It's that time of year again, the WSL circus swings its big ugly money making ass out and sets itself down squarely on Snapper rocks. The most widely attended of all the surf events. Everyone who is everyone is in the surfing world turns up to see what has happened in the increasingly short 'off-season.
Like crystal meth addicts, the surf world surf media pounce on the legendary right hand point break, that incidentally has been firing recently. So what has been happening in the off-season and who are new players (rookies) in town?
Injuries first. As has been covered in all the surf media to death, Mick Fanning is taking a 'personal year' after nearly getting destroyed by a shark, splitting from his wife and loosing a brother, and who can blame him? He will be taking part in Snapper and Bells for sure and then just if he feels like it. It sounds like a world title is off the cards for Mick this year. Owen Wright has pulled out of the first half of this year due to an 'on-going' injury, which is one of the biggest disappointments for me as I would of have him pegged for a title this year. Bede Durbidge has pulled out of Snapper due to crushing his pelvis at last year's Pipe Masters, which obviously takes some time to heal.
The Rookies now. Too many to count this year. Just briefly, there is a whole bunch of new talent coming on to tour this year, names that have been touted for a long time and no real surprises. Caio Ibelli (BRA), Jack Freestone (AUS), Kanoa Igarashi (USA), Alex Ribeiro (BRA), Conner Coffin (USA), Davey Cathels (AUS) and Ryan Callinan (AUS).
For me the one to watch this year, and the one who will settle in and just start winning, is the Brazilian power carve merchant Caio Ibelli from Brazil. Check out this clip of him ripping.
After watching that clip it makes me want to see Caio surf Mundaka, you really can't help but notice the similar tube style to Spanish surfer Artiz Arunburu. Watch Caio for a result this year. Also watch Jack Freestone as I think he has the motivation to showcase his skills on the World Tour stage, and the hunger to prove people wrong.
Kelly. What to say? Is he going to turn up to compete and win? Has he got too much other stuff going on in his life with the wave pool, clothing brand and now a new line of surfboards? One thing is for sure, he is always a contender and should never be counted out.
Joel. What happened to Joel last year? I have never seen him pull up such a poor result as he did then? Was it down to what happened to Mich at J Bay, or had he just got on a bad roll, either way watch out for him to come out of the gates firing at Snapper.
The Brazilian conundrum. There are now sooo many really good Brazilian surfers on tour, and they all charge the 'waves of consequence' as well as performing in the average beachy, that you can not count them out, the last two years have seen Brazilian World Champs after all. I personally would love to see Wiggoly Dantas finish in the top 5.
Enough speculation now, we have 10 days until kick off at Snapper and the WSL machine cranks itself up and shakes off the dust for another trip around the globe.
I can't wait.
Snapper...