Surfing magazine has vanquished Surfer! Its oldest and most cruel foe!
And so it has been officially confirmed. Surfer magazine, known as the “bible of the sport” and published since 1960 will become a quarterly thereby throwing in the towel, waving the white flag, giving up entirely (save four times a year).
Which means…
Surfing magazine wins!
The twin pillars of American surf media have been owned by the same company for the better part of the past two decades yet have maintained a wonderful animosity toward each other. I spent time with the Surfing crew as editor-at-large for a few happy years and the things we would say about the Surfer staff across the room… oh they still split my sides!
Still, I wondered, while I was there how much more gas Surfing had in the tank. It was clearly the less loved little sister of mighty Surfer and I wondered when it would be finally pillaged.
But look! At the end it was the mighty Surfer forced to take a knee, to tap out of the media game entirely (save four times a year).
And then I wondered how? How did Surfing, which will continue to run as a monthly alongside Vanity Fair and The New Yorker as real magazines, beat its oldest foe? I will attribute it to three outstanding and equally handsome men. Chato Agaza, Peter Taras and James “Jimicane” Wilson.
Chato has designed the magazine for years and kept it visually striking. Pete has cemented his position as one surfing’s best photo editors. And Jimicane not only shoots well but is an absolute firecracker.
That is why I think Surfing has beaten Surfer at the end but what does Surfing think?
I call and Pete answers and Jimmy is there. I ask, “Why? Why, at the end, did Surfing win?”
While Pete is trying to think up an answer that won’t maybe get him in trouble Jimmy answers.
“Surfer prides itself on being old. Well all their subscribers have died. Congratulations.”
Congratulations indeed (especially four times a year)!
