Despite his affinity for the icon, Colapinto took down Taj Burrow in the elimination round. Photo: Matt Dunbar/World Surf League
It seems wild Western Australia continues to dazzle and throw competitors surprises — and for some reprieve — with challenging conditions at Strickland Bay divvying the competitive field up. The wave has proven super-fast, forcing the world’s best to position themselves with critical judgment before generating enough speed and ensuring their maneuvers throw the most water — enough to garner the highest points.
Or, as charismatic WSL commentator Ronnie Blakey so eloquently put it after one such turn, “it’s still raining at the Rotto pub with all that spray!“
The stiff offshore conditions were an opportune sight on days one and two, with competitors vying to get themselves as familiar as possible with this unknown amphitheater. Pre-dawn free surfs — well before the sun had risen — were the order of the day. Those surfers scheduled for later heats also wasted no time absorbing as much as possible, meaning the lowly benchmark of scores early in the day gave way to some out of the gate performances, most notably a fired-up Courtney Conlogue and aerial maestro Gabriel Medina.
Strickland Bay, at first, has proven to be a slight conundrum for the elite, and not forgetting the rest of us staring away at its pixelated depiction all over the globe. Although it’s been a decade, the nature and location of this event are so quintessential of what Rip Curl’s, The Search, stands for it almost hurts. Throwing competitors into the preverbal lion’s den by way of a completely fresh, and sometimes hardly charted break, has in the past, and indisputably in this instance, made for some engaging viewing.
There is no barrier. We, the viewer, share a mutual disconnect to this wave with those trying to surf it. And as day one and two have proven, only those quick enough to take notes, keep their heads up in class, and adapt on the spot were able to excel.
Jacob Willcox, a wildcard dark horse if there ever was one. Photo: Matt Dunbar/World Surf League
The Men
With the Brazilian rat pack (Medina, Italo, Toledo) firmly at the top of the leader board, you can be confident the rest of the field has placed imaginary sticky-tape targets on their backs. As we look towards the start of the Round of 32, these are the men to beat. And any true-blue Aussie worth their salt will long to be the fly in the champagne when it comes to putting a stop to a more than feasible Brazilian whitewash of the Australian leg. Medina has freakishly adapted to this wave with little woe, Italo found waves when there appeared there wasn’t any, and Toledo, well, he went to town. But is this trio the ones we should be keeping our eyes on? Ciao Ibelli is one of a few on-form surfers who has looked at home out West. His performance at Margaret River — in and out of a competition jersey — has only caught people’s attention in a good way. He could be due a good result. Another South American to watch is Yago Dora. His display of speed and power on opening day not only outmatched an on-fire Michel Bourez, but it cemented his building form this season. Should he get his turn in robust onshore conditions, we can expect some serious airborne behavior — Jack Freestone looks to have his work cut out.
Griffin Colapinto’s elimination round heat with boyhood hero Taj Burrow was a sentimental thing to witness. The admiration and awe from the youngster was there — and so too was his textbook backhand surfing skills that made him appear the tour veteran instead of Burrow. By denying the two-times world tour runner up any waves, we witnessed not only a physically adept contender but one that is willing to use tact — perhaps he’s been watching fellow countryman Kelly Slater’s heats from over the years? Either way, it will serve him well should he advance to the later stages and come up against experienced names.
Jacob Willcox is another voracious talent who not only shook things up in the elimination round — with two sizeable wave scores — but also two weeks ago with his seeding round win over Italo Ferreira at Margs. He is a wildcard dark horse if ever there was one: his match up with Italo again in the round of 32 will be one to watch.
Let’s not forget Jordy Smith. The forever cheerful South African pulled out all the stops to make it to the Margaret River final and always shows the type of tenacity and skill you expect to see from an already world champion. But he’s still hungry for his. He still wants it. You can’t help but think he and the likes of Julian Wilson likely looked at this year’s tour and thought, “Heck, with all that’s happened, this could be my year. Why not!?” The pair are complete packages. Although Julian’s push to secure a Top 5 finish before the finals event at Lower Trestles looks arduous, that will do nothing to diminish his drive to advance at least into the quarter-finals here.
Cai Ibelli has proven over and over to have as much fight as any CT surfer. Photo: Matt Dunbar/World Surf League
The Ladies
Nikki van Dijk’s bounce back in heat one of the elimination round was an epic display of on-point rail surfing that aided Tatiana Weston-Webb’s unscripted early exit. She will need to continue this form and look to level up for her encounter with Steph Gilmore. The two may be the best of friends out of the water; however, the seven-time world champion will be looking to reaffirm her chances of a win here after an average start in the seeding round where Macy Callaghan’s backhand attack stole the show. Of all the female surfers on tour currently, Steph is the most comfortable and experienced with whatever Western Australia wants to throw out there — this could prove vital.
Caroline Marks unfamiliarity with Western Australia was probably most liable for her early exit in the previous event. We witnessed her feeling right at home on the meek and fun-sized surf dished up on the East Coast, yet the contrast of settings may be a bit too much for her at this stage. Her draw with Malia Manuel could be her first challenging heat so early on in an event; Manuel looked strong and unwavering in her seeding round heat and arguably was underscored on her single highest wave.
Friend or foe? Nikki van Dijk will face Steph Gilmore next. Photo: Cait Miers/World Surf League
Looking to capitalize on her strong start to the Australian leg, Isabella Nichols will be looking for a good result here before checking into the Surf Ranch in Lemoore. Her uber-observant nature meant she was eyeing up the right well ahead of her elimination round heat, which proved pivotal in her taking the win. Isabella should come out on top in her meeting with fellow Aussie Bronte Macaulay before finding herself heading towards a rundown with current world number one, Carrisa Moore. Can she advance past the Hawaiian? It’ll take everything she has.
Ah, Carissa. The staggering reality of her success hit like a freight train when it was revealed this was, in fact, her 100th world tour event. Twenty-four wins and 39 finals appearances later. She’s looking outstanding after a firm display of rail surfing at the last event — which she could have so easily won. On this occasion, however, it appears Strickland Bay is hers to take out.
