There are 10s and then there are perfect 10s. In the WSL scoring system, each wave is scored by five judges, the highest and lowest individual judge’s scores are dropped, and the average of the remaining three scores is what you get. In other words, you can score a 10 even if one of the judges gives a score lower than that. However, to go absolutely perfect, all five judges must give out that score of 10. While it all shakes out to the same heat score, a perfect 10 does have a certain prestige to it.
Caio’s 10 point ride was a well-deserved perfect 10 (and the first perfect 10 of his career). On a day of imperfect conditions, in the words of Chris Cote, “the magician pulled a rabbit out of his hat.” A late, deep drop saw Caio pumping before his rail was even fully engaged on the wave, it was the kind of tube where you write it off as a closeout, look away, look back, and somehow, the rider emerges. Beautiful read, beautiful surfing, beautiful 10. Thanks, Caio, for giving us the second 10 of the season.
