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Callum Robson needed a wave. With a little over five minutes to go he was floundering in third behind Gabriel Medina and Maxine Huscenot in the elimination round – and not exactly secure in terms of the broader discussion about the looming mid-year cut. Meanwhile, Supertubos was looking chunky and cruel – a mine field of detonating sand-churners with only a few make-able barrels. Caio Ibelli and Kelly had called it scary big after surviving their elimination heats, and in heat four Robson had already gone down hard on a bone-rattling, left hand pit.
However, when a thick, ten-foot peak jacked and flexed in front of Robson he didn’t hesitate. Instead the gutsy natural footer from Evan’s Head free fell into a dark hollow, turned on the head lamp and tunnelled through the hissing, green keg.
Up in the competitor’s area all of the surfers, including a screaming Slater, raised their arms in a show of elated respect. They knew how hard it was out there and that Callum had found the proverbial diamond in the rough. Back in Oz I was punching the ceiling as Callum’s fierce barrel instantly wiped away the Sunday night blues.
The judges didn’t take long, rewarding the heroic ride with the first ten of the year. No arguments there.
Post-heat Robson was awash with relief and gratitude.
“It feels really good, especially in a moment where I really needed it most,” he commented before going into more detail about the ride.
“It sucked me back and I was saying please let me out… I came out and I was clapping that hard my hands were hurting.”
Robson is already known as something of a charger but that rep’ is now solidified.
The glory wave could also prove to be crucial as we inch towards the mid-year cut. Later in the day Robson snuck past good friend Liam O’Brien by a meagre 0.23. and will now match-up against wildcard Joan Duru in the round of 16. It’s already a solid result for Robson but the natural footer, who works hard on every aspect of his surfing, will be looking to better his round sixteen finish in last year’s MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal.
For now, just enjoy the wave for what it is.
A ballsy ride on a genuinely heavy wave in a clutch situation. Pro surfing doesn’t get any better.
