Video of: 2007 World Titles, Open Final

[hart]

BTW.. had the final been 30 seconds longer, Baden would be Champ.

EQ that is a fair call..

all except for the fact that Matt and Barry totally controlled the inside peak with their wave numbers and overall paddling positioning (that never stopped happenning )

They got more waves than ANYONE and stopped everyone else doing anything about it

AND

the fact that Gavin totally controlled Baden's inside during the ENTIRE heat on the outside bank. Lump after lump, decision after decision (meaning.."do I take this or not??")

Baden's wave after the heat finished came only because no-one else cared..the hooter had gone

The final was over for most

I reckon that alfrog has the best call on this..and echoed by all the other people I talked to on the beach..

All the open final's surfers were awesome..but without a doubt, the most critical surfer in that heat, took the trophy home

off topic somewhat Australia has a lot to be proud of..but so does the US

Because without their involvment and committment, Santa Cruz 2007 would not have happened

Thanks are due to all

hart

Kneeboarding IS so much healthier as a result

[eqKneelo]

You know what, Brucey... you're right!
Gavin actually stood-up and went left on that after-the-horn bomb that Baden ripped... had the heat been on, Gavin would have been deeper and paddled Baden off it. Gavin was the only surfer to bully Baden all week, and it worked perfectly.

I take back what I said... Baden was cornered.

(Barry and Gavin got in a paddle-battle earlier in the heat, with Barry going left... leaving Gavin outside, pissed... his next wave was the monster-move that won the heat. Gavin seems to LOVE a challenge.)

[Caveman]

of copurse if I watch the vid again I'll see it all differently

• Here's your chance.
  I posted the final edited version...
  The only thing I changed is the titles and credits.
  The footage is the same.
  
  If you'd like a full quality DVD of the final heat only.
  Let me know, I'll send you a copy.
  
  Karri & Caveman
  This is what will start airing on Community TV until I finish the full length DVD..
  http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?&ei=U ... ae7e9b96d6

[freshfruitflava]

Nice to see vid. footage...
Thanks Caveman.

une banane

[Tom Linn]

I agree with EQ. Gavin seduced the judges. He was in at least ten heats in the contest and won every one. He beat Baden twice, he beat Matty twice, he beat Barry, he beat Gigs, he beat Jack, he beat Karl Ward, and he even won a heat that I was in ( I got screwed of course LOL). By the end the judges knew who the best surfer in the contest was and they awarded the championship to him.

[Jon Manss]

I hope that was a Joke Tom because that sounds a little like sour grapes. The best man won and the worlds won a very solid contest. How can you question such a close final with such great talent in the water. This heat was so close no one, and I mean no one, on the rocks had a clue as to how the final three would end up. I think the BBK would have a better perspective.

[Headwax.]

well we all know

1)the judges decision is final
2) they are professionals which is why they were hired
3)as professionals I am sure they would not allow the 'halo' effect cloud their judgements.
4) It follows they would have only been judging the finals on the waves ridden in the final, not on those ridden by the surfers in other heats..
5) As professionals the judges will make the correct decision on who the best surfer is. (see 2)
6) It follows that Gavin C was the best surfer in the final.

nice to see a pic of him. He looks like he was deservedly stoked

[albumimg]8680[/albumimg]


I'm interested in the waves and the judging because it tells me what the judges were looking for.

Be interesting to see the score sheets. and compare them to the waves.

Caveman

thanks for the kind offer and sticking up the edited version.

Will check it out

Fresh Fruit

great avatar

[jdkneelo]

Gavin Coleman is the best kneeboarder period

[KAVA]

NO! I am the best kneeboarder...Period!!


In my own mind at least

[Caveman]

I'm starting to wonder if it was a good idea to post the video of the final heat...

BUT, coming from someone who has disected and viewed the footage inside-out and backwards...

The Judges did an awsome job...

[KAVA]

Hey caveman im stoked you recorded and posted the final heat. got to see some quality kneeboarding (other than the HB/NB Gathering). you gonna upload any more clips?

when does the DVD come out (07 world's)?

[eqKneelo]

Guys. Guys! GUYS!
I don't think ANYONE is saying Gavin didn't deserve the win... they are saying THE OPPOSITE.

What I think we are all coming to realize, is that Gavin didn't just stumble his way through a few heats and win a title. Gavin won that title EVERYDAY of the event. It was a body of work... and in retro-spec, it is amazing. (And a GREAT learning experience for those of us who are new to this level of competition.)

I think it is so awesome that two weeks later we are still talking about that final... this passion is what is going to carry our sport to new levels.

That being said, here's a few more talking points.

1) Barry was possessed.
I've know Barry for over 20 years and I've NEVER seen him step up like that. He knew the level of talent in the water with him... and instead of being intimidated, he went MENTAL! I think it's a possibility his energy actually rattled both Matty and Gavin... they both fell early on waves that would have won the heat. Like all great talents, Barry went biggest on the biggest stage.

2) Are "Head Games" an important part of Heats?
Gavin sitting on Baden... Barry and Gavin's paddle battle... Coach Jamie bringing MattyG in with 6 minuets left in the Open Semi-Final, defying JACK BERESFORD AND KARL WARD to get beat him......

There's A LOT to learn from this epic event.

[WayneK]

I was sitting with Jon Manns watching the semis and finals all morning. We called every heat spot on. AH,but that final was too close to call. We wanted Barry to win and this clouded our judgement. In the end the judges awarded the critical BIG MOVES over precision manuevers strung together. Every finalist surfed great and deserved to be in it. I think the JUDGES GOT IT RIGHT. Yeah, Gav!

(for further commentary refer to forum section World Titles Mens Open:Too Close To Call) I need to learn how to link. Your computer illiterate ,Wayne

[Jack Beresford]

EQ - with regard to the head games...at this level, this frequently plays some role in the outcome of a heat. Even if it's just someone dealing with their own butterflies. A separate issue is strategy and paddle battles (which may or may get inside someone's head). Not surprisingly, there was a lot more of this in Santa Cruz this year compared with our previous KSUSA titles - which makes sense given the increased stakes and experience level of the top competitors. The shifty nature of the lineup probably contributed to this too. You sort of had to gamble on where the waves would come through during your heat and then position yourself relative to the other competitors. I think these decisions played a bigger role than the mental part.

While there was plenty going on that most casual spectators probably didn't pick up on - from my perspective - guys generally did a good job of keeping it at a competitive level but not crossing the line of good sportsmanship.

Jack

[john -]

great tatical moves relative to other surfers and great moves on a wave relative to other surfers perhaps dont always square!

but that is comp surfing



jdkneelo says that gc is the best surfer period and that, at this time, may well be true...but perhaps wont be all the time....the photos Slats post (amongst others) suggest those not competing or those who didnt make the final are all in the same ball park

as noted by some tri fin gurus...the best comp surfer may not always be the best wave surfer