Recommended Read: The 10 Most Pivotal Women in Surfing’s History

Good read up at The Inertia (great site) from Sabrina Morris on the 10 most pivotal women in surfing history. In a sport that has often been a bit of a boy's club, it's always great to recognize some of the women who helped break down those barriers over the years and bring females into the mainstream of surf culture. Just take a look at how good the Women's CT is right now. Check it out.

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Trailer

Waiting period starts March 24th.  Preview coming next week.

Toledo to Miss Bells, Likely Margaret River Too

Ready for a World Title race shakeup? Well, it looks like we can remove Filipe Toledo from the running in 2016, as the Brazilian looks like he’ll miss the next two events of the Championship Tour season. Toledo injured his groin when landing an aerial maneuver at Snapper Rocks during the semifinal of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast. His landing was altered by some backwash on the wave, causing his body to be compacted much more than he likely expected. Toledo was a warrior out there, though, toughing out the remainder of the heat and nearly winning it. It was clear, though, in watching Toledo surf the remainder of the semifinal that he was in pain and unable to perform to his usual level.

It's easy to forget how dangerous aerial maneuvers can be.
Courtesy of Stephen Tyler PJs

It was a big hit to lose Toledo from the Quiksilver Pro, as it appeared that he was headed for a second consecutive win there. What’s even more significant, though, is that this essentially removes him from World Title contention. A lot of people thought 2016 would be Toledo’s year, as he came close to winning it all last year. Missing two events, however, makes it nearly impossible to accrue enough points to contend for the World Title. Toledo will look to get healthy and compete in as many event as possible, but the repercussions will be felt throughout the CT ranks in the wake of this news. As if the upset-riddled Quiksilver pro didn't cloud the World Title race enough.

Follow Morgan, founder of Go Left, on Twitter @GoLeftSurf

Takeaways From the Gold Coast

The World Surf League Championship Tour season kicked off this past week with a pair of events that were exciting, dramatic and entertaining. Here are some takeaways from the Gold Coast:

The Winners: Let’s start with Matt Wilkinson. Snapper marked Wilko’s first CT victory, and he was a standout all the way through. I had a good feeling about Wilko heading into the event, putting him on my Fantasy Surfer team, but I didn't expect him to win the event. The Aussie surfed the minimum number of heats possible in the event, and his backhand was on full display on each day of competition. He’s just the third goofyfoot (Go Left!) to win the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, and he did it in convincing fashion. Some people may point to the Filipe Toledo injury and try to cheapen the victory, but don’t let that influence you. A win on the CT is incredibly tough to pull off, and some really good surfers never get one.

Matt Wilkinson's backhand is lethal.
Courtesy of Rian Castillo

As for Tyler Wright, I have to say that her win was even more impressive than Wilko’s. I’ve had a feeling that we were going to see a new Tyler Wright in 2016, and so far so good on that prediction. She looked great in Round 1 and never stopped shredding. Perhaps what is most impressive about her win is that she had to finish it out with wins over Carissa Moore and Courtney Conlogue, the Top 2 surfers from 2015. Wright seems focused and ready to seriously contend for the World Title this season, and she’ll be wearing yellow at Bells.

*I’d like to give a special nod Glenn “Micro” Hall, who began coaching both Wilko and Tyler this past offseason. He’s off the tour now, but he’s making more of an impact than ever. I dare say more people could be clamoring for his services in the not-too-distant future.

The Upsets and Rookies: The Quiksilver pro was filled with upsets, as guys like Julian Wilson, Mick Fanning and Gabriel Medina were all bounced really early at Snapper. Conner Coffin, Kanoa Ingarashi and Caio Ibelli all reached Round 5, which is basically unheard of for a trio of rookies in their first event of the year. I was especially impressed with Coffin, who possesses a powerful rail game that should net him some big scores in several spots on tour this season. Is this the year of parity in the CT ranks, or was this just a fluke occurrence?

The Women’s CT: The Women’s CT is in a great place right now. There are multiple surfers that are legitimately capable of winning a World Title, especially if Carissa Moore has a down year (dubious). But it’s not just top-heavy anymore. The depth of the women’s tour is only getting better, and standout performances by the likes of Johanne Defay and Bronte Macauley only prove this further.

Johanne Defay showed some progressive surfing on the Gold Coast.
Courtesy of chde.eu

Stu Kennedy's Board: Stuart Kennedy was the talk of the event for most of the week. His board looked faster than any other, and he parlayed that drive all the way to the Semifinals. Kennedy took down Kelly, Medina and John John along the way, showing that he is deserving of the major sponsor he lacks. While his performance was electric, his equipment may have gotten more attention. The Sci-Phi model is actually due to be released soon, and designed by none other than Slater Designs.

Mick Fanning’s Requalification: Mick has said he’s only going to surf select events this season, but he intends on requalifying for 2017. However, with a Round 3 exit at Snapper, Mick may have to surf more events than he wants to in order to earn enough points. Of course, he’ll probably win at Bells and shut me up, so let’s move along.

Toledo’s Injury: Filipe Toledo injured his hip/back/leg/unclear landing an air on some backwash. We don’t have much information, but he was headed from the beach to the hospital for some tests. He seemed pretty upbeat in a quick interview before his departure, so hopefully it’s not that serious. If he is forced to miss any events, it really shakes up the World Title race.

Some post-Snapper rankings that stand out:

Men’s CT

1. Matt Wilkinson: Speaks for itself.

2. Kolohe Andino: I thought 2015 was going to be a big year for Brother. Maybe I was a year early?

3. Stuart Kennedy: He should get a lot of injury replacement slots this season, so get used to seeing him.

5. Joel Parkinson: Parko looked good at Snapper before running into the buzz saw that was a pre-injury Toledo. Does he have another title run left in him?

5. John John Florence: John John looks motivated and more strategic. Every other surfer on tour should take note.

9. Conner Coffin: He was the most impressive of the rookies at Snapper.

13. Mick Fanning: Surprisingly early exit from the three-time world champ.

13. Gabriel Medina: Another slow start to the year is not what the former champ is looking for.

25. Julian Wilson: It was an ugly couple of days for Julian, who didn’t look like himself. Let’s hope he gets himself right for Bells.

Women’s CT

1. Tyler Wright: Could it be her year?

3. Carissa Moore: She didn’t look great, but she still made the semis. Look for fireworks at Bells.

5. Steph Gilmore: She’s back, but she’s not all the way back. Will she pick up steam as the season goes on?

5. Tatiana Weston-Webb: I really really impressed by the young Hawaiian at Snapper. How long until she’s competing for a World Title?

9. Bronte Macauley: Loved her style, and would love to see her in some events this season.

13. Sally Fitzgibbons: Sally experienced her first-ever Round 2 exit this week. Don’t expect it to become a regular thing. 

Follow Morgan, Founder of Go Left, on Twitter @GoLeftSurf

Quiksilver Pro Quarterfinal Preview

I don’t think anyone expected to see so many big names fall so early in the Quiksilver Pro, and we’ve got an interesting field of surfers remaining in the Quarterfinals. Let’s take a look at the next four heats:

Heat 1 – Filipe Toledo vs. Joel Parkinson: This is a battle of the young guns and the air game vs. the old guard and the rail game. It's the most intriguing heat of the quarterfinals in my opinion, as I could see either of these guys taking home the win in this event. Both Filipe and Parko have won at Snapper before, but Toledo has looked like the best surfer thus far this year. If Parko beats Toledo, I’d consider it an upset at this point. I can’t imagine typing that two years ago.

Heat 2 – Matt Wilkinson vs. Adriano De Souza: Wilko has surfed the minimum amounts of heats at the Quiksilver Pro to this point, and he’s looked really good doing so. However, he gets the reigning World Champ here. De Souza looked to be in trouble early in his Round heat against Connor Coffin, but he battled back in classic Adriano fashion and took home the win. If Wilko can beat De Souza here it could give him some amazing momentum to carry on throughout the season.

Heat 3 – Kolohe Andino vs. Adrian Buchan: Kolohe has looked electric at Snapper thus far, and maybe 2016 is going to be a massive bounce-back campaign for the young Californian. Ace Buchan has looked powerful and aggressive on the Gold Coast this year, though, so he can’t take this heat lightly. Kolohe has more upside in this matchup, but Ace is the more reliable surfer historically. It’s a tough call to choose a favorite here. Both guys have looked impressive.

Kolohe Andino is capable posting huge scores at any time.
Courtesy of Patrick Warren

Heat 4 – John John Florence vs. Stuart Kennedy: This should be a thrill ride of a heat if the guys get good waves coming through the lineup, and maybe even if they don't. John John has looked dynamic and focused in this event, an extremely dangerous combo. He has been tearing apart Snapper this year, drawing creative lines and showcasing his full repertoire. Kennedy, though, has been perhaps the most electric surfer in the event. His board has looked faster and shown more pop than anyone else’s. He’s already posted some huge upsets in the Quiksilver Pro, so who’s to say he doesn’t have another one in him? 

Follow Morgan, founder of Go Left, on Twitter @GoLeftSurf

Roxy Pro Semifinals Set

While the Quiksilver Pro has seen some major upsets and big names going down early, we’ve gotten more chalk from the Roxy Pro. That's not necessarily a bad thing, though, as we've got some of the top surfers on the CT on contention. The Semifinals are all set for the event, so let’s take a look at the heats:

Heat 1 – Tyler Wright vs. Carissa Moore: This is a monster heat. Carissa is the reigning World Champ, as well as the 2015 Roxy Pro champ, and she’s looked very solid in this event so far. She hasn’t been on fire, though, so she could be beatable. If anyone can take her down, it very well could be Tyler. Moore has traditionally dominated these head-to-head matchups, but Wright looks like a different surfer in 2016. She seems focused and determined, and she’s been extremely powerful and creative at Snapper thus far. This should be a fantastic heat.

Tyler Wright has looked great in this event, but a matchup with Carissa Moore looms.
Courtesy of chde.eu

Heat 2 – Courtney Conlogue vs. Johanne Defay: Courtney has looked extremely consistent since losing her Round 1 heat, and she definitely looks to have the form to win this event. She drew the lucky straw in the semis here, as she avoids both Tyler and Carissa. Don’t sleep on Defay, though, as she has really looked impressive on the Gold Coast this year. In her Quarterfinal matchup with Tatiana Weston-Webb, Johanne pulled a ridiculous nose pick in a fashion that we don’t often see on the Women’s CT. The girls are getting more and more progressive, and it makes things more exciting. Courtney is certainly the favorite in this heat, but don't put her in the Final just yet. 

*Quiksilver Pro Quarterfinal Preview coming later today*

Follow Morgan, founder of Go Left, on Twitter @GoLeftSurf

Upsets Abound on the Gold Coast

If there has been one theme of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, it’s been the upsets. We have seen giant after giant slain by wild cards and replacements, and the remaining field certainly doesn’t look like what I expected to see. The boys are halfway through the non-elimination Round 4, but there are not many big names left.

The first big upset came two days ago when Julian Wilson went down in Round 2. He looked off in his Round 1 heat, and Sebastian Zietz took him out the next round. One heat later Kelly Slater fell to Stu Kennedy, setting the tone for the upset theme at Snapper.

Things continued to get wacky in Round 3, where we saw Mick Fanning, Gabriel Medina and Taj Burrow all go down. However, one juggernaut that looked as good as we expected was Filipe Toledo. Toledo has won all of his heats, including Round 4, and has already locked up a spot in the Quarterfinals. He looks like the in-form surfer of the event thus far, and we could see back-to-back wins for the Brazilian on the Gold Coast. I mean, just look:

Aside from Toledo, we’ve still got big guns like John John Florence, Joel Parkinson and Adriano De Souza lurking, but there are also surprises like Stu Kennedy and Conner Coffin still alive. Both guys have looked excellent on this event, and it will be interesting to see just how deep that can advance. Toledo and Matt Wilkinson have locked up their spots in the quarters, and we should see more heats today.

Here are the latest highlights: