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Sometimes the best adventures happen in our imagination. Empty perfection, photo Brian Bielmann
EDITORIAL
Editor / Publisher
Mike Latronic
Photo Director
Brian Bielmann
Art Director
John Weaver
Editorial Assistants
Rebecca Parsons, Lowell Burton
Business Administration
Cora Sanchez (808) 260-9219
West Coast Distribution & Sales
Chuck Hendsch (619) 227-9128
Distribution & Advertising Inquiries (808) 260-9219
Staff Shooters
Brent Bielmann, Mike Latronic, Aukai Ng, John Weaver
Contributing Writers
Aukai Ng, Rebecca Parsons, Alexandra Kahn, Daniel Ikaika Ito, Nicole Nason, Amanda Crater Olson
Contributing Photographers
Alex Heil, Dooma Photos, Dayanidhi Das, Eric Aeder, Jason Kenworthy, Stu Soley, Mark Rodrigues, Aaron Lynton, Kurt Steinmetz, Mike Ito, Nick Gruen, Ryan Miller, Tommy Pierucki, Eric Baeseman, Ryan “Chachi” Craig, Christa Funk, Sarah Lee, Sean Evans, Tai Vandyke, Mitch McEwen
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Photo Noa Napoleon
ED NOTE
By Mike Latronic
I locked in to the WSL Margaret River webcast and caught Kelly Slater’s heat loss against tour leader Griffin Colapinto. It may have been Kelly’s last ever heat as a World Championship Tour competitor. Slater didn't make “the mid season cut” and it was a heartfelt moment in the annals of surfing history. In a gesture of respect, Kelly then gets carried up the stairs. The ensuing interview allows Slates to share several chicken skin minutes reflecting on the moment and his very long record breaking career, but is he really done? The story goes Slater already has the wildcard invite to Fiji. Hmmmm. Never count this guy out.
I’m also in awe reflecting on Margarets later rounds, in particular the showdown by John Florence and Jack Robinson in the final. It was a scorching shot of nitro in the hearts and minds of surf fans everywhere! The culmination of everything that represents the progression of this sport was witnessed in real time. Freesurf can only hope to roll that kind of surf stoke and inspiration each month to our audience. This sport has that amazing human connection to nature and gravity. I'm just stoked to be a surfer right now.
The evolution of digital storytelling and technology is a massive subject. The internet, cellular and satellite tech have a healthy chunk of society hooked up daily. Humans have more access to information, directions, advice, reference, opinion and entertainment than ever before. Millions upon millions upon zillions of interactions, engagements, transactions and reactions are recorded on a daily basis. In this issue we are treated to insights and articulation from popular Digital storyteller and expert skimboarder Blair Conklin. Conklin, with nearly 3 million subscribers for his Skid Kidz platform on YouTube, is actually well versed on many wavecraft. An avid surfer, Blair enjoys sharing stoke with his audience and has made a career of it. Also in this month's edition we take a look at the WSL wrap ups, a powerful profile on Tahitian performer Mihimana Braye, a fun Springtime photo gallery and more.
Enjoy.
Photo Brian Bielmann
BLAIR CONKLIN
By Mike Latronic
Certainly not the largest or well funded of the ocean sports, skimboarding is a very specialized and relatively small boardsport. Hardcore participation is small compared to surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding and bodyboarding likely because of the huge physical demands to do it and the tough and dangerous learning curve to get any good at it at all. Learning to surf in Laguna Beach, unofficially the birthplace of skimboarding, I have firsthand experience of doing it and spraining my ankles, taking hard landings and literally getting sandblasted to the point of bleeding. Some of my best childhood friends Like Nick Hernandez
and Joey Santley were really good at it and being naturally competitive I used to get right into it and I kept at it. It's also really fun. The last time I did it with verve I was 12 years old and hit an oncoming wave and attempting a front flip I landed on my head. I heard my neck crack. Fortunately I was “grom” flexible. I didn't tell my mom. Like with skateboarding eventually I just stopped and went surfing.
In Laguna the visual feast was daily and guys and girls in that town were testing and breaking the limits.
Onegifted athlete coming out of that town is content creator and YouTube sensation Blair Conklin. I was lucky enough to catch up and cruise with Blair and go surfing several times. No I didn't go skimming but he did at notoriously dangerous Keiki Beach. Blair handled himself with ease and playfulness in otherwise death defying conditions after which we sat down for this interview.
FSM/ML: Tell me about your evolution with skimboarding and why you elected to make a career of it?
Photo Brian Bielmann
BLAIR CONKLIN
BC My earliest memory of skimboarding was when I was growing up in Laguna Beach. I was lucky enough to be really close to a cove called Tortuava and I would just kind of go down there and hang out at a very young age. I was probably still in my diapers. Where I grew up, I kind of had to deal with the type of waves that were given to me and there really wasn't a whole lot of other options other than to be a skimboarder or maybe a bodyboarder, kind of just whatever board worked for those shorebreak conditions. You see people who grow up on the North Shore of Oahu, they become incredible surfers 'cause of the waves that they're given here. In Laguna, it's kind of the opposite. We're not given the same kind of waves. We're given shorebreaks, so we have to make do with what we've got and skimboarding is what did that for me.
FSM Skimboarding has come a long way since simple sand sliding a few decades ago. What can you tell us about the evolution of that sport?
BC I guess skimboarding started in Laguna as early as the 1930’s. The story goes that lifeguards were using little circular discs of wood to get from one part of the beach to another and it was kind of a form of transportation. That evolved into foam style skimboards, skimboards that were being constructed similarly to surfboards and that's when the wave riding thing started to happen. That was probably around the
seventies or eighties. There was Tex Haines, the owner of Victoria Skiboards, who was evolving the construction of the boards, and he's definitely the main reason why waves are being ridden today. That new style of construction allowed you to slide from the sand into the shorebreak and do turns off of waves and allowed you to get out farther to the waves. Guys like Bill Bryan and other multi-talented boardsport athletes really took it to another level. Bill was a great surfer, a great snowboarder, great at everything on a board. When it came to skimboarding, I think he kind of just wanted to bring that more surf style and kind of mix the different boardsports together and make skimboarding something that really stands out to the average person.
I'm really excited about how skimboards are now being used all over the world. It's providing a form of play for people to get out in the ocean. We used to just think of it as this thing in Laguna Beach or this thing on the East Coast but now there's kids doing it in the Philippines who are getting really good, people in Europe and the Brazilian storm has definitely has already sprouted and is doing really, really well. And then there's people like Brad Domkey and Lucas Fink who are riding big waves on skimboards.
So it's really cool for me to see this small little sport and this small little board that I grew up riding, growing into more of an international
Photo Eli Viszolay
BLAIR CONKLIN
thing and becoming more known and more visible. One thing that's really cool about it is it's very easy to film and it's very close to the beach so it’s very fun for spectators to watch, and it just gets recognized very, very easily. I've just been really stoked to see how much it's grown and through social media and through educational videos on YouTube. I think the next setting where you'll be seeing skimboards used a lot is in wave pools. And I think that that's kind of a really exciting new thing in surfing and in wave riding in general.
FSM We know skimming is your number one talent but you have skills with many other boardsports and seem to enjoy them all.
BC Yeah, my favorite thing about wave riding is like there's no one board that's good for everything. You have to choose the right board for the given conditions. In any given week, I'd probably ride, I don't know, three or four different boards, and it can be anything from a handplane to a surfboard or a soft board or a skimboard. I definitely have a board for every condition. That's what keeps things interesting for me. You learn a lot about riding a wave. When you change the craft it changes the way that you look at a wave. It changes the way you surf a wave.
FSM For skimboarding there appears to be several stages. Running at the wave on the sand, dropping the board in the sand and sliding at the shorebreak and then getting on the water and getting on the wave, riding the wave and then finally riding back up the sand. Is that whole process like the “perfect 10?”
FSM Let's talk about skimming the notoriously dangerous
BC Yeah, I guess Keiki is one of those places where you can walk up and it looks like a swimming pool, and then out of nowhere the ocean starts to turn a deep blue color and a set rolls in and can just catch you off your feet. And like anyone who is out there thinking they're safe, their heart starts racing and that place can just catch you off guard really quickly. It's very easy to feel uncomfortable there. I think especially, especially if you're close to the sand or in the shore break zone, there's a reason why there's a lifeguard that comes cruising by on an ATV every five minutes. You know, it's probably one of the more dangerous beaches on the Northshore I'd say. Especially for tourists who may not know better. You could be walking on the sand and get swept off your feet. It's gotta be the most powerful places I've seen. Twenty of thirty feet off the beach it's like sand and then it just goes into the deep ocean. It gets deep, real, real fast.
FSM You've been sampling all kinds of surf spots in Hawaii. Tell us about your surfing experiences here.
BC Yeah, if you can complete your ride and come flying back up the beach, that's like the wow factor. Like, wow, that person just started at the wave, got on the water, got a barrel, did a turn and did whatever, and then flew back up the beach to where he started. That's a pretty dang cool feeling and that's some of the best rides I've ever seen on camera. Skimboarding has that natural progression that starts from the beach and ends on the beach.
BC I didn't bring a high performance shortboard to the Northshore, I rode a 4’10” Catch Surf soft top that's like the shape of a pill and it's one of my favorite boards just because it kind of feels like a skimboard to me. It's super fun for popping airs and it's a very forgiving board. It's kinda my go-to board for any type of surfing that I wanna do. I think they're actually really good cross training sports for me. It's super nice to strengthen your upper body by paddling, a bunch surfing and duck diving waves.
FSM Tell us about the athletics involved in both skimming and surfing.
Keiki Beach.
BLAIR CONKLIN
BC Surfing is really good for strengthening your back, shoulders and really anything upper body. And then it's nice to maybe take a break from doing that one day and then do the skimboarding thing. You get a lot of cardio by walking and running up and down a sandy hill, which is very difficult. That strengthens your core, your legs and I think it actually really kind of balances out the two. I find that if I do one sport too much, I end up getting injured or pulling a muscle or something like that. But if I can find the perfect happy medium, it's really great to maybe rest your body from running for a little bit and strengthen your upper body. It's been really nice to do both sports and do both sports an even amount if I can.
FSM Whether it's surfing or skim, how important is your relationship with the ocean and then how does that relate to sharing that with your massive online audience?
BC I've always had a strong connection to the ocean and to being outdoors and that's like a lot of what my childhood was about. I'm very, very grateful for that. I would go down to the beach and disappear for hours on end as a kid and not really have anything else on my mind other than playing and innovating at whatever it was that I was doing.
IBC If you get into the sport, you're gonna beat yourself up. You're probably gonna get stitches. If you do it hard, you're probably going to strain your ligaments or hurt your knee at one point.
I'm finding as I get older and close to the 30 mark, my body is definitely hurting a little bit more after certain exercises. The thing that helps me the most is stretching and doing some yoga here and there. I only do it when I feel like my body needs it. I like to stretch after I skim when my muscles are all warm and loose.
think that my main focus with the videos that I make these days is to try to inspire the youth to do the same. I think that connection to nature is something that's kind of hard to come by these days and super important for understanding how to preserve what we love and how to create a lasting future for other generations to enjoy. I think that it's such an important thing for my mental health too, to be able to go outside and check out from all the other distractions. It's a meditative state when I go down to the beach and just focus on riding a wave. It really clears the mind and I think makes me more optimistic about the future. I think that trying to get today's youth outside to appreciate the elements and appreciating the power of nature, something that's super, super important to our longevity and the environment's longevity.
FSM How's the wear and tear factor on your body?
Photo Tyler Brookes
FSM Agreed. Connecting and playing with nature gives us great perspective. Is that it?
BC Yeah, I think that for me it's brought more than just peace and happiness. It's brought me a community and in skimboarding that's what's so special. Our sport is so tight knit, like everyone knows one another. It's also such a small sport,
you want to be inclusive of other people. You want to see females get good at it. You want to see kids pick it up, and stick with it and that's something that I think that people who do get into skimboarding, that's what keeps 'em around is that community and mutual respect we have for one another.
You have a comradery with everyone else who does it because you know what they've gone through to get good at it. I think with any type of healthy person, anyone who's going to live a full good life has a community that they associate with. Skimboarding is that for me.
FSM How about the commercial side of it? You have amassed a YouTube audience of over 3 million subscribers! That must feel rewarding.
BC I won't be too “pluggy” with it, but as a skimboarder and growing up in this very, very small community, there wasn't always a lot of support and there were never big sponsors stepping in to help athletes or to help contests. I feel very lucky 'cause I've had some really awesome companies support me throughout the years and it's allowed me to have freedom to travel and do what I love to do and make a platform and share the stoke through that.
FSM Your Youtube channel “Skid Kids” has over 1000 videos posted. You have a clutch of supportive sponsors. That must be a full time “job?”
BC I just really enjoy making videos for a living and traveling the world and seeing a lot of new places and highlighting skimboarding through that. My primary sponsors are Catch Surf, I-Sea sunglasses and Reef sandals. Those have been my main supporters throughout the past 5-10 years. It’s an interesting play to support a skimboarder and without them what I do definitely would have not been possible.
Photos Brian Bielmann
BLAIR CONKLIN
SETH MONIZ MUSIC VIBES
My music taste ranges from country to rap depending on my mood for the day. Here’s my top 5 albums right now.
To Pimp a Butterfly -Kendrick
Lamar A Jazz & rap combo. I’m not crazy into rap right now but this album has always been one of my favorites.
Facing Future - Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
A must album in every local household. I grew up listening to this album on repeat.
The Wall - Pink Floyd Hard not to put Pink Floyd in my top 5.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
Exodus - Good for the soul on any day.
One Day Maybe - Sashamon
A lot of his songs in this Album are in some of my favorite surf Movie parts. It’s nostalgic to me and always brings bag good feels.
Photo Brian Bielmann
APERTURE
Barron
Mamiya
Photo Brent Bielmann
Left, Connor Coffin, Bottom, Kelia Moniz and top, Mikey Wright
Photos Brent Bielmann
Shion Crawford
Photos Brent Bielmann
Nathan Fletcher
Photo Brian Bielmann
Eli Olson Photo Brent Bielmann
Crosby Colapinto
Photo Brent Bielmann
Carissa Moore Photo Brian Bielmann
ALWAYS SEARCHING FOR THE PERFECT LEFT...
Shogo Harada Photo Brian Bielmann
MIHIMANA BRAYE
The Rise of the Polynesians
By Rebecca Parsons Photos Tim McKenna
As the birthplace of surfing, Tahiti has a storied history. While the French Polynesian origins of surfing are widely known amongst the surf community, it wasn’t until Teahupo’o was chosen as the home of the 2024 Paris Olympics that Tahiti was truly put on the map as a surf destination.
Born and raised in Papeete, Tahiti, Mihimana Braye has been surfing Tahiti’s countless reef and beach breaks since he was six years old. He recently won the Sunset Pro and is hopeful to win a medal in the Olympics at Teahupo’o, which also happens to be one of his homebreaks. We caught up with Braye and asked him about the surf culture in Tahiti, his thoughts on the Olympics being held in French Polynesia, and his goals looking forward.
What was it like growing up as a surfer in Tahiti?
Growing up in Tahiti was a blessing for sure because it’s a beautiful tropical island. We get the best waves in the world, so it was impossible for me to not even practice surfing. The tropical weather really helps too because it’s hot and warm all year. We have a lot of islands and a lot of beautiful, secret waves.
I was a kid who had a lot of energy, so my mom and dad just wanted [me] to do a sport to put that energy somewhere. I finally got to try surfing at the age of six. My mother was already doing some bodyboarding and my father was surfing, so it was easy for them. I got hooked from the first day and my mother and father were taking me every weekend.
What’s the surf culture like in Tahiti?
The surf culture in Tahiti is really, really important with the va’a. As you know, surfing started from Tahiti years and years ago with the va’a: tThey were surfing with the va’a between islands. Surfing is pretty big in Tahiti, especially with the Olympics coming it’s really important.
When did you first start competing?
I started competing one year after I started surfing, so at seven years old. Mostly locally, so all those local contests in Tahiti. I was doing them, and I started really liking competition and then I won a couple of local titles like the Tahitian Championship.
MIHIMANA BRAYE
MIHIMANA BRAYE
At the age of 11/12, we started travelling around Australia because that was our region. Australia had a couple of contests and I wanted to see what my level was compared to international. At the age of 14, I was doing the pro juniors and stuff and my first QS was in France when I was 15. I started there and then won Rangiroa Pro QS contest when I was 16—that’s when I started doing the QS competition around the world.
What was it like spending COVID/ quarantine at home?
To spend time at home during COVID was for sure a blessing because I was traveling for a few years trying to qualify for the CT. It felt good to have a little break. It was kind of a weird time for everyone and for me because I lost two years from reaching my goals and everything went so fast, so it was kind of hard to find motivation. But I also got to surf perfect waves at home and visit the island more—it was a different time and I learned a lot for sure.
What do you consider your home break?
My homebreak is Taharuu Papara. I live right in front of this beach break. They used to have a QS 1000 there. And also
Teahupo’o. I’ve been spending my whole live at those two places that I consider my homebreaks.
How would you describe Teahupo’o to someone that isn’t familiar with the wave?
Teahupo’o is scary but at the same time the most beautiful wave in the world. You just have to try to not really think about it. If you really want it, then you’ve got to go and spend some time there. But always trust your first instinct: If you feel like you don’t want to go, don’t go because it’s a dangerous wave and everything can happen so fast. But she’s so beautiful and there’s a lot of mana, energy.
MIHIMANA BRAYE
What are your thoughts on the Olympics being held at Teahupo’o?
I feel like the Olympics could be good for Tahiti. Especially because Teahupo’o is one of the best waves in the world. The show will be amazing, especially if there’s some good swell. The Olympics is really new for surfing so we get to have Teahupo’o as the second stop for surfing in the Olympics and it can be big for the population and also to get known for Tahiti, for the tourism, for everything, so it could be good. But don’t forget to respect it, respect the environment, the place, and the people.
Do you think a Polynesian has a shot at winning with local knowledge?
For sure there’s a big chance that a Polynesian can win it. There are a lot of good surfers. Vahine [Fierro] is one of them for female. I can also win this contest in Teahupo’o. Also Kauli [Vaast] has a great chance to do great things over there.
You recently took 2nd at the Sunset Pro. What was it like claiming such a big win and beating out a lot of the local talent on their home turf?
Sunset was a great experience for me. I’ve been coming here for the last ten years and trying to compete on the Triple Crown every year. We used to have Sunset and Haleiwa as a contest, so I’ve been spending a lot of time there and it was great to finally see all the work and the time starting to pay off. There were some great heats during this contest with big names like Josh Moniz, Seth Moniz, Barron Mamiya, so I was really happy with my performance.
Are there any other wins you’re particularly proud of?
Just before Sunset, I was coming off a second place in Brazil at the Corona Pro Brazil. It was a Challenger Series, one of the biggest events for our tour and that was one of the best results of my life. I also got a fifth place at the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro at Teahupo’o as part of the CT. What a year. ‘
What does a typical week look like for you?
A typical week for me is surfing every day, eating good food, having my training routine, physical training and mental training with all of my coaches, and also one day of resting (recovery, getting massage and stuff).
What would you say your greatest strengths are as a surfer?
I feel like my greatest strength right now would be my power and my barrel riding. But I can also do airs. I’m trying to be good at every aspect of it to be a well-rounded surfer and not to have any weakness in my surfing.
What are your goals looking forward?
My goal for next year is to qualify for the WCT for 2025 and stay as long as I can. After that, reach the top five and go for the world title.
KODIN WAU
By Sachi Cunningham
Kodin Wau was only six years old when he caught his first wave at Pipeline. He paddled out at Ehukai, but the current swept him out to the dangerous break as if inviting him to play. Wau caught a wave all the way to shore, jump starting a relationship that now, with his sixth season at Pipeline under his belt, has earned the 12-year old respect from the Queen of Pipeline herself. “I love watching him surf,” says Moana Wong. “He has a mature style for being so young. I think he’s got what it takes to become an amazing surfer.”
Wau learned to surf in Maui, where he was born. His mother Nadia taught him to surf, but she says he was already surfing alone by the age of four. Wau looked up to the Roberson brothers for inspiration, as well as Ian Walsh, whose Menehune Mayhem contest gave Wau his first opportunity to compete in the five and under division. Nadia soon realized that if he was going to be a surfer, he should be on the North Shore. Nadia, who is originally from Argentina, teaches Spanish to support their family as a single mother. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s a family formula that has produced more than a few world champions.
By age six Wau won his first contest at the North Shore Menehune Contest. He’s won eight trophies since then, including wins at the 2018 Duke Kahanamoku, the 2022 HSA Oahu Rennicks, and the 2023 HSA Turtle Bay competitions. He’s even enjoyed a 10 point ride. “When I’m third or second I always want to win,” says Wau. “And when I win I want to win again.” Wau’s hard work, determination and faith in God that have steadily developed his talent over the years.
Treat yourself
Wau’s paternal lineage is from Indonesia, where he has spent the last few summers training. Wau counts WSL CT surfer Rio Waida as a friend. He might not surf as well as Waida yet, but he has enjoyed beating him in a few games of chess. Wau doesn’t consider himself shy at all, which helped when he approached his favorite surfer, Gabriel Medina, for a photo at Crispy Grinds. While he may be socially fearless, Wau is all business in the lineup. “When I’m in the water I don’t talk to them so I can focus on my surfing.”
In addition to chess, bible study, skateboarding and soccer, Wau has developed an interest in big waves. Jamilah Star has mentored Wau and this past winter, none other than Michael Ho pushed Wau into his first 8-12 foot Sunset wave. Wau took himself out to Waimea in December on his 8’2” Wade Tokoro gun. “It was pretty scary,” he admits. He sat in the channel and watched for a long time until “I didn’t want to wait anymore so I went.” He air dropped, landed it and rode until the white water eventually took him over. Inflatable vests are still too big for Wau, so he relied on his Excell padded vest and Gath helmet to keep him safe. “I am stoked he is gravitating towards big surf,” says Ian Walsh. “He has a very bright future and I am psyched to see where he takes surfing.” “I like big waves,” says Wau, “as long as I’m catching them.” Suffice to say, Wau has many big waves to catch in his future.
Moku rider Hatikvah Amir
Photo: Chris Miranda
ECO NEWS
A total solar eclipse crossed North America on Monday, slicing a diagonal line from the southwest to the northeast, briefly plunging communities in Mexico, the U.S. and Canada along the track into darkness.
A researcher observing animals at the Fort Worth Zoo during totality said some seemed extra vigilant. That included a rambunctious young male gorilla that stood on a pole while being quite active.Most animals remained relatively calm during totality and many moved to where they are put away for the evening.
April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse mesmerized observers across North
Down to Earth - Surfing Eco Revolution
America. The moon's shadow passed over Mexico, the United States, and Canada, treating viewers to a rare celestial spectacle.
The eclipse's path of totality stretched from Mexico through the United States and into Canada, delighting millions with moments of darkness as the moon fully blocked the sun. Cities such as Dallas, Indianapolis, and Buffalo experienced this phenomenon firsthand.
Hawaii also had a partial view of the eclipse, offering a unique experience for residents and visitors. Although not in the path of totality, Hawaii's observers still marveled at the partial eclipse. Total Solar Eclipse 4/8/24
ECO BUSINESS DIRECTORY
Country Feeling Surfboards ‘Oahu’s North Shore shape boards with soy- and sugar-based foam. They use deck inlays of bamboo fiber, hemp silk and organic cotton, apply sun catalyzed resin that is 70% less toxic. Kyle Bernhardt and Heff Bushman believe “surfers subscribe to one universal truth, the ocean is where we find magic. We just recognize that if we don’t care of our planet, the magic will disappear.” countryfeeling.co.za
Green Foam Blanks CA
Recycle scraps and discarded boards into surfboard blanks. Matt “Mayhem” Biolos Lost Surfboards says “the specks of stringer and colored glue dust adds character and defines their look. Starting immediately we will offer Green Foam Blanks to anyone who wishes to get a board made.”
Resurf Recycling
South California organization, with their drop-off locations at surf shops.
Old boards are dropped off and made into various products. Resurf.com
Helping schools food program Kokua work day volunteer kokuahawaiifoundation.org
Sustained Purchasing
Food beverage buys local support local HCC
Local sourced food and suppliers
808 coffee growers
Way & Farer
Sustainable surf wax doesn’t damage the ocean made from www.wayandfarer.com
Mokulele Surf Team Rider Merrik Mochkatel
Photo Mike Latronic
California’s Caitlin Simmers (USA) and Cole Houshmand (USA) have claimed victory at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy, Stop No. 4 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2024 Championship Tour (CT). The two first-time Bells winners were the ones to beat on Finals Day as the Bowl dished up semi-clean surf in the three-to-four-foot range. It was a historical day of competition, with a number of firsts taking place on the 61st Finals Day at Bells and the 50th with Rip Curl as the title partner.
Caitlin Simmers and Cole Houshmand Win 2024 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy
California’s Houshmand and Simmers Add Names to Illustrious List of Bell Ringers
San Clemente locals and childhood friends Cole Houshmand (USA) and Griffin Colapinto (USA) came into the Final of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach guaranteed to make history. With either of them winning, they’d be the first Californian male to hoist the Bell since Richie Collins (USA) in 1992, and with the form they displayed, it was either surfer that could take it. Houshmand
started strong, posting a 7.00 (out of a possible 10) point ride on his opener and finally backing it up with a 6.50 for a 13.50 (out of a possible 20) two-wave total. Colapinto, who was the form surfer of the event, struggled to get going until the last few minutes of the match-up, and although he started to build, it wasn’t enough to overcome Houshmand. Houshmand got the win, becoming only the seventh goofy-footer to win the event in 61 years, joining names like Occhilupo, Carrol, Hardman, Lynch, Wilkinson and Ferreira.
Coming into the Final sitting in first and second on the rankings, whoever claimed the win between Caitlin Simmers (USA) and Johanne Defay (FRA) would leave Bells Beach wearing the yellow Leader Jersey as World No. 1. CT veteran Dafay came into the Final with the most momentum, and it showed as she took control early. With two mid-range scores, Defay held the lead for almost the entire Final. With just three minutes remaining, Simmers took a set wave with priority, scoring a 6.10 to get herself back into contention.
(L-R) Griffin Colapinto, Cole Houshmand, Caitlin Simmers and Johanne Defay at the presentation of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia. Photo Aaron Hughes/WSL
With less than one minute remaining, Simmers forced Defay into a closeout, leaving Simmers out the back with sets rolling in. Taking her last chance with seconds remaining, Simmers put together a range of critical maneuvers to score a 6.67, receiving the last-minute news that she had won her maiden Bell on the sand after the buzzer.
Simmers made history today, becoming the youngest woman to ever win at Bells. Simmers took out her maiden Final at Bells Beach and her second Final of the year after winning stop No. 1 at Pipeline. Simmers rings the Bell as World No. 1 and wears the yellow Leader Jersey heading into the Western Australia Margaret River Pro.
Johanne Defay and Griffin Colapinto Continue Stellar Run With Runner-Up Finishes
Fresh off a win at the Meo Rip Curl Pro Portugal, Johanne Defay (FRA) came into CT Stop No. 4 full of confidence and with her sights on grabbing the Yellow Jersey for the first time in her career. Defay looked to be the woman to beat, posting some of the highest scores in each round to become the first European competitor to contest the Bells Final. With her back-to-back Finals appearances, Defay will now head to the Western Australia Margaret River Pro, sitting solidly in second place on the rankings.
Similar to Defay, Griffin Colapinto (USA) arrived at Bells fresh of a win in Portugal and carried plenty of that momentum into Stop 4, posting the highest heat total of the Semifinals, Quarterfinals and the event. Although disappointed, he wasn’t able to clinch his maiden win at Bells. Griffin was over the moon to share the Final with a good friend after seeing his Brother and CT Rookie Crosby Make the Cut and good friend Kade Matson (USA) earn the best result of his Rookie season, ending a great week of results for the San Clemente and Southern Californian contingent of CT surfers. Colapinto will hold onto the World No. 1 position and the yellow Leaders Jersey as he heads into Stop No. 5 at Margaret River.
Semifinalists Get Season Back on Track at Bells
Rio Waida (INA) earned his career-best CT result, finishing equal third at Bells Beach. Sitting right on the Cut-line coming into this event, a Semifinal finish at Bells jumps Waida up ten spots on the rankings to World No. 11.
Matthew McGillivray (RSA) equaled his career-best CT result with a Semifinal finish at Bells. An equal third moves McGillivray up to World No. 14. Both surfers now head to Margaret River with a lot less pressure on them and their spot on tour ahead of the Mid-season Cut.
For highlights from the 2024 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy Women’s Final Results:
1 – Caitlin Simmers (USA) 12.77
2 – Johanne Defay (FRA) 11.60
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy Men’s Final Results:
1 – Cole Houshmand (USA) 13.50
2- Griffin Colapinto (USA) 12.80
Photo Aaron Hughes/WSL
BOARD STORIES
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“Board Stories” can be seen in Hawai'i on Spectrum OC16 on Ch. 16/1016 and Spectrum Surf Channel Ch. 20/1020. Spectrum OC16’s live stream is available on oc16.tv and the Spectrum TV app (to Spectrum customers in Hawai'i only), and nationally to any Spectrum customer on the Spectrum News mobile app and CTV app on Roku and Apple TV.
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