"It felt like I landed on pillows … I couldn't believe it. It was so smooth. There was no way I wasn't going to make it." Josh Kerr, beer in hand, is beaming having taken out the Champions Trophy in possibly the best final in elite surfing in 2019 with an incredible 'club sandwich' and a 9.93. I do my best to get him to commit to the 2020 QS "You know when you are done." he smiles. "And I'll probably be back on tour soon anyway with this one," indicating daughter Sierra's promising future on the women's world tour.
'Best final in elite surfing' is a pretty big call, notably when it featured a 38 and 35-year-old, but to my mind, Four Seasons Champions Trophy had something special this year, something that had perked my interest. And it wasn't just lobster night and free cocktails at the worlds most luxurious surfing contest. It had some of the worlds most intriguing, stylish and powerful surfers riding different boards while surfing one the most high-performance waves in the world. As far as contests go WSL is kind of losing me and a lot of others. I'm not sure what it is, but sometimes I think it is a lack of individual flair. But then I love the surfing of Toldeo, Flores, Carmichael, Wright and February so maybe it's just the presentation? Whatever it has lost, this comp had it in spades.
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2020 Wetsuit Guide
If the recent boom in wetsuits sales is anything to go by, the best bit of advice we can give you is make swift decisions and invest quickly. To help you, here’s the lowdown on the best wetsuits on the market right now.
CEYLON STORIES
SERENDIPIDITY IN THE INDIAN OCEAN.
ENGLISH NATIONALS
TOLCARNE TAILSPINS IN THE LAST COMP FOR A WHILE . . . MAYBE
THE ST VALENTINE 'S DAY MASSACRE
ROB MILES AND CALLUM DAVID THOMAS MIX IT UP WITH THE WORLD’S BEST AT ALL TIME SAFI.
BARBADOS
FAMILY FRIENDLY SURF TRIPPING TIPS
GENE GENIE
FROM PAIGNTON THROUGH VARIOUS PROFESSIONAL KITCHENS WITH A SOJOURN IN THE SCOTTISH ISLES EUGENE TOLLEMACHE NOW CALLS INDO HOME AND IS LOVING LIFE
*OCCIDENTAL DRIFT
THE BLEEDING EDGE OF SURF EXPLORATION IS A HOT, INHOSPITABLE PLACE. BUT WORTH THE MISSION.
TASMANIA ART CLUB
BRENDON GIBBENS AND DION AGIUS EXPLORE THE LITTLE CHUNK HANGING OFF THE BOTTOM OF AUSTRALIA AND GET CREATIVE
Mr Smith
THE GENIAL ED SMITH IS ONE OF THOSE SURFERS THAT HAS A TON OF ABILITY AND TOYED WITH THE COMP SCENE BUT SOON REALISED A REAL TRADE AND SURFING FOR HIMSELF WAS A WISER OPTION. WE BUMPED INTO HIM ON OUR MISSION TO SCOTLAND, AND HE WAS KILLING IT EVERY SESSION. SUPER STYLISH, ALWAYS DEEP, A PLEASURE TO SHOOT. HE 'S A GOOD BLOKE TO GO FOR A PINT WITH TOO.
SETH MOZ
SETH MORRIS IS A YOUNG PRO FROM A QUIET PART OF WALES. HE JOINED US ON OUR WINTER MISSION TO PORTUGAL, WHERE HE IMPRESSED ALL WITH HIS STYLISH ATTACK. READ ON FOR A PEEK INSIDE HIS HEAD.
