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.

"Hey, do you surf, man? Are you a surfer?"

Plastic is not healthy for children and other living things. Photo: Chris Jordan

"Oh, no... Not me, I'm just a garbage man."  Certainly one of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite movies of all time, Big Wednesday. So I think about Bear every time I pick up a new piece of trash and it makes me smile. Bear and I have a lot in common actually. We both drink too much, lost our shops, ex wives, etc, etc, etc... Only real difference, I am a surfer, man.. And it's getting harder, and harder to keep my head in the sand regarding all this plastic and crap washing up on the beach.  So I adopted a one mile stretch of beach that runs about the middle of LC about a mile north to the now nearly infamous surf spot I call "the curve". It's called something else now. But then I still call Pipes, Stables,  Leo Carrillo, Secos,  Zeros, Nicholas Canyon, No way man.. that's Point Zero!!! Maybe it's just Zero. Fact checking is not a huge part of my writing arsenal, I often find a vague recollection will do.. None of those spots are on my route anyway. What's your point Don, you want a sign or something?

A garbage collectors best friends

Not really, I just thought it might inspire some other obsessive compulsive eco-kook like myself to go on a mission to clean up his beach, lake, park, or yard. I'm no saint, in fact for at least 25 years I was flicking lit cigarettes out the window of my Landcruiser. Hundreds of them, probably more. My van isn't exactly green, but I did recently buy a new electric bike that gets 1200 miles to the gallon, and I've been trying hard to keep that van in the driveway. So I have come up with a comprehensive list of criteria that needs to be met before I hop in van and blast five miles into town. Topping that list is the "you better have more than one thing to do in town or you're not going clause"  ie.. No running into to town just buy a carton of eggs when your neighbor would probably be happy to give you a couple. Now a twelve pack of Sierra Nevada on the other hand, is a lot to ask, not to mention carry on your back.  Note to self... Buy a case next time. I don't want too be to preachy here. Just sayin'.. I'm changing my world, and you can't stop me. Personally I'm about as optimistic as Yvon Chouinard on the matter of saving the earth, but I'm out there walking my dogs anyway so why not. It was that very point that I took to heart when KS11 put it out there on twitter.

Happy Birthday!

Anyway.. I think the cigarette butt usually tops the list during California's Annual Coastal Clean Up. But it's the plastic bottle cap, usually from a single use plastic beverage container that tops the list on my stretch of beach. Followed closely by tiny bits of broken up plastic. Yes, styrofoam sucks, as does discarded fishing line. Ok. Environmentally speaking, all foam sucks, including the pieces of rotted out surfboards lost years ago that occasionally break free from that seawall just north of here. Balloons are disgusting after they've been floating down the trash superhighway. Can you think of another way to say Happy Birthday, or I love you? No not doves! If you are not aware of this my friends, there is a place in the middle of the the ocean the size of Texas no, the size of France, where chemical sludge, fishing nets, tires, just about anything and everything that floats, even those seemingly harmless Rubber Ducks you have floating in your bath tub. To be sure there are more than a few broken surfboards in the mix, along with some of my other favorite petroleum based products like, wetsuits, sunglasses, wax, and my Mick Fanning signature Reef sandals with bottle opener on the bottom, and the plastic bags. Actually I think wax sinks. Yes, I have a vague recollection of watching my wax slowly disappear into the deep, and slipping all over my board the rest of the day, but the plastic bags, please...

Today's Haul

Fucking A.. Using two fucking plastic bags to carry a big bottle of laundry detergent that already has a built in handle is pure insanity, isn't it? Yhink about it. It's actually harder to carry that way. Ever have your wine drop out the bottom of one of those things. The bags are virtually useless, especially when you consider that almost everything thing we buy usually comes pre-packaged in plastic, or with a built in handle. I am proud to be part of a town that just adopted Ordinance No. 655. That being, Carpinteria's Plastic Ban Ordinance, passed only two weeks ago.  Now ask yourself, did we really have to make it a law to do the right thing?  I guess we did. The fines are $100, $200, $500, for consectutive offenses of passing a single plastic bag. But your town doesn't have to wait, Carpinteria Albertson's has been voluntarily bag-less for almost a year now and it works. Do you really want to wait for your city council to tell you what to do? SB? Ventura? California? World? 

I think we have a problem here.

There are scientists out there being paid good money to pick up trash, sort it out, and catalog it on beautiful remote south pacific islands. So maybe I'm an idiot to be doing it for free in LC, but I'm not the only one. The awesome ladies of La Conchita, which include the first woman to ever grace the cover of surfer magazine sweep through town every Monday, and have treats for your dog too!  Still, I realize that not all of you have dogs that wake you up at 6:45am sharp with their leash in their mouth ready to hit the beach. So being a garbage man is probably not an option for everyone. However, I just read about another idea called the "Save 10 Movement" Just try to save 10 pieces of trash from going in the water anytime your at the beach. I know what your thinking. You're going to put me out of a job. Don't even worry about it. I'm having no trouble filling a medium sized trash bag once a week, and sadly, I can't keep up with it. After the gale force winds we had over the weekend, a crap load of foam from a obviously destroyed boat came floating in. You know the kind of foam they inject into the bulkhead, and everywhere else to keep it afloat. Well it didn't work. I did a search to see if any small craft went missing that weekend, but really there's no telling where this came from. It could have come from anywhere, but it is very interesting how the trash flotilla basically stays together. The porta-potty,oil cans, krazy glue, pens, pencils, oven cleaner, gas cans, anything that didn't sink to the bottom washed up right here.  Pick 5, Pick 2, Pick 1, or just pick up after yourself.  At this point I'm probably preaching to the choir now anyway, but if even one person reads this and makes a change.. Then well, that's pretty cool, so thanks! 

Free Beer!

Yep... There is an unlimited amount of crap washing up on are shorelines every day, but believe it or not there are still people leaving their own trash behind on a daily basis. Fishermen top my list at the moment, followed closely by partiers who are simply unwilling, or afraid to pack up their empty beer cans. Sure they occasionally leave a full one for me, but where the hell have these people been living the past ten years. This is the new millennium, the environmental revolution, reduce, reuse, recycle,  elf, Jack Johnson. Remember the Indian with a tears running down his face. That was back in the seventies! You're telling me in the year two thousand and twelve, people actually think it's perfectly fine to leave their trash behind wherever they want? Whatever... Ok I'll pick it up for you, no worries. Sadly I'm sure the partiers and beach goers will eclipse anything the fishermen are doing as soon as we hit summer, but thats another story. "That's the lemon next to the pie"

Wasting away in La Conchita Ville

Aaron "Arson" Ernst was absolutely killing it!

Let's see.. Picking up where I left off in December. I did manage to hang in there last month with $1.81 to spare.  Unfortunately exactly nine days after I got some cash, the day before new year eve, the van just died.. The only good news was it died right at the bottom of the offramp at Bates Rd. (just north of here)  With a help of couple fisherman I got it parked under the bridge, locked it up, and I went surfing, just like every other day in December. Three hours later it actually started but didn't sound great. I know it's hard to believe but, despite my rugged good looks, and neck beard, I really don't no shit about cars. But it did start, just barely, and I made a run for home. I even caught a lucky break and made the left turn into LC without stopping, limped down SurfSide, and it died in the driveway. Now I love my van, but after a week of denial, anger, bargaining, and depression, I finally accepted I was going to have to tow it in.

Tuesday Afternoon

So for the past month I've haven't had a car. It's sorta, kinda, pretty cool. I am very lucky to be within walking and biking distance to not just one, but two world class surf spots. It even got me think about getting an electric bike after seeing how much money I'm saving not buying gas. Riding your bike to Rincon is one thing, but going all the way into Carp is a bit much, Especially after surfing three hours..  Especially when you have 30 lbs of groceries on your back. (Yeah those beer bottles are not light) Especially if you bought a bottle of wine too. Unfortunately.. I think I'm looking at about 2K to get the van back to life, so the electric bike may have to wait. Well it's one or the other I guess. But I can't get to El Cap on the electric bike which was where I would have been heading last weekend, so yea, van, bike, van... The van is most likely gonna win out here.

Dane..Too bad I missed the first part of this turn...

Last weekend... Biggest swell of the year this far with the Goleta Buoy hitting 10' @ 17 seconds, and yep, I do keep track... probably ocd or something like it.  It was solid, some old guys said eight foot sets. I saw the reef way, way, way  outside Stanley's breaking on the sets.  But I was sick as a dog and had been for a few days. So silver cloud, golden lining, something like that. I decided to break out the camera and went down to shoot some surfing. Turned out to be pretty fun, so I rode my bike down there again yesterday. Here ya go.. Yeah 2012.. No car... Sick as a dog for the biggest swell of the year... Ok, it's not the end of the world, it's Tuesday afternoon in the cove with Dane, Pat, Lakey, Arson, and the crew. Music by Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham.. Enjoy the full screen option for maximum viewing pleasure.