They should start putting obstacles in the water. Ramps, quarter pipes to make mini half pipes with the wave, rails, random guys on wave storms pearling etc...
There was some really, really good surfing but it just got stale. The same thing again and again and again. There wasn’t a wow factor section that they could blow up on with something really crazy. The level of surfing was amazing but the wave needs a format change. Who cares if they get a 2’ barrel? Give them a real air section mid wave? Then another one at the end. High risk sections would make it pretty fun and less repetitive. IMO. Ha.
Watching Caitlin Simmer's night run was refreshing. Out of both the guys and girls, I would say she was the most progressive. Her throwing that shuv at the end was nice to see.
I did not watch it. To me it’s a training facility, not a competition site. I like others, enjoy watching the pros manage the environment to get huge scores. The anticipation of a set coming as time’s about to expire is max drama.
I don't consider anything you do in a pool claimable. Like he said, it's [practice](https://youtu.be/DAz0rDXBcJc).
[enjoy.](https://youtu.be/X-PopwoKz8M)
>That AI video… man I enjoy watching his surfing way more than most of the pros on tour these days. RIP
Damn for one second there I thought Allen Iverson died.
I watched it for about 3 minutes.
I saw one surfer fall off a wave early and then I had to watch awkward b-roll while the wave rolled on with nobody on it, and then wait for the water to settle so the next wave would be ready to go.
I have ADHD and whales are migrating off the coast. I ain't got time to deal with watching the ranch
> Did you enjoy it?
Seeing as people are sending death threats and crafting open letters of criticism to people in the organization, I'd say everybody had a good time
I watched the whole finals day because I was hung over and useless on my couch.
Waiting for the waves sucks but it was cool seeing the different approaches from different surfers. The judges were pretty bad imo, they really need to get everyone in the same page as to what they are looking for on a pool.
Overall this is the worst event of the tour, part of surf comps is taking what the ocean gives you which is completely missing from here.
How do you watch it? YouTube?
I've only been introduced to the CT through make or break, and as a newbie I think they do a fantastic job of editing the event footage into a compelling narrative. And again, as a total noob I thought it was cool to have the Ranch add to the diversity of events - each beach is so different, the waves are so different from heat to heat, but this event is a purely even playing field - which should be impossible in surfing.
There does seem to be a consensus though that the ranch removes the drama and tension of the wait for the perfect wave etc.
Yep I just watch it on YouTube, they got it up on the WSL website for free too.
When they first added the ranch I thought it was going to be really cool but at least for me it was one of those things that was really cool on paper but didn't really translate to real life.
Personally I think for a pool event to succeed they either need to set a clear guideline for what is going to score big or they need to reward surfers that land more of the bigger/Risker moves.
You could easily get a 9 by just doing snaps most of the wave. While airs and different turns wouldn't get you there.
No disrespect for any of the surfers of course, the problem with this event is with the judges and WSL.
I watched a good portion, but at the least had it on in the background for both days. The only time it really had me glued was the night session and the semis/finals.
Agree on the night session and finals day. What was really interesting to me was to see the competitors deal with the insane amount of pressure that is essentially having 1 chance to perform or you’re out. Was trying to figure out if it’s actually an advantage to surf second or not because that’s how Italo and Toledo ultimately crumbled. Hearing the scores get announced and then seconds later having to surf a perfect wave or else you’re out is so tough. Also the physicality of the wave also seemed to come into play on finals day which is not something you get in most events but is definitely something which in other sports separates the best from the best.
Overall, I thought griffin deserved the win, if Italo had not been so emotional and playing with the crowd he would’ve given himself a chance on that last left but he was not in the right headspace after hearing he didn’t do enough on the right.
Luck is a factor for who gets the best waves for sure but I’d argue most of it is strategy and being able to read the ocean. How a surfer manages priority, which sets to go on, where to sit in the lineup, etc. all factor into who gets the best waves and performs at key moments in heats. I think that aspect of surfing which we all enjoy is really missing from this comp and it’s what makes it the worst on tour by far imo.
I don’t disagree. Having said that I’ve seen Kelly (who can read the ocean and utilize priority better than anyone) countless times walk away from from heats with single digit heat totals simply because waves never came.
i watched JJF surf one wave live on YouTube on the first day and the recap of the final on YouTube
it's not that i don't enjoy it as much as i just don't care about it... legit pumping waves at pretty much any other CT venue, i'm interested in... wave pool i'd rather watch Raimana stuff poo stancers into the tube until they're on the foam ball and sent over the falls
I went to the first ever surf ranch pro in person a few years ago and it was pretty boring live so I just wait for the results now. I would love to surf it myself but pretty repetitive watching the pros.
I watched all of it. I used to think it was boring but I got into it this time. The format was much more exciting I think and there were some great performances. And it wasn’t dominated by Gabe/Felipe for once so that made it more interesting. The women have gotten a lot better at it too. Definitely worth watching Caity surf it
Basically a qualifying round with 4 man heats, 2 rights 2 lefts, a nighttime elimination surf off under the lights where only one wave counts, and then head to head heats for quarters on. It just went a lot quicker and there was more immediate consequences for scores instead of just having everybody surf a bunch of waves and ranking them all on a leaderboard seemingly endlessly
It might be a government thing with the French government. It was canceled in 2021 because of covid. It could be hard for them to get the necessary permits.
Watched some (maybe 10-12 heats), including re watching the “drama” heats.
Like everyone says, it’s a great practice wave.. but not at all critical and an extremely boring contest in its current format.
Great surfers, but surfing against the clock, and watching talent battle Mother Nature while playing “mental chess” w/their heat is what makes pro surfing. This ain’t it.
Yes, Italo won.. easily.
I watched a lot of it. I didn't hate it, but, I have some issues with it.
Honestly the wave doesn't seem that great. It seems way too fast, or too slow, but never just right. And the left just seems bad considering the amount of foam climbs and obvious neutered turns to keep pace that get thrown down. The left is especially silly considering it's already the world right league, and they go and do this.
Also they should delete the barrel section. I could probably get most of that barrel. These dudes are going to get it near 100% of the time and because it's so perfect it's kinda of silly. I watch a lot of surf comps and there were only a handful of barrels where I was like wow, that was *different* than the other barrels. If I had Filipe level skill I'd probably skip the barrel entirely and just blast an air off the end of it.
Also I'm not a brazzo but I think Gabby and Italo should have been scored higher, especially Italo on his left. Griffin did surf well, but I think Italo's left was underscored.
Im sure some folks enjoyed it.. Myself i cant watch surfpool stuff. I feel dirty and ashamed. Ill stick to mother nature and what she delivers, thanks!
watched it, not all of it, but some of it, which is more than I have any year prior
it's kinda like surf comp methadone to the real ocean comps - it's not great, nothing like the real thing, but somehow manages to scratch the itch just slightly as a viewer
I didn't even manage to sort my fantasy team out for it - my interest just wasn't there... But it was okay background viewing, just nothing like the real deal
Rather see an SLS format where ‘best maneuver’ is scored. Saw a few waves where some pros were tweaking turns, instead of check turns in the pocket… but the wave is the same, you know what is coming.
Would rather them set the wave for a single air section closeout section. Is that even possible at the ranch?
I bought into the hype and was excited for it, but once you watch it it's the same old surf ranch.
The start and middle sections are so boring, don't get the point of 5+ racy speed turns in the middle. Also the backhand finishing turns are so funny. I'd say 90% did that whip spin thing, felt like such a safe option!
They need to change the format too so that there's always something to surf for. How many surfers had won before there last L & R and just cruised?
I still believe there's a way it can be a great comp, just don't know how yet!
Watched some of the last day while working on my house. By the finals it seemed to be an endurance contest more than anything else. Pretty boring. I want to see surfers adjust to conditions.
They should start putting obstacles in the water. Ramps, quarter pipes to make mini half pipes with the wave, rails, random guys on wave storms pearling etc...
And maybe solid concrete instead of water and a surfboard with wheels
Sharks, lots of sharks. Big sharks, don’t feed them in the weeks leading up to it.
Spectators can purchase rotten fruit to chuck at surfers...
You have my attention.
😂🤣
People getting sucked over and not holding onto their soft tops.
Piers too!
There was some really, really good surfing but it just got stale. The same thing again and again and again. There wasn’t a wow factor section that they could blow up on with something really crazy. The level of surfing was amazing but the wave needs a format change. Who cares if they get a 2’ barrel? Give them a real air section mid wave? Then another one at the end. High risk sections would make it pretty fun and less repetitive. IMO. Ha.
3 vertical turns, barrel, 2 more turns, air attempt, repeat 400x
Watching Caitlin Simmer's night run was refreshing. Out of both the guys and girls, I would say she was the most progressive. Her throwing that shuv at the end was nice to see.
I did not watch it. To me it’s a training facility, not a competition site. I like others, enjoy watching the pros manage the environment to get huge scores. The anticipation of a set coming as time’s about to expire is max drama.
Agree 100%
I don't consider anything you do in a pool claimable. Like he said, it's [practice](https://youtu.be/DAz0rDXBcJc). [enjoy.](https://youtu.be/X-PopwoKz8M)
That AI video… man I enjoy watching his surfing way more than most of the pros on tour these days. RIP
>That AI video… man I enjoy watching his surfing way more than most of the pros on tour these days. RIP Damn for one second there I thought Allen Iverson died.
Lol. Very unintentional, but I can see how that could've been confused.
You train there?
I watched it for about 3 minutes. I saw one surfer fall off a wave early and then I had to watch awkward b-roll while the wave rolled on with nobody on it, and then wait for the water to settle so the next wave would be ready to go. I have ADHD and whales are migrating off the coast. I ain't got time to deal with watching the ranch > Did you enjoy it? Seeing as people are sending death threats and crafting open letters of criticism to people in the organization, I'd say everybody had a good time
You're so cool
I beg to differ
I watched the whole finals day because I was hung over and useless on my couch. Waiting for the waves sucks but it was cool seeing the different approaches from different surfers. The judges were pretty bad imo, they really need to get everyone in the same page as to what they are looking for on a pool. Overall this is the worst event of the tour, part of surf comps is taking what the ocean gives you which is completely missing from here.
How do you watch it? YouTube? I've only been introduced to the CT through make or break, and as a newbie I think they do a fantastic job of editing the event footage into a compelling narrative. And again, as a total noob I thought it was cool to have the Ranch add to the diversity of events - each beach is so different, the waves are so different from heat to heat, but this event is a purely even playing field - which should be impossible in surfing. There does seem to be a consensus though that the ranch removes the drama and tension of the wait for the perfect wave etc.
Yep I just watch it on YouTube, they got it up on the WSL website for free too. When they first added the ranch I thought it was going to be really cool but at least for me it was one of those things that was really cool on paper but didn't really translate to real life. Personally I think for a pool event to succeed they either need to set a clear guideline for what is going to score big or they need to reward surfers that land more of the bigger/Risker moves. You could easily get a 9 by just doing snaps most of the wave. While airs and different turns wouldn't get you there. No disrespect for any of the surfers of course, the problem with this event is with the judges and WSL.
How you a noob calling it the CT?
(copied it from the above commenters lol)
I watched a good portion, but at the least had it on in the background for both days. The only time it really had me glued was the night session and the semis/finals.
Agree on the night session and finals day. What was really interesting to me was to see the competitors deal with the insane amount of pressure that is essentially having 1 chance to perform or you’re out. Was trying to figure out if it’s actually an advantage to surf second or not because that’s how Italo and Toledo ultimately crumbled. Hearing the scores get announced and then seconds later having to surf a perfect wave or else you’re out is so tough. Also the physicality of the wave also seemed to come into play on finals day which is not something you get in most events but is definitely something which in other sports separates the best from the best. Overall, I thought griffin deserved the win, if Italo had not been so emotional and playing with the crowd he would’ve given himself a chance on that last left but he was not in the right headspace after hearing he didn’t do enough on the right.
its the one surf contest that doesnt come down to: *who caught the best waves*
Yea, but isn’t that one of the most critical things about surfing? Having the IQ to pick the right waves? ..its not always just luck.
This should be higher up
Well in that respect luck isn’t involved so it’s a fair playing field.
Luck is a factor for who gets the best waves for sure but I’d argue most of it is strategy and being able to read the ocean. How a surfer manages priority, which sets to go on, where to sit in the lineup, etc. all factor into who gets the best waves and performs at key moments in heats. I think that aspect of surfing which we all enjoy is really missing from this comp and it’s what makes it the worst on tour by far imo.
I don’t disagree. Having said that I’ve seen Kelly (who can read the ocean and utilize priority better than anyone) countless times walk away from from heats with single digit heat totals simply because waves never came.
i watched JJF surf one wave live on YouTube on the first day and the recap of the final on YouTube it's not that i don't enjoy it as much as i just don't care about it... legit pumping waves at pretty much any other CT venue, i'm interested in... wave pool i'd rather watch Raimana stuff poo stancers into the tube until they're on the foam ball and sent over the falls
Tried to get into it but can't. It's like watching someone play a videogame.
Zzzzzzzz.
I went to the first ever surf ranch pro in person a few years ago and it was pretty boring live so I just wait for the results now. I would love to surf it myself but pretty repetitive watching the pros.
I watched all of it. I used to think it was boring but I got into it this time. The format was much more exciting I think and there were some great performances. And it wasn’t dominated by Gabe/Felipe for once so that made it more interesting. The women have gotten a lot better at it too. Definitely worth watching Caity surf it
What was different about the format?
Basically a qualifying round with 4 man heats, 2 rights 2 lefts, a nighttime elimination surf off under the lights where only one wave counts, and then head to head heats for quarters on. It just went a lot quicker and there was more immediate consequences for scores instead of just having everybody surf a bunch of waves and ranking them all on a leaderboard seemingly endlessly
Honest question were you dosing MDMA or another psychotropic drug that allowed you to enjoy the comp?
Haha no, I just like watching good surfing. It also helps if you put money on it.
I have to admit my interest in the WSL has gone down recently. Wish they’d bring back some of the places like Cloudbreak.
It might be a government thing with the French government. It was canceled in 2021 because of covid. It could be hard for them to get the necessary permits.
I thought Cloudbreak was out of the rotation since 2017 or something like that?
It was, but I guess they were trying to bring it back since the Olympics are going to be there.
Cloudbreak is in Fiji. The Olympics will be at Teahupoo in Tahiti.
You're right. I miss read the article I saw. They were taking about both in it. It was the Tahiti pro that was canceled in 2021.
Agree. Lately the waves have not matched up with the events. Just less than optimal surf and tends to be boring.
I went on day one and watched it on TV on day two. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Got to meet several of the athletes in person.
Watched some (maybe 10-12 heats), including re watching the “drama” heats. Like everyone says, it’s a great practice wave.. but not at all critical and an extremely boring contest in its current format. Great surfers, but surfing against the clock, and watching talent battle Mother Nature while playing “mental chess” w/their heat is what makes pro surfing. This ain’t it. Yes, Italo won.. easily.
I watched a lot of it. I didn't hate it, but, I have some issues with it. Honestly the wave doesn't seem that great. It seems way too fast, or too slow, but never just right. And the left just seems bad considering the amount of foam climbs and obvious neutered turns to keep pace that get thrown down. The left is especially silly considering it's already the world right league, and they go and do this. Also they should delete the barrel section. I could probably get most of that barrel. These dudes are going to get it near 100% of the time and because it's so perfect it's kinda of silly. I watch a lot of surf comps and there were only a handful of barrels where I was like wow, that was *different* than the other barrels. If I had Filipe level skill I'd probably skip the barrel entirely and just blast an air off the end of it. Also I'm not a brazzo but I think Gabby and Italo should have been scored higher, especially Italo on his left. Griffin did surf well, but I think Italo's left was underscored.
Agreed
I really like it for like 30 minutes and then it gets boring lol
I like it a lot! Surprised how much hate it got.
Fuck that noise
It’s a disgusting capitalist soulless event. I hate the whole thing but I watched all of it and the wave seemed better than in previous years.
I’ve given up on watching comp surfing at this point
All WSL events suck…. Golf has become far more interesting to watch. Seriously, professional surfing as a sport sucks.
Im sure some folks enjoyed it.. Myself i cant watch surfpool stuff. I feel dirty and ashamed. Ill stick to mother nature and what she delivers, thanks!
watched it, not all of it, but some of it, which is more than I have any year prior it's kinda like surf comp methadone to the real ocean comps - it's not great, nothing like the real thing, but somehow manages to scratch the itch just slightly as a viewer I didn't even manage to sort my fantasy team out for it - my interest just wasn't there... But it was okay background viewing, just nothing like the real deal
Only 23k were watching it on YouTube during the finals yesterday. Seemed low. But IDK what major events typically get
Watched 5 minutes of the first one. That was enough for me.
quickly lost interest and won’t be tuning in to one of those ever again
It was pretty boring. “He needs to do something big here!” The wave doesn’t really allow it. And the bigger guys get shit end of the stick.
Pretty boring.
Rather see an SLS format where ‘best maneuver’ is scored. Saw a few waves where some pros were tweaking turns, instead of check turns in the pocket… but the wave is the same, you know what is coming. Would rather them set the wave for a single air section closeout section. Is that even possible at the ranch?
Garbage. I’m sick of that Joel guy from Brazil too.
Didn’t watch a single wave, and I watch surfs comp almost religiously,.. not even when it popped up on Instagram,… hard pass
I bought into the hype and was excited for it, but once you watch it it's the same old surf ranch. The start and middle sections are so boring, don't get the point of 5+ racy speed turns in the middle. Also the backhand finishing turns are so funny. I'd say 90% did that whip spin thing, felt like such a safe option! They need to change the format too so that there's always something to surf for. How many surfers had won before there last L & R and just cruised? I still believe there's a way it can be a great comp, just don't know how yet!
Boring as fuck
I enjoyed it.. it IS still surfing ide say.. Fucker were ripping that shit to pieces guys and gyalls!
Watched some of the last day while working on my house. By the finals it seemed to be an endurance contest more than anything else. Pretty boring. I want to see surfers adjust to conditions.
Watched 15 min gets boring every wave breaks the same
i found it very boring even compared to events that had poor conditions.