Surf fans around the world have a sneaky confession. They have been dialling into the QS regional events in Krui and Nias and digging them more than the CT action. 

The Indo enchantment of course has a lot to do with the waves. While El Salvador had its moments, it mostly coughed up brown, wonky, onshore warbles. Meanwhile, over in Indo, Krui was between four and twelve foot and whaling for the entire event. 

Now I know Caio Ibelli got a ten on a three footer and lot of manufactured airs went down in Rio, but Saquarema is never going to be Nias, where the Australasian regional series has been held over the last week. Stand-tall tubes with palm-fringed backdrops and neigh a glimpse of the backwash that has plagued Saquarema.

After making his second heat for the day Mike Clayton Brown couldn’t help but spit it out when asked if he’d been watching the CT in Brazil. 

“It’s so perfect (here) . This is the dream tour. I pity them at the moment.”

To run a CT, the WSL has to secure sponsors, permits and prize money for a location . It’s not simply a ‘wish list’ process. However, to this punter on the coach comparing screens on the same weekend, Nias certainly got the nod over Saquarema. That’s probably good for the WSL if more people are watching both. And , I agree there needs to be a CT in Rio, but is there room for an Indo leg too? It is after all home to the world’s most perfect waves.

Admittedly G-land was a mis-hit but that was because the event waiting periods were reduced when the mid-year Cut came in. A sneaky little factor that hasn’t been much talked about. A few more days in the window and it would have been memorable. G-land pumped either side of the waiting period. 

Two events in Indo seems reasonable or perhaps a reversion to the original plan to have the finals day as a mobile event in say the Mentawai region. This could follow on from a final regular event in Indo. Or maybe I’m just Indo dreaming.