In two months time, Griffin Colapinto will, finally, get the chance to compete for a world title on his home turf.
It’s about time.
After two straight years of missing the final 5 at Lowers by one measly spot, Colapinto has (almost) locked up his spot. Currently sitting in second in the rankings, just a few hundred points below Filipe Toledo, and with only 2 events remaining, it’s not a matter of if Colapinto will qualify, but it’s a matter of what place he’ll qualify in.
And if he’s leading? The rest of the field (Toledo included) better be ready, because after watching these recent clips, it’ll be a tall task beating this guy twice in his own backyard.
Click play above to watch Colapinto catch fire just before winning The Surf Ranch and finishing second in El Salvador. Is there a better surfer in the world at Lowers right now?
More from the Red Bull desk:
“A surfer’s upbringing plays a huge part in determining the kind of athlete they’ll become later on in life, and for a kid growing up with Championship Tour aspirations there aren’t too many better waves than California’s Lower Trestles to develop the skills needed to take on the world. Griffin Colapinto knows that better than most, the current number one not only hails from San Clemente, he recently lucked into some of the best waves he’s ever seen in his hometown in the lead up to the Surf Ranch Pro.
“With back-to-back swells welcoming him home from a long Australian leg, Griffin took advantage of sleeping in his own bed for once to put his head down and get to work at surfing’s favourite skatepark like never before. The ensuing Colapinto career sessions are showcased in Noah McPherson’s sizzling edit above, while the proof of concept would be delivered immediately with back-to-back finals at the next two events in California and El Salvado; a win at the Surf Ranch Pro seeing Griffin leading the Golden State resplendent in surfing’s yellow jersey.
“We got on the phone to have Griffin give us the Lower Trestles lowdown on not just his own performances, but those of the all-star lineup he shared the water with, everyone from Caroline Marks to Leonardo Fioravanti, Noah Beschen to Izzi Gomez, Lakey Peterson and Yadin Nicol to name a few. Get comfortable, hit play, and savour the best surfer in the world, at home, surfing at the peak of his powers.”
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