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CLOUDBREAK CRYSTAL BALL: WINDSURF FIJI PREDICTIONS

Well a week ago the forecast looked pretty sketchy but now the South Pacific has well and truly woken up. For the WWT 4-Star event at Cloudbreak, Fiji, a monster long-period swell and punchy trade winds appear set to combine in spectacular fashion, serving up the kind of iconic conditions that could go down in windsurfing history.

Cloudbreak is already one of the most breath taking waves on the planet. Add a pumping forecast into the mix and the stage is set for some truly outrageous action. While a few of the World Tour’s biggest names are sitting this one out with 5 star Pozo event looming, the field is still stacked with charging wave sailors and big-wave specialists who’ll be licking their lips at the prospect of what’s heading their way.

So, with no idea how the draw will pan out or who has Cloudbreak the most dialled in…it’s time to dust off the crystal ball and dive headfirst into the Windsurf Fiji predictions…STOP PRESS…We just heard Julian Salmonn has also touched down in Fiji and he could be a major player, possibly with a new sponsor that he will be out to impress…will there be more late entries now the forecast is looking tasty….Oh My Lord!…More breaking news unfortunately after we wrote our predictions…Jaeger Stone…the Aussie wave slayer has also entered Fiji. Surely Jaeger will throw a spanner in the works of the rankings…he has always hinted if an event like Fiji came up on the calendar that he might rock up…now he is officially in the mix!

Photos: Fish Bowl Diaries.

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WINDSURF

WHAT TO EXPECT

Cloudbreak can be divided into three sections: an outside section (The Point), a middle section (The Middle), and an inside section (Shish Kababs).

The Point is where the bigger, more rippable walls roll through, offering sailors the chance to unleash everything from gouging bottom turns and lightning-fast cutbacks to full-commitment lip smacks. It’s the section where style points are won and highlight reels are made.

Then comes The Middle. The pace quickens, the wave starts to draw off the reef, and barrels begin to appear. This is where things get serious and where timing suddenly becomes much more important than bravery alone.

Finally, there’s Shish Kebabs. If the name doesn’t provide enough of a clue, this is the section where the wave gets incredibly shallow, hollows out and detonates down the reef with frightening intent. Make it through and you’ll feel like a hero. Miss your line and you’ll quickly discover why the section earned its colourful nickname.

The prevailing wind is typically East to South-East trade wind…pretty much the dream setup for Cloudbreak. The wave particularly loves a long-period swell (17 seconds plus) from the South to South-West. A more westerly angle produces thicker, heavier, more intimidating tubes, while a southerly swell creates longer, more peeling walls. Either way, if the forecast behaves itself, the competitors could be in for insane conditions.

One of Cloudbreak’s great strengths is that it works through virtually the entire tidal range, from dead low to full high. It’s a left-hand reef break that can serve up anything from playful two-foot runners to terrifying twenty-foot freight trains. And don’t be fooled by the smaller days. Even when Cloudbreak looks relatively friendly, the waves still get fast, hollow, and alarmingly close to a very alive coral reef that has little sympathy for poor decisions.

In short, Cloudbreak can deliver some of the best waves on Earth. It can also deliver a fairly brutal reminder that nature always has the final say.

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WINDSURF PREDICTIONS!

Drumroll…..

MEN

1. ANTOINE MARTIN

We’ve gone with Antoine Martin for the win in Fiji. When the waves get big, nasty and intimidating, Martin seems to come alive. Just watch some of his footage from Reunion Island…while most people are wondering whether they have the guts to leave the beach, Antoine is busy smacking lips monster lips as if its waist high.

After navigating some challenging years with sponsors, he now looks settled, happy and right at home with Goya and Quatro. Sometimes predictions come down to statistics, form guides and logic. This isn’t one of those times. We simply have a feeling that if Cloudbreak turns on, Antoine will be standing tallest when the dust settles. Plus we left him out of our Maui Pro Am predictions and got our fingers burned.

2. BAPTISTE CLOAREC

Baptiste Cloarec was by far the standout performer the last time the World Tour rolled into Fiji. His combination of commitment, timing and complete disregard for self-preservation made him look perfectly suited to Cloudbreak’s flawless walls.

Truthfully, we’re not entirely sure why we’ve got him in second rather than first. The top end of this fleet is so stacked that picking a winner a bit of a lottery. One thing is certain though: if Baptiste reproduces anything close to his 2023 Fiji form, he’ll be very hard to keep off the podium.

3. CAMILLE JUBAN

Big waves, long walls and the opportunity to launch into orbit? Sounds like a Camille Juban playground.

Juban has never been shy when the conditions get serious and we’ve all seen clips of him sending some absolutely ridiculous airs at Cloudbreak. If the forecast delivers, expect fireworks, entertainment and at least a few moments that leave commentators scrambling for new superlatives.

WILDCARD

BERND ROEDIGER

Last time Fiji came around, Bernd Roediger never quite got the breaks and missed out on the final. This year feels different.

Fresh off a victory at the Maui Pro, Bernd is clearly sailing at an incredibly high level. The only question mark is fitness. We’ve heard he’s been carrying an injury and Cloudbreak isn’t exactly the place for easing yourself back into competition. If it’s double mast-high and draining over the reef, there may be fewer opportunities for his trademark goiters and 360s. Then again, writing off Bernd has never been a particularly successful strategy, so we are backing him to make the podium at least.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

The fact we’ve barely mentioned Morgan Noireaux, Robby Swift, Takuma Sugi and Takara Ishii tells you everything you need to know about the strength of this fleet. Any one of them could easily be lifting the trophy at the end of the event. Unfortunately, prediction articles require actual predictions and tough decisions had to be made. No doubt we will be crying in our Corona come the end of the event.

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WOMEN

1. JANE SEMAN

If there was a job description for charging big waves, Jane Seman would probably be overqualified.

Based in Margaret River and spending plenty of time sailing the powerful waves of Western Australia’s north-west, Jane is no stranger to serious conditions. Last time out in Fiji she was unlucky in the final and ended up getting acquainted with the inside reef when a better result looked well within reach.

If Cloudbreak delivers on the forecast, these are exactly the conditions she thrives in. We expect Jane to be right in the thick of the battle from start to finish.

2. SARAH KENYON

We’re backing young gun Sarah Kenyon for second place.

Sarah has been rapidly building a reputation as one of the most exciting wave sailors on the planet and showcased her talent earlier this year by edging out Jane Seman at the Margaret River Pro. At just 17 years old, she combines incredible skill with the kind of fearless confidence that only youth can provide.

The big question is whether Cloudbreak decides to show its friendly face or its terrifying one. If Sarah handles the pressure and size, don’t be surprised if she proves us completely wrong and takes the top step of the podium.

3. JESSICA CRISP

Jessica Crisp knows a thing or two about performing on the world stage.

While some of her rivals may have youth on their side, Jessica brings a wealth of experience that could prove invaluable if conditions become challenging. Fiji has a habit of rewarding smart decision-making, and that experience may be enough to secure a well-earned podium finish.

WILDCARD

MARIA ANDRES

Maria Andres could quite easily make the podium in Fiji. The problem is she let us down at the Maui Pro-Am after we confidently tipped her to be in the mix.

As a result, she’s been temporarily demoted to wildcard status and will have to earn her way back into our prediction team’s good books. Fortunately for Maria, our prediction team’s track record isn’t exactly flawless.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Kate Barker and Lanee Butler round out the women’s fleet. We don’t know a huge amount about either sailor, which makes them potentially the most dangerous picks of all. Maybe they’re Cloudbreak specialists. Maybe they’re hiding their cards. Maybe they’ll make us look very silly.

Stranger things have happened.

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CONCLUSION

By the time the contest is over, there’s a very good chance most of these predictions will have been torn up, washed away and deposited somewhere on the reef at Shish Kebabs.

But that’s half the fun.

So have a crack yourself, pick your winners, and see whether your crystal ball is any clearer than ours. One thing is certain: if the forecast delivers, we’re in for an absolutely epic few days of windsurfing at one of the world’s most iconic waves.

ENTRY LIST HERE:

4-STAR FIJI Surf Pro – Cloudbreak – World Wave Tour | Liveheats