm interested in the idea that people from "oppressed and underprivileged" backgrounds tend to become the oppressor, and I think that even at a brief glance this doesn't hold water.
I mean, there are unlimited examples of people from these dirt poor backgrounds (white, black and everything in between) rising up whilst maintaining good manners and a sense of fairplay, while there are also infinite examples of privileged people (white, black and everything in between) acting like aggressive win-at-all-costs arseholes.
Playing the "check your privilege" card is a furphy and also saying that this behaviour is systemic is almost entirely disingenuous.
"I think voting for pricks who keep fucking the world over is poor behaviour"
Couldn't agree more but the sort of blind ideology shown in your anti-western self flagellation isn't helpful in dealing with those who are "fucking the world over".
"The problem isn't the athletes"
Well, that's a little bit shite Jack, and implies that rules can be made to cover every exigency, a very black and white view of the world, a reality that is always shades of grey.
So we fall back on words like culture, tradition and ethos, always uncodified by their nature. Medina broke the unwritten rule. Responses to people breaking unwritten rules are by definition OTT, because the rule wasnt written, it was just understood.
Less a political economy argument than a basic psychology, or perhaps anthropological one.
Except Gabriel Medina Pinto Ferreira doesnt come from an oppressed class, leave alone one that's super oppressed. He comes from a wealthy beachside suburb of Sao Paolo.
I read years ago that he grew up poor from a poor area..
I may have read mis - information, wouldn't be the first time
"I find it odd how people feel super strong about an perceivably unjust act in a surfing heat, and will go as far as to publish their comments on it, but may likely not publish comments on other injustices like Aboriginal child removal and incarceration rates (highest in the world right here in our own back yard), or the objectification of women in surfing culture and how that impacts on our sisters and daughters and sons and brothers.."
I think that barrow you were pushing kinda gathered momentum and started to run away from you ;)
And of course Medina is a name from amongst those poor oppressed people infamously known as the Conquistadors.
But apart from that ......cool story, bro.
I think you're confusing Medina with ADS mate. Medina is the very embodiment of Brazilian middle class privilege and entitlement. The same shitty attitude that sees them hated universally as cocks in the water. Very few of the underprivileged Brazilians ever get out...
”I think that barrow you were pushing kinda gathered momentum and started to run away from you”
Your pretentious sophistry has been served.
thank you for an intelligent comment
To put it simply, Medina's background and upbringing may be a reason for his behaviour.
However, this can not be used as an excuse.
Ah c'mon, can you see any of the other Brazilian surfers doing that? No way, that's the difference with gabby.
I also think the elephant in the room so to speak may just be medinas dad it could be possible that his lets call it passion might be making a good kid like gabriel do really stupid things ! Hearing him scream burn him burn him made me want to bury his head in the sand
Yep Charlie looked like he was going to go on suicide watch after losing to Italo ha ha
I'm pretty sure Medina does not come from an impoverished family or upbringing. Acting like a spoilt brat, dropin and arsehole doesn't come from hunger for food or education. Just a c*&Nt
Well done, only 2.something years late to the game.
And I agree. I got it wrong, through giving someone the benefit of the doubt by taking his charity and its PR on face value. Particularly when combined with Aussie's habit of racism in sport, and how f%^&ing annoying Meds is.
Since this conversation, in my opinion, we've seen a real champ in and out of the water in Italo. This has also give me more perspective on Meds.
I guess we're all strongly shaped by our environments.
All the best.
Can we just leave lawn bowls out of this for now please.
100% it's a fucking competition...do what you can to win if it's within the rules...everyother sport and athlete rips right in at any opportunity, whilst medina gets ripped apart from having the balls to put himself out there and have a crack. Tall poppy at its finest. The world has gone soft.
Bullshit.
Every other competitor or spectator will call it out if it's percieved to be not in the spirit of the game regardless of the 'rules'.
100% Brother this is the ugly side of surfing , Stop watching WSL years ago . Prefer to watch Mason and the Ho family ripping and showing the fun side off surfing .
mate it’s not in the rules - it’s against the rules. he broke the rules to win (more likely to rub caio’s face in it) but the penalty wasn’t strong enough to make him lose the heat. dog act, but fair enough if that’s what u want to see in sport
You have your head where the sun don't shine. I think you have a kindred spirit in the USA el presidente.
Geez - you must be well liked at your local BH. You sound like Tomo's old man.
Ha ha. A variation of Godwin's law, as soon as you use the phrase 'tall poppy syndrome' you've lost the argument.
Ever see a golfer tap his opponents ball away? Ever see other surfers do in comps what Medina does regularly? Ever seen his interviews? Pure C%#Nt
You've still got a bee in your bonnet over this?
The Rob Machado high five of Slater comes to mind. Didn't win the title. Didn't care. Just loving sharing the moment. Forever immortalised as a Legend.. Medina's legacy is tarnished. Who would you rather surf with or have a beer with?
All good points. It's never been play nice out there.
So you’re backing Medinas dog act??
And Shearer crawls out from behind his rock...
whatevers mate, it's just an incredibly weak argument.
Here you go, read this and get back to me, if you want to play the ball and not the man.
https://www.swellnet.com/news/surfpolitik/2009/12/01/history-1995-pipeli...
Excerpt: "Despite his undeniable surfing talent Garcia's status as favourite was given further assistance by his first round oppponents in the Pipe Masters: Pipe legend Gerry Lopez and young Hawaiian Ross Williams. With five minutes to go in their heat Garcia was leading, Lopez second and Williams last. Lopez had already dropped in on Williams once but, despite being penalised, was still ahead of him on the scoresheet. With the clock counting down, Williams took a small inside wave and Lopez blatantly dropped in a second time".
Thats right, Mr Pipeline, Gerry Lopez, deliberately drops in twice in a heat to change the result.
ok fr. then lopez is a lowlife dog too. doesn’t excuse in any way medina being a lowlife dog
Must admit I can't understand where you're coming from here. To run with your line of argument, neanderthals probably thought it OK to club a women on the head and drag her off to be a partner, so therefore that should be OK today? I agree and understand that surfing is a tough sport, but competitive sporting codes, like other parts of society, develop and change, hopefully for the better, things that were once considered acceptable in times past are no longer. The examples you give are ancient history.
For the record I've come around to almost liking Medina, or maybe just respecting his surfing and his clinical approach. Doesn't change what others have said, it was a dog act.
I dislike Medina more every time I see more of his heats. Pure opposite of the nature of the sport.
I have never bought into the veil of zen bullshit about Lopez. The guy was just one of the Hawaiian crew who surfed well. Deified for zero reason and over rated.
Thanks, Steve. Didn't think of any of that. But if you're going to give me a spray, can you try to spell my name correctly?
sorry Phil there's too much spittle and coffee clogging my keyboard.
The underarm bowl.
Neymar's diving in soccer.
A professional foul to block a certain try.
All good, yeah?
yes, the underarm bowl, which is now illegal, and the incident tarnished Australian Cricket. WSL need to follow the rule book.. and if the rule doesn't fit, to change it. This is how rules develop, and they are made for fair play. It should have been resurfed or extra time, to show young surfers that behaviour like that, doesn't pay off.
I'm not sure what Rip Curl are saying about this, does anyone know.
despite the preceding history of whoever, it was a dog act then and remains a dog act now.
if Gabs wins the title, in my eyes it's a hollow victory and not legitimate.
fuck him.
Spot on.
JJF would have had it tied up a long time ago but for his knee injury. Although no disrespect to italo if he wins. I just don't think he's a the same level as JJF or Gabs.
I stridently disagree with you on this Freeride.
Medina has shown his true colours. I'm still waiting on the apology for his social media attack on Caio.
And the WSL are as weak as piss.
The breach of rule 171.11 is as clear as day.
Everyone should message the WSL! I just sent the following comment to their "Contact...Give Feedback" found at the bottom of the WSL website. https://www.worldsurfleague.com/ I sent:
"Hi. I am keenly waiting to hear of the WSLs disciplinary action over Medina's drop in on Ibelli in the Quarter Finals of the Pipeline Masters. The act was clearly one of extreme bad sportsmanship. Surfing's most fundamental rule of not dropping in was broken whilst the world watched on. Surely the WSL has a responsibility to the worldwide grommet fraternity to call this out?! If the WSL takes no action thousands of WSL fans will view your whole operation in a different (negative) light."
Medina has taken both surfing prowess and competitive hardball to a whole new level.
I find that immensely entertaining and, contrary to Phils' argument, there is a ton of historical precedent.
The real story is why the WSL is ignoring it's own rule book.
Far as Pipe mastery goes, unless you're blind, Medina has shown there is daylight between him and the rest of the field.
I agree with most of that but to me JJF is the master at Pipe (regardless of him losing his QF).
Regardless of him still yet to win it too.
....except he lost .
injured, nursing a knee
only surfed to make olympics
I don't want to make a strawman argument, but it comes across that you're claiming that if something's happened in the past, that makes it right? You can see how flawed that argument is, and that we should always strive to be better than we were before.
Agree with you on all counts FR. Yep....Kong would have been world champ back then if not for being physically blocked by big Pipe locals. Plenty of historical precedents as you said. Dooma Hardman taking off in whitewater 50 metres down the line at some shitty beach break in the late 80's (on T.C?) to get a priority ruling also rings a bell.
Change the rules WSL or ENFORCE what you already have in place. Most top level sports people will always play on the thin edge.
I reckon Medina has edged ahead of Florence & Slater performance wise at pumping pipe and just ran out of gas combined with slightly deteriorating conditions in the final.
*His step dad does seem like a dead set cunt though.
So why does he need to be a complete arsehole?. Not sure if you have kids but it isn’t how I brought mine up. Charlie is a dad from hell when it comes to sport. If it was a team sport the other dads would haul him aside and tell him to pull his head in. Gabby is a brat plain and simple and needs to emotionally grow up.
Yeah, totally selfish: http://www.institutogm10.com.br/en/the-gabriel-medina-institute/
Jack, thanks I'm really enjoying your line of argument and will reread a lot of it. I am/was a huge fan of Medina and greatly admire his charity work. However bigger picture arguments aside rules or no rules he BLATANTLY DROPPED IN. Written or not after over 45 years of surfing this will never be ok to me. Dropping in is not in the "spirit of surfing". Plus as previously mentioned possibly millions of kids (and impressionable "adults") will have seen this and potentially will now legitimise in some misconstrued way, their next drop in on me and other honest surfers trying to play fair.
Not so selfless, JS. Tax writeoff that allows Medina, Dad, and Sis to be paid 3x their investment by the government to help 'nourish' similarly privileged teens from his home beach. Smoke and mirrors and middle-class tax evasion. He's a privileged arrogant douche.
Absolutely its a tax play kev. Mark Zuckerberg 'gave' Facebook to a charity he set up, thus taking himself out of the tax system. Cui bono, or for those who dont read latin, follow the money.
https://stabmag.com/news/gabriel-medinas-wonderful-tax-write-off/
It’s an Institute not a Foundation designed to make a buck and talks about instilling Good sportsmanship. As well as no links on how to join other than donating $$$$.
Go figure.
precisely.
regards frees comment wsl rules and Bnkref re JJF.
If only they could get a few grey suits in the water at Pipe...Medina and his "backdoor" (get it?) game would have been elsewhere. Always considered the best surfers in the water to be the ones capable of displaying their skill without giving up their honour
Wasn't that a clear breach of 171.11? You had his old man on the beach yelling burn him. Medina was pretty straightforward in his after heat interview about the points - drop in calculation. He's set a precedent now that's for sure. Reckon the WSL need to MAN up.
I'm curious on the 'value' of a World Title winner like Medina, compared to a surfer like, well, anyone else that's won a World Title.
Does a third World Title victory - achieved at any cost - trump any negativity associated with his personal brand?
But.. the other question is.. is Medina's brand adversely affected by his competitive tactics? Or does it enhance it?
Trump like behaviour - that's for sure..
Isn't it in vogue to polarise people to maintain exposure? He creates noise, he gets noticed. Negative / positive opinions don't matter as long as the brand continues to be visible....and some people will always root for the cowboy in the black hat. The more we talk about it, the more Medina and his crew cash in. Personally I'm stoked for Italo. Medina can EAD.
http://www.institutogm10.com.br/en/the-gabriel-medina-institute/
Ben,
How many world champs have done this? http://www.institutogm10.com.br/en/the-gabriel-medina-institute/
Could you imaging occy doing anything like that?
Until you understand how that works - tax breaks, donations, trusts etc - I'd be hesitant to point to it as symbol of virtue alone.
As a mature age final year law student who's work in a human rights legal centre for the past 8 years in Aboriginal rights, I've got an ok understanding of tax law, law of trusts, and charities. However, I'm ignorant how these areas of law in are set out in Brazil - though areas of law function relatively similar across jurisdictions.
My understanding of Gabs background (which could be a mis-informed), combined with the objectives of his institute, leaves me to think, that on the balance of probabilities, the Medina Institute is actually increasing access to education et al, and is not a sham.
Your comments make sense now
HAHA! I had an inkling we had a law grad on our hands... I pissed myself when I saw this comment
As a side note, posting the link over and over (6 times in this article so far) doesn't make it any more legitimate.
One would hope that someone would read it.
Hi Ben,
Could you please link the swellnet article on Micks unsportsmanlike interference on JJF so he could place 3rd as to then surf against CJ.
Cheers
It was in a non-loser's round. Not quite the same magnitude as sudden death with a world title on the line.
I'll disagree with you there.
Firstly Mick was vying for a world title.
And, anyway, the 'magnitude' of the stake irrelevant because it is not what we are talking about.
We are talking about sportsmanlike conduct.
Mick intentionally interfered, which according to the narrative here, it is unsportsmanlike conduct.
According to the article Mick went up against and injured CJ and Yadin, instead of Julian and JJF.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/mick-fanning-drops-in-and-boosts-...
DROPPING in on a lifetime Pipeline aficionado can lead to a fistful of respect being punched into the perpetrator on the sand.
But when Mick Fanning stole a wave from John John Florence at the Pipe Masters, raising his hand in apology before receiving an interference call that drastically changed his flight path towards the world title, bare-knuckle justice was replaced by enthusiastic debate about whether the incident was good luck, bad luck, dumb luck, careless, reckless, brilliant, a blessing, a curse, a calculated tactical move or a huge blunder by Australia's potential world champion.
Fanning was involved in a three-man, non-elimination heat in round four against America's Nat Young and Florence, the 21-year-old whippet who went to school across the road from Pipe and surfs the reef as though he never took a class in his life. Florence had the heat in the bag. Fanning was second. The winner would advance to the quarter-finals. The loser would enter the repechage of round five. Fanning was going to face Australia's Julian Wilson and Florence in the next two rounds. Danger, and then extreme danger. Wilson is the World No 6. If Pipe had rankings, Florence would be No 1.
But then came Fanning's blatant interference. He was docked points and fell behind Young in the heat. Instead of running into Wilson and Florence, he moved into a section of the draw inhabited by the less formidable duo of CJ Hobgood and Yadin Nicol. Fanning is assured of the world championship if he reaches the semi-finals. Back-to-back assignments against America's World No 10 and Australia's World No 32 hold greater appeal than stoushes against Wilson and especially Florence.
Intentional interference? Unintentional? The latter, according to Fanning. A blessing? A curse? The former. Hobgood is a threat in Big Pipe, and the forecast for Saturday is Big Pipe. Hobgood might normally be more formidable than Wilson, but has an injury niggle to an important part of a surfer's apparatus: leg. Avoiding Florence is manna from heat-sheet heaven. Fanning was in a no-nonsense mood after his loss. When he crossed paths with a bemused Florence in the competitors' area, he said: "Sorry, mate. I saw you paddle and look right on that one and thought you were going right."
Florence went left. So did Fanning. Immense implications. As Surfer magazine reported: "John John stood as the guy most likely to scupper Mick's title. If they'd both kept winning they'd have met in the quarters, meaning Mick would have to beat John John Florence at Pipeline to win the world title. Those are words no Australian wants to be hearing. But Mick changed his destiny in the dying throes of his heat. . Already beaten, he dropped in on John John on the last wave of the heat, scoring an interference and dropping from second to third.
"It seemed an act of frippery, a bird flipped to the universe with the heat already lost. But that drop-in might just be butterfly wings flapping in the Amazon.
"It meant that instead of surfing against Julian Wilson and John John - young, bristling, Pipe savvy, very ready for the Mick and Kelly era to end - standing between him and the world title, Mick now needs to beat an injured CJ Hobgood and a wide-eyed Yadin Nicol, who's into the quarters for the first time in his career."
The forecast for Saturday is 10-to-12-foot Pipe. Hobgood was born to surf 10-to-12-foot Pipe.
He used to stay at Gerry Lopez's house for months on end, learning from the master himself. You have to do your time out here, and Hobgood has done it for decades. But the injury reduces the threat.
"The best way to prepare yourself mentally is to remember how many years you've come here, put in your time and surfed the wave," Hobgood said.
"It's why I always wanted to compete and surf. I love the feeling of wondering what's going to happen when you take the drop."
Nicol is surfing for his career. He needs to win the event to stay on tour.
From SurferToday: (2013)
The surfing world is discussing whether Mick Fanning purposely dropped in John John Florence or not, in the last Round 4 wave of the Billabong Pipe Masters 2013.
People love unproven conspiracy theories, and the 2013 ASP World Tour title race has just won a fantastic story to sell newspapers and magazines.
In the dying minutes of his Round 4 heat, Mick Fanning was in second place. He knew he had to reach the Semifinals of the Pipe Masters 2013 to secure his third world surfing title.
The Australian drops in John John Florence and scores an interference to move down to third place. Now, did he force the worst result in order to avoid getting the talented Hawaiian in a Quarterfinal draw?
The conspiracy theory goes beyond. It tells us that Fanning knew he could avoid the young gun, and that he would meet an injured CJ Hobgood, in the Round 5 clash, instead of having Julian Wilson, in Heat 2.
There's more. Instead of having John John Florence in the Quarterfinal, if Mick gets through Round 5, he will be drawn against Yadin Nicol, a fellow countryman.
And another article on Micks unsportsmanlike like conduct:
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/mick-fanning-drops-in-and-boosts-...
Jack its a farkin scam. A tax dodge, nothing altruistic about it at all.
Is there any where on the site that shows how to get involved other than donating?
Good one Ben! I would have been unhappy to see him win. Where as before the drop in I was backing him. I think the WSL should be ruling on the drop in as unsportsmanlike! This then sends a message to all the surfing world.
Hard to say. He's got, by a very large margin, the biggest social media following so it doesn't seem to be doing his "brand" any harm.
I have issues with judging "success" by the size of anyone's SM following. I realise that makes me a dinosaur, but there you go. This won't harm his "brand" as there are plenty of people in the world who's moral values are skewed by SM. I guess in the end, it doesn't matter if its entertainment, but for me, no worthwhile world champ (in surfing or any other sport) will ever be of value if they need to win using nefarious, shitful tactics like this. Win on your ability and merit, not by working the rulebook.
Spot on, Fatso.
Agree with you fatso.
As mentioned what a shit example to set for the groms.
And he’s setting the attitude benchmark for an entire nation of hungry, frothing slop masters champing at the bit to get overseas and score regular solid swells - at the super bank and everywhere else.
There you have it. Italo wins Pipe and the title on surfing ability and commitment (why was that second wave only a 7.7...surely an 8.5 given the conditions?). A worthy champ in my book, and much more satisfying than seeing Medina backdooring it.
This might have something to do with the fact of the country where he was born Steve!!!
is that you charlie?
Yeah all in that most stable and sportsmanlike of countries. Not too many in the rest of the world.
I think Medinas brand Is exactly that - the consummate competitor- win at all costs
Not everyone’s cup of tea but under the guise of a professional sport and WSL is within the rules
Exactly, it's not like he's springing this suddenly on everyone, he's been the same since he qualified at 17.
People have made up their minds on him now.
"Call me old-fashioned, but it’s still surfing, and this is not how civilized people surf, in competition or free."
This line made me laugh.
I remembered the last time I chased a cyclone swell to Noosa. Started at Granite, surfed down through Tea-Tree paddled into Boiling Pot just after sunset thinking the crowd might have dimmed.
I heard the crowd before I saw it : "fuck off, fuck u cunt!...oi, oi cunt!""
Civilised surfing.
Like Julian Wilson using a ski to queue jump people paddling their arses off to get a wave?
I think that died at Noosa well before Phil moved there.
A little perspective, both historical and social, is useful before judging Medina.
So because a bunch of efffwits have done it before and will do it again its ok? By your logic this is all acceptable behaviour that is just part of surfing.
Tell me you wouldnt be pissed if Medina burnt you.
I never said it was acceptable or OK.
it sure ain't my cup of tea.
I'm just pointing out the hand wringing and hypocrisy.
I've surfed with Medina a couple times around here, and I didn't see him burning people. It seems he can distinguish between pushing the limits in comps and surfing with other people.
anyhow, all academic now, Mr Karma kicked him in the balls.
Thanks fck Mr Karma came to the call!!! Cause I detest Medina and everything he does in competitions. From the first wave catching paddle battle to his blatent disregard for fellow competitors AND the organisation (WSL) that keeps him employed.
heir heir Domweather. Couldn't agree more
Judging by your commentary on here the crowd was right, you are a "cunt".
surfing around Winki and bells over the comp Medina literally burns someone on 99% of waves he takes off on. One time at recon I was up and he paddled from the shoulder 10 min down the line and did a huge sweeping cutback right at me like I was invisible he did not give two fucks
Medina likely has better morals and social conscience then anyone in the surf community:
http://www.institutogm10.com.br/en/the-gabriel-medina-institute/
So you believe a press release? Lol - another round of cool aid for JS please
I read an article yonks ago that Medina was from a poor back ground. But like I said earlier, I don't know if I read misinformation.
There's not a lot of information out there on the Medina institute, ..
All I'm doing is considering a non emotion response and trying to find info on the whole picture and look at it from there, ..and try not to come to a definite conclusion too fast.
Jack are you on medina’s payroll?
no.
Part of me was hoping Medina would repeat the interference tactic in the last 2 minutes of his semifinal against Griffin
It would have sent the internet into a spin
When Medina does that to Koa Rothman or some other local with connections it would be more interesting. Hope his jujitsu is well honed.
171.11 Serious Unsportsmanlike Interference - needs to be enforced or removed.
more likely quietly forgotten.
its kinda like bowling underarm isn't it ?
its in the rules but a shit act , just ask the Kiwis
To be honest the underarm incident was just about the greatest thing that ever happened to NZ cricket. I was 9 years old at the time, and probably started playing cricket as a result. It was just the shot in the arm that cricket in NZ needed, just as Rugby was shooting itself in the foot with the 81 Springbok Tour.
What greater than winning a final against Australia at the MCG ?
Wow glad you saw it that way , 99.9 percent
Of the world including Australians thought it was one of the most unsportsmanlike acts ever .
Now that IS ancient history.
This is a chance for the WSL to show some integrity. Alas, it will be a lost opportunity.
Medina stated on camera that it was intentional and done for his advantage. He was playing the "its in the rules".
171.01 is also in the rules. Pity the WSL doesn't have the nuts to apply it as it would have been delicious gold to see Medina suddenly complaining about the rules. Would be even better as Charlie the Wonder Coach came up with the grand plan. Fun at Christmas dinner when the old fella costs you a world title.
Interesting to see if they man up now Italo got the gong.
i hate cheaters, money brings out the worst in some people
What annoyed me was the old man on the beach yelling , i didn’t know what at the time , but of course now we do . Hes like part of the tour , the consummate soccer dad. I’m looking forward to medina growing up and becoming his own person . No matter how ya cut it or justify it based on history , its context that counts and it was ugly . And his narcissistic attitude in the post heat interview confirmed it.
I look forward to people being run over in heats from now on to get an interference call and also the blatant fade to win at all costs....
Enforce the Sportsmanship rule or get rid of it.
If Medina didn't breach the Sportsmanship rule on this occasion then what would constitute a breach?
Exactly. There were three conditions to be met:
Intention - well he's already admitted that.
Unsportsmanlike - it was a professional foul, trying to win by exploiting rules not playing the sport.
Serious Nature - doesnt get more serious than a world title.
If they dont pull the trigger on that then it's hard to imagine a scenario when they would.
what you have written Stu is surely the tail to this story; that is will the WSL have the courage to enforce their rules, as its a clear breach?
PS: I can't resist adding, why polish the rear-vision mirror looking for examples of un-sportsman like behaviour to justify more of it. I'm fairly certain I've read that Derek Ho is embarrased (to this day) about happened to Gary Elkerton, a deserved world champion. Corruption of any system is the beggining of fast-tracking decay.
On a personal note, I loathe talented surfers who don't share waves; as it positions surfing as comporable to AFL, which it isn't (in my opinion). If surfers don't aspire and act out surfing being more than "just a sport" then that's what it will evolve into. ciao belli has had 2x bad experiences with Medina this year. No doubt he will be very welcome at the Italo party tonight. I'm keen to read the new world champ's perspecitve, as he was very supportive of ciao and damming of medina earlier in the year for similar behaviour.
Spot on Stunet! We should all be sending these comments to the WSL! There is something bigger at stake here. More than one of us has made mention of the drop in not being in the spirit of surfing. Surely the WSL at some level should be supporting it's fan base who, if our comments are any measure has a good percentage of surfers who are outraged.
agreed with most of what freeride has to say. One thing I don’t understand is how Medina got to keep his priority? In the end though the best man won. Congrats to Italo what a little battler! Congrats to Slater for the triple crown!
Don't watch a lot of contest surfing but did see makua rothman practice this blocking twice in the last week, paddled right in front of JOB to block him on a great wave (makua played the man and not the ball and so neither of them got the wave) then again at jaws he did the same just sitting on/blocking Twiggy baker (who only needed a minor score to progress) , pissweak really, as stated above all about abusing the rules too win, being who he is nobody is going to want to rock that boat. Get rid of all priority , create a more like real surfing environment in a contest, cut throat but at least clear ,
Don't forget 1987 when Damien Hardman dropped in on Kong Elkerton 50 metres away on a closeout North Steyne. It was the last event of the year and Harman won the world tilte as a result of his "technical" interference. These 'technical' interferences meant Kong was runner up three times.
'In 1990, Elkerton was denied a chance to challenge California’s Tom Curren for the World Title in the last event at Sunset Beach, due to an interference (drop-in) by Hawaii’s Michael Ho at the penultimate event, the Pipeline Masters. In ’93 an epic, year long duel for the World Title between Kong and Ho’s brother, Derek, ended with a close victory for the Hawaiian in one of the last heats of the year, says a Wiki entry. The closeness, controversy and tumult attached to these disappointments earned him the moniker ‘best surfer never to have won the World Title’.
I think the 87 debacle was the beginning of what Phil said: "The interference rule has been modified over the decades but its intent has always been the same – to penalize surfers who don’t observe priority rather than reward those who work out how to exploit the situation."
Competition has always been tough and, in the end, the tribal dog eat dog instinct many surfers have rules the day.
Was what Median did unsportsmanlike? Well, yes, but was it 'serious'? Remember Drouyn's man-on-man concept at the inaugural Stubbies at Burleigh, when he envisaged anything goes tactics - hassling, jostling, etcetera - as a part of the format. Don't blame the surfer, blame the system - or will rule 171.11 Serious Unsportsmanlike Interference rule the roost?
Funny, I thought world titles were won over a whole year of competition. Not single heats.
Freeride made some very good points there. Either way it made a great comp even more interesting. Would it be deemed unsportsman like if he did it on a set wave?
Dog act....people won't say Medina 2 x world champion they will say Median that dog that burnt the guy and still lost the title....his legacy is in the toilet
Shame he will get stuck in the "S" bend..
When did Parko block Slater for AI's benefit?
2003, four man final at Pipe. Parko inside, but too deep, on a right calls Slater off on what would be the winning wave. Parko didn't make it, he was never going to, but stablemate AI reaped the benefit of the block with the win.
THX Stu...Did Parko do that with the intention to take the wave..and AI was the beneficiary? Or did he do it simply to benefit AI?
Was all for AI, best mates and both billabong
so much butt hurt.....Medina played the game to his advantage.
Just like Trevor Chappell.
95% of NZ is still butt hurt and yet to recover.
Fuck yeah! The underarm still rankles.
For some reason, I still love Medina and definitely his surfing and want him to win. He’s totally eclipsed the rest performance wise.
Hard to not love Italo, though.
TC would take it back if he could - reckons it ruined his whole life
Cunt of a winning move by medina
He wouldn't of had the guts to do it to a Hawaiian, did it to his own country man lol, what a weak as piss act.
His form post-loss is possibly even more disgraceful.
Apple didn't fall far from the tree.
Should ban his old man from the tour
Medina is Brazil’s Kyrgios. A talented athlete but a fuckwit of the highest order.
He will leave surfing without a single friend from the circuit if he keeps this going. The worst part about his behaviour is that recreational surfers think his hassling on steroids is acceptable.
You see Brazzos (some of them not all) take Medina’s attitude to Indo and they are as big a cunts as their hero.
Medina is the complete opposite of Kyrgios. Medina will do anything to win, Kyrgios not sure whether he can be bothered to turn up. Polar opposites Vic.
Medina’s earring tells the whole story of the man.
thats beneath you blowin
What do you mean ?
I’m just saying it’s an ostentatious bit of bling. What are you talking about ?
Anybody know what happened on the beach just after the heat / during the presentation?
Something went down on the sand with the broadcast getting flicked to the yearly highlights package.
Some grom almost drowned.
https://www.surfline.com/surf-news/san-clemente-grom-nearly-drowns-pipel...
A thousand Brazzos were chanting "Chupa Medina" - "suck it Medina" according to a Brazzo mate. The WSL didn't want you to see that.
Ha. Excellent news Sir Surfalot.
Trevor Chappell has been mentioned a couple of times above and i cringe at being an Aussie when i see a replay on tv, bought shame on the whole nation ....and so will Medinas act to all Brazillians in years to come....
Pretty unfair on Trevor since it was Greg that told him to do it.
ha ha spuddups. my old mate (yorkshireman-come-aussie) - now unfortunately passed away - used to say that that was the nuremburg defence for trevor, and he should’ve told greg to get fucked
haha spuddups good point.
hoho ho ojacko double good point.
Charlie told Grubby to do it too...still not a defence in my book
It’s cultural ....his insta followers do not give a fuck.
https://www.facebook.com/Vocativ/videos/2053583117987246/
Correct.
If I played any sport in that spirit my old man would have kicked my arse till my nose bled,All champions have after they retire is their legacy,how will Medina compare to MR or Tom Curren in 20 years time?
In all honesty probably similar to Andy Irons minus the drug and alcohol problems
Ie a great world champ who was a bad boy, played the villain role and could back it up with his surfing
Was Andy a sook ?
A proper backstage crying , Daddy-on -the-beach , armpit shaving , soccer diving *, bling earring’d sook ?
I don’t think so.
Medina - can surf , can’t act like a man.
* Remember trestles ?
The vast majority of his antics are the sort you’d expect from someone who’s gotten through their entire life without knowing the feel of a decent punch to the face . Less overwhelming force of will and more undisciplined toddler .
I still reckon he’s the best surfer the world has seen to date. Surfing at an unprecedented ability. The guy at the cutting edge of skill at any time is , by definition , the best surfer ever and that title currently rests with the party boi from Brazil.
PS That Trestles vid is as much an indictment of the shortcomings of the commenters that it is on Medina’s ghey antics. Mel and a Turpel just missing the third monkey with their see no evil / hear no evil routine. Not sure how Pete Mel can charge so hard and yet still be such a soft cock when a microphone is put in front of him ? One of life’s mysteries.
Turpel I can fully comprehend.
Come on boys , here is an opportunity to elevate the sport to the behaviour it deserves by flaying that fucktard alive for daring to darken surfing’s door with his soccer dive histrionics, yet you give him a free pass.
Give yourselves an uppercut.
How did Andy ever act like a man? Drug-fuelled aggression leaving wife, family and friends in his messy wake.
Surfed like a god, yes, and bless him for that, but hardly a role model.
What good is being world champion if the only ones cheering are you and your sycophantic stepdad, meanwhile the rest of the world hates your guts? I already couldn’t stand Medina but now I hate him.
50 million Brazilian fans can’t be wrong !
Or can they .....
Yeah I know, how many of those 50 million do you reckon actually surf and have any understanding of the situation? They just love him coz he’s a poster boy with a diamond earring, smooth armpits, attitude problem and a cling on stepdad who follows him wherever he goes. What’s not to love
Anyway I have said enough negative stuff about gabs. What I’m really stoked about is that Italo won not because he beat gabs ( well that was good) but because he is an epic surfer to watch and seems like a humble and genuine good bloke. Bravo Italo world champion
For the record, here's Gabs' own words as sent out via the WSL press release.
“Just playing the game,” said Medina. “It was my priority, I knew if I had an interference that I was going to count my big wave. There was like 20 seconds left so it’s all good. I wasn’t sure [if Caio would have gotten the score], that’s why I went. He needed a 5, but it was really hard out there. I just had to play the game. Sometimes if it’s in the rules, you gotta play the game.”
It’s not in the rules.
lame.
best man won and fairly.
So if reversed and Caio did that to him does everyone really think that Medina would be still going yeah its in the rules. He would be whinging like never seen before and his Instagram followers would be wanting to hang (literally) Caio. would have been interesting to see the outcome if he did this to Billy Kemper had he still be in the comp.
playing the rules,mmm not really but when your ol man/coach is yelling out 'burn him' well sorta looks like a shit act.....
On the topic of in-heat coaching - does the WSL rulebook have anything on this?
I remember the furore back in 2000 when Layne Beachley donned a helmet with an in-built walkie talkie at J-Bay as her partner Ken Bradshaw hid in the bushes and dialed her into the best waves of each set. Not sure if it was within the rules at the time, but the tactic certainly wasn't appreciated by the other competitors.
Specific rule Ben...
Article 153: Electronic Coaching
Surfers are prohibited from receiving electronic communication in the Competition Area from any source outside of WSL Tour Representative.
I remember reading about that one.
The Bradshaw incident.
the best man did not win not if he needed to cheat to win
I reckon Griffin would have takin off and got Medina with a interference call if the leggy didn't get caught around the nose of his board. They need to do a coin toss beforehand to allocate priority before the heat starts I reckon. waves get wasted with the hassle.
That's what I think. Determine priority at the start of the heat with a coin toss... or perhaps the highest seeded surfer has priority. I wan't to watch people riding waves rather than hassling.
Game has changed!
Well past games, WSL comps now extend to Olympic National Team breaches.
WSL milked the fact...Parading WSL Bully as Team Brasil Olympian on Pipe Podium.
Games of the XXXII Olympiad- Tokyo 2020 (Surfing Qualification)
C. Athlete Eligibility
All Athletes must comply with provisions of the Olympic Charter....
eg: (Olympic Movement Code on the prevention of Manipulation of Competitions)
https://www.isasurf.org/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2019/02/FINAL-2019-...
Olympic Athlete Oath: (Most recent edition)...is in place throughout WSL Qualifying.
We promise to take part in these Olympics Games, respecting and abiding by the rules and in the spirit of fair play. We all commit ourselves to sport without doping and cheating. We do this, for the glory of sport, for the honour of our teams and in respect for the fundamental Principles of Olympism.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Oath
WSL 171.11 Rule complies with Olympic Oath & fundamental to world sport.
https://www.worldsurfleague.com/asset/23142/2019+WSL+Rule+Book+-+0303201...
ISA Code of Conduct also applies as min requirement for Olympic Qualification.
http://www.spx.nsw.edu.au/_uploads/_ckpg/files/2007ISACodeOfConduct-Fina...
2019 (Breaches of Sportsmanship)
*Wild Bells:
Jordy strayed inside sat up abusing inert Priorty Disc to check & take out Italo & wave.
Note: Italo pulled off wave well before Jordy had got to his feet...(Italo was penalised?)
Jordy dangerously calculated a breach of both Olympic & WSL sportsmanship codes.
https://www.worldsurfleague.com/posts/388142/rip-curl-pro-bells-beach-me...
* Medina's Portugal & Pipe Reef dangerously breached both sportsmanship codes.
Does Priority Rule difference between WSL- ISA- Olympics water down breaches?
WSL priority rewards shoulder camping to block development of true deep surfing.
Judges all but rule out deep pits & power carves to reward WSL prioritised Air Time.
WSL rule book author Goldie Matt Burgess speaks on (2017) interference.
https://www.surfline.com/surf-news/a-closer-look-at-the-toledo-igarashi-...
Olympic Priority is strictly inside surfer rules...push deeper > go harder or go home.
Drop ins incur penalty & are deducted Points (Critical surfing ability is rewarded!)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfing_at_the_2020_Summer_Olympics
NOC National Olympic Committee
Only a NOC is able to select and send teams and competitors for participation in Olympic Games.
NOC can & do reject Olympians deemed to harm National Olympic Ideal.
Examples:
JJF for failing minimum ISA requirement.
Slater for refusing Team USA Training in rival wave pool.
Medina for habitual breaches of Olympic Oath.
Jordy for similar unsporting breach.
WSL provided OZ exclusive training in 'Olympic Wave Pool Qualifying venue'
+ Despite Olympics ruling out Wave Pool Surfing Event. (Oops! A bit late!)
Near all WSL Olympians competed & Qualified via 'Olympic Wave Pool Venue'!
NOC should fairly wipe 'Non Compliant' results from Olympic Qualifying Tally.
History shows that 2 or more breaches would suspend surfer + possible reform.
Brazilian & USA surfers in 3rd & 4th Rank have excellent cases to advance.
Ask if Olympic Surfing benefits from Medina's involvement...all know the answer!
Team Brazil may close ranks to rid bad apple from their Olympic Team.
WSL are obligated to rid the poison before it fouls whole Brazilian Sport.
Matt clearly drafted 171.11 as a fail safe for pending calculated Priority breaches.
WSL must enforce it on Medina for continued dangerous bullying of Team Mate
Hero Bully as Poster Boy for Olympic Surfing day 1 (Who here expected any better?)
FMD, the entire tenet of this article is piss weak.
As freeride76 has noted, plenty of 'history' in surfing with 'tactics' affecting outcomes.
And, as others have noted, other sports too.
Was the 'strategy' "in the rules", well yes, the "rules" were used to drop off Medina's wave score, but he still had enough to get through. Is it a moral low act, IMHO, YES (just like the underarm bowling incident, IMHO). So, yes, Medina used the rules to his advantage.
But, I am not a competitive sportsperson, fighting for glory and the $$ that comes with it. Neither are most of us commenting on this incident.
Maybe our 'perspective' is the issue.
Or.
Maybe Medina is just a cunt.
We all have our opinions. For my $0.02, after I saw Medina brush off young kids at Snapper a couple of years ago, I formed my opinion. Having seen him in various free surf lineups, and how he conducts himself, consolidated my opinion. I think he's an upstart cunt that needs to bought down a peg or two.
As for the WSL not using Article 171.11 ... About time there was some hard questioning of the WSL. C'mon SwellNet, ask the hard questions and run some articles around the harder issues! Heck, your 'viewers' stats from a couple of years ago shown a light on the marketing BS of the WSL, dig deep and find the truth.
While you're at it ... how about an article on the legalities or otherwise of the WSL taking over a line up here in Australia, like say Snapper etc. ... What 'authority' do they have to kick other users out of the lineup?
Fair Point! (Talk the Talk -Walk the Walk)
[Disclaimer]: tbb competed/Judged (Not as career)
(Surf/Skate) Local > Pro/Ams > National Titles.
Also robbed in finals by tactical inbred interference.
"Don't wanna sail with this ship of fools."
I reckon you”re spot on with that assessment of Medina cobber
I agree hes a CUNT pure and simple
Medina is now my most hated sports athlete .. he just surpassed David Warner in the un sportsman conduct stakes .. at the end of the day mate your a cheating drop in dog and thus should be treated as such .. so the call goes out to all when he comes here in late March don't let this bloke get a wave not one not even a scrap .. so stoked that Italo got the title
Surfing is a dance, a lifestyle, a way of life. But that move was sport, and it was sexy as fuck. It was one of many highlights for me, and I stood to lose five hundred bucks with a Medina title win. It’s the fact that he would go there, to win, that I actually like. Weird I know. Dog act, and much respect at the same time
Just watching the final on foxtel now and in one of the beach shots is Andys kid Axel Irons waving an Italo flag and chanting with all the Italo fans...so that settles it...Andy would have wanted an Italo win....stoked for Italo......and gotta say the Brazzos certainly give the whole thing a lot of atmosphere....for the better.
I think it was a fuck you to Caio for Portugal. If it was tactics then why didn't he use it again against Griffin in the semi - the maths was the same.
Bet he wouldn't have done it against a native Hawaiian either.
I thought about this as well. Too much of a coincidence same guy twice. I bet Charlie was steaming after Portugal and had a plan to get him back. I might go to Bells with some friend this year just to wind Charlie up if he is pacing around.
I agree with this - it does seem to be some retribution for Portugal to me. Caio got the best of him there and played the game and Gabs through it straight back in his face. Too many are assuming and reading way too much into this in my opinion.
It's certainly got some spark in the audience though!
Yeah crg doing that against Seth Moniz would of been interesting. Yikes!
Having no interest in Pro surfing ever
My grommet asked about this shite today as he saw it on the news
I just read this thread and realised my explanation to my grommet was wrong based on Photo
Can someone provide guidance in point form
on why surfer A beat surfer B
I must be fucking old i just thought best waves and dont drop in
Medina lost his highest scoring ride for the drop in however medinas backup wave was still higher than Caio’s 2 wave total.
If he broke the rules which it seems he did then the wsl should act. I can't think of another sport where someone with such a high profile can blatantly cheat without being penalized. Apart from Maradona and the 'hand of god'.
In terms of where he lies on the cuntometer and the context of competition it was poor form but his whole show is not about making friends. Anyone Medina watchers would know he's a win at all costs character and anyone competing against him should know what to expect.
It’s the circus, it’s so unimportant so who gives a toss?
There you go someone had to say it.
It is the Circus. And what any of this has to do with a real surfers life is beyond me. The whole surf contest scene is set up to sell merchandise-- to make money. Why watch surfing-- when you can actually surf youself....
correct.
straight after the Final, I noticed that instead of 20 knot northerlies there was a light S'ly so my son and I went and rode silky little peaks in cornflake weed soup by ourselves. split the peak, shared waves both ways. Had a ball.
You can do both free rider, but I agree, it's a different Universe.
Sure, i agree too and most 'surfers' can distinguish between the two.
But as humans many people enjoy competition and any reasonable person wants to see a good fight, a competitor bested, a fight well won, not a victory based on a technicality or someone manipulating the rules. Just leaves a sour taste in your mouth.
Anyway me too, after it was done I took the wifey out to lunch and haven't thought much about it since.
Glad you got some warm peaks- sounds nice.
The fact that so much is being said online about all of Medinas’ behaviour , we all know he is a tool ! He even knows he is a tool . . . But he won’t care . Could’nt give a fig . Stoked he did’nt win . . .
But I can’t take Medina seriously thanks to a mate of mine who reckons he looks like a diesel mechanic . . . Yeah juvenile , but it works for me .
I'm curious how this type of move sits with Jesus? Medina and Charlie seem to put a lot of stock in him. I reckon crusifixtion was in the rules for the Romans and Judas certainly got paid.
In seriousness, if the rules create a crap result they should be changed but in this case the WSL does have the appropriate sportsmanship rule. Live by the rules die by the rules. Medina should be penalised, the only fair result for Caio. I reckon Medina was feeling it in the final, even dentists don't like being hated.
Italo was on a tear impeccable form right through the contest. Medina too until the incident.
I kind of agree with Freeride for a lot of this too, well reasoned argument. However, they do have the rules to penalise him and it would be better for the sport if they do. The WSL would have to admit they got it wrong at the time then though, and I think it will be a cold day in hell....
It was a dick move especially with Charlie shrieking from the shore. Not even Gabe's dick move.
Caio really is the underground champ of this year, really got under Medina's skin, cost Medina the title in Portugal was pretty gracious under attack as well. I don't reckon that wave had the score in it for Caio anyway, was probably all for nought.
At the end of the day, Medina lost the world title by dropping in on Ibelli. And that's gonna taste like shit for Gabo for the rest of his days. And I reckon Ibelli will have a little spring in his step tonight knowing he played a part in it all. Karma.
World Cup Sunset
Did Jack take out Zeke & how does this affect Pipe Masters & World Title?
Does Jack cop payback & how & would we even know about such comp games.
Comp surfers know most interference goes unseen or is cleverly disguised.
Often your mates will return fire to even up the score...goes a bit like this!
Former #1 Pipe Trials...Jack's lighting up North Shore barrels (fav > back 2 back wins).
Pipe Invitational see Jacks opening [9] barrel > 1st in QF > Semi-1...(re: Full Heat)
https://www.worldsurfleague.com/posts/439023/pipe-invitational-specialty...
Jack has lost interest...something has changed...
Jack only needs [2.21] (10 secs to go ...A Pipe Dream lands in Jack's Lap.)
Paddles & Kicks into it > Looks left to Hawaiians & gets the message...Pulls out fast!
Pottz: "Aaaaweehhshhhheeeeet...." Do you think Pottz knows...look away gromz.
Same as it ever was....all here know Jack was in form #1 threat for the Pipe Masters
If Medina did get stripped of his best score of the year as per 171.11, would that mean Filipe would be ahead of him on the ladder and therefore take his Olympic spot?
Sorry if you have already mentioned this in one of your posts tbb, can't read the all:)
No! tbb & the world never knew of [brucebruce swellnet exclusive]. Jeep & Hurley just signed brucebruce as Filipe's Manager. ( Double Brazil's Jeep sales overnight).
brucebruce shows #3 + #4 are ideal Olympic choices.
In case of Hero [Break Glass]...Dial...[1][7][1] . [1][1]
That calculated priority interference guaranteed he beat Caio and advanced, but his uncalculated priority interference the preceding event in Portugal actually ended up costing him the world title.
Kind of reverse karma i reckon.
The issue is a precedent of non-action in regards to the rule is now set. Hence, any future enforcement of that rule could be challenged in court. So, people can get away with this left right and centre now. Trust me, I am a lawyer (not).
I think most people agree that Medina behaves like a complete fuckwit from time to time. Likewise Charlie. This is the sort of thing that makes the tour interesting though. Nothing like a villain to spice things up a bit. It's certainly got people talking aye.
I feel sorry for Caio though. One of the more likeable and interesting blokes on tour.
There is something unsettled about Medina. As others have said he not yet a (good) man. Seems to be relying on jesus, Charlie and his circle for direction, not himself. An extrapolation of this is one could actually feel sorry for him.
Italo on the other hand is more from the ADS school. Fearless, driven yet self effacing and real. No front and centre circle, just him! A great world champion and until we get an Aussie right at the pointy end I'd be happy to see him win more (or JJF, Felipe, Jordy or Kolohe).
Anyone that relies on the invisible sky guy isn’t to be trusted ...hang on, Scotty from Marketing believes in the invisible sky guy! Anyway my question is what role for Satan in all of this? Maybe Medina is possessed!
you could be on to something here gs. maybe medina got a $6.66 sub to swellnet which has turned him to the darkness
For sure and the Catholic Church seem to have the Brazillas by the short a curlies. Hang on that is a bit close for comfort I wonder how many Pells are hiding in Brasil?
For a minute I thought you wrote Italo was from the ADD school ( a la Mason Ho). Could be, he certainly seems hyperactive and good luck to both of them as the surf out of their skin, and seem good fellas. Could be asset!
From brucebruce.
"If Medina did get stripped of his best score of the year as per 171.11, would that mean Filipe would be ahead of him on the ladder and therefore take his Olympic spot?
Sorry if you have already mentioned this in one of your posts tbb, can't read the all:)"
Now that would settle the score. What a statement.
As a person and competitor that penalty would be a huge blow to Gabriel Medina. He didn't get the title in the end anyway so no advantage gained from his actions. But for all future reference competitors would know that they are accountable for their actions. A strong statement about sportsmanship and actually playing within the rules.
Well said, Phil Jarrat. Medina’s low life unsportsmanlike behaviour doesn’t sit well with the true essence of surfing, after all, aren’t we cut from the same cloth, amped to go surfing, talk surfing, share surfing, happy to meet surfers etc.. It sits well with competitive surfing
and sets no good example for young impressionable children, at all.
For the first time only, I agree with VicLocal and the troglodyte views of Freeride76 astound me. What year were born Freeride76 ?
In some respect it’s expected behaviour from an industry that rewards an egocentric mindset where athletes only care about winning, similar to other professional sports... So, I’m not that surprised nor care, I see similar self-centred attitudes at my local & just accept it for what it is & be happy.
The true pure essence of surfing has nothing to do with competitive surfing, social media numbers and hits Freeride76 (don’t get me started on that useless bullshit of a gauge of how an individual or society is going, we really have become the unintelligent species on that front) . Strip it right back to the basics and start again. WSL is not the real spirit of surfing.
Australian cricket team anyone?
Bodhi, nice one. The similar self-centred attitudes at your local and mine are attributed to the very issue we are discussing, we are such a ‘monkey see, monkey do’ society, our actions are more than just that, they are impressions. Watching kids at football, basketball and other team sports repeating actions on field that only occurred a few days ago by some ‘super star’, clearly highlights how impressionable they are. Phil Jarrat is completely correct, this Medina unsportsmanlike behaviour permeates through all ranks. Sad state of affairs for global surfing, but are we surprised, Medina’s actions are just the result of the template already laid by forebears from the competitive sporting world and countless other athletes at the highest professional/competitive level.
Caio deserves a mention in all of this. He’s handled himself very well, once again. Good lad
some great perspectives here. Personally I don't like the sub culture that Medina represents, this culture transcends countries borders. Its a culture that is self-centred,ruthless with any form of opposition, lacks any empathy and they will steam roll anyone to get to the top. Some find it very entertains watching some twat on reality tv belittle their victim. Didn't like it when Larry Blair hassled the fuck out of Wayne Lynch in the Surfabout and dont like it now when Lau and Medina do their numbers. Today however these guys make some good coin from doing a great thing, they are Professionals ....its time they started acting like professional athletes and focussed on connecting to the wave,
Karma got Larry in Hawaii with the locals doing their thing.
Phil Jarratt apologies, left a ‘T’ out of your name, twice.
Blowin. Are you serious ? Medina has 50 million followers. Please explain or translate to me and others how or what that actually means. From where I look that means shit, big fucking deal, whoopee.!!!! Why doesn’t Medina give them all a dollar as thanks for the support, I bet he doesn’t.
Ah, the skill of being able to push a button on a phone.
m
You know all those kids you see walking across the street with their heads in their phones? They’re all watching Medina in Rip Curl gear do his thing, participating in his online comments section.
50 million of them.
His thing? Shaving?
>>Medina has 50 million followers. Please explain or translate to me and others how or what that actually means. From where I look that means shit, big fucking deal, whoopee.!!!!
it means torrents of abuse from thousands of people (perhaps more) for caio and his family, including death threats
Sean Doherty and Nick Carroll's write ups of yesterday are good reading. Caio must be wondering why me? Twice in one year.
Yeah Shoredump, and I wonder how many of the 50 million can’t afford a piece of Rip Curl merchandise because they are so poor. Dilemma, should I buy that Rip Curl tee-shirt or feed myself and family, I think I’ll feed myself.
Any comment from WSL yet?
Surely they need to act or explain their inaction. Rule 171.11.
As most have said on here it goes against surfings fundamentals, therefore it is unsportsmanlike in our sport.
The olympic charter is the same so it really shouldn't be him representing Brazil due to his continued unsportsmanlike behaviour.
WSL gave the all clear, story on beachgrit
This selfish, entitled, dangerous endemic that afflicts surfing bemuses me at times. You just don’t see the same kind of self-centredness amongst other sports such as mountain bike riding, snow boarding, skating - come to think of it most sports.
These same wankers would not rifle through their local woollies the way they do in the lineup for fear of swift retribution or embarrassment.
‘Round where I surf my friends and I try to adopt a policy where that is kept to a minimum. This involves simple things like hooting others into waves, giving waves away regardless of the talent of the recipient. The lineup’s such a nicer way to be.
Great reading everyone's points.
Initial response is to agree with Phil, and then FR makes the point this has happened before. I never got to the top of competitive surfing, but have heard of the shenanigans that happens when it's all on the line to win - not good behaviour at all.
Some of the funniest stories in the books of our surfing elders were efforts to psych out the competition with view to winning. Driving a car through the front of a pub at the event meeting the night before, shaping a 'fang tail', surfing the peak next to the heat and destroying it. Then there's the physical intimidation in the past stories. Makes pulling someone's leggie seem pretty small beer. All of them are dog acts.
So Medina (Charlie) calculated a win could be guaranteed if Gabby dropped in. He instructed, Gabriel did it. Heat win. It was Caio again, like in Portugal only (more) deliberate. My sense of fair play is outraged, but then again, my sense of fair play never got me to the Nationals.
This sort of stuff ran rampant in sports when I was young - you can do anything you like, so long as you win. tbh it's put me off most competitve sport. If you want an example, take a look at the WCE win of the flag about 05-06. More recently, we've seen local coaches encourage the use of speed the night before to ensure a dominant Saturday morning performance. I want nothing to do with this.
Karma seems to catch up. It's caught up to Zeke, just caught up to Gabby (Go Italo!).
If you have a local bank branch and it gets held up, they usually add a bit of security afterward. Say those plexiglass screens. But, if someone wants the value of the money inside, they will just go to greater (perhaps more violent) lengths to achieve it. Trust me, I 've seen this happen. It's the same with surfing rules - we can set the rules more stringently, there will always be someone more devious, more cunning and more willing to exploit them in certain ways for the win.
Thankfully, for most of us surfing our favourite little spots, the sense of decency and adherence to the unwritten rules prevails most of the time. Mostly. On that note, Merry Xmas all, and enjoy the summer holiday waves :)
Fast forward to Snapper Rocks March 26 2020, when Medina shows up for his first heat?
Don't complicate the issue. It was quite simply unsportsmanlike and there is a rule against it in the rule book. Surfing is by no means perfect but one of the things I really appreciate about it is that for 99% of the time the unwritten rules are followed and that is achieved without requiring police or written rules etc. Now, singlehandedly, Medina wants to drag the sport down to his win at all costs mentality. That, in my opinion is a retrograde step.
For good or ill, the governing body has set a very strong precedent over the incident.
Essentially siding with Medina, saying the drop-in failed to satisfy two out of the three requirements to invoke the sanctions associated with the rule.
They have backed the sportsmanlike behaviour of it, calling it "gamesmanship" and said it wasn't of a serious nature because it posed no safety risk.
There you go.
btw, hope all those up there breathing that rarefied air on their moral high horses remember to bring their manners to whatever destinations they are heading to these holidays.
...ill be bringing my best manners to the line up this festive season FR 76, I like surfing not getting into shit fights..... Emulating a fraction of Medinas 'gamesmanship' is not condusive to a good fun surf.
At the very least, opinions aside, the incident brings clarity to the rule.
Deliberate - yes he admitted as much.
Unsportsmanlike - their interpretation of gamesmanship surprises me given their overall obsession with sanitising the whole product of surfing and the tour.
Serious nature - I always thought it would fall down on this point as I interpreted the rule as referring to safety. I can recall it coming up in a drop in ruling with KS a few years ago at Pipe.
Given the clarity let's see how often it gets used next year and by whom.
Reading your writeup over on Beachgrit FR
There's some juicy suggestions in the comments of people being in the commissioner's office and arm waving, did we see an unofficial 171.11?
(emperor voice) "Execute Order 171.11"
etiquette .... pretty easy when there's only 2 of you in the water ...
Someone mentioned legacy in this thread somewhere and i think it sums it up for me. Regardless of how many trophies or titles you win, eventually it will come to an end and all you have left is your legacy. Did you leave the sport better for having played it?
I'm betting in years to come outside of his own country the words 'fondly' and 'remember' are unlikely to appear in the same sentence
btw- been some good reading in this thread.
A tip for GMs first opponent next year.
Catch two low scoring waves early in the heat then follow him around & drop in on him relentlessly.
Being brazilian and growing up in the bodyboarding competition environment, I know very well how our minds can work when it comes to WANT TO WIN AT ANY COST. I’m
Brazilian! what Medina did is shit that happened back in the 80’s 90’s. Yes he used the rule book but in a VERY DIRTY WAY, let’s call Brazilian corruption. You have to be stupid to not see that this is a dirty competitor. Yes he’s good but Doesn’t matter how good he is, to me even tho I’m not from his generation and I don’t know him, he seems very cocky. This whole scenario and attitude was a confirmation of his cockyness. By knowing what he’s stepfather was saying on the beach , again it just highlighted even more that this is shit we used to pulled off in the past. They probably sit at home analysing every angle based on the rule books. The thing is, even if someone else would figured that out, had a chance to apply, they probably wouldn’t, only if was someone as cocky as him to not give a shit. Surfing is in the Olympics now, it does not need controversy scenarios like this taking place. WSL needs to use this situation ASAP and change the rule book. This should never happen again. My only question to Medina is
- hey Medina, after using the most tactical mathematical equation in the history of surfing, how to do feel losing the World and Pipeline Title at the same time ??? KARMA
haha. Nice! Cool insight. Thanks Stephanie
James Hunt v Nikki Lauda.
James was a hero to the brits but a bit of a prick.
I cant think of a competitive matchup where two fellow countrymen burnt each other though in non-team sport.
Pleased for Italo. These guys are super hungry and I think are making a difference to their homeland.
Velocity Johnno
Well said, I think you’ve summed it up very well indeed.
All the best to you.
With the WSL's explanation the precedent now is that if someone attempts this in the future, the surfer that is dropped in on has to make the situation dangerous as to pose a "safety risk to either competitor".
So let's say Caio bottom turns straight into Gabs and surfs the wave as he would if he hadn't dropped in and they have a heavy clash (or if Caio had hit the bottom when he straightened out) then rule 171.11 has to be called. That would not be a good look if it ever goes down.
The surfers should have their say.
Back In the day you would have dealt with it by union...formal or not.
This makes surfing look bad.
No good for anybody.
Freeride76, I’ve just choked on the exhalation of your rarefied air, you been pulling ‘billys’ ? By the way, what’s the name of that moral high horse you ride, name escapes me, thinking of backing it each way at Randwick soon.
Good banter. All the best to you for the season. BF
Amazing the amount of feedback on this topic , in my personal view Medina seams to have favouritism from wsl , he has been over scored countless times and obviously the rules don’t apply to him . I like his explosive surfing and tube riding skills but not his style. He has balls in heavy waves and raw talent but so do most pro surfers. I seriously questioned his win over Jordy last year at pipe as to me it looked like Jordy got bigger and better barrels. On most pro’s comments about him , they like the guy which l don’t understand but I’m not there experiencing it. I will never forget when he beat parko at snapper doing 15 lip flicks to parkos tubes and power surfing , the judges got that wrong and wsl have been promoting him ever since . I don’t dislike the guy personally but his antics aren’t called for , he’s paid the price and should consider changing coaches. The best surfer doesn’t always win a world title history has shown this.
Hating Medina for what he does in a jersey is like hating James Earl Jones for being Darth Vadar. Gab is ruthless in a jersey, and a good human out of it, he really is. Get a grip on reality people
Sport is loved for its ability to elevate the human condition.
It’s the moments that people excel beyond the known potential of humanity and outside of their own limitations that unites us and raises the spirit.
Unfortunately this act , though driven by the same urge which has propelled Medina towards greatness, has managed to reveal the limitations of his character.
Will it be terminal to his legacy ? Probably not. Slater has pulled the same dog act at various times and his status is still assured. But you can also say with certainty that the reverence is somewhat tempered at the conclusion of his time on the stage.
No one ever thought more of Slater for dogging Beschen at Huntington and the same stain will tarnish Medina’s otherworldly performances.
Sport is loved because it condenses life experience, triumph and hardship, into a a short timeframe that can be scored
James Earl Jones was also the High Priest of the Snake People in 'Conan The Barbarian', and that was a super cool villain role, he had a huge following and could command them at will like the chick jumping off the building. Gabby is also a high priest of social media, so well-chosen actor to compare to!
& agree, I reckon he'd be great to know. The pro surfers I've had a chat to have all been really good people face to face talking in a carpark. Being drawn in a heat might be different...
Kudos to you Shoredump for loving Medina for what he has done for Brazilian surfing. The other side has me wondering about the academy he’s set up for junior upcoming groms, it’s all good and Brazil will thank him for it, but it would be futile to think that he’ll make no gains $$$money from his investment. The Brazilian Corporates will surely place there money and faith with him and indirectly his bank balance will rise.
Make no mistake, I think it was a dog act. I am just able to separate each facet of his personality and take it for what it is. He’s just doing a job. I’ve never been the guy to stand around a water cooler and bitch about management either. This was nothing personal on Caio.
I’m far more irritated by John Johns apathy and failure to reach his potential. He doesn’t belong in competition, he’s better off sailing the world and releasing free surfing videos.
Whatever it is you do, do it well. If Medina was a tradie, I’d hire him cause he doesn’t cut corners
For myself it’s surfing as entertainment first , second and last. The only benefit of the competitive aspect is that it gathers the respective surfers in the one location and that they elevate their performances on the stage and in the act of relative comparison and contrast.
Even that is superfluous and my ideal situation would be just to gather the best in the one spot and let them loose all day without heats , wave counts , rounds or any of that other contest structure which is antithetical to surfing as I love it.
Medina’s ability to exploit this ill-fitting competitive format does nothing for my appreciation of him or his act and it doesn’t improve the only thing which matters and that’s the surfing.
In my eyes he’s the tradie that doesn’t give a fuck about the quality of the job and only cares about the bill at the end.
Just wondering,
Could Rip Curl have you kicked off the beach at Bells during the Easter Comp?
A few mates are thinking of ripping loud boos and heckles Medina's way next year.
Been a few digs at David Warner through the comments, being a kiwi, I’ll add mine:). Heard a story from a mad keen nz cricket fan who saw Warner on the street in Melbourne. He bit the bullet and asked him if he’d mind having his photo taken, apologising at the same time for his fandom. He said sure, but as they posed together said in his ear’ if you were really sorry you wouldn’t have asked ya cunt’....class, total class.
Only after reviewing Medina incident in full do we see pack mentality intimidation.
Charlie (was previously suspended from comp/Judge area)...
"Yells in loudest voice: "Now you can Burn Him!"...(repeats) "Now you can Burn Him!"
Verbal Assault /Profanity/Harassment /Abuse...(Fines x2 = Expulsion from Event)
Threatening harm or instilling fear or implying dishonesty (Any or all in Charlie's case)
All 6 comp surfers were clearly affected by unsporting beach interference...
Medina signals approval of threat (plot) to instil fear upon fellow WSL athlete.
Note: Whole beach observed as WSL approved & endorsed sabotage of Event.
Ibelli felt threatened & intimidated knowing Medina agreed to highly dangerous plot.
Targeted by coward on land with WSL backing + Team mate all wanting his blood.
WSL Judges had effectively etched zero as Bully ordered...no matter a Winning Wave.
Commentators & Judges knew of threat & endorsed bullies corrupted heat result.
Crew! This is full scale Event corruption & bulling of athletes. (Of course WSL deny!)
Approving of a past suspended lunatic to advocate the harming of WSL athlete?
Athlete's Rep must protest WSL Contest Area approved threats upon on Surfers.
(Note all Surfers just signed 10 year WSL contracts)...Intimidation!
The Burn
Did Medina check back inside for Team mate ...(No)
...................... offer assist to Team mate ...(No)
...................... signal for assist for Team Mate ...(No)
Did Charlie do anything to assist fellow Brazilian on Reef...(No)
Did Medina respectfully shake hands with Ibelli...(No)
...................... sportingly ride in with Team mate...(No)
...................... respect Ibelli to exit before him...(No)
...................... wait to see if he made it back to shore...(No)
What did Medina do!
Did Medina paddle away from Team Mate...(Yes)
...................... sit up with Back to Team Mate ...(Yes)
...................... jest with other surfers before Ibelli...(Yes)
...................... signal & smile upon exiting that dirty deed was done ...(Yes)
WSL argue this doesn't represent Unsportsmanlike behaviour?
Threatening & burning a Surfer on notorious Dangerous Reef Break is not serious?
100/100 on psychopathic test? Well, apart from that, Medina is the ideal Olympian.
tbb is calling out this shocking all level complicit corruption as a turning point.
Bring it on says Sophie...WSL can never lose:
Sophie: "That's not unsportsmanlike behaviour...This is unsportsmanlike behaviour!"
Tightening crowd control [ NO ACCESS ] Charlie's VIP WSL Beach Club...(No Losers)
Superb post.
Decided to troll the WSL and send them an email...
"Dear WSL,
Thank you for your recent statement: ""The Tours/Competition Office and WSL Disciplinary Director reviewed the situation regarding WSL Rule 171.11 in relation to Gabriel Medina's Round 4 heat during competition yesterday, and determined that while Medina's interference was "intentional" (as he stated on the broadcast), it was not deemed "unsportsmanlike" or "of a serious nature" by the reviewing committee. The maneuver was deemed as gamesmanship and did not pose a safety risk to either competitor,"
For future reference, I seek clarification on what "serious" or "unsportsmanlike" is given you have a competitor stating on camera they intentionally interfered for personal gain in a World title situation.
If the intentional breaking of rules to gain an advantage is not "unsportsmanlike" and a World Title is not "serious" can you please elaborate what is.
I am also seeking clarification on where in the WSL Rule book the "safety risk" - used as a justification for no application of breaches in this instance - is relevant to the determination of the rules. Although safety should be paramount, "Serious" surely refers to the outcome of an event. The clause makes no mention of injury risk or actual harm.
The term "serious" has implications for another reason. Rules should be objective and applied in all circumstances, equally to all competitors.
The competitor infringed could be fighting for their place on tour - the serious nature of a heat goes both ways, to the victor and to the defeated.
Finally, I would like to express my profound disappointment of listening to the WSL commentary team, some of which were my childhood heroes, not only condone this behaviour but praise it.
Much has been mentioned about incidents in the 80's and 90's but these were different times and under a different set of rules.
In the interview conducted post heat, Medina stated it was pre-meditated, was for personal gain,and he was in a World Title race. This means the three components of 177.11 have been met.
The WSL has a publicly available set of rules and and the expectation is they apply them to all athletes equally, regardless of profile. Until further information has been supplied how the incident was not "serious" or "unsportsmanlike", the credibility of your brand is in question.
Without an even playing field all results are in question and I fear a dangerous precedent has been set in this case. Ask yourself how this behaviour would be received in the Olympics in 2020. I have attached the Olympic Charter for your reference."
Not expecting a reply anytime soon but will be sure to bounce on if received.
Awesome mate!
Nice wording 'old man'. Don't sell yourself short, that email is not a troll. I'd give them 3-4 weeks and then follow-up for a reply.
Early in the heat. Surfer in red is in a hefty barrel. Surfer in white paddles into the line of surfer in red. Surfer in red is the process of making his way through the curtain of the hefty barrel. Surfer in white bails his board in front of surfer in red causing a collision. Surfer in red receives a much reduced score and surfer in white receives no sanction. The result of the barely commenced heat will determine whether surfer in white or surfer in red qualifies for the next season's Championship Tour.
Did the actions of surfer in white pose a 'safety risk'? Were the stakes of this heat, and the consequences of the actions of surfer in white, 'serious' in nature?
I wonder what Mr. Lau thinks.
*I'm assuming the same rule/interpretation/making it up as we go along applies to this incident?
That’s fantastic old man and well written and set out. Echoes what I’ve been thinking. Keep us posted if you hear back.
Good one Old Man of the Sea! Everyone needs to do this! This incident has tainted my interest in even following the WSL tour.
Nice to hear some old fashion fossil's talk about the true meaning of surfing , respect and etiquette !
Taking R&E into a contest situation we see the need for rules and regulation to try and harness man's competitive nature ( means winning!) ....so all the stories from when the past contests , where rules were made to try and harness "mans competitive spirit" where world titles were lost and won , because of behaviour that did not show respect and etiquette , which surfing was once based on.
Gabby pushed the rules which has happened since contests began , and they will be changed to try and stop the behaviour we just witnessed .
Surfing has changed , there are more adult learner surfers than ever ,who don't know about etiquette ,so this is a quantum change in surfing......and never forget,,,,,,as humans we love watching ..
" Live unscripted human drama" that what we got , we were entertained , Italao won , how good was that!
If wsl did follow the rule, could that then factor into the brazilian team for olympics? how far away was Filipe the rankings?
Drouyn would be loving this. Me, I still think Gabby is a freak but very hard to watch at times and judging from his general blocking tactics is a bit of a dick. I am far more interested in the surfing side of a heat. I remember that Brutus was pretty good at tactics. Oh and what a great title win by Italo.
This article has stirred up some discussion. Apologies if asked already, but what would the WSL rulebook say about Caio surfing on behind Gabriel and 'accidentally' carving into his legs or arse? Where would we place that on the 'line up' scale? Natural justice as alluded to in other posts? It would appear he's too nice a fella. I don't condone this approach, civil discourse on the wrongs of one's ways always seems more appropriate. Just a hypothetical.
It’s not Gabs fault that the WSL have rules in place that allowed him to do this, after all, he’s here to win, not make friends.
The closest analogy I’ve heard is Stu’s comparison of an NRL professional foul, the illegal blocking of a certain try. The only difference is a massive one. The penalty is to give the penalty try anyway, and they give them an extra gift of a second conversion in front of the goals right? This is clearly WSLs problem, because it’s their rules.
All they have to do is gift the victim the points, id make it 10, and the scenario won’t happen again.
Just don’t blame Gabriel for WSLs rules (of punishment)
thats actually a great idea
All this talk about sportsmanship is full on hypocrisy...99.99999999% of the people making the comments will burn you in a lineup if the opportunity arises. Let’s face it..surfers are selfish greedy pricks...the peace loving aloha spirit losers sit down the line watching others take the waves.
Speak for yourself. That's a big call. I'd say it's more like 10% of surfers can be fuckwits some of the time and 1% who are fuckwits all the time. Most people just want to get along with others, be respectful and take turns in the lineup. From my experience anyway. Depends on where you surf as well I guess. some spots just seem to bring the worst out in people.
I will also add...the better the surfer the more selfish and entitled the surfer.
does one get better because one is more selfish? (ie, get more waves)
Burn as in deliberate burn? Dunno if 99% would do that.
But... use subtlety in a way to outposition, outmanoeuvre (I'm not using the american spelling no matter what it suggests) - outwit, outplay, outpaddle - sure.
Yes...you also burn people VJ, but rationalise it in your own way to make it acceptable. You are part of the 99%.
Well i wont roadkill, so that means everyone else on here must be doing it, or your statistics are 87% made up.
This is all about the general decline in social standards where by what's legally permitted has succeeded over over what's the right thing to do. Seems to me those who take advantage of legalities have abandoned their moral compass and accepted the benefits a legalistic approach delivers. They are also often the first to squeal when the laws fail to deliver constant advantage.
Laws and rules try to codify what's right, but always fail. Circumstances set up beyond the technical drafting, words' meanings develop. The right thing to do is always constant.
Far out, Phill is just stating the facts. Unfortunately the WSL didn’t come down hard on this on the first occasion against Micro at Snapper years ago. Had the dis privilege of meeting Mr Medina at breakfast early one morning( just the two of us in the buffet room) where we were staying at Bells. The arrogance and un humble human behaviour is the same on land. Needs to be addressed the water one, no hope the land one.
I don’t know if I enjoyed Gabs’ little drop-in, but afterwards the virtuous flush of my moral indignation has been terrifically satisfying. It’s almost like sex. I do find life’s pretty great when you’re up on your high horse.
Ha Ha, so true.
Anyway u dice it ,it was a shit move by a unsportsmanlike little fucking brat.Deliberately burning someone just so u might advance is NOT in the spirit of surfing,Pro contest or not.I would have liked to see Ibelli paddle up to him and punch him square in the face,which is what that Dog act deserves
Nah sorry, I’m not buying into the narrative from those employed in the surf industry and the WSL commentary team that Medina is some incredible strategic genius. The call to drop in came from Charlie the step-flog screaming “burn him” like the deranged soccer dad he is. All Grubby had to do was give him a thumbs up and commit to the ultimate dog act. No genius calculation, just a snake at his best! Otherwise a great surfer - just don’t gift wrap a turd
A bit late to the party commenting on this one - and I'll leave making assumptions about morality and sportsmanship to the more moral out there. Just curious about the calculation WSL uses for risk - usually assessed as the product of likelihood and consequence.
It is pipe, so I would think the consequence would be pretty severe (probably more severe than almost anywhere else on the planet - even in smaller pipe - just ask Hayden Rodgers about the consequences minutes after the incident on that same day). Likelihood maybe more difficult to assess, but again, it is pipe and probably more likely than anywhere else on the planet.
Gabriel, I doubt you read this shitty comment section, but just in case you do...
I love your surfing, but your attitude is fucked and always has been. I've referred to you as baby Gabs to all my mates since you joined the tour because if you don't get your way you go and have a little cry or tantrum.
Have you ever heard of Karma? I wasn't really sure about it until today, when surfings unwritten rules came and served you a big fat bunch of it. Keep using rules to your advantage, and hopefully the ocean keeps paying you back like it did today. I think Pottz said you made more mistakes in the final than you did the whole comp. Karma Bitch.
Personally I'd love to see a movement start along the lines of #everybodydropinonbabygabs. Seriously, people reading this, who likes being dropped in on? Whether it's a wave at your local, the wave of your life, or the wave that may change the outcome of a contest? If everyone drops in on this cantankerous little shit everywhere he travels all over the world, maybe the little fuck will get the idea that he needs to pull his fucking head in.
I still like your surfing baby Gabs, but you can go and get fucked. Oh, and tell Charlie to get fucked for me too would you?
Wish to point out both #1 swellnet live & post comments usually lead the debate...Pipe 171.11 was first flagged & debated live on swellnet as in earlier WSL Bells event....again here we debate WSL coaching of sponsored sabotage, conspiring to plot - live on air the ordering of endangering a WSL competitor to manipulate judges and World Title results all on a public beach...(No other pretend Mag or Site comes close to unravelling this bigger truth nor have the bottle to expose it!)
The shitty comment section obviously refers to tbb's offerings... as most other swellnet comments including barreldogs are bloody excellent but occasionally (re: Mostly) we're all guilty of saying one thing that quite obviously means another.
swellnet commentators, waved that sly remark aside...You're Welcome!
.All the judges watch comps every day and were saying the same as us. The decision to do nothing came from up the ladder. Lots make the WSL GREAT AGAIN
I dig the controversy. It's professional surfing not be nice to your buddy surfing. I clearly remember Horan standing up 100 metres inside on a wave Tom Carrol had already riden for 20 seconds at bells to get a dropin called. This shit has been going on for decades, it's exciting. As many a senior competitor has said to a youngster after a controversial heat "Wellcome to professional surfing kid" At least it's not boring.
Actually, I do find it boring.
There’s nothing worse than robbing someone of the opportunity to steal victory by surfing outside themselves right on the buzzer with the end of heat drop- in / smothering with priority.
Does my head in watching the clock count down knowing that even if the wave of the day comes through the surfer in second priority is screwed. This development with Medina makes it even worse....now even owning priority is no guarantee of final moments excitement.
The Medina’s drop in isn’t exciting, it’s the surfing equivalent of the youth disco lights coming on just as you’re about to touch your first boob.
The underarm bowling incident is really a very fitting analogy ..but I bet Gabe won't ever regret it at any time in his life
I wonder what the wsls attitude toward it would be if Gabe tried it in Kelly's wave pool?
Medina deliberately dropping in on Ibelli at pipe...
Ibelli punching Medina in the face once returning to line up.
WSL...Nothing unsafe to see here.
Crowd... are you sure???
Commentary team and co. Talking up pipe dangers all comp.
WSL... Nothing unsafe to see here. All within gamesmanship.
Professional foul pure and simple to be penalise in accordance with the rule book.....still waiting for a he outcome which would be missing the olympics 2020. And a hat stupid Charlie’s cunt should be put in a box
Thank you Phil. I had drafted a similar note to the WSL but you said it way better than I ever could. Was not pure genius was pure cheating. The word "burn" tells the story so simply.
hows the passion here
Yep. That's why I think Medina is good for the tour. People love to hate him. Makes things interesting.
For what it's worth.
That is why I cannot compare Medina with Kyrios in the slightest.
At least Medina keeps giving the passion.
Fun comments section all. Best for the season, and now that we've laid our cards on the table, be on your best behaviour out there.
Yawn. A naive article from a myopic and self-righteous Australian, if that's not already a tautology. Aussies. So arrogant. So uneducated. So childish. Always finger-pointing, always moralising, always lecturing other countries. Please grow up, once and for all.
"Aussies. So arrogant. So uneducated. So childish. Always finger-pointing, always moralising, always lecturing other countries. Please grow up, once and for all."
Read it again you fucking hypocrite.
Merry Christmas
Enrico forgot which country (perhaps mistakenly) taught the Brazilians how to surf out of pure sharing sprit. You're welcome - now fuck off.
... and thin-skinned...
Watch out Enrico, you may join the ranks of the 'desaparecidos'* on here.
*Whoops, wrong Latin/South American country reference. Ah well, chalk it up to good ol' Australian casual racism. Oi!
Enrico the Dickie trying to bait anyone that reads his crap , definitely a Nigel nobody
I really can’t believe Medina did that!!! I’ve never really liked him but you can’t argue that he is one of the best surfers in the world but what he did was so unsportsmanlike, so evil in a way.
What makes me laugh is he is so religious and praying and thanking god all the time but if Jesus was a surfer, what would he do? Pretty much cheat to get the win??? I doubt it!! I’m sure god and Jesus would have hung there head in shame at how Medina handled that situation.
May you never win another world title again!!!!!!!
#f__kmedina!
I really can’t believe Medina did that!!! I’ve never really liked him but you can’t argue that he is one of the best surfers in the world but what he did was so unsportsmanlike, so evil in a way.
What makes me laugh is he is so religious and praying and thanking god all the time but if Jesus was a surfer, what would he do? Pretty much cheat to get the win??? I doubt it!! I’m sure god and Jesus would have hung there head in shame at how Medina handled that situation.
May you never win another world title again!!!!!!!
#f__kmedina!
That's something I'd like to see - one of the WSL talking heads fronting up to Medina, microphone in hand, and asking something like, hey Gabe, you're a religious fella, do you see any contradictions between your behaviour while you're competing compared to the moral implications of being a good Christian?
someone has probably already mentioned it but wasnt the wozzle going to do a reality series or something? A standard ingredient in that lowest common denominator pulp is the villian, right? Hmmmmm.
He's a Brazzo - You can take em out of Brazil....But can't take the (self righteous) cunt out of em.
Medina is a catholic so i would be taking his mentioning of god with a grain a salt, say one thing do another.
Medina's bestie.
https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/brazil-drinks-to-n...
And an (ironic?) Australian perpective.
https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/football/world-cup/diving-is-just-l...
apart from Enrico's hypocrisy and generalisation of aussies, his point of view doesn't stack up to the Aussies that have praised Italo and Caio for their professional and sportsmanlike behaviour in the circumstances.
Maybe Enrico is only about 12 years old and hasn't worked shit out yet??
Perhaps he’s just a fuckwit ?
Love your work Blowin, I was just being polite......but hold the same view as yourself
Pot meet kettle.
Greg C n Steve S.
Gabriel n Neymar.
Sophie's Xmas Message...
WSL-coach + champ + commentators + judges ... impaled the weakling upon the reef.
I know! This cowardly global rebuke upon hapless WSL bullies has ruined Xmas.
'Charlie's pacing pitch now requires an upgrade to WSL Bully Pit @ $2,000 VIP pass.
World knows that Beach monopoly was the last thing WSL had planned or wished'.
[WSR CLOSED] (Beach goers + Surf Fans + Locals + Sandcastles are PROHIBITED)
'See our/your Local Council for bribe details...Stay tuned for further Comp sabotage!.
$999 per Wave specials in time for next Xmas or next or one after ...Toots Soph!'
Why didnt he try and pull in. Caio on his back hand could have grabbed a rail and maybe come through that section.
Then Medina would have been forced to physically take him out.
Probably because he had less than half a second to make a decision whereas you've had nearly a week.
Ringmaster he heard Charlie calling out to do it. So he knew it was coming.
However maybe I should have said I wished he had pulled into that section and come through it because then to get the score would have come down to his last finishing turn. That would have really tested how far Medina would push this.
Anyway the positive thing that came out of this is it set up an amazing ending to the title race.
As an Australian I do find our attitude about Brazilians strange as the most greedy arrogant behaviour I have experienced in overseas lineups has been Australians.
Ringmaster he heard Charlie calling out to do it. So he knew it was coming.
However maybe I should have said I wished he had pulled into that section and come through it because then to get the score would have come down to his last finishing turn. That would have really tested how far Medina would push this.
Anyway the positive thing that came out of this is it set up an amazing ending to the title race.
As an Australian I do find our attitude about Brazilians strange as the most greedy arrogant behaviour I have experienced in overseas lineups has been Australians.
Why not just make the penalty for a priority interference the maximum score your opponent could have got on that wave - ie. if you drop in it's a -10point penalty off your total score.
geez, what is this, surfing or world politics? Haha, it’s amazing how much heat there is in these posts. I’ll bet nearly every moraliser here has dropped in on people more than once or twice! Haha, but it wasn’t caught on the TV. Haha, psychologists call it shadow projecting. You despise your own dark side, pretend it doesn’t exist but make terrible noise when you see someone else exhibit the same sort of trait. I reckon Medina stands head and shoulders above lots of people like that. He had the balls to admit to his conduct and owned it - not like a lot of the wingers in some of these posts. I’ve surfed with him a few times and he’s actually very well behaved in the water compared to a lot of people I meet.
But hey, interesting and funny posts.
Also there is a rule which provides a clear penalty and spells out its precise limits. So in a sense it’s anticipated interferences will happen in the ordinary course and the rule was applied correctly.
The other rule that deals with unsportsmanlike conduct should be read carefully.
It provides:
171.11 Serious Unsportsmanlike Interference
If the Discipline Director and Head of Tours and Competition determine that an interference during an Event was intentional, unsportsmanlike and of a serious nature, notwithstanding any penalty available under Article 188 (which may include suspension from Events or an entire Tour), a Surfer will lose the benefit of counting their best Event result.
The interference must have three qualities to it. It must be intentional, unsportsmanlike and serious. In applying such a rule all of the circumstances would have to be considered. As the rule requires more than mere intention, other circumstances would come into play - perhaps the gravity of the situation would be a factor, so for example if it was a final heat for the world title - also the waves might come into it - if they were serious slabbing barrels over sharp reef and interference caused the other surfer to wipe out and get injured. The seriousness element raises the issue of the consequence of the conduct - so doesn’t just go to the unsportsmanlike element of the conduct, it looks further to the result of it. So it’s a different set of considerations from the general interference rule. My own view would be that Medina’s conduct would not have fallen within the rule. Yes it was an interference but not of such seriousness in all of the circumstances that he should be penalised to the extent that provision sets out.
Of course opinions will always differ. But when it comes to the application of such a heavily punitive provision, a guarded approach is necessary and careful consideration of its meaning. It is also arguable that in a sense the general interference rule already apply to intentional interferences as being an acceptable, albeit, frowned upon act. So, much like a push in the back in footy. There is a known penalty for that, and the game goes on- the player plays on But if a football interference is intentional and serious and involves injury to another player, there is a tribunal process. So I think the situation is analogous. Medinas conduct was nothing like the sort of serious conduct that results in injury to anyone. May have injured a few egos.
One fix for this might be for the WSL rules you provide a more serious penalty for an intentional interference, but I’m not sure that’s desirable. Something to consider though.
I see where you're coming from SI. But Medina still acted like an areshole.
Sl, maybe you can help me. Charlie "orders" GM to burn Caio. Of course, he knows the score and that Gabriel will advance anyway. But how could he (and Gabriel) be sure that the WSL decides that the interference was not unsportsmanlike and of a serious nature (or didn't he know that rule 171.11 exists)? Just imagine the WSL had decided otherwise. Or did he sit down with the head judge/commissioner before the heat and made sure how an intentional interference would be judged?
You guys are right of course, I saw it too, and my reaction was “what the hell”! So I didn’t like it either, I never like that stuff (Unless I’m doing it!), It’s just like deliberate pushes in the back etc. probably no one really likes it much from one perspective, but it’s also in a way good to allow for a little bit of rough and tumble in sports as it gives it an excitement factor. Hey it’s not the Colosseum, no lions eating Gladiators, but I reckon we still like a little bit of that excitement factor and some room for rule breaking, because hey who doesn’t enjoy a bit of mischief. I sure do sometimes. And like Medina, I try to own it. As for PS’s question above, I don’t believe there’s a WSL conspiracy on that interference. But if there was of course that should never happen. Cheers
Rough and tumble? It wasn't as if they were jostling for position to see who could air-drop into glory, it was a shoulder hopping, down the line blatant drop-in, despised by pretty much all surfers in or out of competition.
Gamesmanship- I laughed when I read that.
Where does the rule sit with running someone over.
Not this incident but other heats he his getting in front of his oponent when no priority to get tge first wave.
The only way the other surfer could go is to run over the top of him. What's the result ?
I don’t think they allow running over, but if they did, and you could pull it off well, it could score high points, especially if you built in an air manoeuvre. The 10 point Gladiator version is where you do it on one of those foils with the sharp propeller underneath..haha, no I don’t really know the answer to this blocking question? Do the rules define “interference”. If not, my take would be that any interference is an interference, provided it falls into the ordinary meaning of that word, so I would say a deliberate blocking of a surfer paddling for a wave would be an interference. It would probably need to be obvious, but I suppose it would be obvious sometimes. I will ask Captain Goodvibes when I see him next...
Olympic Coach screams repeatedly for Olympian to take out fellow WSL competitor.
Several WSL rules & town laws have been broken already...Everyone knows that!
Event organisers + Commentators + crowd + Competitor + Judges ...(Know of threat!)
Everyone is packing Pipe as it is the longest renowned dangerous surf reef on tour.
All look to WSL VIP Jacuzzi...Double Thumbs down...["Plant his face into the Reef!"]
The waves are powerful enough to kill a human without bullying & impaling on a reef.
Drop in was the least damning...100% event sabotage & endangerment is a crime.
tbb has said "Surfers 'rep' must protect all surfers & report crime (They're Cowards!)
Seems as if some surfers are running their own protection racket...(How to explain!)
This was a Top down dangerous threat upon a innocent sportsman...(That's Jail-time)
Which companion Olympic Events has coach enter & scream threats upon Athletes
Note: Coach in event zone for Officials, Surfers, Caddies - Equipment Swap.
Here's a list of way less dangerous inert Olympic Events & Situations...
Fouling a leaping high & long jumper, Diver, Pole Vaulter, Gymnast, Discus, Javelin throw, Tennis Volley, tripping at finish line, fouling & bullying-swim lane...
Bullying a Penalty kick taker in Medal Play off! ...Add as many as you like.
All know security & Police would arrest & hold all who sabotaged that Olympic Event.
Very much includes an Athlete & Coach...we all know that is the case...100% True!
In the case of Olympic Pipe Masters ...That's every WSL suckhole + 100 hangerons!
So why aren't these criminals locked up as fellow Olympians / Coaches would be?
WSL paraded Charlie's smiling assassin as some darkside Olympic Prince! WTF.
Clear to the whole world that WSL is devoid of Olympic Spirit. (Surfing is the loser!)
$40 Surf ticket is cheapest, but way too much to reward such a cowardly Bully.
Brazil NOC may step up to do WSL's dirty work for them..Let's PRAY there is a GOD!