On the cover photo: Julian Wilson, one of those who chose family over competitive glory. Photo: WSL/Poullenot

As logical as the decisions seem, it is truly strange to see so many surfers voluntarily withdrawing from the world's top surfing scene in such a short period of time.

Since the CT-QS structure began in 1992, the circuit has never had so many losses in such a short period of time.

The veterans, Adriano de Souza and Jeremy Flores, were joined by Julian Wilson, Mikey Wright and Bronte Macaulay (who made her announcement today). Another Australian, Adrian Buchan, wrote on his Instagram that he will think about what he will do with his career but that he intends to finish it in front of his children (he will not retire until the tour returns to Australia).

They are, in principle, five out of 50 surfers, 10% of the tour members who voluntarily say goodbye.

This is accompanied by the number of injured or semi-injured people who easily decide not to compete in an event and not play for the world title; John John is the best example because he did go to Tokyo but said no to Barra de la Cruz.

The Barra de la Cruz event itself was an example of how the tour is now less important for its competitors. It was a blessing for surfers like Lucca Mesinas, Matheus Herdy, Regina Pioli, Jhonny Corzo, etc.

When in history have there been so many wildcards at one event? At Kelly's pool? Maybe, same season, same lack of interest.

Before the pandemic began, a surfer like Ricardo Christie from New Zealand was ready to return to the tour and compete with everything. Now he sells houses as a real estate agent. He didn't even bother to go to El Salvador to seek his Olympic spot and it doesn't seem like he'll be in the challengers either.

In the end, it all comes down to what we know is most important: Family. There are those who are willing to sacrifice a lot for their sports career, but they don't want to sacrifice too much either. With Covid in the mix, the pro surfer's dream became too much of a sacrifice.

“I am not calling it a retirement from professional surfing at all, the decision I am making is in line with what is most important to me in my life, which is my family,” wrote Julian Wilson.

“Being in Gracetown with my family and close friends is what I value most of all,” Macaulay said.

“Since I became a father, my priorities have changed completely,” Flores said when he announced his retirement.

Wright, 24, explained that he joined the tour so young that he doesn't even remember why he did it and that now he is going to prioritize what he enjoys, which is making videos.

This is what is happening today in the world of surfing. From one day to the next, a certain sector of professionals thought that being in the CT and being world champion was not the best thing in life.

Something that, 10 years ago, was unthinkable.

It is more than interesting to follow how this continues.

But it seems reasonable to think that Brazil will continue to fill the spaces in the elite and, why not, that eventually it will be the turn of a Latin American or a Spanish speaker to enter or return to it.

It is reasonable to think that in these areas the hunger to win, to be in the CT, has not changed that much.

Although, with the bug around, you never know.