A dramatic day both in and out of the water at the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro.
Saturday began as an emotional one at Margaret River. Before the first horn blew Taj Burrow announced his CT retirement plans on the morning show, the gist of which amounts to him throwing a good size farewell party in Fiji this year. The 37-year-old has been a central figure on the elite tour for more than 18 years, and though his smile is still beaming as big and bright as ever, he's happiest at home now with his new family.
Taj Burrow talks about what factored into his decision to jump off the world tour for good after the Fiji Pro after 18 years of competing.
That time marches on isn't news. But Taj, like Kelly Slater, seemed not to be affected by it...until recently. The latest injection of tour talent has exposed kinks in the armor of kings. Last year Taj fell out of the Top 10 for the first time since 2001. Today, Kelly Slater went 0-2 during his heats, losing a close one to Kolohe Andino in the morning, and a not-so close one to Italian Leonardo Fioravanti in Round Two. Three events in, Kelly Slater has a single heat win on the season...against a wildcard at Bells.
Get the play-by-play from the heat of the day so far at the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro.
Meanwhile, there's a ton of fresh-faced talent making inroads this year, as well as a number of young veterans gaining traction as doors fly open. Round Two saw plenty of both...
Kolohe Andino - WSL / Ed Sloane
Kolohe Andino stuck to his guns in his Round One match against Kelly Slater and Miguel Pupo. Andino's early exit at Bells seemed a distant memory.
Jack Robinson - WSL / Kelly Cestari
Wildcard Jack Robinson fell short in his bid to play spoiler at Margaret River. He lost to an in-form Wiggolly Dantas, but not before putting his tube prowess on display.
The Brazilian makes mince meat of a solid wave in his Round Two heat at the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro.
Jeremy Flores - WSL / Ed Sloane
Jeremy Flores has been looking crisp so far, and won a tight battle with last year's powerhouse wildcard Jay Davies.
Jordy Smith - WSL / Ed Sloane
Jordy Smith put on a powerful performance in the bumpy conditions, seemingly unfazed by the elements that were creating drama for his competitors.
Leonardo Fioravanti - WSL / Kelly Cestari
They'll be raging in Rome on Saturday morning, when news of Leonardo Fioravanti's victory over Kelly Slater hits Italian shores.
Ace Buchan - WSL / Kelly Cestari
If Matty Wilko can come from nowhere to win back-to-back, it sort of begs the question...why can't Buchan? He might be thinking the same thing.
Adam Melling - WSL / Ed Sloane
Adam Melling is one of the most highly talented surfers on tour who rarely gets the close calls to go his way. Today was a different story. He brought Conner Coffin back to earth just a bit.
Caio Ibelli - WSL / Ed Sloane
Rookie Caio Ibelli is gaining fans with each passing day on tour. His violent attack on the wind-driven rights today was pace setting.
John John Florence - WSL / Ed Sloane
John John Florence has been lighting things up in and out of his jersey at Margaret River. He ripped his way into Round Three with a textbook performance on Saturday.
Alejo Muniz - WSL / Ed Sloane
Alejo Muniz returned to action for the first time since being injured in October of last year. He celebrated with a heat win.
Matt Banting - WSL / Kelly Cestari
Matt Banting got a much-needed win during a close heat with Stuart Kennedy in Round Two. Banting used the wind to his advantage while taking to the air.
Stuart Kennedy - WSL / Kelly Cestari
Stuart Kennedy was surfing incredibly well during his match with Banting, but a couple ill-timed tumbles cost him the heat, and handed him his first early-loss of the season.
Days of Decision
WSL
Saturday began as an emotional one at Margaret River. Before the first horn blew Taj Burrow announced his CT retirement plans on the morning show, the gist of which amounts to him throwing a good size farewell party in Fiji this year. The 37-year-old has been a central figure on the elite tour for more than 18 years, and though his smile is still beaming as big and bright as ever, he's happiest at home now with his new family.
That time marches on isn't news. But Taj, like Kelly Slater, seemed not to be affected by it...until recently. The latest injection of tour talent has exposed kinks in the armor of kings. Last year Taj fell out of the Top 10 for the first time since 2001. Today, Kelly Slater went 0-2 during his heats, losing a close one to Kolohe Andino in the morning, and a not-so close one to Italian Leonardo Fioravanti in Round Two. Three events in, Kelly Slater has a single heat win on the season...against a wildcard at Bells.
Meanwhile, there's a ton of fresh-faced talent making inroads this year, as well as a number of young veterans gaining traction as doors fly open. Round Two saw plenty of both...
Kolohe Andino stuck to his guns in his Round One match against Kelly Slater and Miguel Pupo. Andino's early exit at Bells seemed a distant memory.
Wildcard Jack Robinson fell short in his bid to play spoiler at Margaret River. He lost to an in-form Wiggolly Dantas, but not before putting his tube prowess on display.
Jeremy Flores has been looking crisp so far, and won a tight battle with last year's powerhouse wildcard Jay Davies.
Jordy Smith put on a powerful performance in the bumpy conditions, seemingly unfazed by the elements that were creating drama for his competitors.
They'll be raging in Rome on Saturday morning, when news of Leonardo Fioravanti's victory over Kelly Slater hits Italian shores.
If Matty Wilko can come from nowhere to win back-to-back, it sort of begs the question...why can't Buchan? He might be thinking the same thing.
Adam Melling is one of the most highly talented surfers on tour who rarely gets the close calls to go his way. Today was a different story. He brought Conner Coffin back to earth just a bit.
Rookie Caio Ibelli is gaining fans with each passing day on tour. His violent attack on the wind-driven rights today was pace setting.
John John Florence has been lighting things up in and out of his jersey at Margaret River. He ripped his way into Round Three with a textbook performance on Saturday.
Alejo Muniz returned to action for the first time since being injured in October of last year. He celebrated with a heat win.
Matt Banting got a much-needed win during a close heat with Stuart Kennedy in Round Two. Banting used the wind to his advantage while taking to the air.
Stuart Kennedy was surfing incredibly well during his match with Banting, but a couple ill-timed tumbles cost him the heat, and handed him his first early-loss of the season.
Drug Aware Margaret River Pro
The one-hour, narrated version of a classic WSL event.
The Brazilian surfer, who's known for his explosive maneuvers above the lip, suffered an ankle injury after the Quik Pro Gold Coast.
The Hawaiian goes from missing the bus to No. 2 in the world within a three month stretch.
A good portion of stories from the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro were happening back on land
Sebastian Zietz barrou o potiguar Italo Ferreira nas semifinais e tirou a vice-liderança no ranking do brasileiro.