Watch the Throne: Who Are the Contenders for the 2012 ASP World Title?
Watch the Throne in 2012
COOLANGATTA, Queensland/AUS (Monday, January 2, 2012) – 2011 has come and gone, delivering nothing short of one of the most exciting and talked about seasons the tour has ever witnessed. We saw bombing conditions at Teahupo’o and Pipeline, rippable surf in New York and San Francisco, and landmark swells at Bells and Supertubos. We saw the ascension of Kelly Slater (USA), 39, to the annals of sport history with an unprecedented 11th ASP World Title. We saw the announcement of a new guard of challengers including Owen Wright (AUS), 21, Michel Bourez (PYF), 26, Josh Kerr (AUS), 27, Julian Wilson (AUS), 23, and Alejo Muniz (BRA), 21. We saw the continued adaptation and high-performance of perennial threats such as Joel Parkinson (AUS), 30, Taj Burrow (AUS), 33, Adriano de Souza (BRA), 24, and Jordy Smith (ZAF), 23. We saw the preternatural performances of rotation kids Gabriel Medina (BRA), 18, Miguel Pupo (BRA), 20, and John John Florence (HAW), 19. 2012 is now upon us and 2012 is a question mark. Will we see the end of the Slater era? Will the world’s greatest surfer continue to outperform the next generation of talent? And if not, who will challenge for the throne? What follows is a breakdown of the 2011 ASP World Title Top 10…Watch the Throne…
KELLY SLATER (USA): 39 years old. 48 elite tour victories. 11 ASP World Titles. Robert Kelly Slater has been surfing’s “next best thing” for the past two decades. He is considered one the most dominant figures in all of sport…and he’s exhibited no sign of slowing down. Boasting incredible fitness and an ability to adapt to the ever-evolving performance level on the ASP World Tour, Slater is as dangerous as he has ever been in his career. However, the motivation to contest an entire season may be lacking as the iconic Floridian looks to transition to the next phase of his life. A guaranteed appearance at the season opener on the Gold Coast will see the great one don a singlet once again and his result at the Quiksilver Pro will likely set Slater’s pace for the season. Question is, when (IF) Kelly walks away, who will be next to ascend the throne?
JOEL PARKINSON (AUS): With 11 seasons amongst the world’s best under his belt, 30-year-old Joel Parkinson has finished Runner-Up four years (’02, ’04, ’09, ’11). The concept of being within grasp of the ASP World Title four times in one’s career is near unfathomable and would break most mortals. Fortunately for the surfing world, the man with arguably the greatest rail game in the world is not “most mortals”. Parkinson is hungry, fit and surfing at the height of his powers. If he can stay injury free in 2012, we may very well see what so many have waited to see for so long…a Parkinson atop the year-end ratings.
OWEN WRIGHT (AUS):In 2011, 21-year-old Owen Wright announced his intentions to the world when he made the Finals in back-to-back-to-back events against Slater, taking him out in New York and narrowly losing at Teahupo’o and Trestles. That said, Wright has well and truly proven himself capable of taking out events in any and all conditions. One of the most well-rounded surfers on the planet, the progressive goofy-footer will be licking his chops at the addition of Tavarua to this season’s schedule and the rest of the ASP Top 34 will have to collectively lift their games if they’re to keep up with the kid from Culburra in 2012.
TAJ BURROW (AUS): Burrow was once quoted as rhetorically pondering his affection with the ASP World Tour as “how do you get off this ride?”. And “ride” may very well sum up the 33-year-old’s 13-year tenure challenging for the title. Burrow is one of those rare individuals who has been considered an ASP World Title threat since his rookie year, but the ageless natural-footer from West Oz has only gotten as close as Runner-Up twice (’99, ’07). From the start of 2011, the remainder of the Top 34 fixed their gaze on Burrow as he was “surfing better than he ever has” (to quote virtually every surfer on tour). While Taj continued to amaze surf fans around the world last year, he didn’t reach the podium until the ASP Prime event at Haleiwa. These days, to win the title, consistency isn’t always enough. One needs podium finishes at the elite level to break the spirits of his/her fellow challengers. Taj is more than capable of this and we may just see it in 2012.
ADRIANO DE SOUZA (BRA): In a word: “passion”. De Souza has single-handedly changed the way the world views Brazilian surfing while clearing the path for the next generation of South American talent. Adept at airs, turns and barrels, the former ASP World Junior Champion is entering into his sixth consecutive year amongst the world’s elite (at only 24 years young too). De Souza has the drive and ability to be an ASP World Champion. The challenge for him over the coming years will be maintaining his dominance as the talent level continues to soar.
MICHEL BOUREZ (PYF): Ever since ‘The Spartan’ rampaged through the qualifying series in 2008, the world has been expecting big things from the powerful Tahitian. After finding his feet throughout his rookie and sophomore years, Michel Bourez was a picture of consistency in 2011, finishing Equal 9th in the first five events of the season. After a midyear slump, Bourez punctuated the remainder of the year with back-to-back Quarterfinal finishes in Europe and an Equal 3rd at Pipeline. Owner of one of the most powerful turns in the business, Michel is especially lethal at the reef passes (oh hello Tavarua!). Bourez has finished 21st, 11th and now 6th in his tenure amongst the world’s elite and if he can get off to a speedier start in 2012, we may see the Spartan challenge for the throne.
JORDY SMITH (ZAF): There are not too many surfers out there that can blow past the world’s best surfers at only 80%, but Durban’s Jordy Smith is one of these surfers. The big South African was once again in the title hunt throughout the first half of the season, but a mid-season injury in Tahiti derailed his campaign as he had to sit out at New York and Lowers (two events we would have liked to see him at). Throughout his four-year tenure amongst the ASP Top 34, Smith has shown the world many faces: progressive rookie, disinterested party boy and now a legitimate ASP World Title contender. His fitness level has never been higher and his talent is undeniable. We’ll have to wait and see what face Jordy turns up with in 2012.
JOSH KERR (AUS): From fly boy to…well…fly boy. Australian Josh Kerr has long been considered one of the best aerialists in the world, but his tube sense and big wave bravado have long been overshadowed by his above-the-lip prowess. Until now of course. Kerrzy proved himself at the 2011 heavy water spots and his rail game has improved significantly since he first took a shot at the ASP World Title back in 2007. Now well inside the ASP Top 10, Kerr will have to deal with the expectation of his fans and the judges while figuring out where he goes from here. Is the headline “Josh Kerr Claims 2012 ASP World Title” outside the scope of reality? We’ll have to wait and see.
JULIAN WILSON (AUS): Some people are given a lot in this world. Some people have to work for everything they get. The Sunshine Coast’s Julian Wilson is someone who can fall into both categories. Oozing with natural ability, it was Wilson’s work ethic and determination that saw the young natural-footer rebound after a slow start to the season to bag an ASP Prime win in Portugal and then post a Quarterfinal finish at Jeffreys Bay before blitzing the back half of the season. His efforts garnered him the ASP Rookie of the Year title and his charging at the season-ending Billabong Pipe Masters has been burned into the memories of the world’s best surfers. Wilson makes no apologies about his motivation at the top of the sport: he’s here for the ASP World Title. 2012 may be the year we see something special.
ALEJO MUNIZ (BRA): The second rookie to crack the Top 10 on the ASP World Title rankings and the man no one saw coming. Of course, anyone who had spent some water time with Muniz prior to the 2011 season would attest to the fact that the young Brazilian is the complete package. Solid fundamentals with the ability flare his fins at will, the thing that sets Alejo apart from other newcomers is his ability to put up big results in a variety of conditions. Muniz made the Quarterfinals at Snapper Rocks, Jeffreys Bay and Hossegor and the Semifinals at New York and San Francisco. The one thing that plagued Alejo’s rookie season was inconsistency: for every Quarters and Semis finish, he would suffer a Round 2 or 3 loss. The kid’s smart and well aware of this and we expect a marked improvement in 2012, but he is a challenger for the throne?
This list obviously fails to mention the remainder of the ASP Top 34, but they should not be discounted. As Slater said, “At this level, any of these guys can win any heat,” and when that’s the case, the 2012 ASP World Title is truly up for grabs. With the deactivation of the midyear rotation for 2012, the current ASP Top 34 will compete for the entirety of the season, starting with the season-opening Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast from February 25 – March 7, 2012. Watch the throne…
2012 ASP WORLD TITLE SCHEDULE:
- Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast (February 25 – March 7, 2012)
- Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach (April 3 – 14, 2012)
- Billabong Rio Pro (May 9 – 20, 2012)
- Volcom Fiji Pro (June 3 – 15, 2012)
- Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay (July 11 – 21, 2012)
- Billabong Pro Tahiti (August 16 – 27, 2012)
- Hurley Pro at Trestles (September 16 – 22, 2012)
- Quiksilver Pro France (September 28 – October 8, 2012)
- Rip Curl Pro Portugal (October 10 – 21, 2012)
- O’Neill Cold Water Classic Santa Cruz (November 2 – 12, 2012)
- Billabong Pipe Masters (December 8 – 20, 2012)
For more information, log onto ASPWorldTour.com
Comments
Category: All ASP News, ASP Editorial News, ASP World Tour News
1.slater (if he remains on tour)
2. jordy/medina/julian
3.parko/fanning; unless they step up in the aerial dept
4.taj? kerr? john john?
go slater! but if he retires; go medina!
dane; come back on tour!!
and where the hell is clay and jamie; two amazing surfers!??!
no one will ever top slater, best of all time, but i think medina and jordy could get 1-2 titles.
but it would be sad if taj and parko never got one.. hopefully they pull it off somehow.
go parko
It´s sad to see this kind of prejudice against Brazil in the comments above. I´ll like to remember that the center of the world is not South California, guys. The Brazilians are rising – you like it or not – not to talk about the Australians that dominate the world tour for a long time. How come people who live in the wealthiest state of USA ( the country that´s the former leader of the free world, but now its people can´t afford to pay their mortgages and are living in their cars) can be so dumb? This lack of education from the boys from SoCal it´s not new…I remember reading in the american magazines TEXTS AGAINST A YOUNG SURFER FROM FLORIDA years ago, with the same amount of prejudice and dumbness that we see now -20 years later – in this comments we find the same crap…This surfers was Kelly…they said that he can´t surf good waves cause his from Florida, blah, blah…Let just remember that whenever Kelly retires, it´s possible that your golden boys like Kolohe”Barbie” Andino and Conner “Justin Bieber” Coffin will be still in the QS…and there will be no mainland american left. Not one…Maybe it´s the awareness of that sad reality that causes so much anger…That said, i desire that in this new year this crappy guys who wrote things like that will be struggling to survive…And no, Trestles it´s not the best small wave in the world…it´s not even close to that. And I´m impressed to with the comment moderation…moderation on what? Theres a bunch of anti semite comments full of prejudice just above…You can tell the world is changing, for sure…In Brasil, racism is a crime and if a Brazilian writes something like this against african descents or something like that they would be sued for sure…Sad american reality…full of prejudice, empty of talent and money too…Time will tell. It sure will. Pray to Kelly not get bored next year gonzos!!!
S
Agreed, except Trestles is an amazing wave (even I look like an amazing surfer there!) all the same Medina has put all of us in his rear view mirror regardless of what we think. I cannot wait to attend the events in Trestles, Santa Cruz (Steamer Lane, right?), and Peniche (not such an easy wave, Red Rock!?!) this year.
my 2012 predictions are:
1.PARKO
2.MICK
3.OWEN
4.MEDINA
Gabriel has Talent for sure BUT i havnt seen a full repertoire from him no power no rail!
Take alook at J Floreence this kid has it all medina just looks like he is skateboarding!
Raoni Monteiro will win the World Title in 2012! That’s for sure! Ke11y has no chance. And Medina will be the runner-up.
hahahaha we have a comedian in the house
all these fkn zillas talking up Medina As the next Slater? WTF? fact is there will never be another slater! winning one world title he’ll be lucky AND GOOD ON HIM IF HE DOES, no one surfer will ever win another 11 world titles. THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER KELLY SLATER OK SO GET THE FARK OVER IT EVERYONE!. I reckon Julian will win a World title before Owen Does, he has always battled Owen and went the other way round to qualifying for the WT than Owen,but built one hell of a profile and following which i am sure Nike love! Anyone that can put a complete year together deserves to win regardless, but remember its a long year things can go from good to farking real good but things cna also go from bad to farking shite real quick, so lets re visit this story come Mid Year eh.
good stuff ,about time someone spoke reality to these brazos medina will never ever ever be as good as slater . i remember hearing all the same crap about poo man de souza . there just middle of the pack making up the numbers .
And if the tour should be blessed with consistent heaving 8ft barrels the winner would be….. KP!!!!
Medina ars good…but to beat KK (King Kelly) better start jumping da pier….
What are you talking about? Medina faced Kelly 2 times, Kelly did nothing, he’s pure fear when face Gabriel Medina cause he know the boy got talent. “He will win at least 2 World Titles” – Kelly Slater.
Apparently, you don’t have been following the WT in 2011.
My prediction is the same as last year: Jordy Smith, but de Souza, Owen Wright, Fanning and Parko are all up there. Don’t know enough about Medina.
I think Dusty Payne has the skills to rise to the top if he could ever figure out how to win heats consistently!!
In no particular order 2012 will be one of:
1. Kelly
2. Owen
3. Medina
4. Jordy
No one else has the complete package (airs / rail / mental game) – love Parko to prove me wrong though…
The ONLY heats on demand I watch are Kelly and Medina! I’m bored with the rest!
You’re right, man !
Yeah!…That’s only when he’s surfing in a 30min heat….Other than that!….He’s as boring as it gets…
The King is the is the King and only the King (and maybe Mother Nature) will decide when he will be dethroned. Heading into his 40th birthday he is still by far the most experienced, phyically fit and knowledgable surfer in the water today…perorid. He knows how to play the contest game better than anyone out there (48 WT victories). Why do you think that the first though in his competitors mind when they draw him in a heat is “Oh S#*t!!!”. Everyone has to pick up their game agaist him while he just goes on being himself. Yes he loses heats but 9 times out of 10 he either makes a mistake (to error is human) or mother nature plays him (no waves in the last few minutes to pull it out of his ars). A freak of nature, no, just the total package that noone has been able to replacate. He’ll step down when he’s ready and then you have so much talet out there you’ll have a different champ every year but none of them will ever come close to the accomplishments of Kelly…long live the King.
Curren will come back this year and beat KS and the rest on a 7’2″ Black Beauty. Go Tommy!
if jordy remains fit, i don’t think kelly could consistantly beat him or anyone else for that matter. another one would be owen wright who will only get smarter and julian wilson would have to be my dark horse. i think he was the unluckiest competitor by far last year.
“While Taj continued to amaze surf fans around the world last year, he didn’t reach the podium until the ASP Prime event at Haleiwa” Um, Taj was runner-up at Snapper & Rio…
Correct, should read “winner’s podium”
watch for White Lightning.
@ASP the title is Watch the Throne,Who are the contenders for the asp world title?,its self explanatory you leave out mick fanning,dumb posting.
As noted in the piece, we just gave a breakdown of the Top 10 finishers from last year. Fanning, Medina and any of the other ASP Top 34 are more than capable of claiming the title (also noted in the piece).
Spartan. Smoothest Operator next to Parko
it seems everone has forgotten the 2x World Champ….shame on you.
Stick it to em Mick!!!
OMG! Did you people really forget about 2x world champ Mick Fanning?
Jhon Jhon Florence runner up …
Parko`s time has come, Medina aint gonna be there just yet, and look out for Owen.
I don’t know if anyone will ever be the next Kelly Slater but Gabriel Medina looks like the strongest contender.
Medina? Can’t bear his surfing myself – no flow; just a few disjonted explosions. Hopefully the judges will get up to speed and drop a few ponts when surfers don’t join the moves up.
No flow, WTF! Open your eyes ya donkey!!
agreed
Spezzman have look at the S.F final 2 turnes 1 bottom 1 off the topp. Smoth powerfull and beautiful. no flow be honest!
Ke11y is Ke11y. But don’t blink Gabriel Medina is the next Gabriel. In three years you won’t be comparing him to anyone but if you show up & watch him surf it’s clear. He rail surfs like Mick & Parko. He aerials like Clay & Dane. He chasing barrels with the focus of A.I. & Bruce. And he actually enjoys surfing like Ke11y. Don’t hate or u’ll miss out on the present.
Medina only got to surf half the year on the tour, if he had surfed like he did for a whole year he would have gotten 61500 points and second or maby even world champ considering how a whole year for Medina probably would have affected kellys score.
Kelly will continue to try and win world titles now that the number he has attained matches the current year. Example being, winning 11 WT’s in 2011, 12 in 2012, 13 in 2013, etc. Just kidding of course.
And where is Medina in the list? Here comes the Golden Boy
Medina is the guy. not sure about 2012 world title…but should finish top 5.
KS12 long life to the king
JOSH KERR??????? Oh, my god, you “forget” Gabriel Medina to put this guy on list??? Sad….
It’s just a review of the Top 10 finishers from last year. There was nothing subjective about selecting who to review. Gabriel is absolutely a threat.
Ah, ok. Understood, thanks ASP for the info and consideration with the readers. Best regards!
should the article heading then read “2011 top 10 review” ?
JORDY. at 80% he’s beating the best. Medina and gang are surfing at 110%. FULL STOP
what are you trying to say dude??? youre making no sense..
then monkeys flew out of my butt.
Come on parko!!
Gabriel Medina wins ASP 2012 title!
yep, medina no dought.
kerr, wilson and muniz are real contenders, its time for a change of the gaurd me thinks!!!! some lazy money on this trio for a crown at some juicy odds im guessing ?