“I Don’t Like It Because I Don’t Think It’s Fair.” - Stab Mag
415 Views
Photo by Poullenot/WSL

“I Don’t Like It Because I Don’t Think It’s Fair.”

Gabriel Medina shares feelings on the Finals Format during interview with The New York Times.

elsewhere // Sep 10, 2021
Words by stab
Reading Time: < 1 minute

Professional surfing has declared its full time residence in major news outlets.

The social momentum surfing carried into the Olympic Games has been refueled by the upcoming WSL Finals. A recent New York Times piece, which didn’t get past the first sentence without using the word “vibe”, gathered quotes from some of the finalists in anticipation of the event.

Surprisingly, there were actually some chunks of pulp in the typically steril surfer juice poured down the general public’s gullet.

When asked about the finals format, Gabriel Medina said:

 “I don’t like it because I don’t think it’s fair. You spend your life, a year-long, and now the last event in September, you’re gonna decide all your year? I don’t know about business. I don’t know how it works. They tried to do something different.”

There have been some mixed feelings on this year’s end game, and with an 11,000 point lead, it’s no wonder Gabriel feels the way he does.

Click here for the full story, featuring interviews with Steph Gilmore, Erik Logan, and more.

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

GP And Lakey Win The West, Both Gabbys in Gold

+ a mild priority controversy in the men's final.

Apr 26, 2026

Contenders Contend After A Week Off

Semifinalists decided in sloppy Main Break conditions

Apr 25, 2026

Is Chief Keef Surf Music? | StabMic Episode 11

Dane Reynolds + Timo Simmers discuss scoring surf vids and sometimes scoring waves.

Apr 24, 2026

Who Is The Most Widely Adored Female Surfer In The World? 

Revealed by the results of our reader survey. 

Apr 24, 2026

The Gold Coast Premiere Of Ethan Ewing’s Stab in the Dark

Beers, boards, shaper banter and star talent to pack out Kirra Surf on May 3. 

Apr 23, 2026

The World’s Top 10 Favorite Male Surfers 

Or, what is marketability in 2026? 

Apr 22, 2026

Watch: Episode 02 of Stab in the Dark starring Ethan Ewing

The CT's apex predator on rail vs five World Title-winning shapers.

Apr 22, 2026

Watch: Creed McTaggart + Tom Morat On The Fender III

The EAST runner-up’s “souped up step down” gets a HP tweak.

Apr 21, 2026

“First Person To Punt Over The Rainbow Gets $5K”

Watch: A colorful Bum Rush with the Ho family

Apr 20, 2026

Two Surfers Stung By Box Jellyfish At Cloudbreak

“I'm lying in the boat convulsing going, ‘Fuck Dad, am I going to die?’” recalled…

Apr 20, 2026

The Hierarchy Holds Firm

Usual suspects progress in victory-at-sea conditions at Margs.

Apr 19, 2026

The Sport Of Short (And Muscular) Kings?

Is there an ideal body type for surfing? 

Apr 19, 2026

Is Surfing For The Rich? | StabMic Episode 10

Nate Fletcher & Dane Reynolds discuss the state of modern surfing.

Apr 17, 2026

Surfing’s Obsession With Proof

A photographer's musings on the enduring impact of surf imagery and our connection to it.

Apr 16, 2026

The Longest Day In WSL History Almost Ends In A Brawl

Twenty-eight heats and a non-interference call that spills out into the carpark.

Apr 16, 2026

Do Second Impressions Ever Last?

A preview of the Margaret River Pro, 2026.

Apr 15, 2026

SEOTY: Josh Burke Stars In ‘Real Estate’

Why we should pay more attention to the Caribbean.

Apr 13, 2026

Gabriela Bryan And Miguel Pupo Ding The ‘Pop

And the reigning world champs get knocked down a peg.

Apr 11, 2026
Advertisement