Surfing
Surfing
Our revamped No Contest sees Mick Fanning partner up with Stab's Ashton Goggans to interview notable surfers around the world. In this episode, 1999 G-Land winner Luke Egan takes to the mic.
With the 2020 WSL Championship Tour currently on ice, we've been forced to call an audible to keep No Contest, our long running behind-the-scenes look at surfing's major league, alive. Enter three-time world champion Mick Fanning, who's decided to take advantage of his current grounding to learn a few skills and step to the other side of the camera.
Partnering up with Stab's Ashton Goggans, Fanning has signed-up interview surfing's A-list on our behalf. With no events to attend so far this year, having him run us through the various venues, paired with a suitable guest, is easily the next best thing.
Mick Fanning and Mason Ho share a moment at Grajagan
© Trent Mitchell/Rip Curl
Mason Ho hits the brakes on sunset
© Trent Mitchell/Rip Curl
Mick Fanning finally comes out of the tube long enough to throw in a turn
© Trent Mitchell/Rip Curl
Mason Ho wrangles the tube deep down the end of Speed Reef
© Trent Mitchell/Rip Curl
In the first episode of No Contest Unplugged, we turn the microscope on the Indonesian dream wave of Grajagan, more commonly known as G-Land. A staple of the 1990s, G-Land was one of the waves that lead to the coining of the term Dream Tour to describe the-then ASP's global circuit. In 2020, at the behest of surfers the world over, G-Land was added to the WSL's roster of events again and after scoring big-time in Java with Mason Ho a couple of years ago, Fanning has plenty of knowledge to impart on the audience. Thanks to Rip Curl for the Mick & Mason photos too, BTW.
Joining Fanning in this instalment is 'defending champ' Luke Egan, who hoisted the trophy when the last event was run at G-Land in 1999. The iconic Australian was a childhood hero of Fanning's – and most Aussie surfers who grew up in the '90s – and the candid banter between the two is magic.
In the 1990s, G-Land put the dream into surfing's Dream Tour
© Scotty Hammonds
CJ Hobgood puts his foot the floor over G-Land's ferocious Speed Reef
© Scotty Hammonds
The kind of line-up kids draw on their school books
© Scotty Hammonds
Damien Hobgood riding a G-Land foam ball, as deep as you can get
© Scotty Hammonds
Don't just take our word for it, though, hit play on video above and let two surfing legends give you the lay of the land at one of the world's most incredible waves, with plenty of jungle history and shenanigans thrown in for good measure. We absolutely love this rebadged version of No Contest and sure hope you will, too. Enjoy.
