“Mick Will Be In The Quarters, At Worst!”

The Snapper Pro blew the doors off any preconceived notions that the 2018 WSL World Tour might be predictable.

At every turn, surf fans were met with surprise upsets, second-, third-, and fourth-round Giant Killings, late no-shows, and early-seasons shots across the bow of the Rookie of the Year race. 

With our heads still spinning from the Snapper/Kirra show, needing a little help making nose from tail, we tossed a few nagging questions at our own Pipe Master and perennial “Snake” in the WSL’s green, green grass, Jake Paterson, in hopes of finding some much needed clarity before the bell-ringing scheduled for next week in Torquay.

Stab: Quik Pro, What did you think? Did the results pan out how you expected?

Snake: Shocking results, I would say.

I personally didn’t think Thomas Hermes was going to make many heats this year, but boy did he prove me wrong! And Jules winning!? The guy only had one arm! Hahaha. I always say beware of the wounded athlete!!   

Mikey Wright beating one of the top dogs was not that shocking, but to beat two in a row [JJF and Gabby Medina] —just crazy stuff.

The list keeps going: Michael Rodrigues making the 1/4’s first event, Mick losing in the new round 4, where the third place gets eliminated. 

Mikey Wright and his pooch, celebrating taking down a few top CT dogs.

Photography

WSL

Now, Bells.

New scoring benchmark? Post Quik Pro, how will it look at Bells? What will they need to do to get a 10?

I don’t think there will be a 10 point ride at Bells.

The scale’s been dropped considerably, which is a good thing. The last few year we saw a few heats where the judges handed out 9 point rides pretty quick and easy, then the other guy blows up and should be rewarded a two point gap between waves, but there’s no wiggle room in the scale. The new scale should prevent this happening.  

Airs versus turns and power?

Bells is normally all about power turns, and drawing nice lines.

But does anyone remember that crazy final with Kelly and MF [Ed. Note: See above]? Mick drawing crazy power lines and Kelly taking to the air, and MF won!

All I know is that you will have to go crazy to get a big score. Surfing heats holding back is gone!

Rail work’s and gumption’s got Wade Carmichael this far, it’ll surely get him through a few rounds at Bells.

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WSL

Filipe And John? Will they be pushing progressive surfing? How?

In 2017, both these guys pushed the limits of how to push the limits in heats [laughs]. So exciting to watch.

Bells isn’t the best place for progressive surfing, but at places like Keramas, those two are going to be super crazy to watch. 

Griff – ripping! Saw him surf at Bells recently and he’s dominating! How do you think he is feeling, post-CT debut?

Griffin is having the best time ever. He is out of the gates and running. His style suits Bells down to the ground, so he is super excited to get a rashy back on.

Mick’s last surf. How will he go? What should we expect from him?

Mick will be in the Quarters, at worst.

He loves Bells, and surfs the place as good as anyone. I mean, John had to pull off a crazy Allie-oop last year, to knock him out.

I’m hoping for the Fairytale Finish: Mick will take the win in his final event ever!

“Mick will be in the Quarters, at worst…

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WSL

Now, Jordy Smith. He won last year going top-to-bottom, is he looking good to go again? Bunch of new boards under his feet…

Jordy has been so used to surfing on Channel Islands, that I think every spot on tour will take a little bit of time to get used to, with the new equipment. But he will be a dangerous man at Bells, for sure.  

Will Jords go back-to-back, and interrupt Mick’s Fairytale Bells finale? See you in Torquay!

Photography

WSL