Pierre-Louis Costes’ tribute to Tanner McDaniel on his maiden APB victory is probably its most beautiful illustration: “Today more than ever, it felt like a turning point in my career, I am clearly not part of the new generation anymore and it is now lead by this man, Tanner McDaniel." "For many years you carried such a heavy weight on your shoulders and in one event, you lived up to everyone' s expectations. I am proud to be the first person to lose against you in an APB Tour final.” Nonetheless, the Frenchman surely has countless years to come riding at his best and other world titles to conquer. But on a symbolic point of view, it was a tremendous moment in the history of the sport.
While riders like PLC, Jared Houston & Iain Campbell seem to be at their peak, the new generation, led by Tanner McDaniel, or Tristan Roberts – who’s been up to an incredible start this year & boosted a massive Air Reverse on Flopos’ right – looked unstoppable.
Despite a technical level and an amount of motivation far beyond their years, one can still perceive a great margin for improvement. Whether it is about experience or heat management on a competition level or about their free-surfing abilities (where they seem to have no limits) the future is bright. They both had a relatively difficult 2017 season, at least below everyone’s expectations. Yet they managed to silence the skeptics early in 2018. Tristan Roberts won the first 5* QEST of the year in Antofagasta, dominating each of his heats from start to finish followed by Tanner McDaniel who just won the first Grand Slam in Arica in great style, scoring the first perfect 20 in bodyboarding history in a tough final against Pierre-Louis Costes. Besides this perfect score, the young Hawaiian also got impressive totals during the previous heats.
The only cloud in the sky: The Final scoring controversy. A robbery for some, a misunderstanding for another part of the audience and a well-deserved win for the other. One thing is certain, we witnessed one of the best, if not the best final in bodyboarding history. Another one is that the French fans’ heart, even maybe the Europeans’, wanted to see Pierre-Louis winning back to back events here in Arica. Was the Frenchman’s barrel, longer than Tanner’s shorter but way heavier barrel deserving of a better score? Did he deserve a perfect 10 on his barrel to backflip combination? Can his loss of control at the reception of the flip explain the judges’ decision? Could the Hawaiian get a 10 point ride on an average size wave for this day? The judges rendered their decision. Impossible for us to stir up scandal about it given the level of bodyboarding they both showcased during this final, and how minuscule was the gap between both performances. A subjective part remains in bodyboarding, and it seems to be inevitable. Neither the first, nor the last controversy in our sport, or in wave-riding history in general. But we have to keep in mind that five judges, among the most experienced in the world, give scores according to the criteria previously defined by the APB. And that these criteria, despite not depending on science, can explain each of their decisions.
Moreover, it won’t be PLC’s last final, neither Tanner’s last win. And it wouldn’t be surprising to see them battling in another high-octane finale in the coming months or years. A potential opportunity to put everyone in agreement.
In any case, we want to congratulate both riders as well as the event organizers for what they provided last week - keeping us staring at our screens and showing that bodyboarding was far from being dead. Next stop in Itacoatiara, Brazil for the second Grand Slam event of the year. May the best man win.
Photos: Pablo Jimenez @pablojimenez_photo
Words: Seb Boulard @seaboule