There are less than two weeks before the men's and women's WSL Final Five compete for a World Title in a single-day event at Lower Trestles in the Rip Curl WSL Finals.
That means preparations are in full-swing, whether that's working with coaches on strategy, getting some down-time before the event or putting in as many hours at Lowers as possible.
Counting Down The Days Until The Rip Curl WSL Finals
In the case of defending World Champion Italo Ferreira, he's already getting psyched up and putting in the hours in the gym as per usual.
Meanwhile, Australian Title hopeful Morgan Cibilic -- who is in his Rookie year on Tour -- spent some time taking in some of the natural wonder of California with fellow Tour surfers, while no doubt getting equipment and strategy dialed for Lowers.
That Magic Board Feeling
A big part of preparation for the Rip Curl WSL Finals will be board selection. Could this be why seven-time World Champion Stephanie Gilmore was thinking about a magic board that has now won her four Championship Tour events, after she claimed victory at the final event of the regular season, the Corona Open Mexico presented by Quiksilver?
The board has also claimed her victories at J-Bay, Bells and Keramas. Seems like it's just right for high-performance rights. Could this be what Steph pulls out of the quiver for Lowers?
"Hang it up or keep it going?" is what Gilmore asked on Instagram.
Conner Coffin And The Kind Of Surfing That Will Never Go Out Of Style
Conner Coffin will be going into the event without an elevated air game, which some may consider a disadvantage at one of the world's best high-performance waves, and in a field stacked with Brazilian air masters. But power-surfing icon Taylor Knox has a different perspective, arguing that Conner's pitch-perfect rail game is a style of surfing that will never go out of fashion.
Conner Coffin has a style of surfing that will never go out of fashion - WSL / Tony Heff
"I really like that he's a student of the game," Knox told the WSL this week. "He probably knows he's not the best aerialist in the in the world -- I feel like he's a realist. But you know, he is bringing something to the Tour that not a lot of guys are bringing which is that he's a lead foot -- he's a rail surfer. I have no doubt the guy is gonna get better. You know, I still think there's more in him."
Read the full article here.
First Contestants Eliminated On The Ultimate Surfer
This week saw the premiere episodes of ABC's The Ultimate Surfer, filmed on location at The Surf Ranch. Contestants are competing for three wildcard spots in Championship Tour events as well as one hundred thousand dollars. Each week, two surfers are eliminated after competing in Beach Battles and Wave Challenges.
The King Of Jaws Billy Kemper was a guest on the latest episode of The Ultimate Surfer - WSL / Cait Miers
On the most recent episode, big wave legend Billy Kemper gave the squad some breath holding tips and put them to the test, and everyone had to bring their best back-hand surfing game. Check out all the details here.
Week In Waves: Preparations For The Rip Curl WSL Finals Heat Up
Ben Collins
There are less than two weeks before the men's and women's WSL Final Five compete for a World Title in a single-day event at Lower Trestles in the Rip Curl WSL Finals.
That means preparations are in full-swing, whether that's working with coaches on strategy, getting some down-time before the event or putting in as many hours at Lowers as possible.
Counting Down The Days Until The Rip Curl WSL Finals
In the case of defending World Champion Italo Ferreira, he's already getting psyched up and putting in the hours in the gym as per usual.
Meanwhile, Australian Title hopeful Morgan Cibilic -- who is in his Rookie year on Tour -- spent some time taking in some of the natural wonder of California with fellow Tour surfers, while no doubt getting equipment and strategy dialed for Lowers.
That Magic Board Feeling
A big part of preparation for the Rip Curl WSL Finals will be board selection. Could this be why seven-time World Champion Stephanie Gilmore was thinking about a magic board that has now won her four Championship Tour events, after she claimed victory at the final event of the regular season, the Corona Open Mexico presented by Quiksilver?
The board has also claimed her victories at J-Bay, Bells and Keramas. Seems like it's just right for high-performance rights. Could this be what Steph pulls out of the quiver for Lowers?
"Hang it up or keep it going?" is what Gilmore asked on Instagram.
Conner Coffin And The Kind Of Surfing That Will Never Go Out Of Style
Conner Coffin will be going into the event without an elevated air game, which some may consider a disadvantage at one of the world's best high-performance waves, and in a field stacked with Brazilian air masters. But power-surfing icon Taylor Knox has a different perspective, arguing that Conner's pitch-perfect rail game is a style of surfing that will never go out of fashion.
"I really like that he's a student of the game," Knox told the WSL this week. "He probably knows he's not the best aerialist in the in the world -- I feel like he's a realist. But you know, he is bringing something to the Tour that not a lot of guys are bringing which is that he's a lead foot -- he's a rail surfer. I have no doubt the guy is gonna get better. You know, I still think there's more in him."
Read the full article here.
First Contestants Eliminated On The Ultimate Surfer
This week saw the premiere episodes of ABC's The Ultimate Surfer, filmed on location at The Surf Ranch. Contestants are competing for three wildcard spots in Championship Tour events as well as one hundred thousand dollars. Each week, two surfers are eliminated after competing in Beach Battles and Wave Challenges.
On the most recent episode, big wave legend Billy Kemper gave the squad some breath holding tips and put them to the test, and everyone had to bring their best back-hand surfing game. Check out all the details here.
Stephanie Gilmore
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Rip Curl WSL Finals
Relive one of the biggest days in surfing as the five top men and women battle it out at all-time trestles.
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Medina secured his third World Title after one of the most dominant seasons in Championship Tour history.
The Rip Curl WSL Finals just wrapped and here are the best photographs that sum up an action packed day of competition
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