Where’s Does Julian’s Backside Punt Land On The WSL’s List Of Best Airs?

Julian Wilson did today what many, this writer included, did not think the Australian could do – he clawed his way back into the 2018 World Title race.

And on the road to doing that, Julian landed a really, really gnarly backside air, which he used to beat current World #1 Gabriel Medina in the Quik Pro France semifinals.

Shall we peer through the fog?

Earlier this year we wondered if Filipe’s Rio punt was the biggest and cleanest in the history of professional surfing. While Julian’s French spinner may not quite compare, the fact it’s a 10 makes it worthy of comparison against the best airs ever in a CT jersey. 

Let’s look at a few other airs that could maybe rival it.

The WSL was kind enough to compile ~10 of them here.

Included: Medina in France, Slater in Bells and New York, John at Keramas, Julian at Portugal and J-Bay, and Filipe at Lowers, Brazil, and Brazil

Then from 2016/17, we have the following:

Italo Ferreira, Rip Curl Pro Portugal, 2016

John Florence, Quik Pro France, 2017

Skip to 1:30

John Florence, Rip Curl Pro Bells, 2017

Italo Ferreira, Quik Pro Snapper, 2017

Filipe Toledo, Quik Pro France, 2016 (skip to 1:51)

Gabriel Medina, Oi Rio Pro, 2016

And just as a reminder…

Filipe Toledo, Oi Rio Pro, 2018

So where does Julian’s fall?