"I've been aiming for the bigger waves to do two strong maneuvers," said Filipe Toledo. He had just defeated defending Margaret River champion Sebastian Zietz in Round Five. "The judges want to see a first big turn with lots of spray, so that's what I'll be focusing on."
A huge turn and big spray from Toledo against Seabass. - WSL / Ed Sloane
Of all the Quarterfinalists left in the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro, Toledo's performances in the huge surf in the earlier rounds were perhaps the most surprising. The Brazilian is, rightly, known as one of the most electrifying performance surfers on the planet. His pure speed, matched with aerial ability, is mind-boggling.
As such, so far his career-best results have come at the Championship Tour (CT) locations that best showcase those strengths. Last year he netted his only two Semifinals at Snapper and Trestles. In 2015 he won three Finals at Snapper, Rio and Portugal to finish at World No. 4.
Filipe Toledo launches an enormous air-reverse for a perfect 10 in the Oi Rio Pro Final.
Aerial ability and fast-twitch fibers, however, don't really come into play when you are surfing 15-foot Main Break, as happened over the weekend. Toledo's performances in defeating Joan Duru, Connor O'Leary and Seabass showed that he is growing as a surfer and is absolutely determined to become a player at every stop on the CT schedule.
After Toledo defeated O'Leary, in his post-heat interview Barton Lynch inquired about this particular hurdle. "You are famous for your small-wave performances. Is it important to prove that you have everything that it takes to win a World Title and to succeed at places like Margaret River?"
Filipe Toledo earns a 7.67, to take the win over Joan Duru in Round Two Heat 6.
"For sure," Toledo said. "It's been great to try to prove something here. To surf on bigger boards, in bigger conditions and in tubes too. I'm always aiming to improve."
It's worth remembering that Toledo is only 21 and has plenty of room for growth. "He is really starting to fill out," said Martin Potter, former World Champ and WSL commentator. "He's not that skinny little kid anymore." So far in Western Australia, Filipe has proven that he is developing the technical skills, physical fitness and mental strength to be a more dangerous opponent in waves of consequence.
Toledo arcs along a big open, Main Break face. - WSL / Ed Sloane
He will need all that and more to defeat Adriano de Souza in his Quarterfinal, but whatever happens, Toledo has proven some points in the West. You never know, it might even be a turning point in his career.
Filipe Toledo Is Building His Case in the West
Ben Mondy
"I've been aiming for the bigger waves to do two strong maneuvers," said Filipe Toledo. He had just defeated defending Margaret River champion Sebastian Zietz in Round Five. "The judges want to see a first big turn with lots of spray, so that's what I'll be focusing on."
Of all the Quarterfinalists left in the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro, Toledo's performances in the huge surf in the earlier rounds were perhaps the most surprising. The Brazilian is, rightly, known as one of the most electrifying performance surfers on the planet. His pure speed, matched with aerial ability, is mind-boggling.
As such, so far his career-best results have come at the Championship Tour (CT) locations that best showcase those strengths. Last year he netted his only two Semifinals at Snapper and Trestles. In 2015 he won three Finals at Snapper, Rio and Portugal to finish at World No. 4.
Aerial ability and fast-twitch fibers, however, don't really come into play when you are surfing 15-foot Main Break, as happened over the weekend. Toledo's performances in defeating Joan Duru, Connor O'Leary and Seabass showed that he is growing as a surfer and is absolutely determined to become a player at every stop on the CT schedule.
After Toledo defeated O'Leary, in his post-heat interview Barton Lynch inquired about this particular hurdle. "You are famous for your small-wave performances. Is it important to prove that you have everything that it takes to win a World Title and to succeed at places like Margaret River?"
"For sure," Toledo said. "It's been great to try to prove something here. To surf on bigger boards, in bigger conditions and in tubes too. I'm always aiming to improve."
It's worth remembering that Toledo is only 21 and has plenty of room for growth. "He is really starting to fill out," said Martin Potter, former World Champ and WSL commentator. "He's not that skinny little kid anymore." So far in Western Australia, Filipe has proven that he is developing the technical skills, physical fitness and mental strength to be a more dangerous opponent in waves of consequence.
He will need all that and more to defeat Adriano de Souza in his Quarterfinal, but whatever happens, Toledo has proven some points in the West. You never know, it might even be a turning point in his career.
Connor O'Leary
Gold Coast Pro winner and two-time WSL Champ Filipe Toledo's 8.00 wasn't enough for Connor O'Leary's 15.80 heat total. O'Leary and Toledo
One of the newest dads on Tour, Connor O'Leary flexed amid elimination scares on the Gold Coast and joins current Final 5 contender Barron
Featuring Callum Robson, Griffin Colapinto, Adriano de Souza, Italo Ferreira, Gabriel Medina, João Chianca, Carissa Moore, Leonardo
A battle between Final 5 contender Jack Robinson and Connor O'Leary pushed them to their grit with O'Leary gaining the upper hand and
Featuring Yago Dora, Griffin Colapinto, Leonardo Fioravanti, Jordy Smith, Filipe Toledo, John John Florence, Kanoa Igarashi, Italo
Drug Aware Margaret River Pro
Here are five must-see heats from an epic year at the wild and rugged Margaret River, in Western Australia.
The WSL filmmakers go behind the scenes to capture all of the action from the 2017 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro.
The Californian is absorbing another round of life lessons during his roller-coaster ride in 2017.
If the charismatic Australian is to save his year he'll need to get busy at the Hurley Pro.
The rookie from Portugal talks about his huge upset win over Mick Fanning and John John Florence in Round Four.