More Surfwire Articles

SURF WIRE
October 19, 2012

Julian Wilson beats Gabriel Medina in the final of the Rip Curl Pro Portugal

Portugal's tourism board is so confident you will score if you decide to take a surf trip here, they're offering one hell of a bargain: "Our deal: no waves, come back for free."

I haven't read the fine print, but I'm wondering how long you must wait for a surf window to validate this offer. Because when you consider the country's hyper-celebrated ASP World Tour event, the Rip Curl Pro Portugal, there could be a lot of hurry-up-and-wait.
Last year, it took three days to run this show. This year, one day shy of the waiting period's end. Wrapping up the last R5 heat and the quarters this morning -- and knowing the N wind would likely stick around all day -- comp director Damien Hardman opted to stall semifinal heats until 2:00pm local time.
Having dismantled the only remaining ASP World Title contender, John John Florence, in the quarters, current ratings frontrunner Joel Parkinson had to deal with the other teen prodigy on tour in the semis (actually, John John just turned 20 the other day). We're obviously talking about Gabriel Medina.

Instead, Parko got dealt.

Gaby spun a huge backside air-reverse off the bat, and then followed up with a b/s melon (it's only a method if you bone it), which he backed up with a series of cracks. Uncharacteristically comboed, the Coolie kid was already losing his cool when Gaby decided to out-barrel the guy on a right for a 7.0. Parko never made a tube and only managed one turn the entire heat.
"What do you do?" Parko started to say to interviewer Toby Martin. "Conditions are terrible. It's turned to crap..."

And then, a rather insulting interruption came via Julian Wilson, who was surfing in the second semifinal. A 7.9 grab-less air-reverse to back up his previously posted 9.7 no-grab full-rotation punctuated Parko's thought with a question mark and ellipses. It was eerie as hell. If you remember, a couple days ago Julian posted a big score during Kelly's beachside interview, just as the defeated Floridian was commenting how bad the conditions had gotten.

Apparently, these new kids aren't hearing any of the old excuses.
Parko off screen, Julian then emerged from a backside tube to post a 9.57 for a new event high heat total, comboing Adriano de Souza with big airs and deep barrels... just like Gaby had done to his Australian opponent.
The final between Medina and Wilson was largely a flyaway show until Jules clawed his way out of a righthand barrel for a 7.83. Gaby responded with a first-turn frontside air-reverse, then belted what was left of the left until even a kickout wasn't possible. The wave was just gone. 7.90. A rare backside barrel then gave Gaby a 7.47 and the lead -- compelling Julian to go Destructor in search of a 7.55: varial, colossal slob -- which he crashed on every time. With 20 seconds remaining, Julian found a righthand tube, check-turned it a couple times and got his fins out on a pretty standard reo. And you can bet your ass he claimed it. It was, after all, his 15th and final wave. His only shot.

Whatever decision the judges came up with, this one was bound to be controversial. So hold on to your social media. Shit's about to pop off.

8.43. Julian got the nod and his maiden Dream Tour victory. Held in his father's arms, Gaby was visibly crying. Whether they care to admit it or not, everyone -- [i] everyone [i] -- knows that air for air, tube for tube, heat for heat, the Brazilian was the best all-around surfer in the water these past two weeks in Peniche.
"I lost to Gaby on the buzzer in France last year," sighed Julian, "and to beat him back again on the buzzer, I'm overwhelmed. There were a lot of Portuguese supporters so it was real quiet at the end there. I didn't feel that confident walking up the beach. I was expecting a 7-point-something, and they said '8'. My number one goal this year was to win a World Tour event. I can't believe I'm standing here right now. This is what dreams are made of."
Though Santa Cruz is up next, the four-man race for the 2012 ASP World Title will likely come down to Pipeline. Parko's still holding the lead, but for how long? One thing's for sure, if Joel Parkinson doesn't win the World Title this year, he will never win the World Title.

Watching Gaby, then Julian, then Gaby and Julian, it's clear is he's gonna be on top, ever, Parko will not only need everything to go his way in heats, but sometime between now and then he's gonna have to learn how to surf better.

[i] And is that even possible? [i] Joel Parkinson is already a perfect surfer. Maybe not a perfect strategist or a perfect magician, but certainly a perfect surfer.
The moral here? When it comes to professional surfing, perfect isn't good enough.