Stab Magazine | WSL Adds Wavepool Event To 2018 CT Calendar

Live Now: Cheat Codes With Coco Ho

668 Views

WSL Adds Wavepool Event To 2018 CT Calendar

For the first time in the 21st century, a wavepool will help decide our world champions.  

news // Nov 18, 2017
Words by stab
Reading Time: 2 minutes

In a press release this morning, the WSL has announced they’re adding a wave pool event to the 2018 CT calendar. 

WSL CEO, Sophia Goldschmidt, had this to say: “Based on the results of our test event this year and the feedback from surfers training at the facility throughout the season, next September’s event has the potential to be something special for both surfers and fans. We’re only scratching the surface of how this technology can be applied and it is completely game-changing for the sport.”

True, and exciting. 

Then Kieren Perrow, WSL Commissioner chimed in, saying: “It’s incredible what the WSL and KSWC teams have developed at Surf Ranch over the past year and California’s Central Valley now boasts a world-class wave. This technology, and its ability to deliver high-quality waves at any location in the world, opens so many possibilities for how we can complement and evolve the competitive experience.”

https://player.vimeo.com/video/234779991

As we’ve already witnessed, the wavepool’s inclusion to the CT calendar will breed a variety of reactions from surfing fans — some positive, some negative. One potential issue is that while some competitors (namely Slater and his cronies) have had ample time to practice in the pool, others have had limited access to Lemoore, putting them at a disadvantage for the event.

Stab reached out to the WSL for comment on this issue, who replied: “Since Version 2 came online in September, the WSL Surf Ranch facility in Lemoore has been available as a training facility for all CT surfers. This will continue to be the case in the lead up to and following the scheduled CT event in September 2018. The Commissioner’s Office has been overseeing the scheduling to ensure that all CT athletes have ample opportunity to train there.”

Another question is whether or not pool surfing should be considered worthy of deciding world champions. In my opinion, September’s specialty event proved that, despite certain technical glitches, a competition at The Ranch is a fun and feasible endeavor. The wave’s perpetual sameness adds a unique flavor to surf events, being that riders can no longer rely on wave selection or priority usage as part of their competitive strategy. It now comes down to on-wave performance, with an emphasis on degree of difficulty and, of course, not falling. How the event will be structured into a CT-compatible format has yet to be explained.

I think most would agree that professional surfing needs change. The inclusion of a wavepool event is Step One in the WSL’s massive transformation effort, and a great stepping-stone for the alleged overhaul of 2019.   

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

From ‘Blue Ribbon Cross Country Runner’ to Vogue – How Steph Again Is Back With A Rip Curl Remix

Everything we know about the she-GOATs sponsorship boomerang.

Mar 18, 2024

Stab Interview: Darren Handley On Why You Can’t Buy The Winning Stab In The Dark Model

And his decades-long standoff with Slater.

Mar 17, 2024

Griff Embraces Portugal’s Eternal Time Loop To Vanquish Medina + Ewing, Defay Delays The Inevitable

A redeeming closing act at Supertubos.

Mar 16, 2024

The Secret Behind Lungi Slabb’s Inconceivable Greenmount Funnel

Six broken boards, one leaking forehead, and five days of Superbank mysticism.

Mar 16, 2024

Cheat Codes: 2,000 Hours Worth Of Travel Advice From Coco Ho

Hard-earned wisdom from 989,000 miles in the troposphere.

Mar 15, 2024

Dane Reynolds On The Best + Worst Surfboard He’s Designed, Why The ‘Neckbeard’ Is A Misnomer, And How To Appear Cultured When Sizing Up A New Stick

Plus, an introduction to the newly-minted CI Dumpster Diver 2.

Mar 14, 2024

The Most Cinematic Surf Film Since ‘View From A Blue Moon?’

The best wave of Noah Beschen's life at sinister Chopes and 540s with Tyler, The…

Mar 13, 2024

Watch: ‘Vacation 2’ Presented By Monster Energy

Stab Highway Europe winners visit House of Somos, Costa Rica.

Mar 13, 2024

DHD Wins Stab In The Dark With Kolohe Andino

Plus, which Orwellian Premium members best prophesied our Stab In The Dark winners?

Mar 12, 2024

The Shortest Day At Supertubos

Early bird gets the skunk.

Mar 12, 2024

Watch: Kelly Slater Bails On Onshore Portugal, Gets Supertubed at Kirra Instead

“No ski. No runarounds. No snaps.”

Mar 12, 2024

Rumor: 8x World Champion Stephanie Gilmore To Leave Roxy For Another Legacy Surf Brand

The woman who Kelly Slater called 'God's gift to surfing' ignites a bidding war.

Mar 12, 2024

The Longest Day At Supertubos

Much to love, little to hate.

Mar 12, 2024

Joel Parkinson, Jay Davies, And Mark Zuckerberg Jog Into A Jingoistic Surf Biathlon…

An American's POV of the Australian Boardriders Battle.

Mar 11, 2024

No SuperToobs Today, But We’ll Never Turn Down A Rippable Wedge

Any port in a storm.

Mar 10, 2024

The Serendipitous Tale Of A Barnacle-Encrusted 10’0” That Survived 300 Days + 700kms On The East Australia Current

Paddy Power’s big wave gun was lost at Wedding Cake Island, Sydney and collected (by…

Mar 10, 2024

Was Fiji Last Week As Special As The Thundercloud Swell Of 2012?

“I’ve never seen so many people get so many good ones,” said 2023 SSOTY Nathan…

Mar 9, 2024

SEOTY: Hughie Vaughan Discovered A New Wave In Indonesia — But He Doesn’t Know Where It Is

Watch 'Nibbler' — the 17-year-old's bite-sized 2024 Stab Edit of The Year entry.

Mar 9, 2024
Advertisement