Come swoon at which is number one!
We are all, together, almost there. The end of an entire year. The beginning of a fresh one. And with this comes many reviews and listicles. The best of what was, the brightest of what is coming. BeachGrit, as an anti-depressive place, generally steers away from “Best of…” and the like but when the most consumed energy drink on our planet speaks it is important to listen.
Red Bull has just compiled the “7 best surf competitions in the world” and there are many surprises, not limited to the inclusion of 10 surf competitions.
First, and a surprise, is the Tudor Nazaré Tow Challenge. While tow surfing comes in and out of fashion, amongst surf fans, it is apparently back in and on top. Many bravos to Garrett McNamara.
Second is the Quiksilver (mysteriously spelled Quicksilver) Jaws Big Wave Challenge. When it runs, the action can, coincidentally, be caught on Red Bull TV.
Third is the entire Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, even though it has been turned digital and is not a surf competition, but fourth is where the real shock comes.
The World Surf League’s own Finals Day there on Lower Trestles cobbled stone.
Wow.
The US Open of Surfing, in Huntington Beach, claims fifth, Mavericks sixth even though it hasn’t run in forever, the second jewel of the Vans Triple Crown a stand alone seventh, Red Bull Magnitude, whatever that is, eighth, Red Bull Foam Wreckers ninth and Stab High closing the door in the ten slot.
So what do you feel about the list? How many of those events do you mark on your calendar and receive like presents on Christmas morning?
Not to be rude, but for my money it is one of the very worst complications of professional surfing events ever created. Here’s mine.
- Pipeline Pro (due the dumbing down of the Pipe Masters)
- J-Bay Open
- The Eddie (when it runs)
- Teahupoo Pro
- Mundaka (RIP)
- Backdoor Shootout
What are yours?
David Lee Scales and I, in any case, did not discuss any of this on our weekly chat which will leave it as a wonderful surprise for you. Something to curl up to on New Year’s Eve and while away the hours leading to midnight.
Happy day.
