It’s about surfers who are exceling, and it’s about surfers who are entertaining. It’s about surfers who are stepping out of their comfort zones, and it is about surfers who are willing to push that little bit harder – whether it is in turns, in training or intensity. Here are some people of interest going into the Meo Rip Curl Pro Portugal
Kolohe Andino at 5th on the Jeep Leaderboard has suddenly become interesting. Who even noticed him quietly climbing up the ratings, to nestle in between Jordy Smith and Julian Wilson? The semi-final in France was obviously the result that gave him the jump, but he has been hanging around the top ten for a while now.
As an athlete he has matured, and as a surfer his performance levels have jumped up a notch or two. He has always had good people in his court, like his dad and Mike parsons, but it still always seemed like something needed to click. That might have just happened. Whether it was a growing up phase, or just a subconscious awareness of his surroundings, his talents and his incredible life, it seems Kolohe has just kicked in. From all accounts he has heaps of fans in Europe as well, which does help the process. Kolohe will probably hold steady on the Jeep Leaderboard.
Julian Wilson at 6th is another surfer who loves Europe. He won the Rip Curl Pro Portugal in 2012, in the dying seconds of a dying swell, and beat Gabriel Medina in the process. That was the event that Gabby started crying and stormed off stage, but with all respect, Gabby has matured, has a world title under his belt and has grown up four years since then. Julian, however, has had a pretty good year thus far. He has been quiet and articulate in interviews and post heat question time, he has been focused in heats and in competition environments and his approach has been one of a dedicated world title chaser. Obviously getting some good advice whispered in his ear from good friend Andy King, as well as from the Red Bull team, J-Dub has all the attributes at this stage of the game to do something big.
Filipe Toledo at 7th is just an explosion waiting to happen. He is a rocket ship to the moon sitting at Cape Canaveral and his booster rockets have just been ignited, or something like that. Who can forget his performance in 2015? His first scoring wave in the final was a 10 http://www.worldsurfleague.com/posts/155773/toledos-perfection-in-portugal and it was in the bank with 32 minutes to go. If Toledo finds form this year, it’s game over and nothing will be able to stop him. In the process it’s good fun to watch. His surfing in Portugal is otherworldly, and the social media just viraled the shit out of his clips last year. He loves the punchy Portugal beach breaks, he has a horde of fans in the hood, and he has that rare ability to cut loose without any qualms when the situation calls for it.
Stuart Kennedy at 18th must still be considering his lucky stars that he is where he is today. Apart from the initial luck of getting a replacement slot, Stu has done so much to vindicate his spot on the Championship Tour it seems he is a glaring example of how the system is flawed. How can a surfer of this caliber not have come through the system and be rightfully seated n the championship tour? He is, like Sebastian Zietz, clearly belonging on the tour and for him to not be a clear seed for next year is incorrect. Not to worry however, Stu is fired up for Portugal from all accounts and knows what he needs to do to stay within the cutting. He will need to go all out in Portugal however, because unlike Zietz, he doesn't have the pleasure of a very good working knowledge if Pipeline and he could fumble there. So this is his best chance of getting into a safe zone before Al Hunt starts doing all the workings and people start falling by the wayside as the year’s results start settling. Stu in a beach break with a Sci Phi underfoot and he’s going to be all right. One of the fastest boards on the tour this year and with Stu having an intimate knowledge of how to ride her, he’s in a good place. He also has the little added pressure of having a new mouth to feed, which will provide him with great impetus in Portugal. There’s also a general vibe that people want Stu to do good, and that feeling is tangible – every one can feel it.
Meo Rip Curl Pro Portugal Peniche Centre Region, Portugal
Upcoming: Oct 18 – 29
