Brazil’s Gabriel Medina is walking tall these days, and it’s not just because he’s the front-runner in the race for the world surfing championship.
He really is taller, having grown a little more than an inch within the last year to his current 5 feet 11.
But Medina is walking tall in another way. Not only is he way up there when he’s bashing off the lip of a clean 12-footer, but he is also about to wrap up a hugely successful 2018 campaign and can nab his second world title at the Billabong Pipe Masters, which starts today at Ehukai Beach, conditions permitting.
Although the 24-year-old Medina has never won the Pipe Masters, he has come close. While winning the world crown in 2014, he was the runner-up at the place also known as Banzai Pipeline — the most famous break on the planet. He also took second place there in 2015.
Medina comes in as the No. 1 WSL surfer and can wrap it all up by placing first or second in the season-ender that has a holding period through Dec. 20.
EZEKIEL LAU’S TAKEThe Honolulu surfer, who won the Vans World Cup on Thursday, gave his assessment of the three world-title contenders as well as a glimpse into his future.
>> On Gabriel Medina: “He has just been so sharp and on point the entire year, every event so consistent. That is something I strive for as well and that’s what makes world champions.”
>> On Julian Wilson: “He is a performer under pressure. He thrives in big moments. One event this year, he hurt his shoulder and wasn’t supposed to surf. The next thing you know, he paddles out and wins it. That’s what makes a champion.”
>> On Filipe Toledo: “He is doing some of the most incredible surfing in the jersey that anyone has ever seen, which is really inspiring for me.”
>> On all three: “They’re the veterans and I’m only in my second year on tour. They’re pushing the envelope every event. I feel like I’m always chasing them to get to that level.”
>> On the upcoming 2019 world tour: “I’m known as a power surfer, but I always want to look at myself as being well-rounded. I want to be a world champ, so I want to be able to do everything, whether it’s small waves, big waves, aerial surfing, high-performance surfing. Whatever it is, I need to be able to do it. The mental game has been a big learning process. Emotions are going to be there, but it’s a matter of breaking it down and going, ‘OK, how am I going to use this?’ I’m growing more in that aspect of the game and that’s a big part.”
“I’ve had a consistent year — all year long,” Medina said Friday in an interview at a news conference. “And I have that advantage of being in the front. The last three years I’ve been fighting for it, but running to get up there. I feel comfortable because I’ve been in this position before. I’ve gotten a lot of good waves in the past at Pipeline and Backdoor and I hope we get good waves with good size and everybody gets barreled and the best wins.”
There are two others who can walk on Oahu’s North Shore water (with the aid of a board) all the way to the world title — the WSL’s Nos. 2 and 3 — Julian Wilson of Australia and Filipe Toledo of Brazil. They can only succeed if Medina finishes third or worse at Pipe and by pushing deep into the contest.
Wilson beat Medina in the 2014 Pipe final. Toledo’s best finish at the break is fifth place, also in ’14. Like Medina, they’re poised and ready to try to be the one.
“I’ve been out (surfing) since I got here, and it’s been pretty good the last few days,” Wilson said. “I’ve been able to get in amongst the energy. This is the closest to the title I’ve been. All three of us need a good result to clinch. It’s possible that Gabe could lose it or me and Filipe could snatch it. In order for that to happen, a good result needs to happen. It’s Pipe. You gotta respect the ocean, respect the wave and hope you can find some gems.”
All of the competitors, past and present, know in their hearts that Pipeline is the real star of the show. Gerry Lopez, who won the Pipe Masters in 1972 and ’73 and is also known as Mr. Pipeline, gave it that billing in his own way Friday. He refers to it as “The Pipeline” and he’s known it for longer and more intimately than most.
“This is a great race, a three-horse race down to the end and it’s pretty amazing that it’s gong to happen at the Pipeline,” Lopez said. “It couldn’t end in a better way and I wouldn’t bet on any of them. They’re all so good and any one of them could win at any time.”
Toledo, a regular foot (left foot forward) like Wilson, has been honing his backside barrel-riding skills at Teahupoo in Tahiti, another world-class left-hander.
“I’m going to do whatever it takes to win,” Toledo said. “Pipe (breaking left) or Backdoor (breaking right); I like Backdoor a little more. But I’m in. If I have to go left, no problem. Let’s do it.”
RECENT CHAMPIONS
WSL world title
>> 2018: TBD
>> 2017: John John Florence, Haleiwa
>> 2016: John John Florence, Haleiwa
Vans Triple Crown
>> 2018: TBD
>> 2017: Griffin Colapinto, San Clemente, Calif.
>> 2016: John John Florence, Haleiwa
Billabong Pipe Masters
>> 2018: TBD
>> 2017: Jeremy Flores, France
>> 2016: Michel Bourez, French Polynesia
Vans World Cup
>> 2018: Ezekiel Lau, Honolulu
>> 2017: Conner Coffin, Santa Barbara, Calif.
>> 2016: Jordy Smith, South Africa
Hawaiian Pro
>> 2018: Joel Parkinson, Australia
>> 2017: Filipe Toledo, Brazil
>> 2016: John John Florence, Haleiwa
Medina, a goofy foot (right foot forward), has a bit of an edge going left because he’ll be facing the wave.
Many WSL surfers are jockeying for position to get back on tour next year. The top 22 after Pipe qualify for ’19.
The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing champion will also be determined at the Pipe Masters. Australia’s Joel Parkinson, who won the Hawaiian Pro in November, leads those standings, followed by Brazil’s Jesse Mendes and Honolulu’s Ezekiel Lau, who captured the Vans World Cup on Thursday.
