Last year, the World Surf League introduced a controversial new change in format: the Mid-Season Cut.
With the new rule, after five events, the competitive field is cut by one-third. The lowest ranking surfers are relegated to the Challenger Series, and forced to fight for a spot back on the Championship Tour. The goal? To “ensure that the stars of the sport meet head to head more frequently.” Read: more drama.
But how do the competitors feel about such a radical change? It used to be that once you made it on Tour, you were there for the entire year. Hence, the “Dream Tour.” Not anymore. Well, YouTuber Jacob “Zeke” Szekely went to the Margaret River Pro, the fifth event of the year and site of the Mid-Season Cut, to find out.
In the beginning of the video, Zeke gave his thoughts on the Mid-Season Cut:
“There’s a bunch of drama and a whole lot of controversy stirring up right now online. Last year, people were super emotional – just a complete wreck after losing – and I think the halfway cut is complete bullsh*t.
“I think it sucks for people who worked their asses off their whole lives, and dreamed of this moment, getting on the World Tour. Then they only have half of the year to compete. They only have four or five events. What if the waves don’t come? What if they get unlucky? What if they can’t showcase their ability? Then they have to grovel on the Challenger Series and qualify.”
Then, down at the event, he gauged the surfers’ feelings on the Mid-Season Cut, particularly Kolohe Andino (who had just gotten axed and lost his spot on Tour):
“I wouldn’t have it, but it is what it is. As a competitor, you’ve gotta suck it up and deal with it. It’s the only game in town [the Championship Tour]. I don’t think anyone likes it, but it is what it is.”
There you have it – love it or hate it (most competitors seem to be in the latter camp), the Mid-Season Cut is here to stay.
For a reminder, here’s the full breakdown of competitors who made the Cut for 2023.
Women’s CT: Made the Cut
Tyler Wright (AUS)
Molly Picklum (AUS)
Carissa Moore (HAW)
Caroline Marks (USA)
Caitlin Simmers (USA)
Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
Tatiana Weston Webb (BRA)
Lakey Peterson (USA)
Gabriela Bryan (HAW)
Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW)
Men’s CT: Made the Cut
Joao Chianca (AUS)
Jack Robinson (AUS)
Filipe Toledo (BRA)
Ethan Ewing (AUS)
Griffin Colapinto (USA)
Ryan Callinan (AUS)
John John Florence (HAW)
Yago Dora (BRA)
Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)
Caio Ibelli (BRA)
Connor O’Leary (AUS)
Callum Robson (AUS)
Gabriel Medina (BRA)
Jordy Smith (RSA)
Matthew McGillivray (RSA)
Italo Ferreira (BRA)
Liam O’Brien (AUS)
Rio Waida (INA)
Kanoa Igarashi (JPN)
Barron Mamiya (HAW)
Seth Moniz (HAW)
Ian Gentil (HAW)
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