Listen: A Midseason CT Audit

Those following the tours closely might struggle through this lull.

Struggle no longer, dear friends. With a month to go until the CT makes landfall in Tahiti again, Stace and Mikey take the opportunity to discuss all things related to the recent past and future of professional surfing contests.

Speaking from air conditioned living quarters in Canggu, where a young surfer known as Alfan (no last name) had just won the Quiksilver Air Show, Stace goes on to enumerate the reasons why Cloud 9 deserves its place on the CT. Two of them: a very good barrel and a world-class ramp.

From there, they move east to another contest that flew slightly under the radar: the Teahupo’o Trials, which officially guaranteed Eimeo Czermak (23) and Kelia Gallina’s (13) presence alongside Kelly Slater (54) at the upcoming Tahiti Pro, putting to rest any hopeful fan’s dreams of John John Florence sailing over there for a much awaited appearance at one of the waves he’s a specialist in.

The atypical first half of the 2026 CT season is succinctly unpacked event by event. Who won, who didn’t, who should have, and who, despite their ranking, still looks like the most likely world title contender.

To Leonardo Fioravanti go the spoils. To the losers goes Stace’s Adam Melling Cup, backed by a theory about what a mid-season stint on the CS does to surfers, their quivers, and their mental health.

Oh, and if you stick around long enough, you’ll also find out which CT surfers will be making an appearance at the Ballito Pro next week.