Standup Zone Forum
Stand Up Paddle => SUP General => Topic started by: surfafrica on September 21, 2017, 11:38:55 AM
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Sorry if this is a repeat post....
The WSL ran a test contest yesterday at Slater's wave pool. The wave looks really fast! Love how they get each surfer to surf both lefts and rights in the heat (2 rights, 2 lefts--they keep their best right and best left score).
http://www.worldsurfleague.com/posts/273303/one-small-step-for-surfers-one-giant-leap-for-surfing
http://www.worldsurfleague.com/posts/273519/pro-surfings-founders-get-a-glimpse-of-the-future
If they can get one of these up and running for the Olympics (which is the plan), it could be an interesting watch. Like snowboarding progression in halfpipe, I'm sure the surfing will get more and more technical (though, I used to like watching snowboard halfpipe back in the day of big stylish tweaked out method airs over the current super technical spins…but I'm a grumpy old man when it comes to that).
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Some interesting quotes:
"Going in, many thought the judges would be parsing scores by the hundredth of a point. In fact, it was easier than ever to justify scores, especially with the help of extra-slow motion replay available on every turn."
Mark Richards: "Coming in I thought the judging was going to be really difficult, because I envisioned every wave being exactly the same, but that wasn't the case at all," he explained. "We saw people falling off waves, guys drawing different lines, and surfers reading the wave better than others. It was actually really easy to tell who did better than the other."
Slater: "When the playing field is level, it's a lot easier to see who utilized it more uniquely, or better, with no bobbles," said Slater. "And the whole idea of getting a 10-point ride on one maneuver is done -- that could never happen here."
Jordy: "I got properly drilled out there," said Jordy Smith. "That wave is powerful and when you fall you get worked."
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Love it or hate, it's here...gonna be interesting to see where things go (both for pros and the paying public).
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It'll also be interesting to see the teams in the Olympics. Who will make it from the US, Aus, Brazil? What about non-traditional surf countries like Sweden, China, Russia, Canada?
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That will highlight what I don't like about the Olympics now. It is easy and common to switch your country. Every one recruits new citizens just to compete
Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk
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3 years from the Olympics and only Slater/USA have the technology... playing field isn't really level... but anyway I have no interest in Olympics
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Thanks for posting this, I enjoyed watching the video. Something about it seemed different than most contest footage. Maybe because it's a test, or that the jockeying and wave selection strategies are irrelevant and non existent?
I really felt a big fun and stoke factor, maybe it's the novelty combined with the reality that they aren't taking over a coastal surf spot and "taking" waves from the locals? Seems like a very high vibration and something that would be awesome to be a part of.
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Only about 3 hours away from the SF Bay Area, yet not for the public :(
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surfing with no threat of sharks...nice!
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I have very little interest in even surfing in a wave pool. It might be fun occasionally but half my enjoyment of surfing is being at the beach and in the ocean and as for actually surfing...the variability of mother natures waves. It would be fun to experience perfection but that would get old fast.
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+1 Stoney!
Also, bopping about in the ocean surf with no pressure of the clock to catch his/her share of waves is the part of the allure (to me). I think it'd be cool to try the wavepool once or twice but I know me....I'd feel the pressure of wanting to squeeze out my monies worth (as in wanting to catch every wave when it was my turn and getting a full ride) - a bit hard to see a lot of fun in that. I fall at the beach (the norm) and its a casual paddle back out and wait to do it again...however long it takes.
8)
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A punchy wave, with a real tube, speed and perfect conditions.
The dream of every surfer.... but like all dreams, once realized, it may become less important.
Time will tell. Kudos to Kelly and his team for making a real wave happen!
Contests aren't for contestants... they are for sponsors.
They will be able to hype the hell out of this.
Stage and combatants.... very Romanesque.
I'll continue to chase waves the old fashion way and enjoy the parking lot, "after session" vibe.... but sign me up for a session at KellyLand!
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This reminds me of indoor rock gyms and how they integrated into the climbing scene. But I guess the cost and size of these pools is a lot more, so maybe not such a wide impact.
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I think its pretty awesome. Remember this is just the beginning of what a wave can look like. As the technology matures, changing waves, with different peaks and sizes will come. To me this is yet another way to enjoy water time. I would love to try it.
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Here's another creative look at the contest (w/o commentary) and the pool, but put to music, which is 'eh', but fitting if you like it.
https://vimeo.com/234779991
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OK as someone who has spent ENORMOUS amount of hours surfing in wave pools (Back in the Mid Eighties nothing a tenth as good as what Kelly's is) Let me say this will revolutionize surfing waves as we know it In the natural ocean and other wise I do not want to hazard a guess if it will be all positive or negative. Probably a little of both
The Olympics in a wavepool is the only fair way to hold it and again positive or negative is your call
The reality is "poo pooing" it and infering it is not really surfing is short sighted and foolish You probably will end up eating your words
Keep your eyes out they are coming and in some cases are here EMBRACE the future... It's the only way to FLY!
Oh yeah check out the picture ... HOW MANY WORLD CHAMPS, PipeLine MASTER"S Champs can you see in that picture...And the young good looking guy in the middle isn't one of them...
JimK
Extreme Windsurfing
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Great picture Jimmy the K
He's my updated version
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Only about 3 hours away from the SF Bay Area, yet not for the public :(
Many ski resorts are over 3 hour drives from major cities. Tahoe is 3.5 hour drive from SF bay without traffic. Mammoth is 4.5 hour drive from LA. Yet droves of people make the drive.
Imagine how much the surf industry would expand if there was a KellyLand in landlocked states? It would give access to those who never even thought about surfing. People who usually only buy khaki shorts will end up buying board shorts. Kelly Slater can make more money than he ever did as a pro surfer if he plays his cards right.