The Daily Froth X WSL
(An Informative Viewers Guide)
by Jacob M. Tellkamp
When I give a private lesson at Fulcrum, I want to talk the WSL with you! Is that acronym familiar in your vernacular? No? Then read further and let me tell you about the exciting world of professional surfing.
We think every student of Fulcrum Surf School should study the masters of our craft. That is why we compiled these viewing tips so that the next time you watch a world tour event, you will be the wealth of knowledge amongst your friends.
The W.S.L stands for the World Surf League and is the international governing body for the sport of surfing. Formerly referred to as the ASP ( Association of Surfing Professionals), this 11 contest series takes place in Australia, Brazil, Fiji, South Africa, Tahiti, California, France, Portugal, and Hawaii. The tour stops at a variety of waves to provide many canvases for these aquatic artists to perform on. From cobblestone point breaks, to the razor sharp reefs of Cloud Break, the WSL tests surfers ability to adapt to every condition imaginable!
Questions you have, and answers I’ll give you!
Isn’t surfing just for young people? How old are these pro’s?
Competitors range in age from 11 time world champion Kelly Slater at 41, to Brazilian upstart and current world title contender Felipe Toledo at 18. But they aren’t the only two gents whose names you should watch out for. If you want to root for fellow Californian’s, give San Clemente’s Kolohe Andino your support as well as Huntington Beach’s Brett Simpson, Santa Ana’s female world tour surfer Courtney Conologue, and Santa Cruz’s top ten rated surfer Nat Young!
Speaking of ratings, how many surfers are on this “Dream Tour”?
There are 34 surfers on the men’s world tour and 2 or 3 wildcard spots allotted to fan favorites, and local heroes at a respected break and on the women’s tour there are 17 contestants.
How Does One Qualify For The WSL?
Here is where 2015’s terminology differs under the new direction of the WSL. In 2013, the series one must compete on to reach the highest echelons of surf fame and glory; they had to grind it out on the World Qualifying Series. The shift saw the change from a star system, to a points based rating ( 6 Star Prime = Q10,000) A surfer must be in the top 7 to get a spot if current world tour surfers do not re-qualify.
Who is the current world champion and where is he from?
In 2014, Gabriel Medina was the first surfer from Brazil to hoist the highly coveted world title trophy. In his campaign, he fought off fan favorite John Florence, tour vet Mick Fanning, and Kelly Slater.
This year, Medina has put Brazilian surfing on the map, with a phrase you’re definitely going to hear, the “Brazilian Storm”. This phenomenal group is currently blitzing the status quo of what is expected on tour. Standouts of the storm include aforementioned Gabriel Medina and Felipe Toledo, as well as Adriano De Souza and the stylish Miguel Pupo.
How do they judge surf contests?
I won’t lie to you, surfing is a V subjective sport, however there is a criteria that is easy enough to cite; “ A surfer who performs the most innovative maneuver in the most critical part of the wave with speed, style, and flow, will be allotted the highest point value ( 0.5 – 10).
How often do perfect tens occur?
In the most recent event at Cloud break, a famed left-hander off the coast of the archipelago island chain off Fiji, Owen Wright from Australia earned 2 heats with perfect 20 point heat totals. Wright displayed flawless tube riding technique in waves of consequence, earning himself a spot in the WSL history books.
Does Fulcrum attend World Tour Events?
Indeed we do! Being situated in Del Mar, California, we are but a stone’s throw away from Lower Trestles and the Hurley Pro that takes place their each year in fall. If you would like to see the best in the world at the tours most high performance wave, Book a Travel Camp experience for the days #itson, ( September 9th through 20th).
And If I want to watch it online?
Tune into the webcast and study from the best at wsl.com. Here is the schedule of remaining events.
Jul, 8-19 Jeffreys Bay-South Africa J Bay Open
Aug 14-25 Teahupoo,Taiarapu-Tahiti Billabong Pro Teahupoo
Sep 9-20 Trestles,California-USA Hurley Pro at Trestles
Oct 6-17 Landes, South West France Quiksilver Pro France
Oct 20-31 Peniche-Portugal Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal
Dec 8-20 Banzai Pipeline,Oahu-Hawaii Billabong Pipe Masters