Three days of competition remain at the ISA World Surfing Games and the United States is, to put it bluntly, failing miserably. We want gold, baby. Okay, we'd settle for silver. Hell, just some copper would do. How countries like Uruguay and Venezuela have out-performed what should be considered one of the global surf powerhouses seems inexplicable ... especially after coach Ian Cairnes claimed, "We feel that we have never had a stronger and more well-rounded team across all three divisions."
Cairnes' statement comes from a May 16 press release announcing that Kolohe Andino and Evan Geiselman, two of America's brightest young talents, were withdrawing from the team.
"Both Kolohe and Evan are focusing their attention on the ASP Pro Juniors and qualifying for the world tour, so they both opted to go for the ASP points," said Cairnes.
But just last week Andino lit up Lowers and ran away with the title at the U.S. Championships. Shouldn't he be representing now? Apparently not. So who does that leave us with? Currently former high school standout Chase Wilson is the only American left in the Men's division (his best career finish is a couple of forths in pro junior events). Maui-born Lani Doherty is carrying all the weight for the women, and it appears log riding's our strong suit, as Toni Silvagni and Taylor Jensen are still in contention.
All great surfers, all ripe with talent, but A-listers they are not. So while France has reigning Pipe Master Jeremy Flores anchoring their squad, Peru's team is headlined by former world champ Sofia Mulanovich, and Mick "The Ginger Ninja" Campbell is using years of World Tour experience to carry the Aussies, the U.S. has little going for it in the way of name recognition or World Tour experience.
The U.S. has never won the ISA World Surfing Games, and it's not looking like this will be the year. With three days to gu, Australia, Brazil, Venezuela, France and Peru are holding down the top five spots, respectfully, while America's sitting eighth -- just ahead of Costa Rica, Ecuador and Tahiti. Really? We're only a few heat wins better than Ecuador?
As outlined by ISA President Fernando Aguerre, if the ultimate objective of the ISA World Surfing Games is to eventually put wave riding on an Olympic podium, the U.S. is going to have to stitch together a stronger unit. Think about it: USA Basketball was virtually a non-factor in the sports world until Magic, Bird and Jordan got together in 1992. And hypothetically speaking, we could field a lights-out, no-nonsense surf team too. In the Open Men's division one might call upon Kelly Slater, Dane Reynolds, Bobby Martinez and a Hobgood. On the ladies' side, Carissa Moore and Coco Ho would be a dangerous combo. And for as dependable as the longboarders have been at this year's games, Joel Tudor and Alex Knost might turn a few more heads.
So maybe 2011 isn't the year U.S. surfing ran away with the gold, but given how much talent's bobbing around in our lineups, maybe we just haven't mined deep enough yet? And there's always 2012.