ASP Power Rankings after the US Open

Dane on his way to first place at the 2012 Rincon Classic

The Surfline Pow3r Rankings is one of the few features I look forward to these days as far as conventional surf media goes, not to mention, considerably more entertaining than their C-St Surf Report has been this summer. I like the way they switch around writers a bit for different perspectives. I thought JOB did a good one, and like Kelly said, "he's a credible surfer, but distant enough from the tour"  That was before blocking him on twitter of course. And I can't speak for everyone else, but Louis Samuels unfiltered approach works for me. I'd like to see him back. Anyway JOB probably surfs better than me, and I'll give Louis the nod at Ocean Beach. But hey, I'm unfiltered, I'm unsponsored, and I'm unemployed. So as the elite field of thirty-six surfers hit the water in Tahiti, and I make my final picks for my Fantasy Surfer Team, I thought I'd  throw in my two cents. Here's the power rankings after the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, La Conchita Style.

Number One: John John Florence.

He wins at Pipe. He wins in Brazil. He wins at Margaret River. And he's a threat to win anywhere and everywhere in between. Huge hacks, incredible barrel riding skills, the full air program, speed, style, and flow. The Judges love him, and so do I. JJF is sitting comfortably at number one in the world rankings, which in my opinion makes him number one in the world. It's time to end this two tired ranking system before we end up with two world champions.  The elite events are great, higher prize money, more points, limited field, maybe too limited. But as far as crowning your world champion based on just the WCT events. I disagree. I say take your top eight events regardless whether it's a prime, 6 Star, or the Rincon Classic. Basically, anywhere in the world. Ok, back to John. He's doesn't claim a lot, he's down to earth, skates all the time, is sitting high on top of the money leader board.  Plus, if that's not enough, he rides Pyzels, charges huge Cloudbreak, and has a super hot mom.

Current WCT Ranking: 5th
World Ranking: 1st

Number Two: Kelly Slater

Ke12y?

Yep.. He's still that good. A win in Fiji, a controversial second place at Bells, a fifth at Snapper, and a third just a couple weeks ago in Huntington. A few of the young Brazilians seem unfazed by his super human powers, but he can take out just about anyone else out with a simple handshake before a heat. Ask Yades. The best competitive surfer ever hands down, and despite the incredible amount of new talent coming up, it's unlikely anyone else will ever even come close. Eleven World Titles and a definite threat to win Twelve.

Current WCT Ranking: 2nd (Tied with Parko)
World Ranking: 3rd

Number Three: Dane Reynolds

Don't blink or you'll miss his entire wave.

Dane picked up an equal fifth at the US Open. That's the best I've seen him do since he won the Rincon Classic over Bobby Martinez in February. That makes him number three in my first power ranking. Dane is unmatched in explosiveness period. He surfs on the edge of disaster with the unpredictability of a shark attack at Leadbetter Beach. With Shark like speed too. I predict he will win the next dozen Rincon Classics in a row. If the Tour ever switches to a jam style skate format, Dane would probably do pretty well but, trying to get two good waves when you surf at the speed of Dane. Well that's really a matter of luck. Bummer for the tour, bummer for the fans, but I'm stoked he lives around here, where I can occasionally spot him in some blurry photos of mine.

Current WCT Ranking: N/A
World Ranking: 57th

Number Four: Mick Fanning

This was a tough one. Mick is currently sitting at number one on the World Championship Tour but fifth on the world rankings. You see where I'm going with this? Medina, Slater, ADS, and John are all ahead of him. Still in Mick's defense he has only been concentrating on the WCT. Good thing too because he, along with fellow WCT Surfers Taj, Taylor Knox, and Ace Buchan, were all blown out in the first round by so called."Lesser Quality Surfers"at the US Open. That's where Bobby's argument doesn't hold water. These guys in the WCT live in a protected bubble of two man heats, and the priority system. Fact: The QS is tough. Fact: They are coming to get you. Still Mick rips. He is fast and fluid, and in my opinion deserved that controversial win at Bells over Slater. Mick surfed Bells like it should be surfed. Kelly pulled out a huge hail mary air that could have won in New York. In Huntington. In San Francisco, or just about anywhere. But a one maneuver wave regardless of how incredible and timely that one was. It just doesn't cut it at places like Bells, Jeffery's Bay, and especially that spot just north of here.

Current WCT Ranking: 1st
World Ranking: 5th

Number Five: Adriano De Souza

This was a tough call too. But this guy is a fierce competitor, surfs solidly, and is sitting number two in the world rankings. So I gave him the edge over Number Six... On the other hand, while I haven't met him, he seems like a bit of a jerk in the water, and is clearly the most despised surfer on the Fantasy Surfer Forums. Kelly seems to have a problem with him more often than not, but I remember Kelly being a bit of a hassler back in the day too. Well, its different in Brazil. That's a good argument, I guess. Just like those kids down at Zippers who kept dropping in on me. At first I took it personally but then I realized they were dropping in on each other too. Anyway. Okay, so it's not the gentleman's hour at Indicator. It's pro surfing.

Current WCT Ranking: 4th
Current World Ranking: 2nd

Number Six: Taj Burrow

Wouldn't mind surfing like this guy either.

At this point your'e probably wondering where Parko is? After all he is tied for second with Slater in the WCT race. But.. He is way down at number 10 in the world rankings, and he'll be lucky to make it that high on my list. Especially after that crab-stance comment back at Lower's last year. Hmmm.. Taj... I would like to surf like Taj. He surfs like his board is part of his body. One of the best ever but not likely to win the world title.

Current WCT Ranking: 5th (Tied with John)
Current World Ranking: 7th

Number Seven: Josh Kerr

What's not to like about Josh. He has the best post heat interview hats in the business, impressive at Chope's last year, and killing it everywhere else around the world. Third at Snapper, Fifth at Bells, Third in Rio, another Fifth at Margaret's, he's definitely "in form". Nothing worse than a 13th on the CT. Australian transplant living in So Cal, I like him. Ok. Come and surf Rincon anytime. Just not during the Gentleman's Hour.

Current WCT Ranking: 7th
World Ranking: 6th

Number Eight: Julian Wilson

Sorry no Jules.. Here's Sally

Jules was my favorite surfer as things winded down last year. Ton's of tricks, solid turns, and a great competitive drive. At one point I thought he as good as Dane but actually mangaged to stay on. That was before Dane started showing up in the cove last winter. Still I'm stoked for him to win the US Open a couple weeks ago taking down a red hot Miguel Pupo. That drop at he made at pipe last year was unmake-able, and he was one of the only pros to tow-in at macking Chopes. Too bad it won't be like that this year. First heats in the water as I write this. John John, Miguel, Pat G. Miguel is in the lead with twelve minutes to go.

Current WCT Ranking: 10th
World Ranking: 8th


Number Nine: Gabriel Medina

Gabe, Miguel, Gabe, Miguel, Gabe, Miguel. Wow another tough call. I like Miguel's style a bit better and he rides his dads boards, but Medina is tough to beat when he doesn't fall. Two WCT wins right out of the gate and well, he doesn't fall.  Picked up a second in Fiji, a win at the Nike Lowers Pro and an equal third at the US Open. Personally he needs I think he needs to mix it up a little or the judges are going to get bored. I'm bored. Maybe he makes it look too easy.

Current WCT Ranking: 13th
World Ranking: 4th

Number Ten: Jordy Smith

This is my last official call, and a real tough choice.  Miguel could have got it, Owen maybe, Joel, sorry nope. Jordy is a big guy and throws a lot of spray. He's also pretty impressive on point breaks. Looks like John John has this heat wrapped up as the Billabong Pro is well underway. No surprise on that. Yeah. Jordy's cool. Come on up.

Current WCT Ranking: 8th
World Ranking: 9th

Parko still might have a chance depending on the Parko Push. Otherwise, I can't see anyone outside of my top ten with a chance at the world title. Don't get me wrong. I think Parko surfs well, good style, but I'd still rather surf like Taj. Some of the my top ten may already be eliminated if you did the math, but I didn't.Ok, So here's some quick thoughts on the bottom two thirds.

Pat G.. Or one of his brothers..

WCT#2... Parko: Congrats on that Molokai to Oahu paddle.
WCT#9... Owen Wright: Last year was your best chance. Avatar.. More like Robotron.
WCT#11.. JFlo: Crazy Chopes heat last year. Like!
WCT#12.. CJ: Legend
WCT#14.. Heitor: Future World Title.. No chance.
WCT#15.. Ace: Nice guy. First round exit at the US Open.
WCT#15.. Tiago Pires: Like
WCT#17.. The Spartan: World Ranking #37 Needs a result!
WCT#18.. Miguel Pupo: Better than Gabrial Medina?
WCT#18.. Simpo: Solidly in the middle of the pack.
WCT#20.. Alejo Muniz: Best CT Result. Equal Fifth in Brazil
WCT#20.. Kai Otton:  Suprised me how hard he killed it in 2 foot Huntington Beach. On my team for Chopes. Like!
WCT#22.. Bede Durbidge: Um..World Ranking 48. Desperately in need of my idea of a bigger field for the elite dream tour events.
WCT#23.. Damo: Legend
WCT#24.. Travis Logie: Needs some results.
WCT#24.. FreddyP: Coming back strong. Like!
WCT#26.. Raoni Monteiro: Charged it at huge cloudbreak. Like!
WCT#26.. Adam Melling: World Ranking #40.
WCT#26.. Brother: Over-hyped? Over- Coached?
WCT#26.. Wilko: A cross between Dane, Juien, and Jeff Spicoli. Like!

Yades. Near Home.

WCT#26.. Yadin: World Ranking #52. Rincon Transplant. Like!
WCT#31.. Kieran Perrow: World Ranking #73. Na Na Na Nah...Hey Hey... GoodBye,
WCT#31.. Jadson Andre: World Ranking #80. Nice knowing you..
WCT#31.. Pat G: Best drop ever at Cloudbreak. Unless it was one of his brothers.
WCT#34.. Dusty Payne: Just finished last heat heat one.
WCT#34.. Taylor Knox: Legend
WCT#36.. William Cardoso: On the bubble.

Kelly.. Testing equipment like Kelly does.