Why are we so obsessed with the barrel?
Is it because instant bragging rights belong to the surfer who makes a clean exit in front of their mates? Or is there something intrinsically special about riding inside a curling body of water? Does perhaps the tube, and the art of riding it, take you to a higher level of consciousness?
Or is it it simply that the tube is the most defining element of surfing – because it so clearly distinguishes the surfer’s path from those who cannot surf – surfers have access to this mystical inner sanctum of a wave that regular mortals most definitely do not.
Or maybe it’s the challenge of riding a roping funnel or heaving slab? If you have handled a vertical entry, danced with a foam ball, dodged chandeliering lips, and negotiated a tunnel that bends, flexes, twists and breathes then the sense of satisfaction is immense.
At 41, tube specialist , Anthony Walsh, has seen more barrels than most from the inside out. When pressed for an explanation as to why he has devoted his life to chasing the tube he concedes it’s hard to offer an answer without sounding corny.
“It’s difficult to explain, but it feels a bit like taming nature when you get a good one,” suggests Walshy, who will be on the judging panel for the Capitulo Perfeito next generation tube riding event that kicks off tomorrow.
Out in the Mentawai islands, the seven grommets contesting the Capitulo Perfeito have an added incentive for finding the exit. The grommet who rides the best barrel stands to win US $1500.
From their base at Hidden Bay resort, the teenage tube hunters below will be scouring the waves in the Playgrounds area, looking for hollow treasures to plunder. Jackson Dorian has been announced as the wildcard for the event. He will be joined by Salvador Vala, Jaime Veselko, Martim Fortes, Salvador Catarino and Simão Prazeres, as well as Frenchman Inigo Madina, WA charger Sid Englert and local Mentawai surfer Joaquin At-Thariq.
The official event window kicks off on August 27 and runs through till September 3. A new swell is set to push through as the tube duel in the tropics goes down in a string of hollow waves that includes Kanduis, Hideaways and Banks Vaults.
The surfers will be filmed daily and their top three tube rides will be reviewed by a panel made up of Capitulo Perfeito organisers, Tracks editor Luke Kennedy, former Capitulo winner Anthony Walsh and Hiddenbay Resort ambassador Vinicius Pereira.
A single wave for each surfer will be posted to social media each day and viewers will be able to weigh in on the final result.
Stayed tuned to the Tracks digital channels for updates on the unique event and keep an eye out for the surprise, wildcard announcements.
