Filipe Toledo Collides with Photographer in Wave Pool (Video)

And the WSL decided to keep the score; they didn’t let Toledo surf the wave again. Here’s why:

“Following an unfortunate collision at the end of Filipe Toledo’s last wave and after consulting with the judging panel regarding the final score on the right, the commissioners office has made the decision to stand by the result. Per the head judge’s ruling - Filipe’s final turn would have added between 0.2-0.5 max if completed and that would not have changed the final result of the heat. As a result, there will be no re-surf of the wave.”

As for Toledo, although he looked rightfully frustrated after the collision, he didn’t blast the WSL too hard. Here’s what he had to say following the incident:

“What’s up, guys. Quick update here after my heat. Super unfortunate what happened with the photographer. Thank god he’s good, he’s okay. I’m okay. The impact, which I felt on my board, if it was in his hands, or on his head, or any part of his body, it would’ve been really, really bad. So, I’m really happy that nobody got hurt. Shoutout to Kanoa [Igarashi] for surfing really well in that heat. He deserved the win; no excuses on that. It is what it is. I’m happy with my performance, and ready for the next one."