In an Instagram post, South African Jordy Smith positioned himself alongside Kolohe Andino as those who defend risky maneuvers instead of what they call a “predictable” tube or conservative surfing in Kelly’s pool.

Responding to former CT top rider Shane Beschen, he said, “Honestly, my dad can tube in the pool. One in the ocean is highly rewarding because it’s hard to predict and hard to get out of. But at the ranch it’s predictable and not really exciting for the audience after seeing the 10th surfer tube.”

Beschen had written to him asking if he thought a wave with fewer tubes would be better for seeing more aerials, to which Jordy replied affirmatively. The American then went on to defend the performances of those who went airborne instead of tubed: “What they did was crazy and I would like to see more of that. The tube looks fun but it is too small and predictable to be exciting for the audience. It is interesting and I am sure they will make changes next year.”

In the live broadcast of the Surf Ranch Pro, the eighth stage of the CT, the first to be held in a pool since the tours were divided into QS and CT in 1994, Kolohe Andino was very critical of the work of the judges, pointing out that making a difference is what they are always looking for, that that was what he did with Jordy and that they were not rewarded.