$15.95 has never been better spent. Unless it was spent on Apple stock in 1980.
In this age of advancement, this dayglo online wonderland, this 2015 when Michael J. Fox went into the future future and saw flying cars and his artificially boobied mama, the most prog thing is….is….is….
A printed, thick and glossy six times yearly reader-supported magazine that that costs $15.95 and is too big to carry, comfortably, in hand-held Louis Vuitton airplane luggage.
Is the Surfer’s Journal.
The most recent issue, 24.1, features an almost perfect picture of Dion Agius firmly glued to a Southeast Asian wave on its cover and is filled with stories that fire the brain. Like, Jamie Brisick’s exceptional piece on Peter Schroff. Or Thomas Campbell nailing Morocco. Or Chad Smith’s stroll with Raimana Van Bastolaer.
It is exceptional because it feels on the very cutting edge of popular culture without being self-aware. It tells stories that are important and rich without being preachy. It is neither corporate nor anti-corporate. It is just good. Just really really good. And I honestly don’t know how. It should be boring but it is more prog than anything in surf media and maybe anything in media media. Sit with the most recent issue for a few minutes and I dare you to disagree. It is curated perfectly and if I wore a hat, I would tip it toward editor-in–chief Scott Hulet.
Maybe I’m officially ancient. Or maybe quality is not an act. It is a habit. Aristotle said that and he is 2399 today. The truth never rusts, baby.
Probably the best use of Aristotle that I have seen in a while Chas.
I am quite glad to hear you don’t wear hats. Hats belong in the dustbin of history next to tights on men and finless surfboards. As far as the journal (fuck that Wall Street trash, this is the true journal) goes it is absolutely amazing. Plus, any publication that runs Jamie Brisick’s stories is absolutely good by me.
Hats are terrible
Especially stuck like glue
To the head of a dandy
A few years ago my mother had a battle with cancer and spent the good part of a year in hospital, in lieu of birthday gifts the following year she asked that instead of buying her a gift that we all pick a magazine to subscribe to in the name of the cancer ward so the patients could have an up to date variety of reading material instead of the ancient womens weeklys she had to make do with during her stay, anyway I subscribed to Surfer Journal, I thought it could be enjoyed by surfer and non surfer alike.
I am very surprised that Mr Smith doesn’t wear a hat.
You were right to give those in need the Journal. St. Peter will open his gates wide to you, one day. And I think I might wear a hat but my head is way too skinny……
Poor WT surfers are contractually abliged to wear hats. Jordy Smith is the only one who looks better hat on then hat off. Bruce Irons is great at wearing non sponsors hats which must please Fox and energy drink companies plenty. Mick tucks his ears in, Parko’s stay out. The ladies having to wear truckers or caps is very sad. And some grant final note to finish on hasn’t been thought of off the cuff just yet*.
*note to self re-edit comment later after fact checking.