After our brief little catch up on times past, it’s time for us to get into what’s happening now. And if we are being honest, kind of a lot has changed. Actually, it’s still changing. Just yesterday the WSL announced yet another addition/subtraction/alteration. From the top (CT) down to the bottom (QS), the Wozzle is (still) making some moves. And I’m only talking about the actual product here – the surf contests; not to mention the brass of the brand. Here is what we know.
It took about a year to replace Erik Logan. He was fired at the end of June, 2023. Ryan Crosby was hired as the new CEO in April 2024, officially taking the helm in May. It only took him about 6 months before he started making moves. In November of 2024, the WSL announced the Women’s Tour expansion from 17 to 24 surfers, which will begin this coming year. That was the first of the changes made so far by Mr. Crosby. Since then he has:
- Adjusted the point system of the Qualifying Series
- Added Pipeline – which starts tomorrow – and a second Newcastle event to the Challenger Series
- Axed the Final Five on the Championship Tour
- Added 2 ‘Post-Season’ events
- Changed the format of the events by removing non-elimination heats
- Reshaped the schedule and put Pipeline back as the final event of the year – making it 1.5X points
- And the most recent development coming this week – he’s dropped J-Bay off the Tour, and replaced it with Raglan, New Zealand
Some major developments. This guy is going 10 toes in, and I think I like it. Surfing needed something new. I mean I will say I was a little bummed that I felt like Cloudbreak never got its full swing at the Final Five. I guess that fault is mine for not tuning in this last year. Nonetheless I am stoked to get back to the full year rankings – I feel like that is the most fair. If Filipe had won his World Titles in years like this, I would have a lot more respect for him.
As far as the ‘Post Season’ and the Pipeline event being 1.5X points, the jury is out. We’ll have to see how those affect things when the time comes. The Women’s Tour expansion and Pipe being added to the Challenger Series, well, it only makes sense. The CT holds not one, (Pipeline) but two (Teahupoo) heavy waves. Why shouldn’t the Challenger Series hold one? Those are the surfers that will be on Tour next year, shouldn’t they prove they are ready? And the Women, well they should have had a larger tour long ago. Nowadays they are ripping just as hard as the Men, and gaining a lot of attention in return. The Title race on that side this year is going to be epic.
Goofy footers everywhere rejoice. This swap – J-Bay for Raglan – is pretty remarkable. Especially with the year long rankings now in effect, I think this really gives an upper hand to goofies. I guess as with everything, time will tell. The first 3 days of Pipe are going to be absolutely pumping, so I expect them to be running as much as possible. Tune in when things go live – I sure will be. Might think about Live streaming or something. We’ll see.
Anyways, that’s it for now on the WSL news side of things. I’ve got to update you on the actual contest stuff next. A Qualifying Series event just wrapped up in Pismo, and obviously this event starts tomorrow – all to say, be back tomorrow.
Cheers,
hwilsin
Drew Stanfield