Surfers Against Sewage’s (SAS) annual Citizen Science Brand Audit has revealed the ‘Dirty Dozen’ brands polluting UK beaches with plastic packaging and fuelling ecological harm.
The report is the result of almost 4,000 citizen scientists collecting branded packaging pollution from over 13,000 miles.
The citizen science movement has exposed Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and McDonald’s as the top three companies driving the UK packaging pollution crisis, responsible for almost 40% of branded pollution found.
Key findings include:
+ Twelve companies are responsible for over 70% of branded pollution across the UK.
+ For the third year, Coca-Cola has been found as the biggest polluter, responsible for 20% of all branded pollution found.
+ As the top three polluters, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and McDonald’s are responsible for a staggering 39% of all branded pollution found.
+ Almost 50% of the reported pollution would be covered under an ‘all-in’ Deposit Return Scheme.
The annual Citizen Science Brand Audit released today (23rd August 2022) identifies the same offenders every year, making a mockery of their supposedly ambitious sustainability pledges. Brands are failing to adequately reduce packaging, switch to reuse models and enable recycling. As the top three polluters, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and McDonalds are responsible for a staggering 39% of all branded pollution found.
For the 3rd year, Coca-Cola has taken the top spot. This follows growing public pressure for systems change and their recent announcement of a new reusable packaging target, aiming for at least 25% of all beverages worldwide to be sold in refillable or returnable glass or plastic bottles and containers by 2030.
The Dirty Dozen continue to pollute UK landscapes with plastic packaging which floods into the ocean, fuelling ecological harm and jeopardising the health of people and wildlife. To highlight the rampant pollution blighting the environment and ocean, Surfers Against Sewage have commissioned a 100m x 400m projection of packaging waste stacked up against the iconic White Cliffs of Dover.
Citizen scientists across the country found 10,843 branded items in total, linked to 264 companies. A shocking 28,727 items were recorded overall, including both branded and unbranded items.
Tobacco products accounted for over 15% of all pollution recorded and over a quarter of all unbranded pollution recorded was cigarette butts. Cigarette pollution is extremely detrimental to the soil and beaches, with the vast majority of butts made from single use plastic and containing hundreds of toxic chemicals once smoked.
Surfers Against Sewage are calling on companies to take responsibility for their harmful pollution and the entire lifecycle of their products, reduce their packaging and adopt circular business models. In addition, the charity is urging the government to introduce an ‘all-in’ Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers of all sizes and materials including glass, not just small containers classified as ‘on-the-go’. This scheme would see consumers pay an up-front deposit on products, redeemed on return of the container. Growing in popularity, Deposit Return Schemes are already used effectively across Europe and receiving high return rates. Of the items monitored from this year’s Dirty Dozen, it is estimated that a massive 55% could be captured through an ‘all-in’ Deposit Return Scheme.
Hugo Tagholm, Chief Executive of Surfers Against Sewage, said: “Year after year, our Citizen Science Brand Audit reveals the same huge companies are responsible for the packaging pollution choking our environment. Despite public sustainability commitments, these dirty brands are failing to take meaningful action to stop this harm.
We cannot stand for this blatant greenwashing any longer. Systemic change is urgently needed to end the pollution swamping the land and ocean. Businesses need to take responsibility for their polluting products and transition to models of reduction and reuse. Legislation such as an ‘all-in’ deposit scheme needs to be introduced urgently and governments must hold these companies to account.”
Dr Christian Dunn, Senior Lecturer in Natural Sciences at Bangor University, added: “This research shows the environmental disaster of plastic pollution shows no sign of slowing down, as yet again the same companies are responsible for the bulk of the waste being found on our beaches and streets.
It’s rather depressing that despite all the evidence over the years being provided by SAS and its fantastic team of citizen scientists these companies still aren’t getting a grip on the issue. There needs to be a shared responsibility between everyone; the government, producers and consumers if we’re to seriously tackle the problem.”
The data for the audit was collected as part of the charity’s ambitious Million Mile Clean initiative, inspiring community action across the country. A movement of 3,796 volunteers collected branded items from 13,047 miles in order to hold polluting companies to account.
To end the packaging pollution crisis degrading the natural environment, Surfers Against Sewage is calling for:
Business models that are focused on reduction and reuse.
Legislation that ends the production and consumption of single use and pollution plastics.
Legislation that ensures effective resource use and waste management.
Cultural change across society.
To find out more about the Citizen Science Brand Audit and what you can do to influence companies and governments, visit the Surfers Against Sewage website: https://www.sas.org.uk/.
TEAHUPO’O, TAHITI, FRENCH POLYNESIA – AUGUST 19: Miguel Pupo of Brazil surfs in the Final at the Outerknown Tahiti Pro on August 19, 2022 at Teahupo’o, Tahiti, French Polynesia. (Photo by Damien Poullenot/World Surf League)
Courtney Conlogue (USA) and Miguel Pupo (BRA) won the Outerknown Tahiti Pro, Stop No. 10 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2022 Championship Tour (CT) and the final competition ahead of the Rip Curl WSL Finals. Following four days of action at the famed Teahupo’o surf break, Finals Day culminated in clean four-to-six-foot waves, alternating between women’s and men’s rounds. This competition marked the return of the women’s CT to Teahupo’o for the first time in 16 years and witnessed inspiring performances from all competitors.
Following the Outerknown Tahiti Pro, the WSL Tours and Competition team has confirmed the Top 5 men and Top 5 women who will compete in the Rip Curl WSL Finals, the one-day event that will determine the 2022 World Champions.
Conlogue Becomes First Woman To Win CT in Teahupo’o for First Time in 16 Years
Californian Courtney Conlogue (USA) has claimed a historic win at the Outerknown Tahiti Pro Teahupo’o, being the first woman to do so since 2006. Conlogue was on fire all the event, showing serious commitment to book herself a spot in the Final with Brisa Hennessy (CRI). The Final was a matchup between two of the event standouts, but Conlogue took control, by being in-tune with the waves and displaying incredible finesse in the tube. She posted a 7.50 (out of a possible 10) and backed it up with a mid-range score to put Hennessy out of contention. Conlogue claimed her 13th CT victory and her first since the 2019 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.
“Honestly I’m just so grateful for this–it’s been a long time since I’ve had a win,” Conlogue said. “This year has had so many challenges and highs and lows. I love this wave. This wave is so magical and I feel really lucky to win here. It was great to share the Final with Brisa. She was charging all event and sending it. This is the perfect way to end the year. This one is for all my friends and family and sponsors, I wouldn’t be here without them. And also, to WSL for bringing the women back here, I’m grateful.”
Runner-up Brisa Hennessy Clinches Last Spot in Rip Curl WSL Finals
Earlier in the day, eventual runner-up Henessy came up against Californian Lakey Peterson (USA) in a Quarterfinal 4 Heat which would see the winner clinch a spot in the WSL Final 5, ahead of next month’s Rip Curl WSL Finals. With Peterson coming into the event in sixth on the rankings and Hennessy in fifth, Hennessy claimed the Heat win by pulling into a long draining barrel to claim the heat win. Hennessy’s second place finish here today has put her in the fourth seed spot for the WSL Finals.
Hennessy will be joined by Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA), Johanne Defay (FRA), and Carissa Moore (HAW) this September for the Rip Curl WSL Finals at Lower Trestles.
“I’m trying to soak this all in, at the moment,” Hennessy said. “Having my mom and dad here and all of the women on tour sharing this beautiful lineup is so special. It was incredible to share the final with Courtney (Conlogue) – she is such an inspiration in consequential waves and is just a fun person to be around, so it’s been a great day. I’m feeling positive at the moment and want to carry this positive energy into Trestles.”
Miguel Pupo Claims Maiden CT Victory
Miguel Pupo (BRA) claimed his maiden Championship Tour victory today at the Outerknown Tahiti Pro with an incredible performance against local wildcard Kauli Vaast (FRA), in what was both surfers’ first CT Final.
“It took me 10 years to finally win a CT event,” said Pupo. “I’ve been winning on the Challenger Series, and I wanted to get one [CT win] this year, and get a trophy to see my hard work pay off. This trophy is for you my love, my babies, my mom, my dad, everyone on my crew. Thank you so much for all of your support.”
Despite missing the WSL Final 5 by one spot and finishing in sixth place on the CT rankings, Pupo is sure to be a contender in 2023. He celebrates his best year on the CT, since 2011, with his first Final and his first win at the Outerknown Tahiti Pro. The Brazilian started the season off with a third place finish at Billabong Pro Pipeline and had shining moments at events throughout the year, such as the Oi Rio Pro and Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.
Vaast came into the Final as the man to beat, having taken down 11-time World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), World No. 3 Ethan Ewing (AUS) and Matthew McGilivray (RSA). However, he was up against CT veteran Miguel Pupo (BRA), who put on his best performance of the event, threading multiple long critical tubes, to post multiple excellent scores for a heat total of 17.17. Vaast came close to turning the tide but, uncharacteristically, fell on the exit of a couple of set wave barrels and came short of claiming first Tahiti Pro win for a Tahitian.
“I feel incredible right now,” Vaast said. “I may have lost, but it is what it is. That’s just competition and I’m super happy for Miguel. There are so many emotions with all of this support from Tahiti and in the channel. I want to cry – it’s a good feeling.”
Competitors and Seeding Confirmed for Rip Curl WSL Finals
The Outerknown Tahiti Pro confirmed the competitors and finalists for the Rip Curl WSL Finals. After the 10-stop Championship Tour, the Top 5 men and Top 5 women on the CT rankings will now prepare for the final event, which will be held at Lower Trestles in San Clemente, Calif. from September 8 – 16, 2022.
There are 110 miles of coastline on the Central Coast of California between Jalama and Rincon. It offers a bounty of setups: pointbreaks, the occasional reef, and plenty of kelpy, glassy conditions. It's here that we find Conner Coffin, one of the world's preeminent surfers.
While charmed, Santa Barbara isn't the easiest place to become a professional surfer. Tight swell windows, coastlines shadowed by the Channel Islands, and, of course, crowds see to that. The waves in the fall are sporadic, spring’s fickle, and the summer is downright heartbreaking.
But like Tom Curren and Bobby Martinez before him, Conner's a Rincon fixture whose undeniable talent can't be denied. And his success isn't drawn from some internalised desire to wear a jersey. “Being in Santa Barbara, you had to be humble, or you weren’t going to get to surf the good spots,” Conner says about his home. “There are so many good surfers and older guys that were gnarly. You can’t be this arrogant, little dick, because you aren't going to get any waves or respect. I always had this goal to be a pro surfer but then I always wanted to get along with everyone and respect the hierarchy here.”
Mind Surfing is the latest original film from 805 Beer. The film highlights the people and waves that made Conner the surfer he is today. It also spotlights who Conner really is, beyond just a surfer with opportunities, success, and a breathtaking style that rests on a shelf labeled, “Iconic.”
Directed by Keith Malloy (Fishpeople, Come Hell or High Water), it features interviews with Conner’s family and surfing legends like Shane Dorian, Lakey Peterson, Rosy Hodge, and more.
• Teahupo’o Delivers Perfection to Set Stage For Finals Day Tomorrow • Big Barrels and Bigger Scores for World’s Best at Teahupo’o • Event Winners To Be Decided Tomorrow • More Available at WorldSurfLeague.com
Teahupo’o, Tahiti, French Polynesia (Thursday, August 18, 2022) - The Outerknown Tahiti Pro, Stop No. 10 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2022 Championship Tour (CT), has seen an incredible day of competition with Teahupo’o turning on six-to-eight-foot surf with eight-foot-plus sets for the completion of men’s Opening Round, Elimination Round, and the Round of 16. With the Quarterfinalists locked in for men and women here in Tahiti, the race to the WSL Final 5 is all but set, with only one spot left in the women’s and all 5 men’s spots decided after the completion of competition today.
Men’s WSL Final 5 Decided in Epic Waves at Teahupo’o Today’s huge day of competition saw the completion of 21 heats, the Quarterfinalists locked in, and the WSL Final 5 men decided ahead of the upcoming Rip Curl WSL Finals. With his equal 9th place finish here in Tahiti, Jack Robinson (AUS) has locked the second spot in the WSL Final 5 with Filipe Toledo (BRA) clinching the top seed spot after falling out in the Elimination Round.
Current World No. 3 Ethan Ewing (AUS) has booked himself a spot in the WSL Final 5 with a Round of 16 finish here at the Outerknown Tahiti Pro. Ewing had a clutch win over Michel Bourez (BRA) in the Elimination Round, but was eventually beaten by trials winner Kauli Vaast (FRA) in his following heat. An equal 9th was enough for Ewing to clinch and his performance against two of the best at Teahupo’o was commendable. Vaast progressed into the Quarterfinals looking like the one to beat, posting a 17.07 (out of possible 20) two-wave total in Heat 1 of the Round of 16.
Heat 5 of the men’s Elimination Round saw two good friends in Jadson Andre (BRA) and Italo Ferreira (BRA) go head-to-head in an all goofy match-up. It was a massive heat for former WSL World Champion Ferreira who is currently sitting in fourth on the rankings and needed to make the heat to clinch his spot in the WSL Final 5. It was a high scoring affair with the friends going wave-for-wave, each posting multiple excellent scores, but it was Andre who took the win with a 17.00 point two-wave total, one of the highest of the event so far. With the loss, Italo was left to rely on the fate of Griffin Colapinto (USA) and Callum Robson (AUS). With the two of them being ousted early he was able to hang onto his spot in the WSL Final 5 and will be off to Trestles for a shot at a second World Title this September.
In a nail biting and emotional end to the day, Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) clinched the last spot in the WSL Final 5 by taking the win over Andre in Heat 7 of the Round of 16. Coming to Tahiti as World No. 6, Igarashi needed a huge moment and he got it with a 9.70 in the dying minutes of the heat. This landmark win makes his dreams of a first shot at a World Title a reality. Along with his heat win today, Igarashi needed Griffin Colapinto (USA) to fall out of the draw early which he did in Heat 3 of the Round of 16 at the hands of Yago Dora (BRA). Colapinto will fall short of the title race, but after a breakthrough season in 2022 he’s certain to be knocking on the door of a World Tile in years to come.
“I really don’t know what to say – this is super emotional to me – I’m lost for words right now,” Igarashi said. “First of all I want to thank Teahupo’o – I’ve been coming here for so long and spending time with some of the locals and preparing myself for a moment like this, and when that wave came I knew if it was meant to be it was going to happen right there. Now, I'm into the top five and heading home.”
Big Barrels and Bigger Scores For World’s Best at Teahupo’o
In an unbelievable performance, South African CT sophomore Matt McGilivray (RSA, above), who surfed Teahupo’o for the first time yesterday, scored a perfect 10 point ride in Heat 2 of the Round of 16, with an incredible fins-free drop into a deep, square tube, disappearing from sight then getting spat out into the channel. His opponent Samuel Pupo (BRA), took the heat to the final buzzer, posting a heat total of 16.43, but McGillivray was able to find a 7.00 in the dying seconds to claim the heat win of his career and book himself a spot in the Quarterfinals.
“I could feel the nerves all morning and right before I was going to paddle out,” said McGilivray . “All morning I have been feeling the adrenaline. To have these conditions in the contest is a dream come true and to surf it with only one other person out is amazing. You really have to be in the moment and calm yourself. It was cool to surf with Sammy (Pupo), he has been charging in his heats so it’s cool to see everyone pushing it out there today. I’m stoked to be through the Quarterfinals here and can’t wait to get back out there.”
The standout heat of the day was World No. 2 Robinson going up against event wildcard and former Tahiti Pro finalist Nathan Hedge (AUS) in Heat 5, Round of 16. Robinson, an event favorite, demonstrated his barrel riding skills, navigating the foam-ball with a high-line to score a 9.10, then backed it up for a heat total of 17.60, leaving Hedge in a combination situation (needing two new scores to take the lead). With less than 10 minutes left, the 43-year-old Hedge never gave up and found two hugely committed barrels to post a heat total of 18.30, the highest of the entire event, to overcome Robinson’s 17.60 total.
“At the start of that heat Jack (Robinson) really showed me what was up,” Hedge said. “He paddled behind me for one and the only person that has done that to me out here was Andy (Irons), and I was like, ‘he’s gnarly’ which was a fair bit to deal with mentally for me. I knew If I was to beat Jack (Robinson) I’d have to be on the biggest best waves. He kept improving his scores on every wave but I just kept patient and held onto the faith and eventually the right ones came to me. When I’m paddling into these waves I just remind myself that this is where I want to be and to stay super committed and that quietens down the noise a bit and I can focus on getting pitted.”
Hedge will face off against Caio Ibelli (BRA) who was a huge standout in the Round of 16 and Opening Round. Ibelli took down an in-form Jordy Smith (RSA) to lock in a matchup with old friend Hedge in Quarterfinal Heat 3.
Five-time Tahiti Pro winner Kelly Slater (USA, above) is into Quarterfinals after a close heat against an in-form Connor O’Leary (AUS). Slater opened the heat with back-to-back waves scoring in the excellent range for a two-wave total of 17.00 . O’Leary answered back with two excellent scores of his own but it wasn’t enough to overtake Slater, who will now take on Yago Dora (BRA) in Quarterfinal Heat 2 as he looks for his sixth victory at Teahupo’o.
The 2022 Outerknown Tahiti Pro looks to conclude tomorrow with the men’s and women’s event winners being crowned by the end of the day. Be sure to tune in as a call is made at 6:45 a.m. TAHT for a possible 7:05 a.m. start to competition.
Outerknown Tahiti Pro Men's Opening Round Results: HEAT 1: Yago Dora (BRA) 8.66 DEF. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 8.14, Matthew McGillivray (ZAF) 5.10 HEAT 2: Kauli Vaast (FRA) 13.60 DEF. Barron Mamiya (HAW) 10.93, Ethan Ewing (AUS) 2.33 HEAT 3: Jack Robinson (AUS) 16.26 DEF. Nat Young (USA) 7.33, Michel Bourez (FRA) 6.70 HEAT 4: Kelly Slater (USA) 16.00 DEF. Nathan Hedge (AUS) 8.67, Filipe Toledo (BRA) 1.87 HEAT 5: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.94 DEF. Jadson Andre (BRA) 12.86, Griffin Colapinto (USA) 8.33 HEAT 6: Caio Ibelli (BRA) 12.50 DEF. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 7.76, Jackson Baker (AUS) 3.17 HEAT 7: Samuel Pupo (BRA) 13.00 DEF. Callum Robson (AUS) 10.44, Seth Moniz (HAW) 6.53 HEAT 8: Connor O'Leary (AUS) 15.63 DEF. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 15.27, Jake Marshall (USA) 6.60
Outerknown Tahiti Pro Men's Round of 16 Results: HEAT 1: Kauli Vaast (FRA) 17.07 DEF. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 15.17 HEAT 2: Matthew McGillivray (ZAF) 17.00 DEF. Samuel Pupo (BRA) 16.43 HEAT 3: Yago Dora (BRA) 14.94 DEF. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 14.63 HEAT 4: Kelly Slater (USA) 17.00 DEF. Connor O'Leary (AUS) 16.83 HEAT 5: Nathan Hedge (AUS) 18.30 DEF. Jack Robinson (AUS) 17.60 HEAT 6: Caio Ibelli (BRA) 15.97 DEF. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 13.20 HEAT 7: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 15.70 DEF. Jadson Andre (BRA) 13.40 HEAT 8: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 11.00 DEF. Jake Marshall (USA) 2.40
Outerknown Tahiti Pro Men's Quarterfinal Matchups: HEAT 1: Kauli Vaast (FRA) vs. Matthew McGillivray (ZAF) HEAT 2: Yago Dora (BRA) vs. Kelly Slater (USA) HEAT 3: Nathan Hedge (AUS) vs. Caio Ibelli (BRA) HEAT 4: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) vs. Miguel Pupo (BRA)
Outerknown Tahiti Pro Women’s Quarterfinal Matchups: HEAT 1: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) vs. Caroline Marks (USA) HEAT 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Courtney Conlogue (USA) HEAT 3: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Vahine Fierro (FRA) HEAT 4: Brisa Hennessy (CRI) vs. Lakey Peterson (USA)
This is the story of JIP ( pronounced Yip ) the surf dog who went viral this week after learning to surf!
Jeroen Kuling from Holland had visited Newquay as a child and learnt to surf on Fistral with a bodyboard. It was his best holiday ever and he dreamt to come back as an adult to surf again.
Photo Anthony Mountney
“This year I drove from Holland in my campervan, caught the ferry to Felixstowe and drove to Newquay. I met up with fellow surfers from Fistral south. I had heard Fistral was dog friendly so I brought with me my rescue dog JIP, an 18 month old black Labrador that needed a new home.
“Whilst I was surfing JIP was eager to swim with me and kept climbing on my board. I then pushed him into a wave and he was completely balanced on the board and loved riding the wave!”
Photo Anthony Mountney
“We spent a few happy days surfing together during Boardmasters and on a beautiful Saturday crowds formed on the beach to watch JIP surfing many waves. I could see many people videoing him and was amazed to see a clip of him had gone viral.”
“His surfing was totally spontaneous, and now he won’t let me surf alone. I have now started an instagram account for JIP #jipthesurfingdog where I have posted pics and videos and will keep people updated with our surf trips around UK and Europe.”
JIPs video went all over locals media and even made the BBC news websites!
• Women's Elimination Round 2 Starts at 7:05 a.m. TAHT • Men’s Opening Round 1 and Elimination Round 2 to Follow • Watch LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com
The Outerknown Tahiti Pro, Stop No. 10 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2022 Championship Tour (CT), has seen an on and off day of competition with changing wind conditions forcing a number of holds and the event to be put on standby due to deteriorating conditions. In between the squalls however, Teahupo’o began to awaken, with some solid five-to-six foot plus waves breaking, offering competitors in the women’s Elimination Round and first three heats of the men’s Opening Round some incredible tube rides ahead of of what is expected to be the day of the window, tomorrow at the ‘End of the Road.’
A clutch performance from Brisa Hennessy (CRI, above) in Heat 2 of the Elimination Round saw her post the highest single wave of the round, pulling into a huge Teahupo’o pit to earn a 7.00 point ride to progress into the Quarterfinals. It was an epic show of commitment from Hennessy, who currently sits in fifth place on the rankings and needs a solid result here in Tahiti to guarantee her spot in the Rip Curl WSL Finals. Without that wave, she would have been out of the event, and possibly out of the WSL Final 5. The heat win eliminated 2022 CT Rookie Gabriela Bryan (HAW) from the event and from the race to the Rip Curl WSL Finals.
“It’s an honour to be at this event,” Hennessy said. “It feels like it’s been a long time coming and the women that were here 16 years ago paved the way for us which is really inspiring and I hope to inspire more girls with being back here now."
"I feel like I could have been deeper on that one actually,” Hennessy said. “All the locals have been telling me that you need to feel like you’re taking off on a closeout, and it’s true – I need to be doing that more often.”
One of the event favourites who no one expected to see in the Elimination Round was Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA, above), who snuck through her matchup with Isabella Nichols (AUS) to clinch herself a spot in the WSL Final 5. Weston-Webb struggled to find a rhythm in her heat but did just enough to progress into the Quarterfinals and lock in an opportunity to battle for her maiden World Title. The heat loss puts Nichols out of contention for a Final 5 finish and ends her 2022 CT season.
Another potential top 5 competitor who snuck through her heat was Lakey Peterson (USA), who kept her dream alive with a win over Tyler Wright (AUS) in Heat 3 of the Elimination Round. Peterson dug deep to thread one decent barrel and progress, leaving Wright out of Final 5 contention.
With Nichols, Bryan and Wright out of contention for the WSL Final 5, seven-time WSL Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) was able to lock in her spot at Trestles as she looks to claim a record breaking eighth World Title.
Jack Robinson and Kauli Vaast (above) Steal The Show on Day 2 at Teahupo’o Current world No. 2 Jack Robinson (AUS) might be competing in his first Outerknown Tahiti Pro but the 23-year-old comes into the event as one of the standout favorites with a long affinity with Teahupo’o. This affinity was on full display in his Opening Round heat as Teahupo’o began to bare it’s teeth and Robinson, under priority spun and took a huge drop into a perfect barrel, only to be spat out into the channel and awarded a near perfect 9.43 (out of a possible 10) for his efforts. Robinson then backed it up for an excellent heat total of 16.26 (out of a possible 20) to claim an easy win over wildcard Michel Bourez (FRA) and Nat Young (USA). Progressing into Round of 16 means that Robinson is now locked in the second spot in the WSL Final 5, and a win here would give him the top spot at Trestles.
“It’s been a while since I’ve taken a drop like that,” Robinson said. “Maybe since the Pipe event earlier this year – I haven’t surfed Teahupo’o for three years so it felt nice to get one like that. It’s been an on-and-off day so I think the call to wait for the wind to settle was a good one. I haven’t done that on this reef for a while so it felt so good to be back.”
Someone who has spent more time than most in the Teahupo’o barrel is local trials winner Kauli Vaast (FRA), who played a giant dominating role the last time the event ran in 2019. Today, Vaast picked up where he left off, overcoming Barron Mamiya (HAW) and Ethan Ewing (AUS), with an impressive display of local knowledge that saw him pick off the best barrels of the matchup to take the win, even riding half of one wave switchfoot through the barrel.
“I was pretty confident heading into that heat,” Vaast said. “I could see the waves continuing to improve with the wind and knew what I’d be looking for and found it. I got three or four in a row and even rode switch on one so I could stall longer in the barrel. I’m into the next round and just want to go have fun and enjoy the experience.”
Mixed Results For Tahiti’s Finest on Day 2 of Competition Along with Vaast, Local Women’s Wildcard Vahine Fierro (FRA) put on a solid display in her Elimination Round heat to dispatch current world No. 2 Johanne Defay (FRA). Fierro found time in the tube as well as turn sections to take a convincing win and progress into the Quarterfinals where she will take on five-time WSL Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) in what will no doubt be a heat to watch. Former CT stalwart and WSL Wildcard Michel Bourez (FRA) was unable to find a rhythm in his heat and will hope to re-group ahead of the Elimination Round tomorrow.
