As the 2024 World Surf League Championship Tour kicked off, it seemed like the waves weren’t the only challenge surfers were facing. With the tour barely out of the gates, a mix of illness and injury has already begun thinning the ranks, proving once again that the only thing more unpredictable than the ocean is the health of those who ride its waves.
A Rough Start at the Lexus Pipe Pro
Two-time world champion Filipe Toledo found himself sidelined by illness right at the starting line, missing out on the Lexus Pipe Pro. It’s a tough break for Toledo, who no doubt had his eyes set on making a splash this season. Instead, he had to swap his surfboard for a sickbed, watching the waves from afar.
The MEO Rip Curl Pro: A Double Whammy
Portugal’s Supertubos, known for its barrel waves that are a surfer’s dream (or nightmare, depending on whom you ask), was the stage for the next act of the drama. First, Kelly Slater, the legendary 11-time world champion, bowed out, citing complications from a recent hip surgery. Not exactly the kind of surfing legend’s comeback story fans were hoping for, but perhaps a reminder that even the greats have to listen to their bodies.
Then, in a turn that felt more scripted for a telenovela than a surf competition, Costa Rican pro surfer Brisa Hennessy announced her exit due to an unfortunate ear drum rupture. Hennessy, who had managed a 5.67 score in her face-off against Tyler Wright and Sally Fitzgibbons, found her competition cut short in the cruel waves of Supertubos.
The Surf Community Rallies
In the wake of these withdrawals, the surf community did what it does best: rally around its own. From Mick Fanning’s “Sending healing powers Brisa” to Carissa Moore’s succinct “Heal up quick Brisa,” the outpouring of support in Hennessy’s comments section was a heartwarming sight. It was a reminder that, beneath the competitive spirit and the quest for individual glory, lies a tight-knit family bonded by saltwater and wax.
The Takeaway: A Season of Highs and Lows
This year’s Championship Tour is shaping up to be one of resilience, where the challenges aren’t just on the waves but also in the physical and mental toughness of the athletes. As competitors like Hennessy and Slater take the time to heal, they remind us that the path to victory sometimes includes knowing when to step back.
With the season still young, there’s plenty of surfing left to do. The athletes who’ve hit early snags will no doubt be eyeing their return, ready to prove that setbacks are just setups for comebacks. And as fans, we’ll be watching eagerly, because if there’s one thing more thrilling than the competition itself, it’s the stories of perseverance and grit that emerge from it.
So here’s to the surfers of the 2024 Championship Tour: may your boards be quick, your recoveries quicker, and may the only thing rupturing be the applause as you return to the water.
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