Despite (or because of) a season wrought with controversy and criticism, anticipation for the 2023 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) Finals is at an all-time high. Adding another layer of excitement is the speculation that this will be the last time the event will be held at Lower Trestles and that it may mark the end of the Top 5 Finals Day format that was introduced under the reign of a not-so dearly departed Erik Logan. Furthermore, Top 5 contender Ethan Ewing will likely miss the event due to a back injury suffered while practicing for the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro.
It’s ultimately ironic that the most mismanaged year that the CT has ever seen is about to deliver the most watched finale. WSL bettors are chomping at the bit accordingly and making wagers as we speak. Are you among them? If so, you want to know what the Rip Curl WSL Finals odds and predictions 2023 will be. That’s what we’re here for. Action Sports Betting (ASB) has once again nailed the highest percentage of WSL event picks for the season, with our Favorites making the Finals nearly 80% of the time. Have a look at the odds for each of the contenders for the 2023 Rip Curl WSL Finals below, and place your bets with greater confidence.
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Betting Preview for the Rip Curl WSL Finals Men’s Surfing Competition Running from September 8 to 16 2023
Where: Lower Trestles, San Clemente, CA
When: Waiting period for the one-day event runs from September 8-16, 2023
Betting Lines: View WSL betting odds
Streaming Broadcast: WSL website / WSL YouTube
Sponsor: Presented by Rip Curl
Online Commentary: BeachGrit
FAVORITES
Filipe Toledo: EVEN Odds
WCT Ranking: No.1
Once again Filipe Toledo embarrassed himself at the Tahiti Pro (the event preceding the WSL Finals) and once again it won’t matter when it comes down to Lower Trestles. Toledo is practically unbeatable at the reef/point break ever since he improved his rail game to match his antics in the air. He proved this in the 2022 WSL Finals at Trestles against an in-form Italo Ferreira. Toledo didn’t punt once en route to a commanding victory. With the biggest threat to the throne, Gabriel Medina, not making the train to Trestles, it seems that there is nothing to stand in the way of back-to-back World Championship Tour titles for Toledo. Well, maybe one thing. Keep reading.
Griffin Colapinto: 4/6 Odds
WCT Ranking: No.2
Does hometown hero Griffin Colapinto have what it takes to beat Filipe Toledo in a best-of-three heats, assuming he gets through his battle against Joao Chianca or Jack Robinson? If it were any year prior we’d say no. However, the San Clemente native is a cooler, calmer, more confident, and more polished version of his predecessor self. If he makes it into the Final round he has a shot. Applause for Colapinto from the local crowd may even drown out the cheering (for Toledo) and jeering (against Colapinto) from the Brazilian contingent on the stoney beach. This may give Colapinto the fuel he needs to win his first world title.
SLEEPER
Joao Chianca: 10/1 Odds
WCT Ranking: No.4
After missing the CT midyear cut in 2022, one could certainly consider the 22 year old Brazilian to be the sleeper of the year. He does indeed deserve his position in the Top 5 after winning an event (MIO Rip Curl Portugal Pro) and placing 3rd three times on the 2023 CT schedule. However, while he has the speed, power, flow, and air-game to perform at Lower Trestles, Chianca shines best in heavy waves. The good news for Joao is that the same can be said for his first-round opponent, Jack Robinson. Chianca is more well-rounded than Robinson so expect him to get through the first fight before meeting Colapinto (assuming Ewing is still injured). If a strong south swell turns the A-frame rights and lefts on full blast, Joao may wrangle enough points to beat Colapinto and meet countryman Toledo in the final showdown. The odds don’t favor Chianca in a Toledo matchup at Trestles, but he did beat Filipe this season in the quarterfinals of the Billabong Pro Pipeline. Hedge your Rip Curl WSL Finals prediction with a bet on Joao Chianca.
LONG SHOTS
Jack Robinson: 20/1 Odds
WCT Ranking: No.5
Jack Robinson bookended his 2023 campaign with a win at the first CT event of the year (Billabong Pro Pipeline) and the last (SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro). Winning the latter last week is what catapulted the Australian into the Top 5 over opponent Gabriel Medina. If the WSL Finals were being held at either of these venues, Robinson would be a favorite to win. However, this is Lower Trestles that we’re talking about, the same place Robinson failed miserably in during the 2022 WSL Finals. Robbo looks awkward at this wave, and the odds of him getting out of the first round against Joao Chianca are slim at best.
Ethan Ewing: 30/1 Odds
WCT Ranking: No.3
Ethan Ewing fractured bones in his lower back while practicing for the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro, which caused him to withdraw from the event. At press, there is no announcement regarding whether or not he will compete in the second round at the Rip Curl WSL Finals. Even is he does, the powerful regular-footer would likely suffer the same fate as he did in the 2022 edition of the event. He doesn’t have the requisite aerial maneuvers to make it through more than two heats on Finals day. Ethan Ewing is exceedingly talented and is World Champion material, but just not at Lower Trestles.
2023 RIP CURL WSL FINALS MEN’S WINNER PREDICTION
The 2023 Rip Curl WSL Finals odds don’t lie. We confidently predict the inevitable conclusion that Filipe Toledo will win his second WCT World Title.
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