The WSL heads into the jungle as they return to the Indonesian Island G- Land for event no. six of the Championship Tour (CT). G-land short for Grajagan, was a spot on the ‘Dream Tour’ from 1995-1997, the events there have gone down as legendary moments in surfing history.
G- Land is regarded as one of the best waves in the world, CT surfers have been rewarded with a peeling 100 metre left-hand barrel for making it past the mid year cut (MYC). Eight women and 11 men have lost their spot on the CT after the Margaret River Pro.
Three-time world champ Gabriel Medina returns to the CT and will shake things up as a lower seed. The other wildcards at G-Land include Balinese surfer Rio Waida, as well as Aussies Sally Fitzgibbons and Bronte Macaulay.
The G-Land Pro event window starts this Saturday (28 May – 6 June). The forecast is not looking outrageous like the 10-foot double ups we saw in 1997. Waves in the waiting period are expected to peak around five feet with a SSW swell which suits the mid-section of the point called Moneytrees.
So who does G-Land favour?
MEN’S
LUKE: It favours John John, Jack Robbo and Kelly Slater (former winner) as barrel riding specialists, however turns will be a factor, particularly if the tides and swells don’t align for the hollow, Speedies section. Looks like they may not. Connor O’Leary could do some damage; Medina will be a favourite.
SAM: If the swell forecast is currently wrong and we see solid G-Land, I expect a big performance from the GOAT. Kelly is the most experienced in the jungle and has flawless barrel-riding in hollow lefts. Margie’s champ Jack Robbo and John John will be contenders with their expertise in the tube. If the waves are smaller with turns and rotations being more rewarded by the judges, it’s a toss-up between Italo and Gabe.
WOMEN’S
LUKE: Carissa and Johanne Defay have big turns at their disposal on their back-hand. Courtney will charge and Tatiana should be a threat on her forehand.
SAM: Tyler Wright is the most fearless surfer on the women’s side of the tour, highlighted by her win at the first event at Pipe in 2021. She will be making the most risks out at G-Land, which will provide rewards. Tatiana Weston-Webb’s critical approach to every section on her forehand will play well on the long left-hand point.
Surprises at G-land?
LUKE: Jackson Baker spent a lot of time there in his younger years. Any experience will help. Gabriela Bryan is an emerging star. She has grown up with Hawaiian power and won’t be intimidated by the grinding G-land walls.
SAM: The two wildcards Rio Waida and Bronte Macaulay could surprise the field. Rio will be full of confidence after his fresh win at the challenger series event in Manly this week. The Balinese surfer lives only a two-hour boat ride away from Grajagan, and has had the opportunity to surf the spot more than anyone on the CT. Bronte, is familiar to shallow left-reef breaks at her home breaks in West-Aus, if the waves are smaller the goofy-footer’s rail game could cause some upsets.
The two match -ups we want to see?
LUKE: John John and Gabby going barrel for barrel. Imagine? Courtney Conlogue vs Tatiana Weston-Webb. Two fiercely competitive surfers pushing each other to the max on a heaving left. The ‘sea tiger’ may feel an affinity with G-land, the home of the tiger in surfing.
SAM: Kelly and John John would be special at pumping G-Land, can the sensei stick it to his student one more time? A battle between Johanne Defay and Tatiana Weston- Webb would be exciting at a world-class wave at G-Land, who will attack the shallow sections more?
Shapers Cup update heading to G-Land
Most teams have lost at least one surfer due to the MYC at Margaret’s. Gabriel Medina’s return to the CT introduces a new competitor to the Shapers Cup, Cabianca Surfboards. Wildcards Rio Waida and Sally Fitzgibbons add some extra talent to leader Sharp Eye Surfboards, while Bronte Macaulay lines up for second place holders DHD.
Check out our World Shapers Cup leaderboards & WSC squads here.
WSL RANKINGS
| Men’s | Women’s |
| 1. Felipe Toledo | 1. Brisa Hennessy |
| 2. John John Florence | 2. Carissa Moore |
| 3. Jack Robinson | 3. Tyler Wright |
| 4. Ethan Ewing | 4. Isabella Nichols |
| 5. Italo Ferreira | 5. Courtney Conlogue |
| 6. Kanoa Igarashi | 6. Lakey Peterson |
| 7. Barron Mamiya | 6. Gabriela Bryan |
| 8. Callum Robson | 8. Johanne Defay |
| 9. Miguel Pupo | 9. Stephanie Gilmore |
| 10. Griffin Colapinto | 10. Tatiana Weston-Webb |
| 11. Caio Ibelli | Wildcards: Bronte Macaulay, Sally Fitzgibbons |
| 12. Jordy Smith | |
| 13. Kelly Slater | |
| 14. Kolohe Andino | |
| 14. Nat Young | |
| 16. Seth Moniz | |
| 17. Samuel Pupo | |
| 18. Connor O’Leary | |
| 19. Matthew McGillivray | |
| 20. Jake Marshall | |
| 21. Jadson Andre | |
| 21. Jackson Baker | |
| Wildcards: Gabriel Medina, Rio Waida |
