I cannot predict the future for you. I can only supply my perspective for you to interpret your own conclusion. A Contest is an illusion for the human ego. It is a figment of imagination which has no concrete nature of its own. When engaged in a contest, I must press onto you, that you must not forget your purpose: Barrelization and throwing fat buckets (sick airs and boosts are always peachy). Contests have line ups that may have people who paddle battle you constantly and/or show signs of aggression. Sure, there may be some dude in a podium screaming Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4-ish commentary for paychecks, but it doesn't bother you. In fact you don't hear the words at all. It is a blur of audio. Visually, some guy in your peripheral is scrambling for a wave; wearing a rash guard with the number 08 on it. The brain has analyzed all factors of danger, including an aggro surfer trying to snake you. Whatever vibe he may be giving, it passes straight over your head. In fact, you don't care for him at all. Before paddling out, your manager kept bugging you with a voice that pierced your ears: "OMG OMG CLAY MARZO BLAH BLEH CONTEST OMG OMG RIGHT NOW OMG WCT ASP OMG KELLY SLATER OMG". It was an adult trying to help. In fact, (taking a shot out in the dark here) he’s probably a pretty cool guy. To concentrate on the task at hand is to eliminate all unnecessary extremities. To fulfill your purpose is to not let any of those factors tie in to your interaction with the ocean. Besides the yelling commentator, the aggro surfers, and the business manager, you must not forget your purpose: RIP THE CRAP OUT OF THOSE WAVES AND REPRESENT HAWAII. Remember, when your winning the World tour and the Pipe masters, you are already winning the moment you decide to follow no one, be you, and have super fun. That's the real win.
Shoots bud
-Kendal from east oahu