?We Need Our Voice to Be Heard?: Days After Massive Controversy at Kelly Slater?s Wave Pool, Top Surfing Stars Make an Appeal in Times of Sadness

In the aftermath of the highly anticipated competition at Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch, an unexpected turn of events has ignited a wave of controversy within the surfing world. This clash started when American surfer Griffin Colapinto trounced Brazilian surfer Italo Ferreira in the 2023 Surf Ranch Pro last weekend. However, the vast majority of people believe Ferreira easily out surfed Colapinto in the final.

The controversial judgment by the panel of judges has ignited a storm of debate and raised questions about the integrity of competitive surfing. This led Medina to express his frustrations through a strongly written letter directed at the World Surf League (WSL). In the wake of this controversy, numerous iconic figures from the surfing realm have stepped forward, determined to express their viewpoints on the pressing matter at hand.?

Surfing stars demand fair judging amid controversial scores

“We want nothing but fair. Nothing beyond what is our right. We need our voice to be heard and respected,” stated 2x US Open Surfing champion, Filipe Toledo. As per the report of Vice, the dissatisfaction with final decision at the Surf Ranch Pro has been simmering within the surfing community, particularly in Brazil.

Gabriel Medina, another Brazilian surfing sensation, took to Instagram to convey his disappointment. “The surfing community, especially in Brazil, is mesmerized with the poor clarity and inconsistency of judging for many years now. This is very frustrating and is stagnating the sport.” Surfing competitions often experience controversies regarding judging and scores, and the Surf Ranch Pro is no exception. However, the unique circumstances of the event amplified the scrutiny.

At Kelly Slater surf ranch in California, the waves generated in the artificial surf pool are precisely crafted. It lead to striking similarities in the maneuvers performed by surfers like Griffin Colapinto and Italo Ferreira. It all started with Ethan Ewing, who won with a slight difference in the quarterfinals against Gabriel Medina. Both these cases stirred the disruption. With both athletes flawlessly executing nearly identical moves without any falls, the judges face an intricate challenge in discerning which surfer deserves a higher score.

Surf Ranch Pro ignites surfing controversy and raises judging questions

People have labeled the Surf Ranch Pro, led by the 11-time world champion, as a lackluster affair, while others have gone as far as to dub the recent event an “insurrection.” The Surf Ranch stands as a renowned wave pool and has captivated the surfing world since its inception in 2015. However, controversies surrounding judging decisions have fueled a tense atmosphere, with reports emerging from harassment, intimidation, and violence targeting WSL judges and people who work there.

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In response, Erik Logan, CEO of WSL, firmly stated, “We completely reject the suggestion that the judging of our competitions is unfair or biased. These claims are not supported by any evidence.”Amidst conflicting opinions, the surfing community remains dedicated to upholding fairness in judging. Clearly, the ongoing debate on the future of competitive surfing and the role of wave pools continues, driven by a desire to preserve the sport’s integrity.?

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