Come get to know the World Surf League's CEO!
Bloomberg Business is, like, the holy grail of business news. Founder Michael Bloomberg was once mayor of New York City and outlawed big sugary drinks. The publication, both in print and online, features investment plans, money stuff, and people who make money. Also, Paul Speaker, CEO of the WSL.
He was featured in the “HOW DID I GET HERE?” segment and here are some quotes:
“I was class vice president, editor of the yearbook and newspaper, and head of the float and prom committees. I played football, basketball, track, and some baseball.”
“They’d done some official Olympic winter sports videos. I wrote them letters saying I could ski backward and hold a camera.”
“I was an economics major. I loved the people but could not wait to go make money.”
“I worked on Super Mario Bros. for 18 months. It was a game changer for me.”
“Everybody would be like, ‘Oh great, the idea guy’s here. Let’s let him come up with some ideas.’ I was 29 and didn’t know it was a stupid title.”
“I saw that the surf tour needed help, so I flew to Australia to meet with the board of the Association of Surfing Professionals. It was almost a year of negotiation.”
“We’re the governing body of professional surfing—we changed the name to WSL last year—from junior programs up to our world championship tour. It’s incredible fun.”
Which is your favorite? I like the part about incredible fun.
I also like how handsome he was in high school.
Go HERE for a complete timeline of the man’s career and inspiration like, “Know when to adjust and when to stay the course.”
P.S. Do you know what snowboarders call it when skiers ski backward?
Commented on Disqus? Log out, tap the Disqus button, and your old name and comments come back. The box is ours.
Your comments are still here. Every one of them.
Twelve years of BeachGrit comments came across from Disqus. Connect and we will show you how many are yours. We get your username, nothing else.
Connect Disqus to reveal.
I wonder what else he does backwards
The answer is…BROKEBACK! Hahaha long time lurker, I had to create an account for this! Nice work Chas!
Hahahahahaha! Bravo!
“i loved the people but could not wait to go make money”? notice how they’re diametrically opposed concepts for Senor Speaker from Villanova, which isn’t exactly Point Loma but …
faack, as an original nazbo, dat’s funny. I spent too much time on the East coast among the pennsyltuckians, and braddah, lemme tellya, being in the top 10 percent among that group is like……well it Speaks for itself.
only one year to go then.
Fakie? Switch? Backwards? Twin Tips? Doggy-style? Back dat ass up? Twerking? Paul Speakering? It must of just been some of your home town slang.
How does no one know what backward skiing is called? It’s the punchline!
how do you know what its called
Because I married a snowboarder.
snowboard wildcard
https://www.youtube.com/wat…
I laughed through that whole thing! The entirety!
Craig Anderson has the most steeze in his after-bang
his background is interesting, but I think shows why there’s such a disconnect with surfers. The assumption must be that you can put surfing into a neat little package like any other sport and everybody will love it. I just don’t see it.
nay trogan, I think the assumption is that someone is kicking down a shit load of investment capital and you’re on a million a year, so go nuts!
A shitload of capital seems to be shrinking daily. That gig don’t last long at this rate.
He obviously make- smonkey, I mean money
Chas Smith you really are the master of the Hidden Blade, my hat is off to you. Are you a Ninja?
My blade ain’t hidden! All the man needs to do, though, is give me a li’l arm wrestle a la the late great Brodie Carr. That’s all!
A Ninja arm wrestle?
Come on throw me a bone god damn it
No no no…I’m serious! My beef with Brodie was funny, light. My beef with Paul is deeper. But you just helped me realize what it is. i write about tomorrow!
Yeah well I wish he was playing rugby league and I was on the other team in the second row. Parse THAT if you dare Chas!
he’s aged terribly in the last 12 months.
Jock trying to turn surfing into a jock sport…bravo boys bra fucking O
worked for RVCA
did he ever train with kala?
Browner!
I LOVE THE PART ABOUT HE DONT KNOW SHIT ABOUT SURFING!!!!! ASP NEED HELP??? HE NEED HELP IN HIS @SSHOLE….
uhhh fakie or switch?
No! And maybe it’s just Pac Northwest snowboarders who say….