Contest Preview - Oi Rio Pro 2017
Image: Connor O'Leary laying down some Saquarema rail in 2015 If there's a more challenging event to forecast this season, I'll be amazed. We still have a much-derided Brazilian event this season, yet we have a venue that has been untested on the CT tour. Sure, there are QS stats available, as well as transferable data from similar conditions, not to mention all of our data from previous Rio events at other venues. And yet, they are all far more approximate than we usually like. For a... Read more
Last updated May 7, 2017 by Balyn McDonald
Injury & Wildcards - Oi Rio Pro 2017
Here's the latest regarding the upcoming Oi Rio Pro: Kelly Slater - OUT Kelly has pulled out at the last minute, citing an ongoing back injury as his reason. He will seek professional rehab and hopes to be back for Fiji. He's replaced by: Bino Lopes - IN Bino surfed this event last year and finished 25th. Trials Winner - Yago Dora Read more
Last updated May 1, 2017 by Balyn McDonald
Contest Metrics - Rio Pro 2017
Image: Kanoa proving that Saquarema isn't just a left-hander These projections and stats are taken from 2014-2017 WSL contest data. Some 2017 rookies include data from previous WSL events, but many do not have relevant results in significant categories. Their modelling is much less reliable and they may have skewed projections due to their averages being heavily influenced by a small sample size. We have included some extra details in our FS table this event,... Read more
Last updated May 1, 2017 by Surf-Stats
Contest Wash-Up - Bells 2017
If you could personify the three Australian events of the WSL tour, and put them on notice regarding their place in the 2018 season, who would you expect to step up to the plate and prove their worth? Which event would you have laid money on to metaphorically catch a 9+ wave in the dying moments of their heat to make the next round? With all the threats of a reduced tour schedule and rumours of ins-and-outs, that’s basically what we were looking at: events competing for their spot. How... Read more
Last updated April 22, 2017 by Balyn McDonald
Contest Preview (lite) - Bells 2017
Ok, who had JJF last event? It's hard to think of any other surfer coming into Bells, but you need a team of 8 so let's get cracking... Conditions Coastalwatch were kind enough to fill the void left by the WSL's forecasting department by dropping this excellent piece detailing all of the various breaks on offer for the Bells event (Bells, Winki, Johanna, 13th Beach, Phillip Island) as well as the upcoming forecast conditions. Click on the link and check it out, I'll wait... Welcome back!... Read more
Last updated April 11, 2017 by Surf-Stats
Data and Projections - Bells 2017
These projections and statistics use the 2014-2017 contest data. 2017 rookies include some data from previous WSL events where applicable and some data from the 2016 WQS. This means that they have much less reliable modelling and have skewed projections due to their averages being heavily influenced by their small sample size. Many also have no previous data that is specific to this event or its conditions. MOST MPORTANTLY, don't rely on our projections alone; we suggest that... Read more
Last updated April 10, 2017 by Surf-Stats
Contest Wash-Up - Margies 2017
The West is Wild. “I love surfing this break, and just going fast and doing big turns.” And didn’t he just? You know: go fast, and do big turns. That’s exactly what John John did; and by gosh, he did it well. I don't remember those turns for a few years back, but we can expect to see more of them soon. Is that too understated? Y’see, I’m trying to hold back, and be the lone voice of restraint amongst the streaming tide of hyperbole. But who am I kidding;... Read more
Last updated April 10, 2017 by Balyn McDonald
Injury & Wildcard Updates - Bells 2017
Here's the latest regarding the upcoming Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach: Italo Ferreira - OUT Italo's ankle injury saw him sit out Margaret River contest, and the reports at the time claimed that he would miss Bells. Our info is that he has gone back to Brazil to receive rehab and is aiming to return for the Rio contest. Nat Young - IN as injury replacement Nat was decent value at Margies, and looks good again for Bells. Italo's loss is Nat's gain. Local wildcard - Glyndyn... Read more
Last updated April 10, 2017 by Balyn McDonald
Full Contest Preview - Drug Aware Pro Margaret River 2017
Fantasy fans and tour surfers alike have barely had time to soak up the glory that was the 2017 Gold Coast event before the Margs beast started calling our name. Let's see where it leads... Conditions Is there a contest that's harder to pin down in regards to conditions than Margs? The fact is that there are four different waves to consider, namely: the three-moves-to-the-surgeon's-table rights as well as the big, left-hand mushburgers of Main Break; there's the heaving deep-water ledge of The Box, and; there's the as-yet-untested... Read more
Last updated March 26, 2017 by Balyn McDonald
Data and Projections - Margaret River Pro 2017
UPDATED* * These tables have been changed since Italo's official withdrawal, with his data having been removed. Nat Young's data was already in the tables, so it was not added. Please note also that previous local wildcard surfers Jacob Wilcox, Jay Davies and Jack Robinson have also had their metrics added to allow for any last- minute entries once the trials have been run. The above two factors have resulted in our tables having models for more than 36 surfers, which is... Read more
Last updated March 24, 2017 by Surf-Stats