We thought it would be a splendid idea to have some kind of intro and video footage of the new faces on the WCT for 2017. We have added our very humble opinion for your amusement on who might be the Rookie of the Year, and what little we might know of these newcomers to the big stage. In short let's disagree with the WSL slogan and see what we CAN script for 2017.
Connor O'Leary (AUS)
Without doubt Connor is on form at the moment, or was at the end of last year. He finished top of the WQS table. His small wave game is dialled in.The real question for Connor is how well will he adapt to surfing man to man heats under more pressure and at wave of consequence like Fiji, Chopes or Pipe?
Ethan Ewing (AUS)
Literally no surprise here as this kid has the skills to pay the bills and have a lot of pocket money left over for candy. Taking the Junior title for 2016 and dominating the WQS too, this young Aussie is proven on the test circuit, but how will he match up under pressure? We think he will blossom.
Frederico Morais (PRT)
We have had the pleasure of meeting Frederico and you could not meet a more humble, intelligent and driven person. In our book that would be a scary list of attributes for any foe to have and we have not even talked about his surfing. Really we think Fred is so comfortable in all sorts of waves the only question remains is how he deals with the names and the pressure? Well having faced and beaten Kelly Slater man-on-man in 2013 I would say he's good on that score. Our call for Rookie of the Year right here.
Joan Duru (FRA)
The Basque born French goofy foot has been knocking on the door of the WCT for a long time now. Formerly a Quikilver grom, Joan moved over to Volcom which we think better suits his raw backhand attack. With glimpses of Bobby Martinez and Andy Irons at times we think that Joan can make an impact on the big names. His only downfall in previous times has been the sauce or 'la fete'. If Joan is on form, watch out for his backhand and he loves big barrels.
Leonardo Fioravanti (ITL)
Leo has already proven himself to be able to beat the best guys on tour. Having taken down Kelly Slater in 2016 in decent waves, having multiple appearances on last year's schedule and having Belly for a step dad are all going to go in your favour. Then there is his surfing, I can't help but think he surfs like a person beyond his years and that he is looking to do things that have not been done before. We could go on and on about this lad, but let's just put it out there that we could be watching the next Kelly (big words I know) but founded. Watch this little clip and see what you think. Not Rookie of the Year but runner up maybe.
Ian Gouveia (BRA)
We don't know that much about Ian apart from the fact that he rips in decent waves and his dad is a former World Tour competitor. These two things alone make him very dangerous and able to spoil someone's day. Check out his aerial game in the clip below. Great things are possible if he has the belief.
Ezekiel Lau (HAW)
Watch out for this kid, his sparring partner growing up was Keanu Asing (who won the Quiksilver Pro 2016) and he carries himself with the same amount of pride and purpose as another very famous and very Hawiian surfer. Ezekiel has been waiting a while to get busy on tour and qualified by the skin of his teeth at Pipeline. He has nothing to lose you might say? You can not question his surfing, the one unknown is what happens when he has to put on a 3mm wetsuit at Jeffries or Peniche?
So those are the rookies for 2017 and how we think they will do. Onwards now to the first event of the year - the Quiksilver Gold Coast will commence its waiting period on the 14th March with Matt Wilkinson as the defending champ.
We are quite literally rubbing our hands together in the office and can't wait to see what can't be scripted this year.
WSL Rookie of the year.