"But it's ok!" Joe Turpel says, "The waiting period runs all the way to Feb 29! We have an extra day thanks to leap year!" That sort of spin is why he gets the big dollars (to be paid later).
"But it's ok!" Joe Turpel says, "The waiting period runs all the way to Feb 29! We have an extra day thanks to leap year!" That sort of spin is why he gets the big dollars (to be paid later).

Just in: The Eddie is off!

Chas Smith

By

After much build up, the world's premier big wave event is cancelled.

Ain’t the ocean a big bummer sometimes? I wanted to go surfing this morning too but a fat tide and no waves has forced me indoors with only the glow of a raspberry jelly tainted MacBook Air lighting my heart.

And the Eddie is off. The swell pinging buoys is not right, not enough, and there is no immediate indication as to when it might run. The window ends this month.

Where is Kelly’s wave pool when you need it? Do you think it could, someday, produce the height necessary for us to never have to cry these tears again?

So long Dane! Bye-bye Ando!

Chas Smith

By

Quiksilver comes roaring back!

Quiksilver has shaken off a very bad year and delivered the most fun extreme sport bit in recent memory. It sparkles with anticipation! It floats like a balloon that has just dropped 600 million bricks! It will, no doubt, be playing on loop during today’s Eddie (just moments away) and things seem totally enjoyable inside this universe which begs the question…

Who needs Dane Reynolds or Craig Anderson when you’ve got love?

The only problem with the overall campaign is the copy. It reads:

Our lifestyle is about finding positives, getting stoked, keeping the high. There’s an infectious youthful attitude that draws us to the ocean and makes us surf down mountains. It’s a spirit and approach to life that is always fun first. It’s Quiksilver job to remind everyone of that spirit.

Hmmm. Maybe it sounds better in French?

But let us not throw stones! Let us celebrate the re-birth of a brand we love! Welcome back Quiksilver!

Blood Feud: The Inertia vs Fans!

Chas Smith

By

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

Glenn Danzig Portlandia
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!”

Chas Smith

By

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.

Titans of Mavericks to run Thursday!

Derek Rielly

By

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?

Photo: Justin Jay/@justinjayphoto
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