Categories
coffee convo Hwilsin tour talk writing WSL

LATE/NEVER/BETTER

Better late than never. Never late is better. We work with what we’ve got. Bumpy and wonky. Windy and messy. No lack of swell but messy conditions. Nervous rookies. Local knowledge shines. A Wildcard with intent. A revenge heat in the midst of a newborn rivalry. Dying swell, better conditions. Battle of the Bru’s (again). […]

Categories
coffee convo Hwilsin tour talk writing WSL

DOORS

When one door closes, another one opens, as they say. The old season has ended, and the new one is set to begin. April is quickly approaching, and the first of the month brings Opening Day for the Bells Beach event window.  Ah, the good old Championship Tour. The gold standard. This is where hopes […]

Categories
coffee convo Hwilsin tour talk writing WSL

MUD IN THE WATER

One step forward, two steps back. The WSL never fails. Just as I was starting to think I may like this new CEO, Ryan Crosby. Well, it’s time for some Q and A.  The Challenger Series schedule came out for next year/season, as well as the Longboard schedule. We’ll start with the loggers, since it’s […]

Categories
coffee convo Hwilsin tour talk writing WSL

OUT OF THE LOOP

I’m reclined in the lazy boy. Heat 3 of the Opening Round at Lowers just started. Why is Kelly a wildcard? He’s 53 years old, for crying out loud. He can’t compete with anyone on the face of the wave these days, not even Alejo Muniz. It’s pretty shitty Lowers. Sheet glass, beautiful conditions, but […]

Categories
coffee convo Hwilsin tour talk writing WSL

WAVE POOL INFO

“I’ve seen bigger waves in a toilet.” It’s that time of year again! The most hotly debated contest of the WSL’s entire existence is upon us. Not only is this event back at a wave pool, this one is located in Abu Dhabi, an area where human rights are held precariously. It is such a […]

Categories
coffee convo Hwilsin tour talk writing WSL

2 BIRDS 1 STONE

Mikey McDonagh, Jordan Lawler, and Al Cleland each won an event on the Challenger Series. Not one qualified for the Championship Tour next year. Ian Gouveia skipped 2 events and finished 2nd in the CS rankings.  Miguel Pupo, Joel Vaughan, George Pittar, Edgard Groggia, and Jackson Bunch never even made a Final, yet they all […]

Categories
coffee convo Hwilsin tour talk writing WSL

SHOULDA, COULDA, WOULDA

Commonly referred to as “one of the best to never win a World Title”, Julian Wilson is attempting to make his return to competition. Per his Instagram: “This time three years ago I was sitting in a hotel quarantine room in the aftermath of my Tokyo Olympic campaign, watching my dream as a WT surfer […]

Categories
coffee convo Hwilsin tour talk writing WSL

DONT SHOOT THE MESSENGER

I’m bummed we don’t get some hilarious excuse from Kelly as to why he won’t be in Brazil this year.  Ongoing Illness Stitches in the foot Lower back pain Personal reasons I wish just once he would have publicly shamed the joint. Maybe then the CT wouldn’t have to go back there every year? I […]

Categories
coffee convo Hwilsin tour talk writing WSL

MEDIUM HAPPY

It’s wild how much better the WSL seems when they get some waves for events. Of course there will still be complaints and unfavorable opinions (Medina not getting a perfect 20 at Teahupoo, Griffin El Salvador interference, etc.), but for the most part, everyone’s stoked. It’s a medium happy.  Tahiti was fucking insane. Obviously I […]

Categories
coffee convo Hwilsin tour talk writing WSL

KRYPTONITE

Tay Ah Who Oh Poo. Tea Ah Ooh Po Oh. Teahupoo. Cho Poo. Chopes. Filipe Toledo’s Kryptonite. How am I feeling about it? Nonchalant. Shallow and Pedantic. Family Guy anyone?  Anyways. With the cut over and done with, we’re entering the sluggish period of the CT year. In my humble opinion, of course. There are […]