I’m done with the WCT for the year. No big names will go to Brazil, making for a tough-to-read list of Brazilian entrants (no knock on the Brazilians, I just have no idea who these guys are) and the big bad Pipeline Masters will be devoid of an epic Slater versus Andy showdown of the past. No tee shirts hyping a big battle, no Slater Hater crews yelling from the old Volcom house, and no more free beer from Fosters! Weaksauce!
So, in lieu WCT fireworks, the inner surf fan in us has to put our focus on the ratings race to be on the World Championship Tour—the WQS. I actually find it more interesting and dramatic than the WCT anyway, these guys are literally fighting for their dream of being on the World Championship Tour. I guess it’s why some people like college football more than the pros.
Anyway, Nathaniel Curran is in. He’ll be the second Curran bro to be on the WCT a his older brother, Timmy, was a fixture until losing interest in favor of making music over heats. I’m not sure how Nathaniel will do on the WCT—his small wave skills are fine, but throw him out at eight foot Chopes and it gets interesting.
While I’m supposed to be unbiased, I’m not. There are a few guys who I want to see make the tour because I think they could do some damage and shake things up in the post-Slater years (I’m pretty sure he’s done after #9). Here are my picks to make the tour, and actually succeed on it:
Dustin Barca:
Kauai’s Dustin Barca had a great run through Brazil and moved from the #25 to #14. With four big contests left, one in Brazil, one in Portugal, and two on the North Shore of Oahu, Barca’s dream of being on the WCT could come to fruition with a couple more good results.
Dustin Barca.
Michel Bourez:
Anyone who’s ever met Bourez says the same thing about him—nicest and most genuine guy ever. The Tahitian Terror dropped a bit after last weekend, and dropped from #8 to #13. I’ll put money on Bourez surfing well at the two Hawaii events (Sunset and Haleiwa) and making the Dream Tour—the first Tahitian on the ASP World Tour since Vetea “Poto” David.
Michel Bourez.
They say the magic number to qualify for the WCT is 11,000 points, making a couple guys near locks: Pat Gudauskas (CA), Gabe Kling (FLA), and Wildman Chris Davidson (AUS) among others.
Some other guys I’d like to see on the WCT just because of their sheer talent are Yadin Nicol from West Oz, Kekoa Bacalso from Hawaii, Shaun Cansdell, and Sunny Garcia just to keep the kids in-line.
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October 20th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Looking at the WQS top 20 I don’t see too many guys in there that will get on the WCT and make an impact. I like Jcote’s pics though. Barca can make some noise, Kekoa surfed in the search event in Mexico as a wild card and did pretty well against Slater. I’m pulling for a couple more of the North Americans, though I think it’s a long shot for any of them. Brett Simpson, Nate Yeomans and even Austin Ware all have a shot but need a really good result to get there.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:33 pm
I too find it interesting. My picks that will “tighten up” the tour will be
Drew Courtney - long time qs had bad luck. contempories of buchan and parko, fanning etc. watch his backhand. Charges as well
Barca - Dustin has a solid overall game and has flair
Josh Kerr - has good game and flair,
Nicol - could either do good or really bad.
Phil Macdonald - not my favourite surfer but has been up there before, knows the waves, may struggle with variety in turns.
Bourez- Strong overall game, powerful.
and Kekoa/cansdell if they make cut.
That’s six outside of the outsiders.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:34 pm
notice there is no brazilians this year.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:37 pm
the asp should also have a master series. or a world cup. ie top 2 surfers from south america, north america, europe, asia (inc bali and jpn), africa and australia.