Nolan Rapoza Goes On CS Rampage To Climb 56 Ranking Spots In 3 Days

Never have there been so many platitudes about how life should be lived, yet ironically, we now document it more than we live it.

However, we can’t fault Matt Myers and filmer Brady Lawrence for capturing and packaging the joys and tribulations of four eager Challenger Series combatants.

In the third episode of Wet Shoulder League, Nolan Rapoza, Levi Slawson, Alyssa Spencer, and Nat Young travel to South Africa with Coach Myers to compete in the Ballito Pro, the third event in the 2024 Challenger Series.

Although Alyssa, Levi, and Nat all finished the event with equal 25ths after being eliminated in the Round of 32, Nolan Rapoza’s winning streak only ended against event winner Ian Gouveia. NolRap’s runner-up finish is a career best for the Californian, who climbed 56 spots in the CS rankings — a stratospheric ascent to #8, just inside the CT Qualification Line.

Five days into the trip, Nat and Jett Schilling found themselves on an unexpected flight from Durban to Johannesburg, chasing after their “lost” board bags. While Nat managed to rescue his quiver intact, Jett reportedly received his in pieces.

Just before the contest began, the Myers Surf Mentorship Team found a fun bank not far from the competition site, appropriate for some lay day entertainment.

The bulk of the episode documents each MSM team member’s performance in the event. Highlights include Myers’ mic’d up live commentary, which comes across as commands to his mentees in the water.

“Gotta go huge, huge turn, CT turn, CT turn!” he shouts at Alyssa Spencer, followed by “Biggest turn of the year!”, which she completes to a “Phoaw!” from Myers. Despite a solid performance, Alyssa lost her heat when one of her best waves was deemed incomplete. This controversial judging flub became a recurring theme at this year’s event, drawing mockery from some competitors.

As the others bow out and Nat heads off to Namibia, Nolan emulates Medina at J-Bay with a huge reentry worth an 8.17 and a ticket into the quarters. “Just one giant turn, biggest turn of the year!” Myers shouts, seconds before it happens.

Nolan emerges as the unlikely hero of the episode. He thanks Nat Young for giving him “the formula” to punch through heats, goes on the WSL broadcast to disclose Levi’s new relationship status to surf fans worldwide, and delivers a heartfelt thank-you speech to his travel companions. A confidence-boosting run that might bring extra motivation to hop through Huntington next month.

Watch this space for upcoming episodes of Wet Shoulder League.