Circus Back in Town

So, it’s carnival time again, when the artists and the acts come back to the big top to re-establish themselves in the ASP ring.

In the last year, a lot has changed. Surf brands have lost their appetite to bankroll the show, replaced by a new entity that promises much. A new ringmaster takes his position. We know all the names and we hope that the show goes on with fresh acts and a new cast.

The Champions Tour is dear to almost every surfer on the planet. It’s like a difficult but gifted child of universal parents. Parents who are often blessed and astounded by the utter brilliance of their fledgling.

This year’s show will tell a lot about where the jamboree is headed. Will it be much of the same – with dodgy webcasts, sketchy commentating and spongy leadership?

Or will it be a show that good enough to attract a wider, more engaged audience? Roll up!! Roll up!! We’ll have to wait and see.

Or will it be a show that good enough to attract a wider, more engaged audience? Roll up!! Roll up!! We’ll have to wait and see. As at every good jamboree, a lady with a crystal ball wouldn’t be out of place.

The opening act has already taken place at Snapper Rocks. Quiksilver, the sponsors of the event, have announced and then denied deep cuts to their most valuable assets – their sponsored surfers. Their new leader has made his presence felt.

The arena, Super Bank is good enough to provide a worthy winner. A place where anyone worth his salt would want to ‘own’. So who will it be?

Kelly keeps having to prove himself, to himself and will be very tough to beat. Sweet as honey Joel could be on a roll. Mick is hurting and might have the most to gain by winning. This after the recessive result card in the back end of last year. Is Dane a wildcard? I hope so. Or will it be someone in the brat pack? John Florence, Gabe, Jordy or Julian will have filled in their experience ledgers a little more. They certainly have the high wire moves to bring the house down. For the rest – there are many. Wilco, the clown will keep the audience amused and impressed. Owen might be the lion tamer and there’s always last years headliner, the omnipresent Taj. Its all there ready to be turned into memorable. Roll up, roll up!!!

After that its back on the road, a road that bypasses the fabled J-Bay and rather heads for the sunny but ever so sloppy waves of Rio, never renowned for good surf.

If the new world order is to be achieved, it does not need better surfers (the talent and their personalities are phenomenal), nor better judges (debatable) or better organisation.

What it needs is world-class waves for every event, which creates lots of circus style drama and a hooting audience, and only then it can it become the greatest show on earth.

See more of Pat's work at http://patflan.co.za/