Leading up to the 2016 World Surf League Championship Tour season, I will be counting down my projected Top 10 surfers for the highest level of men's competitive surfing. A preview of the women's 2016 season is also to come.
Filipe Toledo, Brazil
2016 Go Left World Ranking Projection: 6
2015 World Ranking: 4
2015 WCT Wins: 3
Filipe Toledo is arguably the most exciting surfer on tour.
When he has the chance to take to the air, everybody on the beach collectively
holds their breath. Toledo experienced a serious breakout year in 2015, winning
two of the first four stops on the World Tour on his way to finishing fourth in
the rankings at year’s end. He had a shot at the World Title going into
Pipe, but so did several others surfers. While Toledo is known for his air game, he continues to improve the other facets
of his surfing each year. A ninth-place finish in Tahiti and a 13th in
Fiji show that he’s improving his barrel riding, something that needs to continue if he wants to win a World Title.
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| Filipe Toledo, doing what he does best and going to the air. Courtesy of Steven Tyler PJs |
Toledo is no longer just an aerial specialist, which makes him a
contender in 2016. However, I see a bit of regression coming in his ranking,
mostly due to the positives I expect from guys that could leapfrog him in the
ranks more than any negatives relating to Toledo. Filipe is still just 20 years
old, though, and if he makes significant strides at certainly tour stops this season he could end up winning
the World Title. I don’t think I can remember a season in which there were so
many legitimate World Title contenders. Hell, Brazil has three on its own. Toledo
is a must-see surfer in rampy conditions, and if he can continue to get better
at other events on tour he could very well be hoisting the hardware next winter.
Follow Morgan, founder of Go Left, on Twitter @GoLeftSurf
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