Viva La France - The Tour Heats Up

Joel Parkinson says he’s going to be treating France and Portugal as a holiday before giving Hawaii a real crack. I don't blame him either. It’s his final year on tour and he’s already got a World Title to his name. Plus, Europe is famous for its food and wine. So if Parko wants to embrace the culture, then let him break bread and cheers a vino or two. I still think he'll win Pipe though. You heard it here first…

On the other end of the spectrum you’ve got Brazilian wave addicts Gabriel Medina and Filipe Toledo fighting it out for the top prize. Nothing separates them, and given the remaining events are France, Portugal and Pipe, a betting man would have his money on Gab to claim his second Title, even though he’s currently in second place. However, as I’m Australian, it’s in my DNA to back the underdog. So it’s team ‘Fil’ for me. Additionally, I wouldn’t mind seeing Julian Wilson go on an absolute tear and claim his first Title. The man bloody deserves one, or at least a GQ magazine cover.

Over in the women's draw it’s going to be an absolute bloodbath between Stephanie Gilmore and Lakey Peterson. Part of me wishes the WSL could arrange a UFC-like press conference between the two, where all sportsmanship goes out the window. Gun to my head, I reckon Lakey would have the upper hand if things got physical, but if it’s purely fake trash talk and mind games, it’s Steph all the way. In terms of surfing, it’s hard to split the two. You could honestly flip a coin. However, I don’t have any cash. So I’m going to rely on Steph’s experience to get the job done over the next two events and claim her seventh Title. Plus, she’s Australian. Enough said.

All the pros are currently in Hossegor for the Quiksilver & Roxy Pro. The first of two stops on the European leg. It’s been firing over the last month, but in true event-window fashion, the swell is severely dropping. They did happen to get the women out for their first round this morning, in pretty rippable conditions, however as soon as my plane touches down in Biarritz tomorrow it goes flat. Yay. I guess the silver lining is a beer can always be consumed regardless of the swell. That’s my optimism trying to come out. The truth is I’ve been wave deprived for a year now and I’m not really ready to go all ‘Parko’ in France. So there better be an unexpected pulse…

Here’s hoping.

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My prediction...

2018 Men's Quiksilver Pro France winner: Mikey Wright 

2018 Women's Roxy Pro France winner: Steph Gilmore

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Written by Sam Quennell

@wetsuitoutlet