WSL contest returns to South China seas where the forces of good are facing down the forces of evil.
Tensions have been ratcheting up since the 1980s in the South China seas, and have reached a boiling point over the last few days. The People’s Republic of China, the region’s dominant power, has been creating islands, through dredging, in disputed territory, encroaching on small, friendly neighbors’ claims. Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and South Korea are very worried about the bellicose militarized giant and have voiced concern to the United Nations.
China, for its part, says the new islands are not for military purposes, yet independent analysts have seen, via satellite images, three airstrips that will be able to accommodate bombers. China is also thumbing its nose at international law by pumping oil, endangering the delicate ecosystem to say nothing of outright theft.
The United States of America has mostly steered clear of the situation but, over the weekend, China’s unilateralism proved too much and a little U.S. Navy boat sailed into the fray. China immediately responded in hostile fashion, issuing a statement that, “It does not fear war with the United States.” (read full news report here)
It can be assumed, that if World War III happened tomorrow that nations that love peace, freedom and liberty would side with America (Hello, Australia! Welcome, France! Obrigado, Brazil!). That nations that love discord, totalitarianism and institutionalized deceit would fall in with China (Is that you North Korea? Saddam Hussein, you came back?).
And where would the World Surf League cast its lot? With the powers of evil of course!
Over the same weekend, when a few brave Navy sailors stared down the menacing Red Dragon, putting their very lives on the line for justice and human rights the WSL announced “The World’s Best to Return to China for 2015 World Longboard Championships!”
The press release reads:
Early December will see 36 men and 24 women assemble in Wanning, Hainan Island in the South China sea to compete at the now famous Riyue Bay for the Jeep World Longboard Championships presented by Wanning. China has successfully hosted the Longboard World Championships for the past four years and the consistent reef/point break at Riyue Bay has proved to be an ideal location…
It is troubling, to say the least, but also unsurprising. The World Surf League has flexed its totalitarian muscles as of late, forcing your little BeachGrit to remove videos and also forcing our ally Surf Europe. But, like America’s Navy, we will stare the beast in the eye and say, “You can take our videos, but you can never take OUR FREEDOM!”
think brasil (& south africa?) Is on china’s side… BRICS aka Axis of evil 2.0.
Didn’t they shoot Saddam?
Never put it past the Chinese to genetically engineer dead villains.
They should get Stalin and Mao tandem SUPPING.
Can you share anything on the standoff between u and the wsl regarding the publishing of wsl produced videos on beachgrit??! Were dying to know!!
It was as tawdry as it was crazy. We posted WSL videos. They told us to take them down. We did. I bitched.
But more importantly is Cori Schumacher going this year?