Everyone knows it will happen, everyone expects it, the world's best place for Filipe Toledo to make a bid for the world title starts on the 9th Sept. The surf media is filled with expectations for the young Brazilian to take the yellow jersey with a win Trestles.
It's time to ask is one of our own flock at Surf Bunker what he thinks about the carnage that is bound to ensue in what has already been an El Nino year for the WSL. Johnny is as much a WSL geek as myself and we shall listen to his words.
First lets have a look at how much fun that wave can be.
SB: Will the pressure be too much for Toledo, the fact that he is expected to win?
Johnny : Thinking that Toledo can’t perform under pressure is foolhardy. Whenever Toledo surfs a wave that happens to suit his particular style of surfing he blows up, Lowers, Gold Coast, Huntington Beach, Rio you name it, regardless of pressure. I think Filipe can handle pressure, his ‘less than stellar’ performances have generally been due to lack of experience at said spots in my opinion. I think he’s going to come out firing. Quarters at the very least.
SB: Kelly has won here so many times and claims to have a 'special relationship' with the wave. Is he dangerous?
Johnny : Ha! Kelly is always dangerous.
SB: How do you think Medina will fare? Everyone is very quiet about him at the moment?
Johnny: He seems to have got his act together a bit since J Bay. Medina is a surfer I love to hate. His silly tantrums that he used to throw back in 2014 were the highlight of every competition for me. The tour needs a Medina in my opinion, when he’s not surfing well and not throwing tantrums... the surfing world is a duller place.
A little clip of John John warming up yesterday, holy smokes...
SB: What do you think about the possibility of a John John v Medina rematch after Tahiti? Who would win?
Johnny: John John. Everone loves John John. I’d love to see said rematch, but I don’t think that pairing is going to happen in the heat stages. It would be very exiting to see in a semifinal. I just hope that Gabby’s claim doesn’t play as big a part as in Tahiti.
SB: How is Bethany Hamilton going to go in the girls event?
Johnny: Bethany Hamilton always amazes me and yet makes me feel ashamed at the same time. No person with one arm has the right to surf that well. I’d like her to do well. She’s also a lovely girl, but I think that Carissa or Sally are going to take it judging by how well they’re surfing at the moment.
SB: Who are your top 3 to watch out for?
Johnny: Top 3 men? John John, Toledo and Oh....Kolohe. Done.
And there we have it, make sure you get that Fantasy Surf team updated and don't forget to tune in tonight. If the forecast holds true it will be on.
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