072 – Spit! September 19, 2016

In today’s episode David and Scott discuss Surf Park Summit 2 (which Scott emcee’d), the Surf Aid Malibu Cup, the dubious judging and spectacular upsets at the Hurley Lowers Pro, the two tragic suicides in the surf community and much more. Enjoy!

SURF PARK SUMMIT 2

Scott emcee’d Surf Park Summit 2, click here to learn more and listen to the pod to hear Scott’s takeaways.

SURF AID MALIBU CUP

The event raised $125,000 for mother and child health care programs in areas of remote Indonesia. Click to learn more.

HURLEY LOWERS PRO

Congrats to Jordy Smith and Tyler Wright

Dubious Judging and the Social Media Fallout

Gabriel Medina vs. Tanner Gudauskas

Wilko vs. Simpo

Kelly’s Continued Return to Form

Julian and Slater vent on Instagram

When sleepless nights, countless hours of preparation and learning hard lessons from past upsets, it’s hard not feel frustrated when not getting rewarded in key moments like this.

A video posted by Julian Wilson (@julian_wilson) on Sep 10, 2016 at 7:36pm PDT

Here’s what I think about the heat between @gabrielmedina and @tannergud… Tanner’s first wave (8.5) was the best surfed wave of the heat with the most variety and commitment in maneuvers. Gabriel got the better score in the first exchange (8.83) which I thought was incorrect both live and watching replays later. That set a strange tone for the heat. The wave Gab got an 8.3 on should have been easily enough to put him in the lead AT THAT TIME. Tanner had an 8.67 in the middle of the heat that I think was very over scored by more than a point. So when Tanner rode his final wave he should have been in second place needing a mid 8 point ride. And he surfed that wave very well. I feel the judging got lost from the first exchange. By the time Gabby got his good wave (8.3) and didn’t receive the score, everyone was confused, myself included. No matter what you think it was a close heat that could have gone either way. I also think most people take easy opportunities to make big deals about things that aren’t super important in the scope of their lives. The extent to which people have taken this heat is seriously silly. It was a close heat that could have gone either way. Actually, three of us who go to every event scored it later at home and had Tanner with a slight lead, all things considered. My solution? The judges shouldn’t be able to hear the current situation and score accordingly but even with that they are trying to decide who surfed the better heat. We’ve all had close ones go our way or against us. So there you go. Let the controversy (and blocking) continue! ???   A photo posted by Kelly Slater (@kellyslater) on Sep 12, 2016 at 8:15am PDT

Gabriel Medina’s step father Charlie chimes in on Facebook with his claims that the WSL,

“I know complaining sucks, but of all events that Gabriel was harmed, this is the worst. Gabriel rode the best wave of the day, that it was also the best of the contest. But, sadly, judges gave him a low score that he couldn’t reverse. I feel sad because they are clearly locking Gabriel. Just imagine if athletics would lock Usain Bolt. Or if swimming would lock Michael Phelps. It’s not cool. The kid born for the sport. He goes there and win, but sadly, five people here define what is good and what is bad. Its like a dictatorship.” Translated by our friends at BeachGrit.com

Click here to watch the video in Portuguese.

GREAT WHITE BREACHES IN OCEAN BEACH LINEUP

David was there. Check the footage here, listen to the story on the pod.

R.I.P. DAVE WOOD & RORY PARKER

Incredibly sadly, we lost two members of the surf community to suicide in the past week; Dave Wood and Rory Parker.

Dave “Woody” Wood was head of security for the WSL. Rory Parker was a pro surfer from Hawaii (not to be confused with the writer at BeachGrit.com)

Condolences to everyone affected by this tragic loss of life. Smile on! Life is rich and sadness is not durable!

You never know the state someone is in, the subconscious thoughts and harbored feelings no one else truly feels or understands. And I guess this is the end of the road. It’s terribly devastating to all of us who loved @woodysecurity to know this was him less than 24 hours ago, seemingly without a care in the world, smiling away in @peterkingphoto’s hat wig. Unfortunately, his emotions and personal difficulties pushed him beyond his breaking point and he chose to take his own life last night. It would be convenient to blame another person. I guess it’s natural to be angry at him. We’re all just in shock. I loved this man. Can’t believe we won’t be seeing you as expected at every event. I can hardly remember an event without you. Always in everyone’s corner on tour…it’s really difficult to believe you’re gone. Rest in peace, my friend and our thoughts go out to your children.

A photo posted by Kelly Slater (@kellyslater) on Sep 8, 2016 at 8:40am PDT

LET’S BE FRANK

Click here to watch for free from September 19th through the 29th on RedBull.tv

David’s Surf Splendor interview with Frank Solomon and Peter Hamblin will launch on Friday morning. I suggest watching the film first.

Here’s the trailer:

#TOURNOTES

From strength to strength, is this the best #TourNotes yet?