Cover photo: WSL/Ryder

Filipe Toledo's 1,77m and his subsequent withdrawal from the Pipe Pro have filled social media with expert opinions and many others not so much.

The following paragraphs transcribe two points of view in favor and two against what happened with the current two-time world champion.

Former world masters champion and prominent Hawaiian surfer and broadcaster Mike Latronic of Free Surf Magazine along with journalist Jake Howard of Surfer and Sports Illustrated spoke in favor.

Meanwhile, writer, journalist and controversial Chas Smith and podcaster David Lee Scales of Surf Splendor, were against it.

Below is what each one said:

Jake Howard of Surfer Magazine and Sports Illustrated: “We need to give Toledo a break”

For starters, Pipe wasn't all that dangerous when it came to the elimination round. Toledo placed fifth at the event last year. And while he's never won at Pipe, throughout his career his results there have been respectable with several quarterfinal appearances.

In our conversation, he expressed that he was excited to get the season started at Pipe, and also highlighted his comfort level at Teahupo'o heading into the Olympic year. There's no way a competitor like Toledo would want to go out on opening day and thus hinder his world title defense. That wasn't even a consideration or thought during our conversation.

This brings up a second point: For anyone who has spent a significant amount of time on the North Shore, the dirty little secret is that it's nearly impossible not to get sick there at one point or another. Surfers from all over the world show up, stay in houses together, share germs, and eat suspect foods. When it comes to health, danger lurks around every corner. Day-old Spam musubi can be lethal.

In 2018, I was covering the Pipe Masters for the WSL, felt the flu coming on early in the morning on the day of the finals, and when Gabe Medina beat Julian Wilson to win the event and the world title, I felt like I was going to die. I barely got to file my show report and spent the next 16 hours spewing bodily fluids all over the place while the house I was staying at was filled with Brazilians celebrating Medina’s big day. It happens. Sometimes the body just gets sick.

My opinion is that Toledo needs to be given a break. He's human, he's on the North Shore, things happen. Literally. You don't see any of his rivals writing him off, just a bunch of internet characters who haven't even had a conversation with him.

Mike Latronic from Free Surf Magazine, former world masters champion: “Toledo is far from being a shy or fearful athlete”

Well, I'll have to say that all these rumours and criticisms about current world champion Filipe Toledo are nonsense... Why all the disrespect? Okay, he won't be getting an invite to the Eddie or getting behind Kai Lenny anytime soon at Jaws, but Toledo is far from a timid or fearful athlete.

The kid does super dangerous stunts and surfs like crazy in all kinds of conditions. Pipe was big the other day, but he wasn't so out of control as to justify this absurd speculation and dishing out so much disrespect.

The man is a world champion and this clickbait bullshit is dumb.

As the editor and publisher of Freesurf Magazine and Boardstories TV for the past few decades, I have had the honor and privilege of watching him evolve since he was 15 years old. The first time I interviewed him after his win in Peru at the ISA Junior World Surfing Championships, he barely spoke any English.

Filipe Toledo is by far one of the most talented surfers on the planet and I will defend him. Will we see him at Mavericks soon? Hell no, but this disrespect for clicks is just stupid. Filipe Toledo deserves respect. He has earned it! Am I right?

Chas Smith of Beach Grit, journalist and writer

Toledo took to Instagram to criticize Wasilewski and others, writing: “To the critics and world champions commenting on social media, believe what you want, I’m not here to prove anything to you! My health is my priority! To those who cheer me on, thank you so much! We are together haha, we will come back better and stronger!”

Another extraordinary act of brave cowardice, boldly illuminating those watching as he trembles in real time. Boldly waving his two Lower Trestles championships before everyone.

That's what makes the kid a fascinating case study. The combination of a heart-beat tattooed with a lion, owing nothing to anyone, having proven everything, and at the same time being a full-fledged sissy, public, to the point of being brilliantly positive, Strider Wasilewski couldn't take it any longer.

And do you think this delicious mix is ​​encouraging the ranks of “those who cheer for it”?

It all fits in nicely with her appearance at Teahupo'o for the Games, with the eyes of the world up above and crushing everything.

Dont you think

David Lee Scales, Surf Splendor Podcast

There is no doubt in my mind that this is a completely made up story, especially since he surfed his set earlier in the day and he looked scared, didn't seem like he had any stomach issues and then two hours later he was intoxicated.

Where did he get that poisoned food? Was it at the event venue? Because everyone else was eating that food and no one else seemed to have any stomach problems.

It's very, very weird.

(…) It looks like he has the same problem in his stomach that I would have if I had to give my speech at school the next day. When you are nervous about something, your stomach wakes up and it is not food poisoning, Filipe Toledo.