July can be a cruel month for Championship Tour (CT) stars. With the Corona Open J-Bay representing the mid-point of the season, the reality of requalification starts to bite those outside the CT cut. To hedge their bets, they start double-timing the contest series by competing on the QS, which shifts into high gear this weekend when the QS10,000 Ballito Pro gets underway in South Africa. QS10,000 events weigh heavily on the rankings. They're nearly double the rest, and there are only five all season. The Vans US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach in early August will be their next stop. Based on the current list of surfers on the outside looking in, here's a list of CT stars we're likely to see more of this summer.
The second-generation surf star from Brazil pulled a huge Round One upset.
Ian Gouveia
CT Rank: No. 23
The Brazilian rookie is currently clinging to the last qualifying spot through the CT. Of the seven CT rookies this year, he's the third-highest ranked behind Connor O'Leary and Frederico Morais. Gouveia's only got one 25th-place finish, and he just finished with a 9th in Fiji, but he's got some hedging to do.
He was the last rookie to qualify for the Championship Tour in 2017, but now he's the first one to crack the Semifinals.
Ezekiel Lau
CT Rank: No. 24
The Hawaiian rookie made a huge splash during the Australian leg with his 10-point ride at Snapper and his 3rd-place finish at Bells Beach. Unfortunately for Zeke, he's suffered back-to-back early losses in Fiji and Brazil, which has dropped him out of the mix. He fought hard to get here, so he'll be doing all he can to protect his place on Tour.
With a combination of solid carves, Conner Coffin earns a 7.90 and takes the win against Adrian Buchan.
Conner Coffin
CT Rank: No. 25
The second-year pro from California started off the season strong with two 9th-place finishes in Australia, but he's flamed out early now for three events in a row, and it's cost him. The Fiji event was especially painful, as he's spent a good chunk of time there driving boats.
Freestone earns a 6.50 against Owen Wright during Heat 1 of the Quarterfinals.
Jack Freestone
CT Rank: No. 26
Freestone and his girlfriend Alana Blanchard are expecting their first child, which should be extra motivation for him to get back in the swing of things. His only bright spot in the year was his Semifinal appearance at Margaret River. Beyond that he's got nothing but bagels.
During their Round Five clash, Joan Duru put Sebastian Zietz into combo-land with his second excellent ride.
Joan Duru
CT Rank: No. 27
The battle-hardened Frenchman had a rough start to the season, but has been showing signs of life of late. He finally managed to make it out of a heat at Bells Beach, then backed it up in Fiji with an impressive run to the Quarterfinals.
With a chance to take over the Jeep Yellow Jersey, Adriano de Souza falters against Stu Kennedy.
Stuart Kennedy
CT Rank: 28
The Australian scrapper wasn't able to repeat his magic at Snapper this year, but he did pull a 13th there. After that, he suffered three early-round exits in a row before rebounding in Fiji, where he fought his way to a 9th-place finish. He's hoping his refined design will help get him over the CT hump again, but rest assured he'll be trying to back himself up.
The second-year Championship Tour surfer from California is making a habit of converting doubters into believers.
Kanoa Igarashi
CT Rank: 28
Last year Kanoa Igarashi didn't have a single 25th place result. That's an amazing accomplishment for a rookie. This year, however, he's already had three of them. Igarashi may be young, but he's wise enough to know something had to give. He'll be staying busy this summer.
Rookie Leonardo Fioravanti earns his first heat win of his first season on the Championship Tour.
Leonardo Fioravanti
CT Rank: 30
The Italian rookie has had a bit of a shocker compared to his 2016 tear, but he's showing signs of life again. He snapped out of his losing streak in a big way with a 5th-place finish in Fiji, taking him out of the cellar. He's got a long way to go, of course, but Leo's keeping his head up, and spirits high.
Pupo earns an 8.50 in Round One Heat 2 against Owen Wright and Ezekiel Lau, to take an early lead.
Miguel Pupo
CT Rank: 32
The big-hearted Brazilian's ranking has been hurt by his 0-3 record in Round Three this year. Had he flipped the script on any of those he'd be in a much better spot. Instead, he's in danger.
Small swell at Pipe prompts another lay day, and CT veteran Jadson Andre reflects on his heroic Triple Crown run.
Jadson Andre
CT Rank: 34
Andre is a proven survivor, as we saw at the end of 2016. He was hoping to get a chance to exhale this year, but apparently that wouldn't be exciting enough for him. Jaddy will be getting his battle gear on again.
The Australian went from worst to first thanks to this ride during his Round One heat at the Oi Rio Pro.
Josh Kerr
CT Rank: 35
After finishing the 2016 season in 13th place on the Jeep Leaderboard, all seemed right in Josh Kerr's world. But the cheery Australian has endured an inexplicable slump so far this season. Josh's success outside the CT arena means he's got other options, so it'll be interesting to see if he doubles down on the CT effort, or goes to back things up.
The rookie grabs everyone's attention with a career-opening score of a 9.10.
Ethan Ewing
CT Rank: 36
The highly-touted Australian rookie has been experiencing a rough go of it so far. And with his low seed things only get more difficult, as he runs into top seeds in Round Two. The best way for him to break out is with a few Round One wins, and there's no doubt he's got that in him.
Catch the Ballito Pro live daily from July 3 - 9 on the WSL app and site.
The Boys of Ballito
Chris Mauro
July can be a cruel month for Championship Tour (CT) stars. With the Corona Open J-Bay representing the mid-point of the season, the reality of requalification starts to bite those outside the CT cut. To hedge their bets, they start double-timing the contest series by competing on the QS, which shifts into high gear this weekend when the QS10,000 Ballito Pro gets underway in South Africa. QS10,000 events weigh heavily on the rankings. They're nearly double the rest, and there are only five all season. The Vans US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach in early August will be their next stop. Based on the current list of surfers on the outside looking in, here's a list of CT stars we're likely to see more of this summer.
Ian Gouveia
CT Rank: No. 23 The Brazilian rookie is currently clinging to the last qualifying spot through the CT. Of the seven CT rookies this year, he's the third-highest ranked behind Connor O'Leary and Frederico Morais. Gouveia's only got one 25th-place finish, and he just finished with a 9th in Fiji, but he's got some hedging to do.
Ezekiel Lau
CT Rank: No. 24 The Hawaiian rookie made a huge splash during the Australian leg with his 10-point ride at Snapper and his 3rd-place finish at Bells Beach. Unfortunately for Zeke, he's suffered back-to-back early losses in Fiji and Brazil, which has dropped him out of the mix. He fought hard to get here, so he'll be doing all he can to protect his place on Tour.
Conner Coffin
CT Rank: No. 25 The second-year pro from California started off the season strong with two 9th-place finishes in Australia, but he's flamed out early now for three events in a row, and it's cost him. The Fiji event was especially painful, as he's spent a good chunk of time there driving boats.
Jack Freestone CT Rank: No. 26 Freestone and his girlfriend Alana Blanchard are expecting their first child, which should be extra motivation for him to get back in the swing of things. His only bright spot in the year was his Semifinal appearance at Margaret River. Beyond that he's got nothing but bagels.
Joan Duru
CT Rank: No. 27 The battle-hardened Frenchman had a rough start to the season, but has been showing signs of life of late. He finally managed to make it out of a heat at Bells Beach, then backed it up in Fiji with an impressive run to the Quarterfinals.
Stuart Kennedy
CT Rank: 28 The Australian scrapper wasn't able to repeat his magic at Snapper this year, but he did pull a 13th there. After that, he suffered three early-round exits in a row before rebounding in Fiji, where he fought his way to a 9th-place finish. He's hoping his refined design will help get him over the CT hump again, but rest assured he'll be trying to back himself up.
Kanoa Igarashi
CT Rank: 28 Last year Kanoa Igarashi didn't have a single 25th place result. That's an amazing accomplishment for a rookie. This year, however, he's already had three of them. Igarashi may be young, but he's wise enough to know something had to give. He'll be staying busy this summer.
Leonardo Fioravanti
CT Rank: 30 The Italian rookie has had a bit of a shocker compared to his 2016 tear, but he's showing signs of life again. He snapped out of his losing streak in a big way with a 5th-place finish in Fiji, taking him out of the cellar. He's got a long way to go, of course, but Leo's keeping his head up, and spirits high.
Miguel Pupo
CT Rank: 32 The big-hearted Brazilian's ranking has been hurt by his 0-3 record in Round Three this year. Had he flipped the script on any of those he'd be in a much better spot. Instead, he's in danger.
Jadson Andre
CT Rank: 34 Andre is a proven survivor, as we saw at the end of 2016. He was hoping to get a chance to exhale this year, but apparently that wouldn't be exciting enough for him. Jaddy will be getting his battle gear on again.
Josh Kerr
CT Rank: 35
After finishing the 2016 season in 13th place on the Jeep Leaderboard, all seemed right in Josh Kerr's world. But the cheery Australian has endured an inexplicable slump so far this season. Josh's success outside the CT arena means he's got other options, so it'll be interesting to see if he doubles down on the CT effort, or goes to back things up.
Ethan Ewing
CT Rank: 36 The highly-touted Australian rookie has been experiencing a rough go of it so far. And with his low seed things only get more difficult, as he runs into top seeds in Round Two. The best way for him to break out is with a few Round One wins, and there's no doubt he's got that in him.
Catch the Ballito Pro live daily from July 3 - 9 on the WSL app and site.
Josh Kerr
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Ballito Pro
Jordy Smith ripped his way to the top of the podium at the QS10000 in South Africa.
O catarinense só perdeu para o grande favorito ao título do Ballito Pro, Jordy Smith, mas subiu da 29.a para a segunda colocação no
South Africa's favorite takes out his second Ballito Pro win over long-time threat Willian Cardoso.
After jumping to No. 4 on the QS rankings, February will get a taste of the Championship Tour stage.
World No. 3 Jordy Smith put on a clinic all-week in South Africa to claim his second Ballito Pro title.