Derek Hynd has spent 37 long winters perched in his pyramid overlooking the Super Tubes’ Impossibles section, presiding over the tiniest exit keyhole, making notes on those surfers who ride the hallowed walls of J-Bay with skill, enthusiasm and aplomb. A timeless search for the vanguard of surfing revelation. Progress. Who better then, to give us a breakdown of what to expect from the current crop as they prepare to write their own surfing histories on these long walls.
But first, a little bit about Derek Hynd, for the youth are green and unlearned and our collective internet memories frequently suffer amnesia. Australian former pro surfer, Derek Hynd, is a writer, critic, legendary pioneer of finless surfing, or to ascribe one of his own quotes to himself: “freestyle jazz to surfing’s rock ‘n roll”. As if he needed an introduction. Hynd is the author of hundreds of insightful, witty and dry articles and columns since the early 80s, but is renowned for his unique coverage of the world pro tour. He practically defined the “Power Rankings” formula for Surfer magazine back in ’87. He had coached world title holders such as Mark Occhilupo in groundbreaking 1984, and remains one of the closest things surfing has to a “thought leader”.
By Derek Hynd
The WSL World Championship hits J-Bay with the bar set right up there after the JBU RVCA Supertrial. The pros could do worse than consider their levels after the fantastic show of June 11. That said, J-Bay has just delivered again at the start of July and around half the field has had around 40 waves each to tune things for what looks to be an immediate start in the waiting period. Spectators over the past three weeks have thus enjoyed great perspectives.
After epic surf over the six hours of Supertrial and the form of the bulk of invitees, it was rivalled only by the Pipe Trials as a standout one day performance surfing event. When Supers is surfed well, really well in four man heats with sets pouring in non stop, it certainly is something to behold.
Whoever faces winner Stevie Sawyer could do worse than appreciate what happened at J-Bay the last time it fired. Sure, Sawyer gets to tackle a top seed or two but he finds himself now having to reproduce the form – at the least to do justice to heavy hitters that he got past.
Stevie Sawyer
The possible. The repeat of his thumping initial outside barrel technique to open a ride would establish a point of difference for the judges. His risky stamp from Supertrial is something that the pros probably won’t buy into without complete lineup knowledge.
The probable. If the forecast holds Stevie may just get the chance to pull his heroics one more time… and after all did make a call about Wilko post victory even if it was in jest. I guess, “Careful what you wish for” could apply. As with so many situations it’s the guy no one’s talking about who could steal right through – Narrabeen’s David Cathels.
However, on a total roll after also winning the recent S.A longboard Title at solid Mossel Bay, he’ll fancy his chances the harder he charges. The historically wild if not abandoned Wilkinson knows what it’s like to be suddenly on song. Every turn sticks.
Matt Wilkinson
The blitz from back in the pack hasn’t been on since 1998’s double strike from Danny Wills and Mick Campbell. Wilko is hooked to these guys via the two in a row from nowhere to hit a monster ratings lead (Wills) and the hardened core support of Glenn Hall in the vein of legendary motivator Rob Rowland Smith (Wills and Campbell).
World Title favouritism is premature. However, with the J-Bay Open the half way mark, Wilkinson has made it to the cross road. Here, a Quarter Final finish at worst can send him into long stretch home with the tag thoroughly deserved.
There’s no reason that he can’t win at J-Bay, especially as he’s already done the job at solid Bells Beach. Those drawn turns into slams off the top – you can just about hear the pin ball machine racking up points. An Occy he’s not. No one gets that far – but a Wilko he is. His method is unique amongst peers which sets him neatly apart in his quest.
Gabriel Medina
The wolf at the door. J-Bay favourite. After last year’s insanity in which he covered every base of the modern criteria, his mission is a case of unfinished business. Arguable underscores against KS in the Quarters of 2015 left him perhaps cruelly denied. He’ll likely get a big result here, deservedly.
Medina reflects contemporary ‘style’. It’s not pretty art but it is pretty perfect. Criteria wise, he’s the prime pro. Supers at any size will suit him. He knows it. His peers know it. And he the smell a World Title swaying back his way is palpable.
He’d be out to get a place or two ahead of Wilkinson at J-Bay and could just go back to back post Fiji to level the Title race.
John Florence
The ratings now shape into a more likely longer term pattern and here in third spot sits the most complete surfer on the planet, knee high to 30 feet(with KS and JO’B tight in the mix).
Whilst he doesn’t hold base advantage against immediate peers at J-Bay, he does have certain capacities yet be be fully unleashed. Sudden dynamism, with style enough to offer up the indelibly cool completion is reason to think he can win the event in any condition. Added to that, given his all round knowledge, is nous of the deeper zone. He can better figure it out than most, surely.
His mission will be in staying Top Three from here – to get to Pipe with a sniff. This modest fellow does seem to figure on a World Title but nowhere near to the feverish extent shown by a Medina or de Souza. It’s the slight fly in ointment.
Italo Ferreira
Punchy, more traditional alternative to his hallowed Brazilian peers. Captivating is one of his straight up thwacks. Strung together, deadly.
If the Roman senators of pro surfing, the splendidly gilded judges whose thumbs giveth and taketh away, start counting turns because of Ferreira’s vertical method, then look out. He could possibly force a rethink on how best to post a 10.
He needs to keep Top Five pace and consolidate as the ratings take mid year shape. Given the mental effect on lower ranked peers down the track should he bust a big result at J-Bay, it’s no time to think about the leeway in being able to bin a first bad result should he surf a shocker.
Adriano de Souza
All power to the World Champion. Greater, however, has been the achievement by long term tenacity in eroding purist style from the judging criteria. It has absolute long term impact. Perhaps note Kelly’s distinctive de Souza movements on the banana board in performance rights for example.
Our neo Tour stylist sits just off Medina as J-Bay favourite. At a location where anyone can ‘happen’, the only true edge goes to will power. Time and again, de Souza lifts. He projects like Wilson but with a desire that’s rampant. A couple of others have it – one of them via the pit crew. If Wilkinson/Medina/de Souza in no particular order go top three at year end it will no surprise.
The spectator could do worse than lock onto the way de Souza runs a heat. Hell of a furnace, mind and gut…
*Part II of this Three Part Series Drops Tomorrow featuring more of Hynd’s insights on Sebastian Zietz, Adrian Buchan, Caio Ibelli, Michel Bourez, Jordy Smith, Kolohe Andino and Joel Parkinson. Watch this space for more of Hynd’s predictions on the J-Bay Open 2016 starting Wednesday, 6 July 2016.
**Lead Image: Derek Hynd in J-Bay. All Images © Alan van Gysen
