You know already that surfing is moving into uncharted territory. Airs have become commonplace. Wave pools are popping up all over the place. A man-made wave is actually on the tour. Most of the old power surfers, the so-called “old guard”, have taken themselves out to pasture or are heading towards for the fences. A whole new crop of surfers have entered the fray, and pro surfing looks a hell of a lot different than it did a decade ago. With the Surf Ranch Pro officially in the books, we’ve been afforded a glimpse into the future: giant airs and mechanical waves. And who better to showcase it than Filipe Toledo? On finals day at the Surf Ranch Pro, he lofted his way through three giant airs and stunned the crowd. Judges threw a 9.80 at him—but if this isn’t a ten, what the hell is?
