Special Preview - Founders Cup
We needed something to fill the void after the Margaret River Pro fiasco. While the quasi-Olympics-team-event isn't a part of the tour, its novelty and immediacy put it slightly above the Oi Rio Pro when it comes to quenching my pro surfing thirst. Plus, there's a guarantee of no sharks. So let's grab a shitty American beer, take a spot in the bleachers and cast our eye over the Founders Cup... Believe it or not, the name is derived from a reference to 'celebrating the past' through recognising... Read more
Last updated May 3, 2018 by Balyn McDonald
Contest Preview - Margaret River
As a proud Australian surfer, even I have to admit that 3 events is a lot for one country. No other country gets more than one (except the USA, which has one event in a pool that is hours from the coast and one event in Hawaii, whose surfers generally don't identify as American). And yet Australia gets three. One thing that the Australian 'leg' has going for it is diversity: The QuikPro offers potential cyclones, ludicrous crowds, sub-tropical water, sand bottom points and a city that lives and... Read more
Last updated April 9, 2018 by Balyn McDonald
Contest Metrics - Margaret River
We have included the data for Jay Davies, Jack Robinson, Yadin Nicol and Jacob Wilcox in case they are added to the draw via a trials win. All of our our 'career' average heat score and win % statistics are taken from 2013-2018 WSL contest seasons. They do not reflect the entire careers of surfers who have been on tour longer than that. A successful fantasy player never relies on past results or projections alone; we suggest... Read more
Last updated April 8, 2018 by Balyn McDonald
Injuries/Wildcards - Margaret River 2018
Well, the seeding isn't much more settled after a tumultuous Bells contest. Let's dust off our #cheersmick hangovers and cast an eye over the final event of the Australian leg: Jeremy Flores - OUT (officially) Flores has recently become a father for the first time, with his longtime partner and French model Hinarani de Longeaux giving birth to a daughter, Hinahei. He has opted to withdraw from the event to spend time with his family. Take that, Julian. Kelly Slater - OUT... Read more
Last updated April 7, 2018 by Balyn McDonald
The Wash-up - Bells 2018
Contest Wash-Up Julian who? The Gold Coast seems like a lifetime ago. Maybe time went so slowly because the first few rounds were so pedestrian. I was growing weary of the 2-hits-out-the-back, 3-cutbacks-through-the-trough, safety-tag-the-end-section Bells bowl monotony. Nobody seemed inspired enough to take the contest by the balls. It was almost as if everyone was too scared to crash Mick's party, despite Mick himself walking a fine line of luke-warm success/elimination in the early rounds. When the R3 carnage began, I felt even more deflated. Maybe... Read more
Last updated April 6, 2018 by Balyn McDonald
Contest Preview - Bells 2018
Mick Fanning. That's almost the beginning and end of the preview for this event. Whoever wins it will be one of the few who can ignore the distraction of Mick's retirement, whoever knocks him out of the contest will be the eternal villain, and if Mick takes the whole thing out, Torquay will be bedlam. Regardless of where he finishes at this year's Bells, Mick's had a stellar career and, by all reports, will retire as one of the most respected guys on tour. Nobody can seem to write a... Read more
Last updated March 26, 2018 by Balyn McDonald
Contest Metrics - Bells 2018
We have included the data for both Mason Ho and Jacob Wilcox in case they are added to the draw. All of our our 'career' average heat score and win % statistics are taken from 2013-2018 WSL contest seasons. They do not reflect the entire careers of surfers who have been on tour longer than that. A successful fantasy player never relies on past results or projections alone; we suggest that you check the forecast, sort through... Read more
Last updated March 25, 2018 by Balyn McDonald
Injuries/Wildcards - Bells 2018
The seeding is all over the place after some of the upsets at the Gold Coast. Let's look at the R1 possibilities for yet another historic Bells contest: Kelly Slater - OUT 30% of WSL fantasy teams had the GOAT in their team. Despite the warnings we gave. Kelly has given plenty of notice to the WSL regarding his injury this time, and he will definitely not be surfing at Mick's farewell event. His timeline for a return is still pretty vague at this point: I think... Read more
Last updated March 23, 2018 by Balyn McDonald
Contest Wash-Up - QuikPro GC 2018
Contest Wash-Up I’ve learned a lot about myself at this event and through this injury and the birth of my baby girl Olivia. Honestly, watching the birth of my first child gave me unbelievable strength to just suck it up, come down here and do what I needed to do. - Julian Wilson Julian Wilson made me look like a bit of a fool this past week. I... Read more
Last updated March 18, 2018 by Balyn McDonald
Contest Preview - QuikPro GC 2018
A lot has changed in the 12 months since I last wrote this contest preview: we have a CEO (hello Sophie; I know you're reading); contests in wave pools have become a thing; the WSL is planning to forgo a Pipe showdown in order to run a boat-trip grand final; and Willian Cardoso qualified to represent the elite level of professional surfing. It's been a massive year. It should be noted, however, that some things remain doggedly unchanged: John and Tyler are still world champions; Jordy still hasn't won a... Read more
Last updated March 10, 2018 by Balyn McDonald