Gabriel Medina vs Cole Houshmand Side by Side Scoring Comparison: Who You Got?

It's tough being a WSL judge.

When the waves are perfect, the job gets a little easier. Better waves equal better surfing, where the cream tends to rise and the scoring is simpler to separate.

But when it's small? Well, that's when shit hits the fan.

In the Round of 32, Gabriel Medina and Cole Houshmand traded blows at 2-to-3 foot Winkipop. While it felt like Medina was coasting to a win, it was hard to totally separate their surfing, and Medina left the door just ajar for Houshmand at the end. Needed a 7, Houshmand hammered a wave under Medina's priority with a minute remaining, and that was it: Houshmand turned the heat.

Afterwards, Medina slammed the WSL, saying: "This is the worst judging I have ever seen. It’s bad for the sport. I’ve been through a lot of judging things, but maybe this is the worst one."

Brazil agreed, flooding the WSL's social channels with "World Shame League" far and wide.

So, was it as egregious as Medina thinks?

In the edit above, their two best rides are compared out of context and apples to apples. As you'll see, it's a super close call, and one that really could have gone either way.

Did Houshmand definitely win? Impossible to say. That's the thing about a subjective sport.

But is it the worst judging off all time?  Hardly.

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