As the world title race is ready to heat up, Joel Gray gives us the lowdown on the up and coming Surf City El Salvador Pro.
Words: Joel Gray Photos: WSL
A few years back, I surfed Punta Roca on the eve of the WSL event. As luck would have it, I found myself out the back as the set of the day approached. Having waited an hour or so, I was second in line as the unrelenting set came to an end. The guy ahead of me was a big powerful local but as he went for the next wave, it just went under him. He let out a huge growl and I was too late to get it. The next one was even better. Wave of the day no doubt. I looked at the guy ahead of me who’d just missed the wave with a mixture of hope and desperation. At the last possible moment he gave me the nod and called “GO!” A mad scramble followed and I was in with the many surfers down the line all looking on in hope that I would nose dive. I didn’t but I could feel the whole lineups desire for me to fall as I high-lined the first deep section. I don’t remember much of the wave but I do remember flying past a smiling and hooting Carissa Moore on the shoulder and Caroline Marks trying her hardest to catch the wave that I was very much on. It’s a great wave. Anyway the events coming up so….
The Wave
It’s an ultra long cobble stone righthand pointbreak in pretty much the warmest surfing water on earth. Expect long, multiple turn waves with a few highlines and floaters intermixed with laybacks and the odd fin throws. Airs are possible but rare especially at size as are roundhouses cutbacks - its a down the line freight train when ON.
The Forecast
Expect this thing to roll straight out of the gates on Day One. Start of the waiting period is looking really good with glassy conditions and really solid swell. From there on out it’s all a bit of a Contest Director’s nightmare at the moment as the swell goes super big (no bad thing) but the wind models are looking lively to say the least - and not from a pleasant direction.
Who WILL do well:
MEN
For the men’s, let's put our backing behind heavyweight no nonsense big hitters with the ability to mix up moves and crucially read changing sections and big walls. With that as a focus point it's pretty easy to expect big things from any of Gabriel Medina and the Collapinto brothers - Griffin and Crosby. Is there a better named brotherly duo in sport than these two?
WOMEN
If the bulk of the event runs in bigger conditions with a bit of wind and wobble is there anyone who can beat Gabriella Bryan? Probably not. Carissa Moore does look so ready to do damage to the rankings after her consummate New Zealand win though and everyone knows that new momma Moore loves a solid righthand wall. Fellow ‘old timer’ and long roping right hand point break aficionado Stephanie Gilmore will definitely be fired up for this one too - she won Snapper and will feel she can here too.
Who MIGHT do well:
MEN
Matt McGillevray and Bryan Perez are the two wildcards for this event and both easily have the repertoire and skill set to go deep. Both have solid history here too. Joao Chianca’s skill set also might suit the conditions - a bit of jerk here and there but super scorable high impact hits spontaneously thrown all over the warm brown walls.
WOMEN
Three fifth place finishes in a row will not be keeping Molly Picklum happy. The current World Champ will be more than ready to remind everyone who’s boss. Alyssa Spencer has been a bit of a surprise package so far this season and has had two well deserved 3rd place finishes already. Despite having perhaps a tricky style to watch her game is getting rewarded big time from the judges.
Who NEEDS a result:
What do Brissa Hennessy, Bella Kenworthy, Oscar Berry and Alan Cleland have in common? They are all still waiting for their first heat win of the season. Ouch! They all need a result here otherwise they’ll be on the phone to their travel agents planning for a season doubling up back on the Challenger Series. Pressure is on but out of this bunch and at this wave Oscar and Al could both do well.
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