Heading into the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, stop No. 3 on the Championship Tour, the jury was still out on the WSL's 2017 rookie class. It wasn't a huge sample size, but Connor O'Leary's Quarterfinal appearance at Snapper Rocks was the pinnacle of success for a crew of seven surfers making their first lap around the Dream Tour.
Zeke Lau's Semifinal finish sent him rocketing up the Jeep leaderboard, to No. 11, which puts him at the top of his rookie class. - WSL / Ed Sloane
Meanwhile, Ethan Ewing and Leo Fioravanti, two of 2016's biggest sensations, are still searching for their first CT heat wins, despite surfing well enough to drop some jaws: Ewing posted a 9.10 on his opening ride at Snapper Rocks. Fioravanti has had multiple total heat scores in excellent range (north of 16 points). These are hardly signs of them being in over their heads.
In between it's been a mixed bag for the Tour's other four rookies, Ian Gouveia, Joan Duru, Ezekiel Lau and Frederico Morais...That is, until Bells.
Bells is a perfect fit for Frederico Morais' big carving brush strokes, and he knew it. - WSL / Matt Dunbar
Morais and Lau, the two big regularfooters of the batch, smashed all expectations at the Rip Curl Pro. Lau emphatically announced his plans for sticking around on the CT with an appearance in the Semifinals. His journey there included two early round wins over the electric Filipe Toledo, and a crucial Round Three triumph over world No. 5 Kolohe Andino.
With his powerful brand of surfing and genuine aloha spirit Zeke Lau is a welcome addition to the Championship Tour.
Morais won his first CT heat at Snapper, then lost to Kelly Slater in Round Three. He finished a disappointing 25th at Margaret River -- a wave many thought suited his surfing to a tee. But in Round Three at the Bells Bowl, Morais waved his Portuguese flag in an epic clash against Gabriel Medina.
Morais puts his huge frame to work with every turn. - WSL / Jack Barripp
Morais flipped the script on Medina, using his opponent's favorite set of opening priority tactics against him. As tense as things got he never wavered, and his stubbornness broke the Brazilian's will, leading to his win. His 5th place finish vaulted him into a rankings tie with Mick Fanning and Michel Bourez at No. 19. That's pretty good company.
Rookies Finally Bust Through at Rip Curl Pro
Brad Drew
Heading into the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, stop No. 3 on the Championship Tour, the jury was still out on the WSL's 2017 rookie class. It wasn't a huge sample size, but Connor O'Leary's Quarterfinal appearance at Snapper Rocks was the pinnacle of success for a crew of seven surfers making their first lap around the Dream Tour.
Meanwhile, Ethan Ewing and Leo Fioravanti, two of 2016's biggest sensations, are still searching for their first CT heat wins, despite surfing well enough to drop some jaws: Ewing posted a 9.10 on his opening ride at Snapper Rocks. Fioravanti has had multiple total heat scores in excellent range (north of 16 points). These are hardly signs of them being in over their heads.
In between it's been a mixed bag for the Tour's other four rookies, Ian Gouveia, Joan Duru, Ezekiel Lau and Frederico Morais...That is, until Bells.
Morais and Lau, the two big regularfooters of the batch, smashed all expectations at the Rip Curl Pro. Lau emphatically announced his plans for sticking around on the CT with an appearance in the Semifinals. His journey there included two early round wins over the electric Filipe Toledo, and a crucial Round Three triumph over world No. 5 Kolohe Andino.
Morais won his first CT heat at Snapper, then lost to Kelly Slater in Round Three. He finished a disappointing 25th at Margaret River -- a wave many thought suited his surfing to a tee. But in Round Three at the Bells Bowl, Morais waved his Portuguese flag in an epic clash against Gabriel Medina.
Morais flipped the script on Medina, using his opponent's favorite set of opening priority tactics against him. As tense as things got he never wavered, and his stubbornness broke the Brazilian's will, leading to his win. His 5th place finish vaulted him into a rankings tie with Mick Fanning and Michel Bourez at No. 19. That's pretty good company.
Ezekiel Lau
Final Challenger Series Spots on the Line in Paradise
Check every 9 since 2018 as we gear up for a return to the North Shore at the Lexus Pipe Pro presented by Yeti. Featuring Kelly Slater,
As we approach the fourth stop on the Challenger Series tour at the 2023 Wallex US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico in Southern
Ezekiel Lau, currently below the cut line, unleashes in the Opening Round with a 15.60 (8.00 + 7.60) to seal his spot in the Round of 32
Oahu's Ezekiel Lau sits down with A.J. McCord before the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal to discuss his roller coaster of a year, from qualifying
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach
The one-hour, narrated version of a classic WSL event.
Top scores and waves from 2017.
Top 2017 waves from the champ.
No pressure here, fellas... Men's semifinals of the 2017 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.
Last men standing: Finals of the 2017 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.