Do you think you could get a wave in a lineup with 13 CT surfers and 13 world titles? Photo: Screenshot//Surfers of Bali
Inserting one Championship Tour surfer into your local lineup drastically changes the dynamic. Whether they are taking all the waves or just creating a spectacle with an unworldly level of surfing, everyone notices their presence. Well, imagine adding 13 CT surfers and 13 world titles into a freesurf session. You might have a better time enjoying the show from the channel than trying to sneak waves off of the world’s best.
Before the Bells Beach CT kicked off, such a super-star session played out at Winkipop. World champs like Steph Gilmore, Yago Dora, and Caity Simmers paddled out in clean, offshore conditions to get their feet wet before the season opener, and the Surfers of Bali YouTube channel was there to capture it. The aforementioned surfers were joined by Ethan Ewing, Marco Mignot, Sawyer Lindblad, Callum Robson, Barron Mamiya, Jack Robinson, Kanoa Igarashi, Erin Brooks, and Seth Moniz. Mick Fanning even made a surprise appearance.
A few maneuvers would have certainly gone into the excellent range; Ewing’s rail game, one of Seth Moniz’s airs, and an Erin Brooks closeout turn were the standouts of the session.
One poor fellow got dropped in on by Yago Dora, then again (but less egregiously) by Lindblad — just a little glimpse at what the average Joe surfer session looks like when the CT rolls into town.
The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach left off with men’s round three and women’s round two. Next call is Wednesday, April 8 Down Under.
