Today, rather than a full recap like we have had in the past few event days, we’re just going to have some notes from the field – if you will. I’m not at Snapper or anything, I’ve just got a contest to judge in the morning. I need to get some rest. These are my brief thoughts on the action from Day Two of the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro at Snapper Rocks.
MEN
ROUND 2
HEAT 3
Italo Ferreira vs. Luke Thompson
A lot of wonk and warble on the waves this morning. Early advantage to Luke, and a strange start for Italo. A different looking Heat in total for the former World Champ. Not many waves ridden, and Luke was out to a hot start. But damn, Italo was tearing. I’ll say one thing – if he’s getting through Heats on the backhand without going to the air, yet, he could be dangerous.
HEAT 4
Ethan Ewing vs. Rio Waida
This Heat is on upset alert from the jump. Rio’s throwing down massive layback snaps. Fucking huge I am not joking. He’s really leaning back into it, JJF at Margs -esque, but it’s nice and tight off the tail and in the pocket. Different looking turn. Couple of key falls. Ethan gets overcooked on a 6.17 for my taste. Then he rips the shit out of an insider, but every turn was cut just a hair short, and really the wave was almost half the size of what Rio was on. 8.17 to flip the Heat. Again, I felt a bit much. I thought his last ride could have been better, that one a 7.33. This Heat felt closer than the Final Line – 15.50 – 13.44 Ewing. He needed that.
HEAT 5
Crosby Colapinto vs. Jake Marshall
Marshall’s first wave was fucked up. A long combination of majors – 8.83. You’ll see the replay on the highlights. Cros was in a hole, big time. He is not his brother, all zen and weird and shit. Crosby seems much more of a head case. Facing a deficit like this, with a potential brother matchup in the next round, I think it was always too much pressure to overcome. Would have been shocked to see him do it. Marshall takes it to the Younger Colapinto.
HEAT 6
Griffin Colapinto vs. Mateus Herdy
I told you Mateus was going to be a tough out. Judges are loving his surfing. He almost came down with a tail hair air reverse on a massive outside section that would have gone 9+. We’ll see it at some point. Griffin gave him a fight, but Mateus never let up the lead. I will say I think Griff got stiffed on his last ride, pretty bad. Both Cola Bro’s out of the event early.
HEAT 7
George Pittar vs. Alejo Muniz
This was a straight up blowout. In baseball, they call this a Laugher. GP put it on Alejo early, and he might be rolling with some momentum here.
HEAT 8
Kanoa vs. Liam O’Brien
Interesting note from the panel – Kanoa was up 4-nil in Head-To-Head matchups. LOB has to feel great to sneak one off of Kanoa. I don’t think I’d ever seen Liam surf this quick; he looks comfortable out there and has a great read on the wave. Would like to see him advance further.
HEAT 9
Yago Dora vs Callum Robson
The undoubted upset of the Round. This was what I was referring to when I said the wave might be a little too Down-The-Line for Yago to really shine. His flow, especially on the backhand, is not exactly his strongest suit. But good on Callum. He still had to do the surfing to get it done, and he had the Upper Hand from the first exchange. Callum, like LOB, looks really fired up. Surfing fast and inspired, almost twitchy. Be intrigued to see where CalTex goes in this event.
HEAT 10
Connor O’Leary vs Joel Vaughan
Connor just outed himself as the Goofy Footer to watch in this event. Back-to-back 7+ point rides to start the Heat would have put anyone in a bind. The last 3 Heats I’ve got to say there is a clear point of difference in the attacks. Between O’Leary, Callum and LOB, they all look sparky off the bottom. There is no slow pace. Its attack, attack, all the way down. All gas, no brakes. I had Joel Vaughan making a few heats here, but this was a tough draw. O’Leary is revved up.
HEAT 11
Jack Robbo vs. Al Cleland
Another Laugher. Jack Robbo had this wave wrapped up in his first two waves, and Al Cleland only caught 2 waves. Al is going to have to save his spot on Tour later this year, and Robbo needed to make this heat.
HEAT 12
LeoFio vs. Seth Moniz
Sometimes, I forget that Seth is still on Tour. These two have known each other forever and are reportedly good friends. Has to be epic to have a Heat with a buddy out in pumping surf. Anyways, Seth held the early lead, but it didn’t take long for Leo to grab it back. Seth got absolutely pitched behind the rocks, and that is all I have to note for you. Leo is a sneaky DarkHorse.
HEAT 13
Medina vs. Morgan Ciblic
Sorry Morgs. Medina is in rhythm this year, and it would take the performance of your life to beat him right now. It takes that from just about anyone on Tour right now, even if this is your Home Break. Medina is on another planet right now. But, the next Rounds matchup is looking juicy..
HEAT 14
Filipe vs. Cole Houshmand
Vintage Toledo. World Champion-esque Toledo. 9.50 and an 8.50 (18 point Heat Total), throwing away a 7.50. My Surfival League rolls on, and this may be a Warning Shot. Let’s see what happens tomorrow when Fil and Medina square off – Heat of the Year so far? Perhaps.
HEAT 15
Sammy Pupo vs. Joao Chianca
Sammy is my double pick for Fantasy, not that it matters. Like I said, my year may be already toast. And I dont know why I picked him over Filipe. Honestly I think it was because of the potential for next rounds matchup. I think Sammy has a better shot to beat his brother, than Filipe has a chance to beat Medina. Could be a flip of the coin.
Anyways. This Heat could have gone that way as well. Joao has the surfing for it, but he’s seemingly lost his momentum on Tour. He is pushing shit uphill. He will shine when the waves get serious later in the year. Sammy moves on.
HEAT 16
Miguel Pupo vs. Eli Hanneman
This was not a blowout as much as it was a shocker for Eli Hanneman. Tough too because this is an event he would have had circled on his schedule to take advantage of. This was, one would think, would benefit his style of surfing. He will look back at this Heat and cringe. Miggy on to the next round and surfing solid, setting up the Pupo Battle.
They ran a few Womens Heats before calling it off for the day. Whether it was going to be off anyways, or if this was another event like we just saw at the Jacks Pro, but in the last 5 minutes of the last Heat – Caity Simmers vs Vahine Fierro, there was a Bull Shark spotted near the lineup. Event is put on hold, so they will assess and finish that Heat today.
I cant get into the Ladies heats right now, I am about to be running late to my event, but I will be back later tonight.
Enjoy the event today,
Cheers,
hwilsin
Drew Stanfield