Blood Feud: The Inertia vs Fans!

9 years ago

The much loved website caught in a fresh scandal!

Oh your favorite website has done it again! The Inertia is a progressive playground where all manner of thoughtful surfer is welcome. Its stories inspire and none of them ever need to include a trigger warning because everything is so thoughtful, so progressive, so Huffington Post meets your 65-year’s-old-yet-still-magically-single uncle! Gentle!

Except sometimes scandal accidentally peeks its nasty head over the horizon. Do you remember when the website accidentally sided with the NRA? What about when the writers enraged an entire island? And this morning, fresh clouds form.

Last night, a story was quietly posted titled: Meet the Major Showbiz Executive who Runs with Surfing’s Biggest Names

Let’s examine:

Erik Logan doesn’t really know why he’s relevant in the SUP surf world. At least that’s what he says. But there’s no denying the man has made his imprint in show business. As President of the Oprah Winfrey Network and former head of XM Radio Logan looks at himself as more of the everyday Average Joe when it comes to his life and passion in the water.

When Logan took up surfing in his early 40’s, just like the rest of us, he was hooked. He soon learned that being one of Hollywood’s big movers and shakers would have its perks in the surf community when Gabrielle Reece and Laird Hamilton made their way to a OWN Network event. Erik had a fanboy moment with Laird that sooner or later led to Hamilton becoming more or less his personal SUP surfing advisor/coach/mentor.

This morning it went up on Facebook and the fans are not happy, writing:

Doesn’t look like he’s surfing to me…

Not quite sure how being a stand up pole dancer qualifies him as being a surfer!!

He SUPs, not surfs.

One more article like this and I’m unfollowing

Do you think that the editors feel so hurt when they read? Are their triggers flipped? Tears shed on worn out copies of On Becoming Fearless in Life, Love and Work? Does the big tent they have erected suddenly feel so small? Tight?

If you are a mean person you can go here and throw gas on the fire.

#SUPlivesmatter

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Glenn Danzig is the singer and founder of bands the Misfits and Danzig. In the TV series Portlandia, he appears as a Romanian fashion expert advising on how to switch from goth to beach. "Sometimes to have a good time, you have to dress a little lame.” And, "Hurley, you can never have too much Hurley." Good advice!

Billabong: “It’s a little fratty!”

By Chas Smith

9 years ago

And you can never have too much Hurley.

There are very many bad representations of surfing that come out of the media. Do you live in America? Do you watch car advertisements? When I lived in Australia I saw even more and worse. Like, ugh!

But sometimes there is also pure gold. Watch this bit here featuring Portlandia genius Fred Armisen and none other than Glenn Danzig. Glenn Danzig!

Portlandia, of course, is a funny-ish television show that lampoons hipster culture, rife in Portland, Oregon. If the show is unfamiliar, let me give you a taste via a couple of episode summaries.

This, from Nina’s Birthday.

“Nina goes to great lengths to throw an extravagant 32nd birthday party for herself. The day-long event is set to include a multitude of activities ranging from sunrise yoga to horseback rides. The party culminates in a Tapas Dinner, thrilling news to Kath and Dave who have just returned from a trip to Spain. A young couple is forced to take out a loan from a local banker to attend Nina’s party. Snarky responses to Evites earn a local comedian celebrity status.”

And, Doug Becomes a Feminist: “Doug discovers that he is a male feminist; Sandra takes a rideshare for the first time.”

The episode starring Danzig, Weirdos Go To The Beach, is funny, and true, and amazing.

This is how surf apparel looks to normal people. The bad fits and color and funny.

I have watched this bit, now, fifteen times and it is brilliant. I’m still figuring out how to rip and put it here. in the meantime, watch in the link and watch my, honest to goodness, favorite YouTube video of all time below.

And always remember. You can never have too much Hurley. Also, Billabong is a little fratty.

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Titans of Mavericks to run Thursday!

By Derek Rielly

9 years ago

It's the greatest show on earth and the most coveted event in big-wave surfing!

Four days ago, it was reported, here, that the Titans of Mavericks event didn’t run despite the required 20-foot waves, because of the NFL’s Super Bowl.

Chas Smith wrote:

“Surfline, forecasting website with a predilection for dark kink, claimed 23 foot plus waves with gorgeous winds. Near perfect conditions. But no Titans of Mavericks event. Why?

“That damned Super Bowl!

“And son of a bitch. First catty infighting, then being outshone by Jaws, then getting busted for sexism and now this? Everyone is pinning hopes on El Nino bringing tons more contestable action so no worries, right? Right? RIGHT? Do you think that made the Titans of Mavericks feel like their needs were met? Do you think they felt like equal citizens in this American democracy? Do surf lives matter?”

All those sad memories will be washed away when the event runs on Thursday, February 11, book-ending a satisfying week for fans of big-wave surfing, with the Eddie to run on Wednesday, February 10, Hawaiian Standard Time.

Did you know Titans of Mavericks is the most compelling of all surfing events? It says so, many times, in the press release. Let’s examine.

“Titans of Mavericks is the most coveted event in big wave surfing. Mavericks has a rich history among the annals of surfing lore. Being touted as the one of the most hazardous events in the world, and having 24 of the best conditioned big wave surfing professionals compete against each other to win this prestigious competition makes Titans of Mavericks the greatest show on earth. The 24 who compete possess fearless character and endless passion that give them these unique set of skills to challenge Mavericks each and every year. Each winter season the nation turns its focus on the quiet, yet historical coastal town of Half Moon Bay, California. Sports fans and thrill seekers bear witness and watch these Titans of great strength, mental toughness and dedication in challenging themselves. Each athlete that has been part of the history of Mavericks has shaped this event in one way or another and has given us a unique perspective in how we look at this phenomenon. Titans of Mavericks is the marquee big wave surfing contest in the world, and 24 of the world’s best in the sport vie for the opportunity to win, make a name and be etched into history.”

And if you happen to be near Mavs on Thursday, how about signing up for the VIP spectator package. One hundred dollars gets you

One Limited Edition Titans of Mavericks Poster
Signed Athlete Card
Titans of Mavericks Event T-Shirt (sizing needed prior to event)
Access to the Titans of Mavericks Closing Ceremony Event, including access to the Titans in attendance.
Experience the live show of Trophy presentations and event highlights.
Food and Drink (21+ must show ID)
VIP Priority Check-in and Entrance
VIP Pass included
Red Carpet Access (for pictures)

Can you think of a better way to allocate your c-note?

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Do you remember those classic VZ ads? Such pop! | Photo: VZ

Blood Feud: Donavon vs Kauai Neighbour!

By Rory Parker

9 years ago

And you thought living on Kauai was all palm trees and chiselled reef waves?

Donavon Frankenreiter, mustachioed member of the Momentum Generation who parlayed his throwback style and ability with an acoustic guitar into a thriving musical career, appeared in Kauai court yesterday seeking a temporary restraining order against a neighbor.

Court documents paint a picture of a ~~run of the mill disagreement between two neighbours who don’t like each other~~ vicious ongoing feud featuring threats, thrown beer bottles and terrified children.

In our quest to provide ~~low effort pandering to the lowest common denominator~~ hard hitting journalistic coverage of all the goings-on the “Surf Industry” doesn’t want you to know about, ~~TMZ~~ BeachGrit ~~walked up to the clerk’s window and asked for a copy of the publicly available document~~ attained exclusive access to the secret government documents through one of its many loyal informants.

Let’s examine!

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Me and you and all our friends soaking in Las Vegas fluorescents, drinking watered down things, losing money on Bruce Irons!

Sin: Let’s gamble on the Eddie!

By Chas Smith

9 years ago

Quiksilver's In Memory of Eddie Aikau could make us all rich (poor)!

More money was bet on this past Super Bowl than any other single event ever. 132.5 million dollars properly and legally placed in Las Vegas. 4.2 billion dollars illegally with Italian mobsters and such. Much of it was lost, of course, Las Vegas is very smart with their spreads etc. and much of it was lost, illegally, too. Italian mobsters breaking kneecaps and such.

Which brings us to tomorrow’s Eddie. It might be the most perfect of surf events to gamble on. There is enough history for novices to go back and see how it works. The scoring is simple. It is generally clear when someone has surfed a better wave than another. The whole thing runs in one day.

And just think of all the different things that could be bet upon! During the Super Bowl, for example, there was an over/under on how long it would take for Lady Gaga to sing the national anthem. The Eddie could have an over/under on how many times Kelly Slater gives a backhanded compliment to a competitor. Wave height, top score, top four, winner, number of wipeouts, number of broken leashes, are easy money lines etc. etc. Endless!

Finally, the Eddie would look gorgeous broadcast on those giant screens wrapping Las Vegas sports books. It would be fun for all and maybe especially the fat Midwesterners losing their life savings.

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Eat beach grit spam!